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[Tony Miller]

Does anybody know the legality of adding blue dot brake lenses to a motorcycle in Florida?
I've found some leaglese but I only speak English.

These are what I have in mind.  https://www.denniskirk.com/chris-products/turn-signal-red-lens-with-blue-dot-dhd4rb.p21008.prd/21008.sku

[Cvostu]

some years ago a friend had them on his road king,,, I live in fla also... he did say that they were illegal...  thats all i can remember

[2k]

Bout 20 yrs ago their was a group of about 40 of us heading to the Spring Rally in MB. Taking a short cut through a unknown place called Quimby. Passed one bullet Bob and he hit his lights. He said 2 of the bikes were speeding to catch the group,(Road Guards), but he couldn't pick them out, everybody had stopped. Short story long, he saw a bike with the blue dot lights and gave him an improper equip ticket. That Brother happened to be unemployed at the time so he rode back to Florence on court day. The Judge dismissed it, without asking if he had removed them. This would make me think that its not strictly enforced.

[Tony Miller]

Thank you.

[CVOStreetglide]

Thank you.

FWIW: I have run blue dots for over 20 years until I got into the CVO Street Glides in 2010-2012 and have never been stopped for them.

I think if a LEO has it in his mind to stop a motorcycle he gonna find something to jusify his actions. Fortunately these stops are few and far between maybe because many LEO's ride too.

[Tony Miller]

Thinking I'll add them on.
Want to make sure people behind me at night can see me.

[GregKhougaz]

          You might want to read this page and the statutes to which it refers :  Florida Motorcycle Light Requirements.

Tail Lamps:
Section 316.410 of the Florida Statutes requires that motorcycles be equipped with at least one tail lamp located between 20 and 72 inches off the ground. Additionally, a light must also illuminate the license plate so that it is visible from 50 feet away.

Stop Lamps:
Section 316.420 requires that motorcycles be equipped with stop lamps that display red or amber lights visible at no less than 300 feet away. Additionally, motorcycles must be equipped with amber signal lamps indicating the direction the vehicle is about to turn.

BTW, The Dennis Kirk link given, above says:  NOTE: When a blue dot reflector is installed in a DOT approved lens, the lens no longer passes DOT standards. Check local laws before installing blue dot lenses.

Don't forget that this is not a safety issue.  It's revenue for local jurisdictions.

[T-Hawk]

While I was researching prior to the installation of my Blue 'Accent' lights... every state that I would have travelled through on my way down from Alaska to Texas had detailed information regarding lighting.

The one that most clearly represents your question states something to the affect that only Red and Amber "Lights" shall be permitted when viewed from the rear of "any" vehicle.  It goes on to say what colors are allowed and which ones aren't as far as the rest of the vehicle, and goes on to say that 'additional' lighting must not project a beam greater than x number of feet from the sides of the vehicle.

I know this doesn't help much, but a Blue Dot is not a "Light"... and as mentioned in above posts, they may be considered illegal, yet not greatly enforced.   

[Tony Miller]

Dang the man making things hard.

[FlaHeatWave]

If I was to get stopped/ticket for a blue dot, I would have to ask the officer "Is your day really that slow"

'Ran one on my Shovel for almost 20 years and never had it come up.

See you at The Outpost

[FLY-DOG]

         You might want to read this page and the statutes to which it refers :  Florida Motorcycle Light Requirements.

Tail Lamps:
Section 316.410 of the Florida Statutes requires that motorcycles be equipped with at least one tail lamp located between 20 and 72 inches off the ground. Additionally, a light must also illuminate the license plate so that it is visible from 50 feet away.

Stop Lamps:
Section 316.420 requires that motorcycles be equipped with stop lamps that display red or amber lights visible at no less than 300 feet away. Additionally, motorcycles must be equipped with amber signal lamps indicating the direction the vehicle is about to turn.

BTW, The Dennis Kirk link given, above says:  NOTE: When a blue dot reflector is installed in a DOT approved lens, the lens no longer passes DOT standards. Check local laws before installing blue dot lenses.

Don't forget that this is not a safety issue.  It's revenue for local jurisdictions.

Statement / Question:  My 2012 SESG came new from HD with red tailights that also serve as the turn signals, the statement about Florida Section 316.420 "Additionally, motorcycles must be equipped with amber signal lamps indicating the direction the vehicle is about to turn." would seem to me that my factory equipped turn signals would be illegal?

[Tony Miller]

I believe amber and red are both fine.

[GregKhougaz]

As I mentioned, if you really want to get into this, you need to read the statutes cited in the sections above. If you read the statute, section 316.420 in turn refers to section 316.234.  As you can see, signaling lights are to be either red or amber:

316.234  Signal lamps and signal devices.--
(1)  Any vehicle may be equipped and, when required under this chapter, shall be equipped with a stop lamp or lamps on the rear of the vehicle which shall display a red or amber light, visible from a distance of not less than 300 feet to the rear in normal sunlight, and which shall be actuated upon application of the service (foot) brake, and which may but need not be incorporated with one or more other rear lamps.
(2)  Any vehicle may be equipped and, when required under s. 316.222(2), shall be equipped with electric turn signals which shall indicate an intention to turn by flashing lights showing to the front and rear of a vehicle or on a combination of vehicles on the side of the vehicle or combination toward which the turn is to be made. The lamps showing to the front shall be mounted on the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable and, when signaling, shall emit white or amber light. The lamps showing to the rear shall be mounted on the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable, and, when signaling, shall emit a red or amber light. Turn signal lamps on vehicles 80 inches or more in overall width shall be visible from a distance of not less than 500 feet to the front and rear in normal sunlight. Turn signal lamps on vehicles less than 80 inches wide shall be visible at a distance of not less than 300 feet to the front and rear in normal sunlight. Turn signal lamps may, but need not be, incorporated in other lamps on the vehicle.

[CVOStreetglide]

As I mentioned, if you really want to get into this, you need to read the statutes cited in the sections above. If you read the statute, section 316.420 in turn refers to section 316.234.  As you can see, signaling lights are to be either red or amber:

316.234  Signal lamps and signal devices.--
(1)  Any vehicle may be equipped and, when required under this chapter, shall be equipped with a stop lamp or lamps on the rear of the vehicle which shall display a red or amber light, visible from a distance of not less than 300 feet to the rear in normal sunlight, and which shall be actuated upon application of the service (foot) brake, and which may but need not be incorporated with one or more other rear lamps.
(2)  Any vehicle may be equipped and, when required under s. 316.222(2), shall be equipped with electric turn signals which shall indicate an intention to turn by flashing lights showing to the front and rear of a vehicle or on a combination of vehicles on the side of the vehicle or combination toward which the turn is to be made. The lamps showing to the front shall be mounted on the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable and, when signaling, shall emit white or amber light. The lamps showing to the rear shall be mounted on the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable, and, when signaling, shall emit a red or amber light. Turn signal lamps on vehicles 80 inches or more in overall width shall be visible from a distance of not less than 500 feet to the front and rear in normal sunlight. Turn signal lamps on vehicles less than 80 inches wide shall be visible at a distance of not less than 300 feet to the front and rear in normal sunlight. Turn signal lamps may, but need not be, incorporated in other lamps on the vehicle.

Greg:

I wonder what they would do when you were stopped if you said that you use manual signals for turns...your arm/hands..   


Jerry

[2k]

Greg:

I wonder what they would do when you were stopped if you said that you use manual signals for turns...your arm/hands..   


Jerry

NC law states that if signal lights are on the bike, they must work properly. It doesn't say that you have to use them