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motorcycle lighting laws

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Old 10-02-2008, 09:58 PM
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Default motorcycle lighting laws

I saw a guy a few weeks ago riding at night with his bike lit up green. It had a very ghostly effect, really nicely done. You could see him coming a mile away, couldn't miss it. But I was wondering was this legal? What are the laws here in Va for lighting on our bikes? Colors, blink rate, or just extra lighting to be seen, whats legal and whats not?
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Old 10-02-2008, 10:00 PM
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Default Re: motorcycle lighting laws

Probably not legal. Distraction to other drivers. But using common sense, more people would see the bike. Which is a lot more than what they can say now.
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Old 10-02-2008, 10:50 PM
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Default Re: motorcycle lighting laws

i spoke to a few police officers and they told me that the lights are legal(except blue) on city streets, but if you go on the Hwy they are illegal. the state troopers can give you a ticket.
i have orange lights on my bike and i ride with them on at night so i can be seen. the one headlight and the tiny tailights are not enough light to be seen by other drivers
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Old 10-03-2008, 07:21 AM
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Default Re: motorcycle lighting laws

Colors are good to go. Except Red, Yellow, and Blue as told by a horse riding cop in Va Beach. I guess they dont want you using colors used by police/emergency vehicles. A guy had a full green lighting setup on his bike and he rode right by, no problems. I have ONE blue L.E.D. at the bottom of my windscreen and he said I couldnt have it. No ticket though.

Im not sure about the interstate part though.
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Old 10-03-2008, 07:28 AM
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Default Re: motorcycle lighting laws

Ask Smokeybear.
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Old 10-03-2008, 09:19 PM
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Default Re: motorcycle lighting laws

I remember reading something about them making a law that states we can use them for safety reasons. Not sure what came of that.
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Old 10-04-2008, 05:40 AM
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Default Re: motorcycle lighting laws

I know several states do permit certain colored lighting specifically on motorcycles, but I highly doubt VA is one of them personally. In fact, I was told before that it was unlawful per a law student a few months ago that looked into it.
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Old 10-04-2008, 06:30 AM
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Default Re: motorcycle lighting laws

Originally Posted by tech0937
I saw a guy a few weeks ago riding at night with his bike lit up green. It had a very ghostly effect, really nicely done. You could see him coming a mile away, couldn't miss it. But I was wondering was this legal? What are the laws here in Va for lighting on our bikes? Colors, blink rate, or just extra lighting to be seen, whats legal and whats not?
it wasn't a silver Honda was it?
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Old 10-04-2008, 06:45 AM
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Default Re: motorcycle lighting laws

I was always told that if it wasn't stock, you couldn't have it in VA...but that was a while ago, so trust what the cops say I guess.

Might be able to find something here...all the VA laws are here. Might be a little hard to find though, they never seem to make it easy!
http://leg1.state.va.us/lis.htm
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Old 10-04-2008, 06:49 AM
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Default Re: motorcycle lighting laws

Originally Posted by zx636skiv
I was always told that if it wasn't stock, you couldn't have it in VA
I think that's the safest bet. If it isn't stock, there's always a chance you could get a ticket for it, even if 50 cops tell you its ok. Over the years I've heard a wealth of misinformation from cops, mechanics, state inspectors, and the like over what is and isn't legal.
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