BMWMCCWA

It is quite common in South Africa to see bikes with orange headlight covers. It is legal there. This is to distinguish bikes from cars. Bearing in mind that there is a fair bit more mayhem on the roads with 40 million people.

I have seen one 1200 GS in Perth with that at Auto Classic. The owner (South African) mentioned that he has had cops comment on it, not favourably.

I think it is an excellent idea if it improves safety. I would think that it must be removable at night.

You can buy them here. http://www.iwarehouse.co.za/index.php?p ... t&Itemid=1

Your thoughts?

Ok I'll bite. This is in my world.

This -

75. Performance of headlights
(1) When on, a headlight or additional headlight fitted to a vehicle
must —
(a) show only white light; and

Road Traffic (Vehicle Standards) Rules 2002
Lights and reflectors Part 8
Headlights Division 2
r. 76
As at 01 May 2009 Version 01-a0-00 page 41
Extract from http://www.slp.wa.gov.au, see that website for further information


(b) project its main beam of light ahead of the vehicle.
(2) Headlights must be fitted to a vehicle so their light does not
reflect off the vehicle into the driver’s eyes.

Colored light fittings, removable or not are able to be charged under "Failing to maintain vehicle to standard", $100 no points. I agree it looks different, it -might- be noticed, but the issue that then occurs is the numptys out there then go and put a red/blue/green cover to match their bike on....

Keep in mind if the officer believes the individual will not comply, can issue a work order for the changes to be completed. (O and give the ticket as well... attitude.. play nice).

It might improve safety IF drivers in this country were taught to look at what it means, but they aren't. Currently a lot of riders/drivers are receiving work orders for retrofitted HID kits to vehicles which are illegal across the country as well, it's not a state law. ADR - Australian Design Rules is a federal, hence there is no state exemption for using them.

PS. If you want information on the relevant places for the sources of info I'll get it, but if anyone wants to bleat about, "how it makes them safer", "people can see me better", "I like them therefore it should be ok" or that old chestnut - "you're wrong, I know someone who recently created the universe and he said....."

I really don't care, hmm, I've just come off night shift.... does it show?

Well that says it all
The law is the law. Don't shoot the enforcers

Sleep well Bry

Thank for the info Bry.

I still think it is an excellent idea.

It is not law to have your headlights on during the day [very good idea though], so why not use the headlight during the day to improve safety, when arguably there is the most traffic on the road.

It seems that if you cover the high beam [if seperate like a GS] with a fairly dense orange filter and ride on high beam during the day it does the trick.

It appears that some in SA leave it on permanently....probably don't ride much at night. I have not been able to find something that tells me conclusively that it is legal in SA and I could only find one story of someones friend that has been fined. Many stories of being stopped and either not being noticed or rider removing it and apologising.

I have had one person in the BMW Club in Pretoria telling me it is legal.

A similar item was sold in NSW in the early 70's but was just a bright orange vinyl headlamp cover.

Never saw many on the road though and personally don't believe they would achieve much in the way of being noticed by motorists who normally drive with blinkers on and mind in neutral anyway.

I remember doing many nights over the last 30 years so you have my sympathy Bry..............Sleep Well

Swampy

I was under the impression that having your headlight permanently hard wired on was an ADR requirement, all bikes in the last 10 - 15 years are built this way, if you put in a switch to turn your lights off, have an accident where the car driver "didn't see you mate " then your insurance can wipe you like a dirty arse, and don't they love to do that.

whilst I don't condone the compulsory wearing of high vis gear I do believe in the lights on rule, moreso out on the highway.

Great if lights on is an ADR requirement.

Here is the South African law excerpt - amber lights ARE legal.

National Road Traffic Act, 1996
National Road Traffic Regulations, 1999
Chapter VI : Fitness of Vehicles
Part II : Equipment on or in respect of vehicles

181. Colour of lights

1) Subject to the provisions of regulation 170(1), 171(1), 172, 175 or 176, no person shall operate on a public road a motor vehicle which is fitted with or carries on it a lamp which –

a) except in the case of a brake anti-lock warning light to the front of a trailer, emits a light which is not white, amber or yellow in colour towards the front;

b) emits a light which is not yellow or amber in colour towards either side of the motor vehicle; or

c) except in the case of a direction indicator or reversing lamp complying with the provisions of these regulations, emits a light which is not red in colour towards the rear.

2) When two or more lamps of the same class emitting light in the same direction are fitted to a vehicle they shall emit light of the same colour :

Provided that no person shall operate on a public road a motor vehicle fitted with any colour of lights other than the colour of lights prescribed in terms of these regulations.