A question about bike headlights
Discussion
i live in London and have to drive quite regularly. This time of year it's often dark and wet which makes London driving just that little bit mroe enjoyable...
I'm noticing more and more bike driving with it would appear, their lights on main beam. Whilst i understand putting headlights on (i even do in the car even when it's not dark), it becomes pretty difficult to tell how far behind you a bike is when the lights are so bright and it's wet etc.
Is this the case, or is it just that because bike headlights are typically higher up, they appear to be brighter?
I'm noticing more and more bike driving with it would appear, their lights on main beam. Whilst i understand putting headlights on (i even do in the car even when it's not dark), it becomes pretty difficult to tell how far behind you a bike is when the lights are so bright and it's wet etc.
Is this the case, or is it just that because bike headlights are typically higher up, they appear to be brighter?
bikes with main beam behind me ? flip up the rear view mirror so cant see them, if they get in my way tough...
bikes in front on main beam, return the favour and / or shield my eyes from the beam, so cant see them.. simples
or they could use low beam and will notice them and make sure they have sufficient gap to get past me
bikes in front on main beam, return the favour and / or shield my eyes from the beam, so cant see them.. simples
or they could use low beam and will notice them and make sure they have sufficient gap to get past me
Wyvern971 said:
If I'm honest it pisses me off. Riding with dipped is sufficient to be noticed.
It is mostly scooters I notice doing this and I end up riding using my elbows to block the mirrors, which isn't exactly the best idea, but better than being distracted.
Snap.It is mostly scooters I notice doing this and I end up riding using my elbows to block the mirrors, which isn't exactly the best idea, but better than being distracted.
I find them irritating dorks & be it in a car or on a bike I won't make any effort to let them past if they catch me as I feel stupidity & selfishness should be met with the same.
Pisses me off no end when they do this. It'll be the "I ride in all weathers and have ridden a gabillion miles on a bike in the snow on slicks, I used to be a courier, oh they were the days......" type.
Stupid thing is it's self defeating as my mirrors in the car dim automatically too, so they are harder to spot.
Stupid thing is it's self defeating as my mirrors in the car dim automatically too, so they are harder to spot.
I'd say at least 50% of the riders I see on the M25/M40 in rush hour use high beam. I find it irritating but I can see why they do it. Being a rider myself I do find it a bit alarming how bikes blend in to the mass of headlights on a busy motorway in the dark, where as in daylight they are much more visible amongst the traffic. Agree it is somewhat self defeating as I'll simply flip the mirror if they hover behind for too long.
I'm in two minds as to whether it is worth doing myself (I never have so far). Pretty much dodged the issue by switching to a car for the winter commute though
I'm in two minds as to whether it is worth doing myself (I never have so far). Pretty much dodged the issue by switching to a car for the winter commute though
John D. said:
I'm in two minds as to whether it is worth doing myself (I never have so far). Pretty much dodged the issue by switching to a car for the winter commute though
Better off just riding better & allowing for people who may not have seen you, if your relying on others for your safety then your doing it wrong.Hooli said:
John D. said:
I'm in two minds as to whether it is worth doing myself (I never have so far). Pretty much dodged the issue by switching to a car for the winter commute though
Better off just riding better & allowing for people who may not have seen you, if your relying on others for your safety then your doing it wrong.John D. said:
Hooli said:
John D. said:
I'm in two minds as to whether it is worth doing myself (I never have so far). Pretty much dodged the issue by switching to a car for the winter commute though
Better off just riding better & allowing for people who may not have seen you, if your relying on others for your safety then your doing it wrong.Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff