Run/brake/turn lights on stock bikes- what about safety?

[Sponk]

More and more stock Harleys have run/brake/turn combo lighting without a tail light. Now, besides the fact that I really don´t like the look on the Street Glide and Softail Convertible etc., I have my doubts about safety.

I have ridden behind people with aftermarket run/brake/turn lighting (with tail light) and bikes like the 09 CVO Road Glide and 10 CVO Street Glide without a separate taillight and I thought that the attention getting effect of amber turn signal lighting was really sorely missing. The effect is particularly pronounced when there is no separate tail light with the turn signal "pods" close together. The lights are coming on and off in a seemingly random way when the rider brakes, signals, gets off the brake again etc. All you see is red lights flashing without any discernable signaling of turning intention. I find the same goes for cars that don´t use a separate set of lights for turn signaling i.e. brake/ run / turn all the same actual lights.

I was hit by an SUV (in my own lane no less) a couple of years back while attempting a turn and I was running red turn signals at the time, so maybe I´m a bit sensitive to the issue. I don´t know whether the turn signals contributed to the accident (guy OBVIOUSLY didn´t see me though) but from what I´ve seen this kind of lighting sure doesn´t make you any MORE visible...
I´m kinda surprised that Harley would chose an obviously less safe setup for (questionably) better looks...

What do you think?

Sponk

[route66paul]

Amber lights are really noticable for turn signals and as flashing "e" lights. If you hook up a flashing stop light to these and keep the red stop light, it really gets attention. This is legal, as long as it is a flashing light on braking or signalling.

[jpilone]

I have the run/brake/turn kit on my ultra, and when you hit the brakes the back of the bike is lit up like a damn christmas tree!

[MilesToGo]

First thing i thought when i saw the new SG. No tail light - just the turns which act as both. Less light can't be better. I'm actually looking at getting one of the new LED tails for my SG so i can have more light.

[Sponk]

Have you ever seen the run / brake / turn light setup in action? I mean riding behind someone with it for a while, not just looking at it in your garage? Yes, there are a lot of lights flashing on and off and that´s a good thing as a general attention getter, but there is no discernable indication of your turning intention. Legal or not, I found it to be a less than ideal setup especially without the center tail light.

But hey, maybe it´s just me!

Sponk

[Sponk]

Originally Posted by miles to go

Less light can't be better.

Would you care to elaborate?

Sponk

[MilesToGo]

Originally Posted by Sponk

Would you care to elaborate?

Sponk

Just saying they removed the large tail light on the new SG/RG and now have the two small turns serving dual purpose. Just doesn't seem like enough light to me. Been thinking about adding some light strips to my SG - the ones that run down the edge of the bags.

[Sponk]

I misread your post- sorry. Wanting MORE light makes sense

I wouldn´t mind the dual tail lights as much as the missing separate and amber turn signals. I was thinking I would add an extra set of t/s somewhere and get the plug in that turns the tri-bar running light in the taildragger fascia into a running / brake light if I had a 2010 SG / RG

Sponk

[jpilone]

I also agree that the lack of a center tail light ona motorcycle is a bad idea.

With the run/brake/turn setup on my Ultra, the turn signals are changed to a red lens and all 3 lights are lit up while running and when braking. I think that's WAY safer...

As far as telling what direction you're going, that's common sense 101.... But then again there are alot of ruhtards out there (ever see "The Hangover"?? LOL )

[Sponk]

Originally Posted by jpilone

As far as telling what direction you're going, that's common sense 101.... But then again there are alot of ruhtards out there (ever see "The Hangover"?? LOL )

That exactly is the problem. How many ruhtards say "they didn´t see the bike" - even a fully lit bagger. I wouldn´t count on anyones common sense or prescience in respect to my intentions. I would like to give anyone following me as much visual warning of my intentions as reasonably possible.

My point is just that Harley is usually very conservative in safety matters- reflectors, lights, tires etc, and leaves it to their customers to customize the bikes to their liking and personal need for safety. I am simply surprised they would chose an obviously less safe setup for stock.

Sponk