I have a little different perspective on this topic. Consider your
reaction the next time a squid approaches you with both headlamps on
high, or the HD rider with his single headlamp on high, plus the two
adjacent, blazing driving beams. My reaction is to look away, because
I'm being blinded. And yes, I'm talking daytime. You may not notice
it as much on your KLR as you might in a cage, because your ass, and
therefore your line of vision, is further from the pavement,
therefore further above the line of projection of properly adjusted
headlight high beams. Isn't the idea to be seen, not looked away
from? This effect probably isn't nearly as great with the single,
smallish headlamp of the KLR, but under some circumstances, it could
be. Same principle applies when overtaking a cage. If their rearview
mirrors are properly adjusted, high beams will put a blinding flash
of light right in their eyes. Many cage drivers are already pissed at
motorcycle riders, for whatever reason. Do we really want to
aggravate them further? Flashing high beam(s) can suggest aggressive
driving behavior, pissing off fellow motorists and potentially
leading to roadside chats with law enforcement types. As some have
suggested, riding like you're invisible is always wise. Keeping your
wits about you at all times is certainly also well advised. Beside
doing those things, I install a Kisan Pathblazer (headlight
modulator) on all my bikes, as well as their turn signal to running
light conversions and brake light pulsator. I recently bought a
VStrom 1000, and that was about the first thing I did to it.
Modulating the high beams doesn't dazzle oncoming motorists, but it
definitely gets, and tends to hold, their attention. Since they are
constantly modulating, which I believe is legal in all states during
daylight hours, you have a defensible argument if you are stopped. I
never have been, and many LE types have seen me. Nor has anyone
turned in front of me, near enough to cause concern, or come into my
lane when overtaking. It has worked for me for many years, the last
27 in the Phoenix metro area, so I'm sticking with it.
Happy trails,
Dennis
On Feb 13, 2007, at 2:30 PM, Kimosabe wrote:
> High for day and night. Low when in traffic at night.
>
> When I'm approaching a busy intersection day or night, or when I
> suspect in the least that someone may not have seen me, I flash the
> beams.
>
> This includes any appproaching vehicles, vehicles I'm behind,
> vehicles that are on intersecting streets entering mine, ANYONE that
> I think might hit me or cause an accident.
>
> Needless to say, I flash them a lot, day and night.
>
> Steve in Niceville.
>
> --- In
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Dooden" wrote:
> >
> > Pretty much leave mine on Hi beam all the time.
> >
> > Dooden
> > A15 Green Ape
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Tony Wood" wrote:
> > >
> > > Hello All,
> > >
> > > I was wondering what your opinions are on riding during
> daylight
> > > hours with the high beam on?
>> .
>
>
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