full beam. Why?

General discussion of the BMW R1200RT/R1250RT
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Doctor T
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full beam. Why?

Post by Doctor T »

Sitting here watching video's on YT. One thing ive noticed is that most riders drive with full beam on all the time. OK may help in cities but these riders are in the open countryside.
Do you ride about with full beam on all the time?
Trust me I am a retired Doctor and lecturer at Oxford University of Structural and Mechanical/Electrical engineering.
"Blessed are the cracked, for they shall let in the light". Groucho Marx
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Re: full beam. Why?

Post by Steve398 »

Haloes and yellow Clearwater Darla lights. Surely main beam’s likely to drown your indicators…
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Re: full beam. Why?

Post by David. »

Doctor T wrote: Thu Oct 06, 2022 5:06 pm Do you ride about with full beam on all the time?
No, I find 2 x dipped beam perfectly adequate.
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Re: full beam. Why?

Post by David. »

Steve398 wrote: Thu Oct 06, 2022 6:08 pm Haloes and yellow Clearwater Darla lights.
Could yellow lights be confused with indicators.
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Re: full beam. Why?

Post by burridge01 »

Normal day to day riding I just have my normal beam on.When I'm commuting the bike(GSX1250)has the high beam on.Anything for the scroats to see me,and even then it doesn't work :evil:
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Re: full beam. Why?

Post by Ed Harley »

Doctor T wrote: Thu Oct 06, 2022 5:06 pmDo you ride about with full beam on all the time?
Used to back in the day but not anymore.
1983 GS1000G | 1984 GSX1100EF | 1997 FLHR | 1998 FLSTS | 1999 R1100RT | 2016 Triumph 1200 XRT
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Re: full beam. Why?

Post by Doctor T »

I've never used full beams in the daylight. I have my dips on and a pair of yellow lens 10w spots mounted on my fork legs.
Trust me I am a retired Doctor and lecturer at Oxford University of Structural and Mechanical/Electrical engineering.
"Blessed are the cracked, for they shall let in the light". Groucho Marx
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Re: full beam. Why?

Post by David. »

Doctor T wrote: Thu Oct 06, 2022 7:44 pmI have a pair of yellow lens 10w spots mounted on my fork legs.
Could yellow lights be confused with indicators.
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Re: full beam. Why?

Post by Stu »

Depending on what its like outside depends on the lights I use

No sun then daytime haloes is fine
Bright sunshine especially a low blinding sun then its headlights on and fogs on as if its a blinding light I want to be seen
Dark just headlights on fogs off as people flash at me as they are too bright

High beam is only every used when required and when there is no other vehicles in front or oncoming

We are trying to be seen here not blind everyone so they can't see as that just defeats the object
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Re: full beam. Why?

Post by Steve398 »

I don’t think so…
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Re: full beam. Why?

Post by simbo »

sakm wrote: Thu Oct 06, 2022 8:03 pm
High beam is only every used when required and when there is no other vehicles in front or oncoming

We are trying to be seen here not blind everyone so they can't see as that just defeats the object
This^^^
The GS 'is' the better bike :-)
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Re: full beam. Why?

Post by Sharkfighter »

I’ll play devils advocate here and have you considered what the law says about it?

Rule 114

You MUST NOT

use any lights in a way which would dazzle or cause discomfort to other road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders
use front or rear fog lights unless visibility is seriously reduced. You MUST switch them off when visibility improves to avoid dazzling other road users (see Rule 226).
In stationary queues of traffic, drivers should apply the parking brake and, once the following traffic has stopped, take their foot off the footbrake to deactivate the vehicle brake lights. This will minimise glare to road users behind until the traffic moves again.
Law RVLR reg 27

Most people think it only applies to hours of darkness, but the law above does not mention that. Therefore it applies at all times. Just a thought.
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Re: full beam. Why?

Post by David. »

Are front yellow lights considered as fog lights.

More discussion on the matter here, viewtopic.php?p=49694&hilit=fog+lights#p49694
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Re: full beam. Why?

Post by Marvin2Shoes »

If you are ever riding in Australia make sure you use low beam during the day or, as my wife discovered, you'll find a policeman writing you an infringement notice and it will cost. It doesn't matter if you mention that you didn't realise you had your high beams on as ignorance is never a defence under law. I did, however, feel a little better after muttering about 'revenue raising' from the relative safety of the passenger seat ;)
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Re: full beam. Why?

Post by Doctor T »

Steve398 wrote: Thu Oct 06, 2022 8:04 pm I don’t think so…
Mine are mounted just about the calipers. Can't see how these can be confused with indicators. Also, they are yellow and not orange.
With my spots/daylights mounted as they are they give a triangle effect. I think lambs mount under the mirrors can cause more confusion in the day light
Trust me I am a retired Doctor and lecturer at Oxford University of Structural and Mechanical/Electrical engineering.
"Blessed are the cracked, for they shall let in the light". Groucho Marx
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