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[bigchuck]

I was wondering what you guys think about L.E.D. accent lighting? The ones used to light up chrome/engine at night. Cheesy or cool? I've only been on this site for a few months, but have not seen the topic come up. Is it a fad that has faded?

[Chains]

If it has then I won't turn mine on in a crowd I like them.

[bigchuck]

I'm with you Chains. I like them too. But have never had them. When it comes down to it all that really matters is if the owner (and wife) likes them. Just kinda curious about the lack of chatter on the subject.

[Twolanerider]

To each his own tastes.  But they were never my thing.  It's a motorcycle.  Not a cheesy lounge with bad lighting that you know all the liquor is watered down in.

[mark]

No

[dayne66]

Nope

[SBB]

No!




SBB

[SDCVO]

no, not my thing

[JCZ]

They've pretty much run their course.

I had them on my 04 SEEG and on my 10 SESG but they'd already pretty much ran their course by then.  Huge safety feature though.....nobody can say they didn't see you. 

Here's the 04 SEEG.....  http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=3590.msg47027#msg47027

And here's the 10 SESG.....also had the blue Dakota Digital gauges and so everything matched on this bike....   http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=40248.msg641697#msg641697

[ltank]

In Louisiana it's illegal to have a Blue light on any vehicle unless you are a Policeman or other Emergency Vehicle. So don't go Blue lights
In Louisiana . You will get an expensive ticket even on 1st offense

[VaEagle]

In Virginia you can't run accent lights on the road so the LED lights would be for parking lots and driveway use, maybe get away with it in a holiday parade type event though too.
I know LEDs use very little electricity but I have a fear of running them while parked then not being able to start the bike.

[Fired00d]

In Virginia you can't run accent lights on the road so the LED lights would be for parking lots and driveway use, maybe get away with it in a holiday parade type event though too.
I know LEDs use very little electricity but I have a fear of running them while parked then not being able to start the bike.

That may change soon...



Motorcycle Auxiliary Light Bill Pushed to Next Senate Transportation Committee Meeting
March 2, 2016
 
 
Our Auxiliary light bill, HB 939, met with strong opposition from Chairman Carrico yesterday.  He has adopted the position of the Virginia State Police and spoke strongly against the bill.  However, before a vote could be called, the committee room was evacuated due to a tornado warning.  The bill has been pushed to the next meeting of the Senate Transportation Committee on March 2, 2016.

 We have a week to shore up our support for this bill.  It is important that we keep the emails flowing to the members of the committee.  It is even more important that we have bodies at the capitol on March 2nd.  The committee needs to know that this is an issue important to motorcyclists.

 We are asking motorcyclists to come to the General Assembly building on the morning of March 2nd to lobby and express support for HB 939.  VCOM will host a reception in the 7th Floor West Conference Room from 10:00 am to 11:30 am.  That afternoon, after session when the Transportation Committee convenes, we would like to have a show of solidarity for this legislation.

 If you can be there please email me and let me know. The General Assembly Building is located at 201 N. 9th St., Richmond, Virginia.  There is parking on Grace St. between 6th & 7th Streets, as well as on 7th St. between Broad and Marshall and at the corner of 8th and Marshall.

When emailing members of the Senate Transportation Committee, remember to point out the following:
 
 The bill increases visibility of motorcycles, especially at night;
 
 Unlike automobiles which are required to have side marker lights or wrap around headlights / tail lights which are visible from the side, motorcycle lights are often only visible from the front and rear and do not have the same illumination as automobiles;
 
 NHTSA published a report on the effectiveness of side marker lights on motor vehicles.  The report concluded that side marker lights are a cost effective safety device which reduce the number of nighttime angular collisions that occur in the United States;
 
 Several surrounding states, including Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, have passed similar legislation and motorcyclists from those states are currently riding on Virginia roads with similar lighting.  It makes sense to give Virginia motorcyclists the same safety tools that out of state riders already use on Virginia roads.
 
 Please support this sensible bill which makes motorcycles more visible at night.  The list of committee members is below.  When you send emails it is best to send an email to each Senator individually.  It is also helpful to include your address if you are a constituent.


If I remember correctly this has already been passed in the house of representatives.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[Chains]

In Louisiana it's illegal to have a Blue light on any vehicle unless you are a Policeman or other Emergency Vehicle. So don't go Blue lights
In Louisiana . You will get an expensive ticket even on 1st offense
[/quote

Alabama is the same you better not be running blue or they will stop you and you will get a ticket. Red, amber, green or anything else ok but not blue.

[VaEagle]

More info on the proposed Virginia law change :

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Auxiliary lighting on motorcycles and autocycles. Provides that motorcycles and autocycles may be equipped with red or amber standard bulb running lights or light-emitting diode (LED) pods or strips as auxiliary lighting. The bill requires such lights to (i) be directed at the ground, (ii) not emit a beam of light greater than 25 candlepower per bulb, (iii) not be attached to wheels, and (iv) not be blinking, flashing, oscillating, or rotating. Such lighting is not subject to approval by the Superintendent of State Police.

Interesting to see if it becomes law.

[Chains]

More info on the proposed Virginia law change :

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Auxiliary lighting on motorcycles and autocycles. Provides that motorcycles and autocycles may be equipped with red or amber standard bulb running lights or light-emitting diode (LED) pods or strips as auxiliary lighting. The bill requires such lights to (i) be directed at the ground, (ii) not emit a beam of light greater than 25 candlepower per bulb, (iii) not be attached to wheels, and (iv) not be blinking, flashing, oscillating, or rotating. Such lighting is not subject to approval by the Superintendent of State Police.

Interesting to see if it becomes law.

I do know it makes them more visible and I'm for anything that makes my bike visible to traffic.  I just converted my Tour pack lights to run turn brake and the turn signals by the brake lights too.  The kit also gives a flash for a few seconds letting everyone know you are on the brakes.  I've had too many close calls with car and trucks flying up behind me and stopping just feet from me. Hope it passes for you guys.

[JCZ]

Blue lights are against the law in California also.  None of my lights were visible only a reflection.   

A lot of you guys have rode with me all over the US and Canada with lights blazin......never was even an issue when I'd get stopped for speeding.  That is until I put the blue Dakota Digital gauges in (now those are blue lights showing to the rear).  It was a Sacramento City PD officer that pulled up next to me at a stop light and told me they were illegal but he never pulled me over and we went our own ways when the light turned green.

I've rode around a lot of LEO over the years and even I was surprised that they at least didn't use it for an excuse just to stop me.

Haven't had them since I sold me 10 SESG.    Besides, they'd be orange now.   

[TN]

they ought to outlaw lizard lights, boogie lights ect. except maybe in Key West during fantasy fest.



JMHO


TN

[Fired00d]

they ought to outlaw lizard lights, boogie lights ect. except maybe in Key West during fantasy fest.



JMHO


TN

Phil... not sure I understand... tell me what you really thinking.

Good talking to you earlier... made me remember how much I miss that contagious laugh of yours.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[porthole]

They've pretty much run their course.

I had them on my 04 SEEG and on my 10 SESG but they'd already pretty much ran their course by then.  Huge safety feature though.....nobody can say they didn't see you. 

Feel about the same. Put them on when it was the big fad. Still have them, not taking them off, but defiantly not going on whatever is next in the garage.

[Jock]

they ought to outlaw lizard lights, boogie lights ect. except maybe in Key West during fantasy fest.

TN

The only lights I wanna see in Key West during Fantasy Fest are headlights and I ain't talkin' about the kind on a car neither!

    

[Fired00d]

The only lights I wanna see in Key West during Fantasy Fest are headlights and I ain't talkin' about the kind on a car neither!

    

I'd bet (like me) you want them to be on "high beams" at that.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[TN]

come on guys cut me some slack, Ive been off my meds for a few weeks now. 



TN

[Fired00d]

come on guys cut me some slack, Ive been off my meds for a few weeks now. 



TN

Me too.. It has been a minute since we had/shared some...



 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[TN]

Me too.. It has been a minute since we had/shared some...



 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

I can't trade trade one med for another, can I 

Ride On

TN

[Fired00d]

I can't trade trade one med for another, can I 

Ride On

TN

Why not?? I'm sure somebody (as I look in the mirror) has done it before... or better yet mixed medications before (looking in the mirror again ).

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[TN]

Why not?? I'm sure somebody (as I look in the mirror) has done it before... or better yet mixed medications before (looking in the mirror again ).

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

been there done that, got the t-shirt also


TN

[Fired00d]

been there done that, got the t-shirt also


TN

Damn... we got matching t-shirts... is it a black H-D t-shirt?

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[Fired00d]

More info on the proposed Virginia law change :

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Auxiliary lighting on motorcycles and autocycles. Provides that motorcycles and autocycles may be equipped with red or amber standard bulb running lights or light-emitting diode (LED) pods or strips as auxiliary lighting. The bill requires such lights to (i) be directed at the ground, (ii) not emit a beam of light greater than 25 candlepower per bulb, (iii) not be attached to wheels, and (iv) not be blinking, flashing, oscillating, or rotating. Such lighting is not subject to approval by the Superintendent of State Police.

Interesting to see if it becomes law.

Update...

The Amended Motorcycle Auxiliary Light Bill Now Moves to the Full Senate
March 3, 2016

As often happens in the legislative world, a not so funny thing happened on the way to committee.  HB 939, our auxiliary light bill to allow motorcyclists to utilize LED type accent lighting, ran into last minute trouble.  Despite coming out of the House of Delegates on a 100-0 vote, the bill was fiercely opposed by the Senator Carrico, Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee.  On top of that, the Virginia State Police lobbied the Governor’s office and obtained a promise that the bill, as written, would be vetoed if it reached his desk.

Chairman Carrico proposed an amendment which essentially re-wrote the bill.  The amendment reads as follows:

The Superintendent of State Police shall establish guidelines setting forth a procedure pursuant to § 46.2-1005 to allow for the submission and approval of auxiliary lights on motorcycles that are not approved by the Society of Automotive Engineers and shall publish such procedure on the Department of State Police's website by January 1, 2017. The approval of any lights or equipment shall also be published on the Department's website and the Department shall notify official safety inspection stations of such approved equipment.

Needless to say we were not happy with this last minute attempt by the Virginia State Police to halt the progress of the bill.  However, it was made clear by many on the committee that had supported the bill less than 24 hours prior that without the amendment the bill would fail in committee.  We were left with a difficult decision.  We could refuse to allow the amendment and pull the bill, or we could watch the bill be amended and then work with the State Police to create standards.  Jim, me and the other 14 motorcyclists present retired to a conference room to debate the options and to take a vote.  We all agreed to let the majority decide.  After much debate and a 9-7 vote it was decided to keep the bill alive. The bill was thereafter amended in committee and passed as amended by a unanimous vote.

So where does this leave us?  The Virginia State Police have until January 1, 2017 to create standards for auxiliary (accent) lighting.  During testimony before the committee they promised to work with VCOM in doing so.  Further they told the committee that the LED type lights that we had photos of were acceptable and that, with our help, they would create a standard that would allow them.

As of this writing, I have already had two conversations with a representative of the Virginia State Police.  He has stated that he is eager to have something in place prior to the January 2017 date in order to allow motorcyclists to utilize accent lighting to improve overall visibility. VCOM has committed to work in good faith toward that goal.  That being said, we are prepared to go back to the General Assembly in a much stronger position if all parties involved fail to act in good faith for the good of Virginia motorcyclists.  So far the tenor and tone of the conversations is much different than last year at this time.   

We were certainly hoping for a quicker resolution to this matter, but we will continue our efforts to find a way for Virginia motorcyclists to legally take advantage of this safety tool. Thank you to each and every one of you who answered the call to send emails or make phone calls.  Your efforts are much appreciated.  I also want to send a special thanks to those of you who took the time to come to Richmond in support of this bill.  You did not sign up for the spirited debate and vote that you ended up being a part of, but your opinion and voice was critical in the decision making process.  Thank you.

As always, if anyone has questions or comments about this matter please do not hesitate to contact me.  I will continue to send information on this topic as the year progresses.
   
Matt Danielson
McGrath, Danielson, Sorrell & Fuller
The Motorcycle Law Group
1-800-321-8968
Motorcyclelawgroup.com

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d