ninjette.org

Go Back   ninjette.org > General > General Motorcycling Discussion

Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old May 14th, 2018, 07:14 AM   #1
ninjala
ninjette.org member
 
Name: Jim
Location: Alhambra
Join Date: May 2017

Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250

Posts: 39
Illegal to Use High Beam?

This morning (about 5:45 am, still dark) I was riding in Downtown LA surface street. A motorcycle police officer in front of me asked me to turn off the high beam. He is the same officer who gave me the ticket for illegal changing lane on Exit Lane Only about two weeks ago.

I have been using high beam at night for 10 years. This is the first time I get warning for illegal using high beam.
ninjala is offline   Reply With Quote




Old May 14th, 2018, 07:27 AM   #2
Triple Jim
Guy Who Enjoys Riding
 
Triple Jim's Avatar
 
Name: Jim
Location: North Carolina
Join Date: Jul 2016

Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250

Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Oct '18, Aug '17, Aug '16
Here in North Carolina it is required that a driver dim his lights from high to low beam to prevent glare to another driver, including when following a vehicle closer than 200 feet. In other words, it would be illegal to drive at night with your high beam on full time, unless there is no other traffic.

You should search for the traffic laws in California for specific information that applies to you, but it's hard to imagine that there isn't a similar law.

In the daytime here, some motorcycle riders do ride with their high beam on, and some motorcycle safety information suggests it's a good thing to do. They usually don't get in trouble for it, but it probably depends on the judgment of the particular officer who you're shining your high beam into the eyes of.
Triple Jim is offline   Reply With Quote


1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.
Old May 14th, 2018, 07:35 AM   #3
jkv45
Rev Limiter
 
jkv45's Avatar
 
Name: Jay
Location: WI
Join Date: Jul 2013

Motorcycle(s): '06 SV650n, '00 Derbi GPR, '64 CA77 Dream 305, '70 CL450 Scrambler, numerous dirt bikes

Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Jun '18, Oct '16
Quote:
Originally Posted by ninjala View Post
This morning (about 5:45 am, still dark) I was riding in Downtown LA surface street. A motorcycle police officer in front of me asked me to turn off the high beam. He is the same officer who gave me the ticket for illegal changing lane on Exit Lane Only about two weeks ago.

I have been using high beam at night for 10 years. This is the first time I get warning for illegal using high beam.
Was he sitting, moving in your same direction, or coming at you?

The only time it should be an issue is if he was coming directly at you. You should be able to turn the high beam on any time there isn't oncoming traffic.

I'll add that at night I don't use them when following a vehicle that's even reasonably close or on the Interstate with oncoming traffic.

In-town, at night, at city speeds, you shouldn't really need them at all.

Last futzed with by jkv45; May 14th, 2018 at 09:54 AM.
jkv45 is offline   Reply With Quote


Old May 14th, 2018, 07:55 AM   #4
Cafe Racer
ninjette.org member
 
Name: Charlie
Location: Brick NJ
Join Date: Feb 2018

Motorcycle(s): Harley Fatboy, Honda CX500, Harley XL1200C Sportster, 305 Honda Dream, Ninja 250

Posts: 174
In my opinion you are a jerk! Why do you think it is ok to run high beams into the eyes of oncoming drivers? My bet is to are one of those self-entitled souls who think the world owes you a living. Grow up try to be more courteous to those around you.

My opinion may be considered harsh, but you have got to ask yourself "how do like being blinded by oncoming high beam headlights"?
Cafe Racer is offline   Reply With Quote


2 out of 2 members found this post helpful.
Old May 14th, 2018, 08:43 AM   #5
Alex
ninjette.org dude
 
Alex's Avatar
 
Name: 1 guess :-)
Location: SF Bay Area
Join Date: Jun 2008

Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE, '15 CRF110F, '13 TT-R50E

Posts: Too much.
Blog Entries: 7
T.O.S. listed on bottom of every page. First & last warning.
__________________________________________________
Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org

ninjette.org Terms of Service

Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first.

The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)
Alex is offline   Reply With Quote


2 out of 2 members found this post helpful.
Old May 14th, 2018, 09:07 AM   #6
DannoXYZ
ninjette.org certified postwhore
 
Name: AKA JacRyann
Location: Mesa, AZ
Join Date: Dec 2011

Motorcycle(s): CB125T CBR250R-MC19 CBR250RR-MC22 NSR350R-MC21 VF500F CBR600RR SFV650 VFR750F R1M ST1300PA Valkyrie-F6C

Posts: A lot.
MOTY - 2018, MOTM - Nov '17
High beams only when it doesn't shine on any drivers' eyes. Either coming at you or looking in their mirrors. I only use on rural roads when no one else is around. When there's other people around, I use their headlights to see road, so no need for high-beams.
DannoXYZ is offline   Reply With Quote


1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.
Old May 14th, 2018, 09:58 AM   #7
jkv45
Rev Limiter
 
jkv45's Avatar
 
Name: Jay
Location: WI
Join Date: Jul 2013

Motorcycle(s): '06 SV650n, '00 Derbi GPR, '64 CA77 Dream 305, '70 CL450 Scrambler, numerous dirt bikes

Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Jun '18, Oct '16
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cafe Racer View Post
In my opinion you are a jerk! Why do you think it is ok to run high beams into the eyes of oncoming drivers? My bet is to are one of those self-entitled souls who think the world owes you a living. Grow up try to be more courteous to those around you.

My opinion may be considered harsh, but you have got to ask yourself "how do like being blinded by oncoming high beam headlights"?
It wasn't clear if officer was oncoming (waiting for a reply to my question about the officer's position).

If he was then yes - not a good move and he deserved to be warned.

Still no reason to go off on a rant.
jkv45 is offline   Reply With Quote


Old May 14th, 2018, 10:06 AM   #8
csmith12
The Corner Whisperer
 
csmith12's Avatar
 
Name: Chris (aka Reactor)
Location: Northern KY
Join Date: May 2011

Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track)

Posts: Too much.
MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13
I dunno, sounds a bit blown up.

No ticket, a verbal "dim your lights" from a cop that pulled you over 2 weeks ago. Is he new to the force? Updated quotas for the first of the month? Multiple run ins with the same officer sounds fishy at least around my parts.

Let it go and do the same on your bike as you do your car. Seems pretty simple no or am I missing something?

I see the same articles as everyone else, run your hi's for safety, bla bla bla. While I have no real issue with that, if that is one or your primary lines of defensive riding, well.... we need to chat further.
csmith12 is offline   Reply With Quote


Old May 14th, 2018, 02:06 PM   #9
maverick9611
"a legend in my own mind"
 
maverick9611's Avatar
 
Name: maverick9611
Location: Augusta,Georgia
Join Date: May 2017

Motorcycle(s): 2015 moto guzzi norge(brownie),2020 aprilia dorsoduro,

Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Feb '18
go ahead and take the plunge and get a headlight modulator. let your cop try to pull you over on a 50 state legal federal law. canada too
__________________________________________________
"trying not to get old"
maverick9611 is offline   Reply With Quote


Old May 15th, 2018, 12:41 AM   #10
tfkrocks
ninjette.org certified postwhore
 
tfkrocks's Avatar
 
Name: Rebecca
Location: SF Bay Area
Join Date: Sep 2009

Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300 w/ ABS, 2014 NC700X, 2008 Ninja 250 (sold), 2002 Ninja 250 (sold)

Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Jan '18, Sep '13
Quote:
Originally Posted by maverick9611 View Post
go ahead and take the plunge and get a headlight modulator. let your cop try to pull you over on a 50 state legal federal law. canada too
Modulators are only legal during daytime. Wouldn't have helped the OP in this situation.
__________________________________________________
My Ninja 300
tfkrocks is offline   Reply With Quote


Old May 15th, 2018, 12:57 AM   #11
maverick9611
"a legend in my own mind"
 
maverick9611's Avatar
 
Name: maverick9611
Location: Augusta,Georgia
Join Date: May 2017

Motorcycle(s): 2015 moto guzzi norge(brownie),2020 aprilia dorsoduro,

Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Feb '18
Quote:
Originally Posted by tfkrocks View Post
Modulators are only legal during daytime. Wouldn't have helped the OP in this situation.
actually it’s dictated by when your sensor deems it to dark.
__________________________________________________
"trying not to get old"
maverick9611 is offline   Reply With Quote


Old May 15th, 2018, 02:38 AM   #12
tfkrocks
ninjette.org certified postwhore
 
tfkrocks's Avatar
 
Name: Rebecca
Location: SF Bay Area
Join Date: Sep 2009

Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300 w/ ABS, 2014 NC700X, 2008 Ninja 250 (sold), 2002 Ninja 250 (sold)

Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Jan '18, Sep '13
Quote:
Originally Posted by maverick9611 View Post
actually it’s dictated by when your sensor deems it to dark.
Unless it's switch operated.

Either way, the law says only daytime operation.
__________________________________________________
My Ninja 300
tfkrocks is offline   Reply With Quote


Old May 15th, 2018, 11:11 AM   #13
CaliGrrl
ninjette.org certified postwhore
 
CaliGrrl's Avatar
 
Name: Kerry
Location: Ventura, CA
Join Date: Jan 2016

Motorcycle(s): Ninja650

Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Apr '18, Apr '17, Apr '16
It probably is a law to dim your lights when there's another driver who could be blinded. During the daytime, it's unlikely a driver will be blinded by high beams so it's more acceptable.
CaliGrrl is offline   Reply With Quote


1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.
Old May 17th, 2018, 01:56 PM   #14
VaFish
ninjette.org certified postwhore
 
VaFish's Avatar
 
Name: Tom
Location: Northern Virginia
Join Date: Jul 2015

Motorcycle(s): 2001 Ninja 250, 2019 Harley Ultra Classic, 2001 Suzuki SV650

Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Jan '16
Quote:
Originally Posted by ninjala View Post
This morning (about 5:45 am, still dark) I was riding in Downtown LA surface street. A motorcycle police officer in front of me asked me to turn off the high beam. He is the same officer who gave me the ticket for illegal changing lane on Exit Lane Only about two weeks ago.

I have been using high beam at night for 10 years. This is the first time I get warning for illegal using high beam.
A motorcycle cop didn't give you a ticket?

You should go buy a lottery ticket because it's your lucky day.

http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/fa...9.&lawCode=VEH

If you were less than 300' behind the cop he could have given you a ticket.
VaFish is offline   Reply With Quote


Reply




Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
low beam or high beam brighter? only choose one passive101 General Motorcycling Discussion 3 July 26th, 2013 06:27 AM
Low Beam Good, High Beam dead FvnnyL3tt3r1ng 1986 - 2007 Ninja 250R Tech Talk 4 February 21st, 2013 03:44 PM
make high beam into low beam? DaMan22 2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Farkles 2 July 12th, 2012 06:34 PM
High Beam wont work! StaylorT 2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk 5 May 20th, 2012 02:52 PM
Has anyone tried to put a high beam bulb in divingtigger 2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk 16 April 7th, 2010 12:03 PM


Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


Motorcycle Safety Foundation

All times are GMT -7. The time now is 04:00 AM.


Website uptime monitoring Host-tracker.com
Powered by vBulletin®
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
User Alert System provided by Advanced User Tagging (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Except where otherwise noted, all site contents are © Copyright 2022 ninjette.org, All rights reserved.