How can I bypass the "always on" headlight?

[Hooli]

I never have a problem remembering to turn my lights on in the car as needed, I can't see it being an issue on a bike either tbh.

[Big Phil]

I understand what your saying Hooli but I only ride during daylight hours these days. My lights are for the inconsiderate (verging on criminal) drivers who just seem incapable of spotting a bike during daylight hours at a junction or perhaps at all.

It's unfortunately quite easy to forget to turn your lights on in daylight. Never done it in the dark, can't understand how you could forget to do so  in the dark 😳😳😳😳

[VladTepes]

Ok so here's a scenario - interested to know what people think.

Say you are riding east in the afternoon, so oncoming cars are driving west - into the sun.
Thus you are a silhouette in their view.

Are they more likely to see a silhouette or a headlight in that scenario?
Would turning the light on break up that silhouette making you 'invisible' ?

[steve porter]

Ok so here's a scenario - interested to know what people think.

Say you are riding east in the afternoon, so oncoming cars are driving west - into the sun.
Thus you are a silhouette in their view.

Are they more likely to see a silhouette or a headlight in that scenario?
Would turning the light on break up that silhouette making you 'invisible' ?

from memory, that was the argument that got the law dropped

[SA14]

The lights on the K2's in the UK don't come on permanently but the law changed in the Europe in 2002 so the K3's and onward lights are always on if I'm not mistaken. I always keep my on anyway so makes no difference. However, it's easy to forget they are off if you have inadvertently turned them off so unlike SA14 I would be happy if they were on permanently.

Please read my original post big phil for my clearly stated reasons for wanting to be able to switch my own lights off. Thank you. Do you have any helpful instructions that would help me achieve this mod?

I never have a problem remembering to turn my lights on in the car as needed, I can't see it being an issue on a bike either tbh.

Yeah but it's such a complex task to flick a switch.

Now...back to the mod at hand.

[Horse]

SA14 I have converted every road going bike I own to have the ability to ride with the headlight in a condition that I desire , manufacturers will look at every option to save even 5 cents / pence / ringits or whatever so any excuse they are given to delete something they will. But on most of my bikes the wiring harness is constant so there is the ability to plug and play as MJGT says, still leaves the problem of the switch though not sure where the early bike with the switch goes would suspect where our hazard light switch is on the RH switchgear . On the ducati i ordered the European switch and plugged it in job done. Back to your issue, the square switch I put on mine ( will send pictures when I get back to the bike am at work) was from altronics and is under the LHS switch block, as I am running HID my wiring is no good to you so you would have to find the power wire to the headlight relay and go in series with that. will have a look at a wiring diagram when I get home, the switch has been on for a year through all sorts of weather and washing so is pretty robust. I have been picked up by the police for no headlight and after much discussion/argument he let me off as the bike is technically modified even though it complies with ADRs ( with a daytime running light ) Anyway each to their own opinion, but I'm with you I want the option, especially with some of my older bikes that have a charging/ battery system that leaves a lot to be desired.

   

[SA14]

SA14 I have converted every road going bike I own to have the ability to ride with the headlight in a condition that I desire , manufacturers will look at every option to save even 5 cents / pence / ringits or whatever so any excuse they are given to delete something they will. But on most of my bikes the wiring harness is constant so there is the ability to plug and play as MJGT says, still leaves the problem of the switch though not sure where the early bike with the switch goes would suspect where our hazard light switch is on the RH switchgear . On the ducati i ordered the European switch and plugged it in job done.

Back to your issue, the square switch I put on mine ( will send pictures when I get back to the bike am at work) was from altronics and is under the LHS switch block, as I am running HID my wiring is no good to you so you would have to find the power wire to the headlight relay and go in series with that. will have a look at a wiring diagram when I get home, the switch has been on for a year through all sorts of weather and washing so is pretty robust.

I have been picked up by the police for no headlight and after much discussion/argument he let me off as the bike is technically modified even though it complies with ADRs ( with a daytime running light ) Anyway each to their own opinion, but I'm with you I want the option, especially with some of my older bikes that have a charging/ battery system that leaves a lot to be desired.

Thanks man, that really helps. Just got back from a long ride and saw heaps of older classic bikes without their lights on. It's a nice day in Adelaide today - everyone was out. Even saw another 14.

I'm not that angrily opposed to running my lights on (low beam) during the day but I like the classic look of a "normal" bike riding down the road normally without screaming to the world "LOOK OUT EVERYONE HERE I COME!!". However, my main use for this mod is to be able to practice in peace in a car park at night which is what triggered this whole issue. Had plod left me alone this may not have ever been an issue although having the light off when I'm in the shed is also a bonus.

[Kiwifruit]

Gotta have ours on all the time otherwise its a trousers down spanking in the office and a fine 

Having watched the Aussie Motorcycle Cops program on TV l would have to say "what a bunch of wankers" they are. Should be called the how to ride like a fuckwit show.

[Hooli]

SA14 I have converted every road going bike I own to have the ability to ride with the headlight in a condition that I desire , manufacturers will look at every option to save even 5 cents / pence / ringits or whatever so any excuse they are given to delete something they will. But on most of my bikes the wiring harness is constant so there is the ability to plug and play as MJGT says, still leaves the problem of the switch though not sure where the early bike with the switch goes would suspect where our hazard light switch is on the RH switchgear . On the ducati i ordered the European switch and plugged it in job done.

Back to your issue, the square switch I put on mine ( will send pictures when I get back to the bike am at work) was from altronics and is under the LHS switch block, as I am running HID my wiring is no good to you so you would have to find the power wire to the headlight relay and go in series with that. will have a look at a wiring diagram when I get home, the switch has been on for a year through all sorts of weather and washing so is pretty robust.

I have been picked up by the police for no headlight and after much discussion/argument he let me off as the bike is technically modified even though it complies with ADRs ( with a daytime running light ) Anyway each to their own opinion, but I'm with you I want the option, especially with some of my older bikes that have a charging/ battery system that leaves a lot to be desired.

Thanks man, that really helps. Just got back from a long ride and saw heaps of older classic bikes without their lights on. It's a nice day in Adelaide today - everyone was out. Even saw another 14.

I'm not that angrily opposed to running my lights on (low beam) during the day but I like the classic look of a "normal" bike riding down the road normally without screaming to the world "LOOK OUT EVERYONE HERE I COME!!". However, my main use for this mod is to be able to practice in peace in a car park at night which is what triggered this whole issue. Had plod left me alone this may not have ever been an issue although having the light off when I'm in the shed is also a bonus.

TBH, if it's just for car parks like that then just pull the fuse. Lo-beam has it's own 10amp fuse, I can't recall which in the fusebox but it's labelled inside the lid. You only need to pop the LH sidecover off to get to the fusebox.

[grog]

Just make up headlight cover, easier again.

[Mick_J]

Ok so here's a scenario - interested to know what people think.

Say you are riding east in the afternoon, so oncoming cars are driving west - into the sun.
Thus you are a silhouette in their view.

Are they more likely to see a silhouette or a headlight in that scenario?
Would turning the light on break up that silhouette making you 'invisible' ?

Yes, it was used during the war by fitting spotlights onto the wings of fighters, if they attacked out of the sun they were virtually invisible.  The bad boys heard them long before they were shot at but couldn't see them.

[SA14]

TBH, if it's just for car parks like that then just pull the fuse. Lo-beam has it's own 10amp fuse, I can't recall which in the fusebox but it's labelled inside the lid. You only need to pop the LH sidecover off to get to the fusebox.

Just make up headlight cover, easier again.

Thanks, both are excellent real solutions. At least until I get a proper manual switch sorted.

[Big Phil]

Sorry SA14 I wasn't really responding to your night time car park practicing problem. I was just stating I would prefer my lights to be on all the time from a personal safety perspective. I apologise if I caused you any offence my friend, it certainly wasn't my intention.

[GSXKING]

Ever since I started riding street bikes, they have always had no option to turn headlight off. So in the same vein as compulsory helmet wearing I see it as normal after 40+ years riding. It does give the car drivers an indication you're travelling towards them I guess. 

[GSX1400Convert]

Did find out that fitting LED globe makes my bike illegal.

Bugger, after reading that......I just found out that mine is illegal too!