ninjette.org - View Single Post - Got rear ended first, now I'm getting screwed because of integrated tail light?

FrugalNinja250 · July 2nd, 2012, 05:59 AM

Federal law has a minimum distance between the turn signal and brake lenses. It also has standards for brightness/distinguishability. It's called the FMVSS, http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/fmvss/index.html and *no* integrated signal/brake setups on motorcycles meet the FMVSS standards. They cannot be made to meet them, which is why they are *always* illegal. many states enforce these requirements in their inspection programs, fewer states will enforce it through traffic citations, but every single one will find the owner of such a system partly or completely at fault in accidents like these.

Edit to add: bikes I've seen with integrated setups were too dim, and the turn signal (if you could call it that) was often perceived as a slight flicker in brightness. Most times I was unable to tell if the rider was signalling left or right. The onus of clarity when signalling is on the signaller, not the viewer. A lawyer will run you $5k or more, and since your equipment clearly is illegal you will lose your case. I'd revert to a legal and functional setup and call it a lesson learned.

July 2nd, 2012, 05:59 AM	#11
FrugalNinja250 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Frugal Location: Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) Join Date: Mar 2010 Motorcycle(s): Several Posts: A lot.	Federal law has a minimum distance between the turn signal and brake lenses. It also has standards for brightness/distinguishability. It's called the FMVSS, http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/fmvss/index.html and no integrated signal/brake setups on motorcycles meet the FMVSS standards. They cannot be made to meet them, which is why they are always illegal. many states enforce these requirements in their inspection programs, fewer states will enforce it through traffic citations, but every single one will find the owner of such a system partly or completely at fault in accidents like these. Edit to add: bikes I've seen with integrated setups were too dim, and the turn signal (if you could call it that) was often perceived as a slight flicker in brightness. Most times I was unable to tell if the rider was signalling left or right. The onus of clarity when signalling is on the signaller, not the viewer. A lawyer will run you $5k or more, and since your equipment clearly is illegal you will lose your case. I'd revert to a legal and functional setup and call it a lesson learned.