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  1. #1
    cjmitch is offline Junior Member cjmitch is on a distinguished road
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    What are the rules regarding lights on a motorcycle

    Hello to you all,
    Ther is much discussion going on on the motorcycle message board, (especially the Gold wings) about lighting on motorcycles.
    What are the rules about colored lights on motorcycles in your state?

    Thank you.
    cjm

    P.S. Please note what state, and if possible what Ordinance in your state code...
    I will complie a list and post it on that board
    Last edited by cjmitch; 06-23-08 at 11:04 PM. Reason: Added the P.S.

  2. #2
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    In most States the only colors allowed on any motor vehicle are white and amber to the front and red and amber to the rear. If riders want colored lights for shows, simply put them on a toggle switch so they can be turned off when they hit the road.
    Excuse me Officer, I have a stupid Question. "No problem, I've got a stupid answer for you!"

  3. #3
    Samuel's Avatar
    Samuel is offline Troll Stompr/Comic Relief Samuel has disabled reputation
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    Quote Originally Posted by cjmitch View Post
    Hello to you all,
    Ther is much discussion going on on the motorcycle message board, (especially the Gold wings) about lighting on motorcycles.
    What are the rules about colored lights on motorcycles in your state?

    Thank you.
    cjm

    P.S. Please note what state, and if possible what Ordinance in your state code...
    I will complie a list and post it on that board
    Google is your friend.

  4. #4
    TX-LEO's Avatar
    TX-LEO is offline Some Call me JR TX-LEO has a reputation beyond repute TX-LEO has a reputation beyond repute TX-LEO has a reputation beyond repute TX-LEO has a reputation beyond repute TX-LEO has a reputation beyond repute TX-LEO has a reputation beyond repute TX-LEO has a reputation beyond repute TX-LEO has a reputation beyond repute TX-LEO has a reputation beyond repute TX-LEO has a reputation beyond repute TX-LEO has a reputation beyond repute
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    Quote Originally Posted by cjmitch View Post
    Hello to you all,
    Ther is much discussion going on on the motorcycle message board, (especially the Gold wings) about lighting on motorcycles.
    What are the rules about colored lights on motorcycles in your state?

    Thank you.
    cjm

    P.S. Please note what state, and if possible what Ordinance in your state code...
    I will complie a list and post it on that board

    Texas transportation code - Google returned these results very quickly.

    § 547.303. COLOR REQUIREMENTS. (a) Unless expressly
    provided otherwise, a lighting device or reflector mounted on the
    rear of a vehicle must be or reflect red.
    (b) A signaling device mounted on the rear of a vehicle may
    be red, amber, or yellow.


    § 547.305. RESTRICTIONS ON USE OF LIGHTS. (a) A motor vehicle
    lamp or illuminating device, other than a headlamp,
    spotlamp, auxiliary lamp, turn signal lamp, or emergency vehicle or
    school bus warning lamp, that projects a beam with an intensity
    brighter than 300 candlepower shall be directed so that no part of
    the high-intensity portion of the beam strikes the roadway at a
    distance of more than 75 feet from the vehicle.
    (b) Except as expressly authorized by law, a person may not
    operate or move equipment or a vehicle, other than a police vehicle,
    with a lamp or device that displays a red light visible from
    directly in front of the center of the equipment or vehicle.
    (c) A person may not operate a motor vehicle equipped with a
    red, white, or blue beacon, flashing, or alternating light unless
    the equipment is:
    (1) used as specifically authorized by this chapter;
    or
    (2) a running lamp, headlamp, taillamp, backup lamp,
    or turn signal lamp that is used as authorized by law.
    (d) A vehicle may be equipped with alternately flashing
    lighting equipment described by Section 547.701 or 547.702 only if
    the vehicle is:
    (1) a school bus;
    (2) an authorized emergency vehicle;
    (3) a church bus that has the words "church bus"
    printed on the front and rear of the bus so as to be clearly
    discernable to other vehicle operators;
    (4) a tow truck while under the direction of a law
    enforcement officer at the scene of an accident or while hooking up
    to a disabled vehicle on a roadway; or
    (5) a tow truck with a mounted light bar
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  5. #5
    cjmitch is offline Junior Member cjmitch is on a distinguished road
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    Quote Originally Posted by Samuel View Post
    Google is your friend.
    Yes it is.. if you know what to search for..
    fro instance...

    texas calls it the transportation code
    Ohio..its the Ohio revised code.. and so on and so forth... TIMES 50 states
    Do you search for "blue lights" viehicle lights, motorcycle lights???
    Get the drift, now when you get all those "results" you gotta wade through them, to get close to what you need...

  6. #6
    cjmitch is offline Junior Member cjmitch is on a distinguished road
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    Quote Originally Posted by TX-LEO View Post
    Texas transportation code - Google returned these results very quickly.

    § 547.303. COLOR REQUIREMENTS. (a) Unless expressly
    provided otherwise, a lighting device or reflector mounted on the
    rear of a vehicle must be or reflect red.
    (b) A signaling device mounted on the rear of a vehicle may
    be red, amber, or yellow.


    § 547.305. RESTRICTIONS ON USE OF LIGHTS. (a) A motor vehicle
    lamp or illuminating device, other than a headlamp,
    spotlamp, auxiliary lamp, turn signal lamp, or emergency vehicle or
    school bus warning lamp, that projects a beam with an intensity
    brighter than 300 candlepower shall be directed so that no part of
    the high-intensity portion of the beam strikes the roadway at a
    distance of more than 75 feet from the vehicle.
    (b) Except as expressly authorized by law, a person may not
    operate or move equipment or a vehicle, other than a police vehicle,
    with a lamp or device that displays a red light visible from
    directly in front of the center of the equipment or vehicle.
    (c) A person may not operate a motor vehicle equipped with a
    red, white, or blue beacon, flashing, or alternating light unless
    the equipment is:
    (1) used as specifically authorized by this chapter;
    or
    (2) a running lamp, headlamp, taillamp, backup lamp,
    or turn signal lamp that is used as authorized by law.
    (d) A vehicle may be equipped with alternately flashing
    lighting equipment described by Section 547.701 or 547.702 only if
    the vehicle is:
    (1) a school bus;
    (2) an authorized emergency vehicle;
    (3) a church bus that has the words "church bus"
    printed on the front and rear of the bus so as to be clearly
    discernable to other vehicle operators;
    (4) a tow truck while under the direction of a law
    enforcement officer at the scene of an accident or while hooking up
    to a disabled vehicle on a roadway; or
    (5) a tow truck with a mounted light bar
    Ok TX, thanks
    As I read this it seems to say...
    547.303.
    1) From the rear.. Only RED, or for signaling RED or AMBER


    2)
    (b) Except as expressly authorized by law, a person may not
    operate or move equipment or a vehicle, other than a police vehicle,
    with a lamp or device that displays a red light visible from
    directly in front of the center of the equipment or vehicle.

    (c) A person may not operate a motor vehicle equipped with a
    red, white, or blue beacon, flashing, or alternating light unless
    the equipment is:
    (what is meant by a "BEACON"?)

    (b) means NO RED from the front that is visable from standing directly in fornt of the viehicle
    (c) No Red, white, or blue, stationary, OR flashing PERIOD.

    No RED any direction
    No Blue any direction
    GREEN go to go... (sides / Front)
    Amber... good to go (sides / front)

    If Im being anal about this.. sorry... but someone is going to ask, and I like to have answers.

  7. #7
    Samuel's Avatar
    Samuel is offline Troll Stompr/Comic Relief Samuel has disabled reputation
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    Quote Originally Posted by cjmitch View Post
    Yes it is.. if you know what to search for..
    fro instance...

    texas calls it the transportation code
    Ohio..its the Ohio revised code.. and so on and so forth... TIMES 50 states
    Do you search for "blue lights" viehicle lights, motorcycle lights???
    Get the drift, now when you get all those "results" you gotta wade through them, to get close to what you need...
    Yeah? So? Make an effort... Look them up and maybe come and ask for the ones you weren't able to find... GET THE DRIFT? :rolleyes:

    start by looking up each state's Department of Motor Vehicles or Bureau of Motor Vehicles - check Vehicle or Transportation Code/Statute

    Btw, IspBear pretty much summed it up for you.
    Last edited by Samuel; 06-24-08 at 02:04 PM.

  8. #8
    Jay7376's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by cjmitch View Post
    What are the rules about colored lights on motorcycles in your state?
    For Michigan:

    The same as all other motor vehicles. There is not a difference between a car or motorcycle concerning the light colors permitted.

    White & amber visible on front.

    Red & amber visible on rear.

    NOTHING else. No green, no purple, no blue etc.
    Last edited by Jay7376; 06-24-08 at 03:02 PM.

  9. #9
    Johninaustin's Avatar
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    I can save you all the trouble searching. If it did not come on the bike from the manufacturer, chances are pretty damn good that it's illegal.

    Pep Boys or Autozone does not count. ;)
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