Low or High beam?

[JBrian]

I'm curious, how many of you out there ride at night with your low or high beams. I know its supposed to be low, but I get cages pulling out in front of me more often when the low beam is on. I have a 900 custom, does that smaller headlight make a difference in regards to keeping the high beam on at night? I hope this subject hasn't already been gone over to death here. Appreciate any comments

JBrian

[V2KCruiser]

One of the reasons why I put a lightbar on my bike was so that I could ride at night with only low beams on, but still be more noticable to the cagers without blinding them with the high beams. However, when there's no oncoming cages I usually run the high beams.

[tomslusher]

I'm curious, how many of you out there ride at night with your low or high beams.
JBrian

I'll admit, I usually use either my low or high beams. Almost every time.

Sorry, I just had to,

tomslusher

[jbporter]

High beams always. Had too many close calls when running low. I would rather inconvenience someone than die.

[trikebubble]

I'm a high beam kinda guy...........only time I run the low beam is if I'm riding behind another bike at night.

[Aifwikir]

I've got a 900 also and I noticed the stock bulb is a bit on the dim side. I put in a Wagner 60/65 bulb and adjusted my low beam a tad higher. Not enough to cause cagers to flash me just a little bit. The new bulb IS brighter and I can see the road now. I work the 2nd shift so I drive home in the dark. I always had a problem seeing on low beam especially on turns with another vehicle coming at me. Not a problem now. I'm seriously thinking of going to a Sylvania "Silver Star" (? I think that's the one) as it's supposed to be even brighter.


Aif

[tai42]

I switch between both high beam and low beam, at 240 times per minute! I use a headlight modulator and it makes a noticeable difference in getting noticed. And they are legal in all States if they conform to the DOT regulations.

[phatfire6]

Same here trikebubble. A buddy of mine believes otherwise though... he thinks that its harder for cagers to judge how fast you are when you have high beams on, especially during the day. I respect his views, he's been riding since he was fourteen, and now he is in his thirties and has had his own close calls. Still, i ride at all times with the high beam on, unless I'm following another bike.

[Got2Go]

I switch between both high beam and low beam, at 240 times per minute! I use a headlight modulator and it makes a noticeable difference in getting noticed. And they are legal in all States if they conform to the DOT regulations.

I think JBrian asked about riding at night.
Modulators should not work at night, and I believe are not legal at night.

I would guess that most of us ride with high beams on during the day (modulator or not).

And JBrian, you can count me in as one of those that rides with their low or high beams at night... sorry, couldnt resist.

I usually ride with the high beams, unless I am riding behind another vehicle (bike or car).

And, when on the high beam, I switch to low when there is oncoming traffic on the opposite lane, just before they get too close. Basically, once I'm pretty sure they got a hit of high beam and they know I'm there, I'll switch to low.

...

[Got2Go]

High beams always. Had too many close calls when running low. I would rather inconvenience someone than die.

Lets hope you don't do that on the one guy that is drunk and ****ed, and hates bikes.
Cause he'll run you over simply because you are on a bike, and ****ed him off because of your high beams.

I try to be just obvious enough where people notice I'm there, but I'm not a constant nuisance, where some might bring on some road rage.

[Aifwikir]

And, when on the high beam, I switch to low when there is oncoming traffic on the opposite lane, just before they get too close. Basically, once I'm pretty sure they got a hit of high beam and they know I'm there, I'll switch to low.

...

That's kind of what I do also. Run as close as possible on high beam and switch over.


Aif

[sebastian1000]

I use typically low beam when around a lot of other vehicles......at those times I use their headlights to help illuminate for me. When all alone however I use both low and high beams together by toggling my button right in the middle....actually picked up that idea from this forum and it works great to have both low beam and high beam on at the same time. Very bright!
-S

[tai42]

I think JBrian asked about riding at night.
Modulators should not work at night, and I believe are not legal at night.

I would guess that most of us ride with high beams on during the day (modulator or not).

And JBrian, you can count me in as one of those that rides with their low or high beams at night... sorry, couldnt resist.

I usually ride with the high beams, unless I am riding behind another vehicle (bike or car).

And, when on the high beam, I switch to low when there is oncoming traffic on the opposite lane, just before they get too close. Basically, once I'm pretty sure they got a hit of high beam and they know I'm there, I'll switch to low.

...

Opps, missed the night part. When I ride at night the modulator automatically shuts off. (Has a light sensor as required by law.) At night I also use the high beam whenever there is no oncoming traffic or right behind someone. I find the high beam tends to light up the eyes of "critters" better than low beams do. (Plenty of deer near work, and cats and bunnies near home.)

[wakan49]

I use the same concept as driving a car. High beams when there are no cars in sight. I also have a light bar and it helps alot.

Donna

[2WheelFun]

One of the reasons why I put a lightbar on my bike was so that I could ride at night with only low beams on, but still be more noticable to the cagers without blinding them with the high beams. However, when there's no oncoming cages I usually run the high beams.

+1^

[fretbuzz]

I'm a high beam kinda guy...........only time I run the low beam is if I'm riding behind another bike at night.

That's pretty much my method as well -with a few circumstantial variations.

[honestlyinsane]

Do you honestly think some driving in a car is not going to see you at night with your low beam on. If that is the case then the person driving the car is either drunk or an Idiot and having the high beam on all the time won't do anything except p!ss him off.

I ride with the same courtesy I drive my cage high beams onle when needed and when the is no one in sight coming or going.

[3IOH22A]

I never use anything except low beam. Except-at night on deserted roads
in the country when watching for animal eyes in the dark.

greg

[LordGT]

I still had a guy turn left in front of me in an intersection, while riding my V2K with the HIGH BEAM on at night. I had to jet over into the oncoming lane of traffic to miss him.

How much more light does it require...????....sheeeesh.... Well it's kinda funny now, but it wasn't then.

[TJ900B]

Yep, I'm afraid I use my high beam unless I know for a fact I'm bugging someone.

If I had to put one thing I'm a little dissapointed in on my 900 is the light. Although not nearly as bad as the older bikes with sealed beams I have owned, it on low beam, excuse the pun, does not hold a candle to even my TW200 dirt bike.

Its something I hope to address with either a higher wattage light bulb or light bar, but haven't researched it enough yet to make a decision.

Tj