Head light and Tail Light laws

[biker_guy]

I am not happy with the setup on my bike right now and I don't have a bunch of money for fork over so I'm looking for what I can do or get away with and not get pulled over or get a hard time come inspection time. I came upon these two pages

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2004/octqtr/49cfr571.108.htm

http://calcoast-itl.com/assets/Motorcycles%20&%20Motor%20Driven%20Cycles%20-%20Lighting.pdf

they are pretty much the same thing only one is html the other is pdf. There a couple things to keep in mind though. 1. the html page says Revised as of October 1, 2004 so it's not the most up to date document. 2. it the federal regulations so I don't know how state laws play in effect with this. But at least it's some direction and if it doesn't at least meet this you KNOW it won't fly. It's a lot to look at but the search function makes things nice.

[duaneage]

Some of these micro tail lights and turn signals are invisible to cars. I would rather have something that other drivers notice than a cool looking mini light of the wrong color.

[Big T]

Agrred!

Bigger and brighter are the way to go.

Remember, cars don't see you as it is. Why endanger yourself?

You can get smaller units that are brighter than stock. I think they're more expensive.

[duaneage]

I like the flashing brake lights I see sometimes. They are really noticed. In some states the brake lights cannot flash or alternate though.

Another neat idea I saw was a brake light on the riders back. Apparently it is a clip on with it's own batteries that gets a signal from a control module. Having a rear brake light up high is a real plus in traffic.

[rudy]

You can get smaller units that are brighter than stock. I think they're more expensive.

I've got little Emgo ones on my cafe. They're a LOT brighter than stock. Ran me about $15 per pair, so, not expensive at all.

[biker_guy]

Another neat idea I saw was a brake light on the riders back. Apparently it is a clip on with it's own batteries that gets a signal from a control module. Having a rear brake light up high is a real plus in traffic.

another invention passed me up. I always thought about something like that but more for when your bike is really packed down. My brake like can be slightly hidden if I have enough stuff packed in the rear bag. If you have a brake light to clip on the bag itself no worries...as long as it stays charged.

[SqDancerLynn1]

In most states the lights need to be DOT approved to be legal & need to be 12" apart, That doesn't mean you can't use something else. But little flush mounts, dim small lights can get you into trouble

[AF_Bill]

Right now I'm running LED bulbs in my taillight. They are birght as hell! When I get around to replaceing my luggage rack and get a new back rest I plan on installing another LED light on that. I was told that here in MD a flashing brake light is illegal. So there goes me installing strobes.

[bakalorz]

Right now I'm running LED bulbs in my taillight. They are birght as hell! When I get around to replaceing my luggage rack and get a new back rest I plan on installing another LED light on that. I was told that here in MD a flashing brake light is illegal. So there goes me installing strobes.

FWIW, I was researching this some time ago to figure out what I could use. One of the web sites for the tail light flashers said something like it was illegal to flash the brake lights continuously everywhere.
But it was not addressed or specifically allowed pretty much everywhere to flash them a small number of times when the brake is inithially applied, and then to go to full on.

That kind of makes sense, since the friendly officers don't want anyone to impersonate them, but probably don't care about an attention getting device that doesn't make other drivers think you are an officer.

OTOH, I run a headlight modulator, and was pulled over once for it.
After a papers check and a lecture I was let go.
Headlight modulators are definately legal in all 50 states.

On the plus side, I suspect the surprise/excitement of getting to bust me for the flashing light kept the officer from activating his radar, since I did not recieve a performance evaluation of my speed, and was probably due for one.

And as a final story ...
Once upon a time:
I was following a semi-truck, and either the owner or insurance company was a safety nut ...
He had brakelight flashers, and it really got my attention when he hit the brakes.

[biker_guy]

I would look that up. That sounds really dumb. I flash my brake lights by hand to let others know hey watch out I'm going to stop up here. Which anyone has the ability to do so would you get pulled over for that? If not what's the difference. Also in the Missouri driving hand book for CARS it says if some one if following too closely flash or tap your brake to catch their attention. But then again that's Missouri. Anyway I'd check if you're really wanting to because they will make you seen AKA not get run over.

[Zook]

I can't remember the name of the company that makes them but they make a module that incorporates your turn signals to make them flash a couple times then stay on as long as the brake is applied. It also uses the signals as running lights. Yellow normally and red when the brake is applied. And they are BRIGHT LEDs. A friend had a R100RS with them. Boy, do they work!