do i?

[Ken Stone]

My $.02 I have the dual star LED taillamp and love it. Its incredibly bright from any angle and is a great tool when you are alone at the front of a stop light (can do flashy with the hand brake and everyone sees you) I have never been pulled over but have had riding buddies make comments about how good the visibility is. Its expensive (like $70-80)but worth every penny IMHO. I do have a question about it. It has a flash jumper setting on it. Where it will flash like crazy when you apply the brakes. I have chosen not to use it because its kind of annoying and really bright. Has anyone used that? Did you have a good experience? Does anyone know if its even legal in CA? _______________________________________________ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web!

[Guest]

Ken, I'll see your $.02 and raise you $.02. I agree that the DS taillamp kit is expensive - but worth it! I do use the 2-second strobe feature because I reason that it helps the cell-phone-in-ear cager behind notice me (a little bit) better; and ANY help in that quadrant where I have no control is worth it to me. I've driven behind my bike to check it out and observed that the strobe isn't on long enough to be annoying, IMHO. Sorry, I can't help you with the legality question in CA, or even in WA for that matter. I s'pose it's good to be able to de-select it, but I plan to continue to use the strobe as a "survival tool" until I'm told I can't. Good ridin', Pat Western WA A14 ***********

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "Ken Stone" wrote: > > My $.02 > > I have the dual star LED taillamp and love it. Its incredibly bright from any angle and is a great tool when you are alone at the front of a stop light (can do flashy with the hand brake and everyone sees you) I have never been pulled over but have had riding buddies make comments about how good the visibility is. Its expensive (like $70-80)but worth every penny IMHO. > > I do have a question about it. It has a flash jumper setting on it. Where it will flash like crazy when you apply the brakes. I have chosen not to use it because its kind of annoying and really bright. Has anyone used that? Did you have a good experience? Does anyone know if its even legal in CA? > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com > The most personalized portal on the Web!

[sdnz13]

I also have the dual star tail lamp and agree with the "expensive but worth it" thoughts. as far as California is concerned, any flashing red light, other than turn signals or hazard lights depending on year of vehicle, are illegal. it is usually a fix it ticket so if you get a ticket just fix it, have it signed off, pay $10 (sometimes), and your good to go. I have mine set to flash and haven't had any problems so far. Scott D

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "Ken Stone" wrote: > > My $.02 > > I have the dual star LED taillamp and love it. Its incredibly bright from any angle and is a great tool when you are alone at the front of a stop light (can do flashy with the hand brake and everyone sees you) I have never been pulled over but have had riding buddies make comments about how good the visibility is. Its expensive (like $70-80)but worth every penny IMHO. > > I do have a question about it. It has a flash jumper setting on it. Where it will flash like crazy when you apply the brakes. I have chosen not to use it because its kind of annoying and really bright. Has anyone used that? Did you have a good experience? Does anyone know if its even legal in CA? > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com > The most personalized portal on the Web!

[mwl_95623]

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "sdnz13" wrote: snip > as far as California is concerned, any flashing > red light, other than turn signals or hazard lights depending on > year of vehicle, are illegal. > > Scott D > I do NOT think this is true. I don't have the Dual Star but I do have the Hyperlites .... and I do live in California. When I checked into it I read CA law as stating flashing brake lights up to four seconds were legal. Of course, as Murphy's Law would have it, the Hyperlites flash for five seconds. But being the big risk taker that I am ... I went for it! Do a Google search. I know it's not difficult to find. I'd do it for you, but ... after all it is New Year Eve. Happy New Year! Matt

[sdnz13]

I recommend you look at CVC 25250, CVC 25251, and CVC 26101. 25250 states all flashing lights are prohibited. 25251 list the exception - turn signals, hazards, warning light, stop lamps aren't listed. 26101 states it is illegal to modify ANY lighting device from stock. 24600 describes the stop lamp requirements and again nothing about flashing lights is listed. I'd also quote the CHP lighting bulletin but I don't have it home with me. Lots of people confuse the legality of headlight modulators to mean that flashing lights are ok, but alas they are not. There are a few other lighting sections that also apply, but the aforementioned one are most commonly cited and used. It's also a good indicator that if a vehicle doesn't come with it from a manufacturer, than it is probably not legal when it comes to lighting, just ask yourself if you have ever seen it on any production bike from the dealer. If there is another section that permits a flashing stop lamp that I'm not aware of I'd love to see it. Again, I run the same lamp setup, with the flasher on, I thinks it really helps with visibility, but I am also prepared to get stopped for it as well. Most cops will just advise you to change it back, if they choose to do anything, but there are those out there that will give you a ticket and if you indicate that you know there's a problem with it, make it a non fixable violation. also the ticket could be a moving violation too - per CVC 24004, if you've been warned a not corrected it. Trust me on this one, I'm not relying on a google search to tell me what's legal, my training goes well beyond that. Don't believe everything on the internet or you'll own ocean front property in Wyoming if your not careful. The only source for legality information is the California Vehicle Code. CHP puts out lots of training info on this kind of thing for additional clarification. You can read the CVC text at DMV's website for info. Scott D - Sorry for the lengthy post PS check the Hyperlights package and it will probibly have a legality disclaimer like not for street use, off road use only, or check local laws regarding use. You can buy everything from NOS to red lights and sirens from Autozone, heck if you're lucky some clerks will even sell you crack, it doesn't make it legal.

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "mwl_95623" wrote: > --- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "sdnz13" wrote: > snip > > as far as California is concerned, any flashing > > red light, other than turn signals or hazard lights depending on > > year of vehicle, are illegal. > > > Scott D > > > > > I do NOT think this is true. I don't have the Dual Star but I do > have the Hyperlites .... and I do live in California. > > When I checked into it I read CA law as stating flashing brake > lights up to four seconds were legal. Of course, as Murphy's Law > would have it, the Hyperlites flash for five seconds. But being the > big risk taker that I am ... I went for it! > > Do a Google search. I know it's not difficult to find. I'd do it > for you, but ... after all it is New Year Eve. > > Happy New Year! > > Matt

[klr_a4]

For once a federal law trumps a bad state law. Conall-is pot legal in CA? or Montreal?

> > > > FMVSS 108 (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) (49 CFR Part

571.108

> S7.9.4) allows motorcycle headlight modulation systems in all 50

states

> provided they comply with the standards set forth in this section. > > Title 49 USC 30103(b1) (US Codes) prohibits any state from

forbidding a

> system that conforms to FMVSS 108. > > Walt > A14 "War Horse"

[sdnz13]

I can see where my previous post may have been confusing regarding headlight modulators. I was not stating that headlight modulators were illegal, as they are legal in ca. I was stating that people confuse headlight modulators being legal to mean that any light can be modulated and still be legal. only headlight modulators on motorcycles are legal, not tail or stop lamps modulators. additionally FMVSS applies to manufacturers, etc., not end users. No one gets federal traffic tickets. FMVSS mainly applies to output, visability, quality, etc, it's also the standard that ensures conformity and minimum safety requirements for all vehicles. once again, if you've never seen it on a production vehicle, then it's probibly not legal. As far as federal law trumping state law, that's true, but consider that the vehicle code is updated every year, subject to state and federal review, required to recieve federal highway funds, and constantly challenged in court, the sections I qouted earlier are still valid and enforceable. FMVSS does not prevent you from getting a ticket for modifying your lighting system under 26101. 26101 puts the burden back on the user to prove that all stardards are met, SAE, FMVSS, CVC, etc. Not an easy sell. In the end my point is still the same, if you change it, be prepared to get stopped and to justify it in court. If you are transporting crack for your friendly neighborhood dealer, then you most likely don't want to be stopped by the cops. people gripe that the cops make up reasons to stop them and other assorted crap, when reality is modification of or broken/defective vehicles leads to more arrests for warrants, drugs, DUI, and other more serious violations than anything else. Be informed, be prepaired, exercise your free will, go forth and modify. I did..... Scott D

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "Walt" wrote: > > I recommend you look at CVC 25250, CVC 25251, and CVC 26101. 25250 > > states > > all flashing lights are prohibited. 25251 list the exception - turn > > signals, > > hazards, warning light, stop lamps aren't listed. 26101 states it is > > illegal > > to modify ANY lighting device from stock. 24600 describes the stop > > lamp > > requirements and again nothing about flashing lights is listed. I'd > > also > > quote the CHP lighting bulletin but I don't have it home with me. > > Lots of > > people confuse the legality of headlight modulators to mean that > > flashing > > lights are ok, but alas they are not. There are a few other lighting > > sections that also apply, but the aforementioned one are most > > commonly cited > > and used. It's also a good indicator that if a vehicle doesn't come > > with it > > from a manufacturer, than it is probably not legal when it comes to > > lighting, just ask yourself if you have ever seen it on any > > production bike > > from the dealer. > > > > If there is another section that permits a flashing stop lamp that > > I'm not > > aware of I'd love to see it. Again, I run the same lamp setup, with > > the > > flasher on, I thinks it really helps with visibility, but I am also > > prepared > > to get stopped for it as well. Most cops will just advise you to > > change it > > back, if they choose to do anything, but there are those out there > > that will > > give you a ticket and if you indicate that you know there's a problem > > with > > it, make it a non fixable violation. also the ticket could be a moving > > violation too - per CVC 24004, if you've been warned a not corrected > > it. > > > > Trust me on this one, I'm not relying on a google search to tell me > > what's > > legal, my training goes well beyond that. Don't believe everything on > > the > > internet or you'll own ocean front property in Wyoming if your not > > careful. > > The only source for legality information is the California Vehicle > > Code. CHP > > puts out lots of training info on this kind of thing for additional > > clarification. You can read the CVC text at DMV's website for info. > > > > Scott D - Sorry for the lengthy post > > > > > > FMVSS 108 (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) (49 CFR Part 571.108 > S7.9.4) allows motorcycle headlight modulation systems in all 50 states > provided they comply with the standards set forth in this section. > > Title 49 USC 30103(b1) (US Codes) prohibits any state from forbidding a > system that conforms to FMVSS 108. > > Walt > A14 "War Horse"

[Keith Saltzer]

only headlight modulators on

> motorcycles are legal, not tail or stop lamps modulators. >

The A9 that I have been working on for a month now, is owned by a retired CHP bike cop. Just yesterday, he dropped off another small box of parts for me to mount on his bike. They included a head light, and tail light flasher. MrMoose A8 (Barbie and Ken special)

[Lujo Bauer]

It's nice to see a well-substantiated argument. Excellent info, Walt! Where do you get all the text (and how do you find the relevant parts) of the laws? -Lujo

> Well I just used headlight modulators as an example of something > that the federal goverment allows you to add and cited the law > which counters you're blanket statement that "26101 states it > is illegal to modify ANY lighting device from stock." > > Here is what it really states > > 26101. No person shall sell or offer for sale for use upon or as > part of the equipment of a vehicle, nor shall any person use upon a > vehicle, any device that is intended to modify the original design or > performance of any lighting equipment, safety glazing material, or > other device, unless the modifying device meets the provisions of > Section 26104. This section does not apply to a taillamp or stop > lamp in use on or prior to December 1, 1935, or to lamps installed on > authorized emergency vehicles.

[snip]

[azman321]

These aren't stupid questions at all; IMO one of the best aspects of the KLR is the great aftermarket and group support of it, for just these types of issues. I've got a centerstand and it's never been a hindrance, but I don't do anything rougher than jeep trails. I'd be reluctant to do much without it just because of the possibility of tire repairs, though you can carry one of those jack sticks if you prefer. I'd recommend some type of engine guard to protect at least the radiator on the left side. It's easy to cause a problem that you can't fix in the field by going down on your left side. There are options at www.happy-trail.com . The guard/hiway pegs is one, the hoop guards under the shrouds is one (I use this), the nerf bars cage is one (most $). So if you don't get the guard pegs, I'd suggest at least the hoop guard on the left side. www.dual-star.com also has a rad-guard. And of course Fred at www.arrowheadmotorsports.com in Moab can get you all of this and give you plenty of good advice to boot. Jett, A15 AZ

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "artizun" wrote: > Happy new year. Pardon me if my questions seem stupid. #1 I was > wondering (of those who have done extensive off road trips) if the > center stand is a hinderance in weight and catching on things or an > an added benefit when it comes to maintence? #2 Is the front frame > mounted footpegs/engine gaurd after market accessory worth the > protection in the dirt or a hinderance(in the way and extra weight > and catching on things? Thank you for your feedback.