Lighting question for Police officer riders... - Ducati.ms

Antigrav · May 5th, 2009, 3:49 pm

I know there are a couple of law enforcement guys on the board.

My question is about rear brake and turn signal lighting... I'm fabricating a sort of Desmo challenge tail for my Hyper...and I see they make a license plate frame with LEDs for the brake light and turn signal incorporated into the license plate... I know this isn't DOT approved, but if it is very bright and does function well are the LEOs going to be looking closely at my bike for these things when I'm riding around?

I just eliminates a bunch of big bulky lighting and license frame mounting stuff from my bike, and then makes it clean easy for track days when I just have to remove my license and I'm ready to ride.

Borracho · May 5th, 2009, 4:50 pm

Anything modified, you're going to run into issues. It all depends on the officer. Some go by letter the law, some go by spirit of the law.

I know guys that if they can see it and it works, you're fine. But some guys are straight by-the-book.

pchmotoho · May 5th, 2009, 5:08 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Borracho

Anything modified, you're going to run into issues. It all depends on the officer. Some go by letter the law, some go by spirit of the law.

I know guys that if they can see it and it works, you're fine. But some guys are straight by-the-book.

Borracho pretty much nailed it on the head with his above comment. It all depends on the cop who stops you. I am by no means an expert on this subject as I dont really give a flying crap about lights or signals. I do know however one of the key factors is D.O.T. approved and that is where the cops can screw you. Most of the aftermarket stuff is not DOT approved.

srtsniper · May 5th, 2009, 7:44 pm

i would stop someone with custom lighting, to find out who they are for future reference. but to cite someone for some cool lighting idea, would be a rookie move or you failed the attitude test. we have alot of OMG running through our area so we stop them to ID them, but usually dont cite them. i have yet to cite anyone on a bike, but CHP will cite and tow your bike just for not having a license. saw it the other day.

hbliam · May 5th, 2009, 9:03 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by srtsniper

i would stop someone with custom lighting, to find out who they are for future reference. but to cite someone for some cool lighting idea, would be a rookie move or you failed the attitude test. we have alot of OMG running through our area so we stop them to ID them, but usually dont cite them. i have yet to cite anyone on a bike, but CHP will cite and tow your bike just for not having a license. saw it the other day.

I'm of the "if I can see it, it's fine" group.

Regarding the bold: Uhh, and you wouldn't?

srtsniper · May 5th, 2009, 9:34 pm

let me clarify, dude had a license just no M1 endorsement. and he might have got a cite but i wouldnt have towed his bike. the guy was 1/4 mile from his house.

Antigrav · May 5th, 2009, 10:42 pm

Thanks for the insight officers!

You guys seem to be using common sense, and I fully understand others may not be as easy going and know full well I can't bitch if I get a ticket. My main concern was if the officers are told to look for lighting issues..

hbliam · May 5th, 2009, 11:31 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by srtsniper

let me clarify, dude had a license just no M1 endorsement. and he might have got a cite but i wouldnt have towed his bike. the guy was 1/4 mile from his house.

That's a bit more understandable if he is a 1/4 mile from his home. Other then that, I take for out of class all the time. Too much liabilty these days. If I let some guy ride off with a cite for out of class and he gets killed five minutes later my agency and I are going to be sued.

GMP · May 6th, 2009, 10:16 am

What about aux driving lights? Reason I ask is I'm thinking about mounting integraded HIDs to the frame. These are small, helmet light size spot beams, non-DOT. Primarily for daytime visibility and backwoods roads at night, not for use in town or highway at night. Now I know technically they are not legal, just like the tail lights discussed. I had a similar setup on my VRod, but with home brew halogen projector lamps. I met a county cop one day admiring the bike and he said he would not look twice as long as they were aimed properly, which they were, and I never had a problem.

Borracho · May 6th, 2009, 10:21 am

Unless your lights aren't aimed property like you stated; you should not run into anyone that will hassle you for AUXILIARY lighting, DOT or non-DOT.

DOT vs. non-DOT comes into play when dealing with mandatory lighting equipment (headlight, turn signals, tail light, etc...).

PS; just don't install blue lights; for PD use only.