strobing motorcycle headlights

[nine mil thrill]

are strobing motorcycle headlights legal ?? I am encountering this on my commute a lot, and my first reaction is to pull aside for some sort of an emergency vehicle. if this IS legal, then what is preventing me from going down the highway cycling my headlights in the same manner ??

[pterrell]

Are you sure they're flashing and it isn't the motorcycle going over a bump? Because they're much smaller and lighter, cracks and bumps in the road are much more emphasized on a bike than a car.

[P5Ret]

Yes they are legal it is a safety feature on many sport bikes that cycles between high and low beam. It can only be used during daylight hours.


25251.2. Any motorcycle may be equipped with a means of modulating the upper beam of the headlamp between a high and a lower brightness at a rate of 200 to 280 flashes per minute. Such headlamps shall not be so modulated during darkness.

[scoutpup99]

Lots of guys have them on their bikes. I have no clue if they are legal but they sure bug me. Especially when they use it on the brights. I ride so I understand the desire to make yourself visable.

[nine mil thrill]

I can understand the safety aspect.....but, that is borderline to what an emergency vehicle does. how would an officer respond if I was to do that in my truck ??

[IrishJoe3]

Emergency vehicles also have a steady burning, forward facing red light visible at 1000' During normal atmospheric conditions.

If you were to modulate your truck headlights, you would probably be cited as you are not authorized to do that on a truck or vehicle

[TKM]

The industry pushed it as a safety measure starting in 1978. No .gov involvement, they just thought it up and did it.

There should be a sensor that disables the disco effect when it gets dark, the .gov did come up with that part.

TLTR

http://www.americade.info/modulator.htm

[IrishJoe3]

I think its a good idea. Not a rider myself, but seen plenty of safe riders killed when someone violated their right of way simply because they weren't seen. Go broadside on a car while riding a MC, the odds of survival are slim

[CBR_rider]

I can understand the safety aspect.....but, that is borderline to what an emergency vehicle does. how would an officer respond if I was to do that in my truck ??

Motorcycles are allowed to do so under the vehicle code. Your truck is not.

[9M62]

I love this childish "if they can do it I need to be able to do it too!" attitude that is becoming so prevalent on CalGuns and in society.

Ugh.

Motorcycles are allowed to do it because they are less visible, and when people hit them, they often die.

You cannot in your truck because it is more visible, has two headlights, and when you crash you don't often die.

It's not rocket science here.

[m_chevy]

Yes they are legal it is a safety feature on many sport bikes that cycles between high and low beam. It can only be used during daylight hours.


25251.2. Any motorcycle may be equipped with a means of modulating the upper beam of the headlamp between a high and a lower brightness at a rate of 200 to 280 flashes per minute. Such headlamps shall not be so modulated during darkness.

It has to go between high beam and low beam. If the MC has single bulb lights, it's no issue. But if it is a two-headlight system, they can not go back and forth, left/right/left/right. That is reserved for emergency vehicles operating in accordance with 21055 CVC.

(Full Disclosure-- I am a motorcycle cop. I once won breakfast in a bet with a co-worker regarding this flashing lights on motorcycles issue.)

[Victor Cachat]

I once saw a young guy in an ex-CHP Crown Vic racing down I-80 in the fast lane with his headlights alternately flashing.

Everyone got out of his way.

I wonder how many times that worked before he was busted.

[yzErnie]

I can understand the safety aspect.....but, that is borderline to what an emergency vehicle does. how would an officer respond if I was to do that in my truck ??

Simple answer....you could be cited because the vehicle code does not have an authority section to do it for cars and trucks...sans emergency vehicles. A motorcycle would not be cited because the vehicle code authorizes the use of "Modulating" headlight(s) on a motorcycle.

[glennbtw]

I run mine in cross traffic with the intention of being mildly annoying. Makes other drivers notice. Seems to cut down on close calls. For the most part I turn it off on the freeway unless splitting.

[Old_Bald_Guy]

strobing motorcycle headlights

I can understand the safety aspect.....but, that is borderline to what an emergency vehicle does. how would an officer respond if I was to do that in my truck ??

Headlight modulators are nothing new, and they are not similar in appearance to what you see on law enforcement motors. I had one for years on one of my previous bikes, and they do increase visibility. I finally reverted to stock when a ditzy hipster chick in a Prius almost got her first kill by turning into my path on a red light right turn. When I asked her at the next stoplight why she'd done it, she said, "I thought this (rapidly opening and closing her hand, referring to the modulating headlamp) meant that I should go."