To all U.S.riders

Hi all,was just wondering,is it actually the law to ride m/c`s with your lights on? and have you any manual means of switching off your lights?
Cheers all
Buzz

 

Isn't it funny that we all assume the law says we have to have our headlights on, but when asked to cite the law, we have no idea if there really is one.

Well, in this case--for Washingtonians at least--there is:

Of course, your next question should be, how is a highway defined? Oddly enough, Chapter 46 doesn't define it. If, however, we jump to Chapter 47, we find a definition for highway there. This definition only applies to the use of highway in Chapter 47, but I think you'd be prudent to also use it in 46:

That's the long way of saying, everywhere.

 

It is one of those state/city things. Some states have a law and some states don't. When I lived in Memphis there was no state law but the city had a headlight law. I could turn the headlight off once out of Memphis but I didn't have an off switch. The headlight was hardwired to be on at all times.
Some states have helmets laws and some don't so most everything is a variable here in the U.S.

 

Federal regulations had the switch removed in 1979 or 1980 I think since my 1978 has a headlight switch but my 1980 and 81 don't so I installed a switch since I don't want the headlight on if I'm trying to start a cold engine and have a weak battery.

 

Thanks for the replies.I was just wondering,cos it gets minus three or lower here this time of year,and my xj is my work bike,so stands outside in all weathers,and struggles to turn over sometimes,even with a battery tender connected,i`m sure it wouldn`t start if i had to crank it with all the lights on,thats a fair bit of wattage.
Cheers
Buzz

 

Many of the US XJs have an automatic switch. The headlight doesn't come on until the motorcycle starts.

 

State of Wisconsin has a Hight light on law, I can get the exact statute number if someone really wants.

 

In NY state same laws apply on bike lights as cars. Half hour before dusk, half hour after dawn, or anytime visibility is less than 1000ft(Basically when its raining or clouded over/foggy) That being said, I run it all the time to increase being visible, night or day, no matter how small the increase.(every little bit helps!) My bikes also have high-beam/lo-beam switch, which comes in handy.

 

you may want to relook into ny state laws. you are required to have on a head light and tail light while on highways during the day. only off road are you permited to have them off. also in ny you are able to have the head light flash while on.

 

Huh. I could have sworn in was the other. Either way, I ride with them on all the time, so I'm covered. I will have to double-check that though so I don't spread wrong information. Thanks!

 

http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/mcmanual/mclicenses.htm
and
http://home.ama-cycle.org/amaccess/laws ... p?state=ny

 

oh forgot, same with WI, you can use a headlight modulator also during the day time

 

would this be like seatbelts federal law says they have to be there the state makes you wear it!!!!!

 

I understand the desire to be abl eto turn it off while you start it but most meat heads would not remember to turn them back on. I have also heard the argument that headlights don't look "cool" on some bikes so why do I have to have it on? The same for helmets. Do you want to look cool or live to ride another day? Put on the brain bucket and keep your lights on. Worry about looking cool on something else.

I do believe I read the otherday that headlight modulators are legal in all states or they will be soon. Many manufacturers are already making them standard equipment on certain bikes.

The buff

 

In the UK we do not need to run with headlghts on but i have modded all my bikes so they are on as i want to be seen by them idiots on 4 wheels and above