Author Topic: Why use orange headlight? (Read 836 times)

LeonDude · « **on:** December 21, 2007, 07:24:24 pm »

Well, another noob question.

I see some people have got orange plastic over their bikes headlights. Could someone
please explain to me why this is?

Tx

Welsh · « **Reply #1 on:** December 21, 2007, 07:31:34 pm »

Quote from: Uncle on December 21, 2007, 07:24:24 pm

Well, another noob question.

I see some people have got orange plastic over their bikes headlights. Could someone
please explain to me why this is?

Tx

POSERS.....

Meerkat · « **Reply #2 on:** December 21, 2007, 07:36:06 pm »

The orange light works well in being seen through dust and seeing better in fog.

Jules · « **Reply #3 on:** December 21, 2007, 07:45:16 pm »

A clever use for the orange headlight cover is when riding in a large group, The person at the rear of the group uses the orange cover, that way the leader can see if he has lost anyone on the way!

Jules

Captain Zef · « **Reply #4 on:** December 21, 2007, 07:51:43 pm »

Where can i find one of these covers

LeonDude · « **Reply #5 on:** December 21, 2007, 08:11:29 pm »

Captain, check die pooratech thread.

Oh, and thanks for the answers.

Adventurer · « **Reply #6 on:** December 21, 2007, 08:17:19 pm »

Normally to match the orange bike.....

growweblaar · « **Reply #7 on:** December 21, 2007, 08:57:39 pm »

Better visibility in traffic?

On two separate occasions I've heard non-bikers commenting that an orange light makes bikes more visible.

Even if that's true - which I think it is - the authorities will still pull you over for having one

Goose · « **Reply #8 on:** December 21, 2007, 10:03:51 pm »

Quote from: growweblaar on December 21, 2007, 08:57:39 pm

Better visibility in traffic?

On two separate occasions I've heard non-bikers commenting that an orange light makes bikes more visible.

Even if that's true - which I think it is - the authorities will still pull you over for having one

+ 1 - reminds me of the Bullsh@t they had with the white reflective number plates when we first started using them.... illegal, not as good, non-SABS... heard all the excuses... & now look at the bastards!

Eisbein · « **Reply #9 on:** December 21, 2007, 11:51:33 pm »

Yeah - they do pull you over.
On our trip to the bash they pulled Yellowfever over for his orange light.
He was still yapping on about it when YF stood with the lense in his hand. The oke was quite impressed to see it could be 'fixed' that easily.
Next stop the lense was back.

It really helps to let people see you.

See of normal lights and one orange - you SEE the orange...

Captain Zef · « **Reply #10 on:** December 22, 2007, 09:47:02 pm »

True very true on my way down to Oudtshoorn today i saw a group of bikes the last bike had an orange light. It really drew my attention.

Jerrycan · « **Reply #11 on:** December 26, 2007, 12:40:34 am »

Quote from: Uncle on December 21, 2007, 07:24:24 pm

Well, another noob question.

I see some people have got orange plastic over their bikes headlights. Could someone
please explain to me why this is?

Tx

Don't think it's a "noob" question, I've also observed the new trend since the discovery of coloured Perspex by barkers as used by signwriters, yeah, orange like a stuck flicker light, or worse, I saw a Busa the other day with a red headlight, perfect target for a half drunk wit to follow at night as a taillight only to meet it head-on at a combined speed of 220km/h. But then again, in Safrica anything goes, if a taxi can dispose of passengers in the middle of a traffic crossing I guess we can go for purple flickers and/or flashing orange headlights and bright white taillights. Some law abiding barkers resorted to wearing bright yellow bibs resembling drum majorettes to be seen on the roads, others scheme red headlights mimicking taillights are the in things. Dit is elkeen vir homself en die duiwel haal die res on our roads. "Survival of the fittest"

I&horse · « **Reply #12 on:** December 26, 2007, 07:32:19 am »

Quote from: Jules on December 21, 2007, 07:45:16 pm

A clever use for the orange headlight cover is when riding in a large group, The person at the rear of the group uses the orange cover, that way the leader can see if he has lost anyone on the way!

Jules

I rode last in formation in our last Cederberg trip, it does help the leader spotting you.

It does look good on certain Austrian motorcycles.......

Hyde make them for most other brands though.

I really didn't know the cops will pull you over for using it, been past many cops, but then I think the guys around here are not looking for extra work

RobC · « **Reply #13 on:** December 26, 2007, 11:46:51 am »

Quote from: Eisbein on December 21, 2007, 11:51:33 pm

See of normal lights and one orange - you SEE the orange...

Yellow/Orange headlights are not legal in SA but Foglights are, solution is to fit a foglight with that colour and have it connected to your headlight low or high beam.
As you say, anything that makes you stick out and be seen is a plus in my book.

Highlander · « **Reply #14 on:** December 28, 2007, 10:21:38 am »

In 32 000km of biking with it i've been stopped once (with eisbein), and yes it is true that the leader sometimes wants me to ride at the back.

Best is some cars think its some kind of emergency vehicle coming from behind and they pull over very quickly.

At night I take it off, cause I can't see too well with it.

CrazyPorra · « **Reply #15 on:** December 28, 2007, 10:25:32 am »

Come up to Guateng and see our often you get puuled off, I was pulled off at least once on every trip that i rode my Firebalde, never did get fined but that was due to my very apologetic face.

I&horse · « **Reply #16 on:** December 28, 2007, 10:58:31 am »

Cops are too slapgat here. I rode into the weighbridge to report an incident with one on. Cop didn't say a thing.
Appologetic face always does the trick for me. And get the cop interested and talking about the bike.

Pistonpete · « **Reply #17 on:** January 01, 2008, 11:18:52 am »

I have only been pulled over once but it was more curiosity about the bike i think. It started raining & she ducked back into the car! Its very boring for them in Swellendam.
The orange cover WORXS...cars etc tend to peel away & make room for you. Either its the HIGH visibility thing or they think its some type of emergency/breakdown car/bike.

jab2 · « **Reply #18 on:** January 03, 2008, 07:19:55 pm »

I also had the thought that an orange HL was a pose factor, but no more.

We were traveling the N1 between Laingsburg and Prince Albert Road in poor light condition this morning, when I noticed a reddish light about 3-4 clicks behind us. I though it was an ambulance or some emergency vehicle, but it was sure more noticeable than the rest of the vehicles, even the ones who bothered to use headlight in the bad light.

After a while a KTM with an orange HL come past. Only then did I realized it was this bike that I saw. When I first noticed the light it was so far back I could not even tell cars and lorries apart. So they are very, and I mean VERY visible.

BTW, I saw said bike parked in Prince Albert later on. Was it any of you guys?

Butch · « **Reply #19 on:** January 04, 2008, 08:29:28 am »

I put it on my bike to pose, but I guess some of the points above are valid too. ;-)