High Beam vs. Low Beam...

[LotusJones]

Apologies if this is the wrong forum, but, the 'gear and safety' forum looked a little dusty...
So, I was told today by an MSF instructor that there is a RECENT study that shows running the Low Beam during daytime is actually safer than running the High Beam. Something about the High Beam being so bright it further confounds the observer's depth/speed perception. I googled all over and came up with nothing to substantiate or refute this. Is this Gospel? What do you wise and experienced folk do?
-LJ

[Biff's R]

When I had my OEM headlight bulb, I ran the high beam. It burned out while I was on a trip, and I replaced it with a Silverstar bulb from Autozone. Now with a silverstar bulb, I run the low beam more often. The new bulb is a lot brighter.

[rdsmith3]

I run the low beam and two Motolights with yellow bulbs. IMO the triangle of three points of light gives better conspicuity.

[iowabeakster]

Jeff, Bob...don't you guys sleep?

[rdsmith3]

not as much as I would like

[MikeCam]

There might be such a study. It might even be a valid study. Without independent confirmation and source info, I'd take anything said by an MSF instructor outside the approved curriculum the same way I take internet info.

[towerworker]

I would occasionally run my high beam until the weekend of the Bash. 3 of us my area rode up together and I led much of the time. Of the two guys behind me one ran his low beam constantly and the other had a modulator. Eventually he turned the modulator off and ran the high beam for a time. I could always make out the bike in traffic behind me when the high was on. If only the low I could seldom pick him out of traffic or even see him at times.
The modulator as did running the high beam constant made a huge difference in being conspicuous. Some don't like the modulator and call them obnoxious, doesn't matter to me. I don't run one and probably won't but that or simply running high beams during the day sure helps you be seen.

So to answer your question----I now run my high beam during the day.

Wayne

[gregor]

Isn't it also against the law to deliberately dazzle other road users?
It is certainly so in the UK. Or so I believe.

[Biff's R]

Jeff, Bob...don't you guys sleep?

What were you doing up at that time?

I have had the flu, and my dose of NyQuil lost it's effectiveness.

[iowabeakster]

I was just finishing work and checking the weather for when I wake up.

But to keep this on topic...I alternate to get max usage out of the bulb. High beam for a week...low beam for a week.

[Buckster]

I get better MPG with the low beam!

[beemerboy]

My two cents on this subject- I actually hate the high beams even at night 95 percent of the time. They have a far side range but almost dont provide enough strong light in front of you.

[Max Continuous]

There might be such a study. It might even be a valid study. Without independent confirmation and source info, I'd take anything said by an MSF instructor outside the approved curriculum the same way I take internet info.

That is the best advice I have heard. Everyone has an opinion and I would treat it as just that, an opinion of an MSF instructor unless otherwise backed up with factual data.

In my opinion, I use the low beam of a brighter aftermarket bulb along with the benefit of a Kisan Signal Minder which turns the otherwise dormant indicators into running lights, thereby creating a visual triangle making it easier for others to discern that I am infact a motorcycle and not an oncoming cyclops with a burnt out headlight.

[awagnon]

I read the same thing in a recent motorcycle magazine safety column about it being safer to run the low beam, even during the day. I can't remember the magazine (getting old) but I recall the author is a respected writer on the topic of safety. Anyway, the premise is that the high beam makes it harder for other drivers to judge your distance and closing speed. I believe it after seeing motorcycles coming towards me with their lights on bright when I'm in my cage. Granted, I do see them better.

I had a headlight modulator on my first bike. Got hit head on by an SUV who "didn't see me". Totaled the bike only broke one bone. I'm no longer a fan of modulators.

[MikeCam]

The premise does have merit. Depending on the quality of the study design and the study team, I can intuitively agree with their assertions.

To the OP - I run low beam mostly day and night. As stated above, the high beam does not give me great down the road visibility unless there is a good deal of reflective surface out ahead. The low beam has good fill-in light of a yellowish cast while the hi has a whiter output that appears to offer less fill-in. I am old, have withering eyesight, and lack a good degree of night vision. That, no doubt has an impact.

[rockstercliff]

Replaced both my factory bulbs withh PIAA super-dooper plasma of some sort, much brighter. Also have cyclegadgets PIAA 1100X set ,caliper mounted. Use all the time, and noticed fewer people pulling out in front of me in traffic, and a few more going to the right lane when I overtake. Use the PIAA plasma bulbs in all my autos, noticable difference in seeing at nite.

[Biff's R]

High beams are on when it is cold.

[PhilDinAZ]

Just to add to the mix you have to figure in the "actual" elevation of the headlight with rider/passenger/luggage, etc. and every combination thereof. Some of you may have your light aimed up and some down.

Chew on that for awhile :-)

[beemerboy]

So do people agree with me about the high beam kinda being weak unless there are alot of trees or above/around coverage?

[awagnon]

So do people agree with me about the high beam kinda being weak unless there are alot of trees or above/around coverage?

I'm pretty pleased with the R-bike's high beam at night. I think it's as good or better than my RT's. I went to a tech session on BMW lights. The speaker felt the R-bike had one of the better lights because of its size and deep reflector.