A motorcycle question for the leos

[20eyes]

Is there any laws against to bright of a headlight in co? I have been building a bike for a few years, and its almost on the road. And now i need a headlight

Thanks

[20eyes]

This would be the one that i plan on running. Actualy 2 of them. 1 for low beam and both for the high beam


http://www.RigidIndustries.com/product-p/rgdl10.htm

[Colorado Osprey]

There are DOT requirements: For example light has to be a DOT approved headlight with a clearly labeled DOT on the lens. DOT has maximum lumens emmitted in it's requirements. There is a formula to determine this as it changes from not just the light bulb or emitter itself but with the amount of reflectivity of the light housing as well.

FMVSS No.108 pertains to headlights'

Failure to meet DOT lighting requirement is illegal in most states enforceable in a few different ways.

I would bet those are not DOT approved and thus are rated as off road use only.

[theGinsue]

I used to run Hella-Vision headlights on my Toyota 4Runner and often expected to be pulled over for their brightness. They were legal, but just barely.

[20eyes]

Thanks co osp. They are not dot approved. What do you think the fine or punishment would be?
Because all the other lights i have seen for bikes are total junk. I want something that that works well and puts out some light

I will look up 108

[TFOGGER]

CRS 42-4-205

1) Every motor vehicle other than a motorcycle shall be equipped with at least two head lamps with at least one on each side of the front of the motor vehicle, which head lamps shall comply with the requirements and limitations set forth in sections 42-4-202 and 42-4-204 to 42-4-231 and part 3 of this article where applicable.








(2) Every motorcycle shall be equipped with at least one and not more than two head lamps that shall comply with the requirements and limitations of sections 42-4-202 and 42-4-204 to 42-4-231 and part 3 of this article where applicable.








(3) Every head lamp upon every motor vehicle, including every motorcycle, shall be located at a height measured from the center of the head lamp of not more than fifty-four inches nor less than twenty-four inches, to be measured as set forth in section 42-4-204 (3).








(4) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class B traffic infraction.


CRS 42-4-216

(1) Except as provided in this article, the head lamps or the auxiliary driving lamp or the auxiliary passing lamp or combination thereof on motor vehicles, other than motorcycles or low-power scooters, shall be so arranged that the driver may select at will between distributions of light projected to different elevations, and such lamps may, in addition, be so arranged that such selection can be made automatically, subject to the following limitations:








(a) There shall be an uppermost distribution of light or composite beam so aimed and of such intensity as to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least three hundred fifty feet ahead for all conditions of loading.








(b) There shall be a lowermost distribution of light or composite beam so aimed and of sufficient intensity to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least one hundred feet ahead; and on a straight level road under any condition of loading, none of the high-intensity portion of the beam shall be directed to strike the eyes of an approaching driver.








(1.5) Head lamps arranged to provide a single distribution of light not supplemented by auxiliary driving lamps shall be permitted for low-speed electric vehicles in lieu of multiple-beam, road-lighting equipment specified in this section if the single distribution of light complies with paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of this section.








(2) A new motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle or low-power scooter, that has multiple-beam road-lighting equipment, shall be equipped with a beam indicator, which shall be lighted whenever the uppermost distribution of light from the head lamps is in use and shall not otherwise be lighted. Said indicator shall be so designed and located that when lighted it will be readily visible without glare to the driver of the vehicle so equipped.








(3) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class B traffic infraction.

[rondog]

I've been a rider for many, many years, and I can relate to your desire for good lighting. But don't put lights on your bike that will blind oncoming traffic, there's no benefit to going around pissing people off, and it's dangerous too.

I don't know what kind of bike you're building, but those are the ugliest damn lights I've ever seen! Are you serious about using those? Have you ever seen any in person? Seen any lit up? It looks huge. And ugly. If you put those on a motorcycle, all the other kids are gonna point and laugh at ya.

[hollohas]

I agree, those will look very weird on a motorcycle. I can also guarantee that those will be blinding to any oncoming traffic. One of the drawbacks of LED lighting technology is that it almost always produces a lot of glare because there really aren't any reflectors behind the lamps to direct the light to the ground and out in front of you where you need it. These just flood light in every direction...not ideal for headlights but great for off-road use.

Have you looked at xenon HID headlights? Those LED light bars you are looking at are about 3000 lumens. Motorcycle HID headlamps will get pretty darn close to 3000 lumens and much more if you use two...and will actually look like the belong on your bike IMO.

[rondog]

Those lights wouldn't even look right on this monster.

[20eyes]

Rondog its a soft tail that is streched a few inchs. They do look a lil off on the bike. And i have gotten mixxed opinions about them. Some like them some people said sweet some said no way it will ruin the bike. And im used to people pointing and laughing. I kinda like the look of them, no one else has them. I put one on the fork of my bike. Didnt look too bad

I would say they are no brighter than the hid's on some of the new cars out there. As far as useing them i have put a few hundred miles offroad with them. They work amazing!!!

Hollohas. There is hardly any glare with them. They have reflectors inside of them. I have seen the xeon lights for bikes. All my mechanic buddy said they were all junk