You like to ride your motorcycle at all hours. However, once the sun goes down, you need to turn on your lights. If you don’t turn them on, or if they don’t work correctly, then you put yourself and your bike at risk. You put other people at risk as well. The lighting is one of the most important components of your bike. In many ways, it is even more important on the bike than on the average car. Why is this the case?
Working Lights Equals Safety
Why do you use your motorcycle lights? Most people probably know the answer.
You want others to see you, and you to see them. You want others to know your intentions before you make any maneuvers. By alerting people to your presence, you can reduce the chances of a motorcycle accident.
Lighting is especially important for bikes. This is because the lights help instrumentally in making a motorcycle visible. Motorcycles are generally smaller than your average car. Therefore, it might be harder for others to see your bike on the road. The presence of lighting will help keep others aware that the bike is nearby.
Most bikes will contain:
- A headlamp
- Rear lights
- An arrow blinker system on both the front and rear
- Emergency flashers
Some bikes will also contain lighting along their running boards.
Headlamps, rear lights and blinkers are mandatory appliances on most bikes. Driving laws usually require operators to turn their lights on in certain conditions. Common light requirements come into play after dark or in rainy weather. You’ll also usually have to use turn signals and other lights when making certain maneuvers.
If you don’t turn on your lights at appropriate times, then you could face ticketing and other issues. If the lights fail to work, you must replace them within a set timeframe. The longer you go without using your lights, the more risks you present to others. That’s why the law requires them.
Replacing Your Lights
Generally, it is not difficult to replace a burnt-out motorcycle bulb. You’ll likely notice a warning light on your dash board when a light burns out. You can then visit an auto repair shop, where bulbs usually only cost a nominal price. If you don’t know how to change the bulb, most shops also have experts on hand to do it for you in just a few minutes.
If a lighting problem is more serious than a burnt bulb, make an appointment with your mechanic. They will need to do a lighting test to try to diagnose and fix the problem. Consider your bike a malfunctioning problem until you fix the lighting.
Contact us for a Santa Ana motorcycle insurance quote at (866) 883-9357.