Thoughts on motorbikes with 2 headlights on - more risky than one headlight?

[Pisano]

What's your thoughts on this... an approaching motorcycle with 2 headlights always on may appear like a car that is farther away, making these motorbikes with 2 headlights more risky to ride than motos with one headlight ?

I'm interested if there are published material or facts on the subject.  I feel "this is a thing" but cannot quantify it . 



     

[Huzo]

Hmmm…
Not a ridiculous assertion by any means…

[AJ Huff]

I just think bikes with two headlights are ugly.

-AJ

[inditx]

Looks not withstanding, I always felt that 2 gave better coverage and presence than 1. This is my opinion and is therefore unencumbered by fact, lol.
inditx

[tommy2cyl]

Always liked the look of two headlights with my Triumph Speed Triple and the V 85.  I would think the argument for one headlight on a bike
could be interpreted as one headlight of a car is burned out at night.   I have certainly had that thought.

[Dr. Enzo Toma]

Search "Triangle of Light" or "LONG LIGHTING SYSTEM FOR ENHANCED CONSPICUITY OF MOTORCYCLES" and you will find some research on the topic with interpretations of the results suggesting that three lights arranged in a triangle with a certain distance between the lights may be a good arrangement for being seen and having others be able to judge your speed and distance.

https://youtu.be/QWPytpiml5c

[twowheeladdict]

My bikes that came with two on look like one when far away because of their proximity to each other.  Those bikes also had additional lighting mounted and shining. 

My riding response to a car that could pull out on me or turn left in front of me is to weave in my lane which should alert the subconscious brains warning response.

[Caffeineo]

I weave in my lane any time I think a driver may not see me. Started doing it years ago after watching a video about it. Sometimes I expect to be stopped for "ompaired driving".    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqQBubilSXU

[Dukedesmo]

My only bike with 2 headlights has one for low beam and one for high. When new it had an either/or setup but I modified it to keep the low on with the high but, even so unless I'm on high beam, oncoming traffic will see the transition from 2 to 1 which should make it stand out by being different?

I can say the lights on it (HID low beam, 100w high beam) are better by far than either of the others.

On my Monster, I have a couple of auxiliary, high beam only spotlights that make the high beam headlight decent but as they are only small I don't think it would confuse anyone and again they would be off when traffic oncoming.

My Guzzi's light is not great, I replaced the bulb with an LED version, mainly to reduce the wattage to help the old charging system but, I can't remember the last time I rode it at night.

I can't say I worry about it, I ride with the assumption that all other road users are: idiots, blind, drunk, homicidal maniacs* etc. anyway so am ready for car drivers making idiot moves (turning in front etc.) so like to think I'll be OK, regardless of them confusing me for a car further away.

* take your pick...

[guzziart]

Two is a handy thing to have in case one burns out, it's happened to me twice in the last 2 decades while on a trip, at night.  The bikes it has happened on had driving light too, I supposed they helped illuminate but don't recall how much.

[Pisano]

Thanks for the responses.  Great information!

[Perazzimx14]

I don't think that two lights closer together skews an oppoing drivers depth perception the same way I don't think a motorcycle with one or two headlights and two smaller driving lights give the illusion of two vehicles one following the other even though the bigger headlights looking like they are ahead of the smaller driving lights or does our depth preception tell up these lights are traveling at the same speed and together. Personally I feel no more save or in harms way with one one, two four or more lights.

[Swedemoto]

On a similar thought, I feel that the trend over the last few decades of cars having pod headlights with amber turn signals so close to the headlights makes it very tough, for me anyway, to see if they are signaling for a turn. It is worse in wet or foggy weather. I don't believe this is a good design choice and is far more dangerous than having the lights separate or separated. I'm really amazed the DOT allows it.

[Bulldog9]

In theory I understand the concern, but due to how close the lights are together, they generally appear as one until you are very close.

I think the accepted problem with motorcycles in general is that it's easy to assume that an oncoming motorcycle is a car with a headlight out. But with current lighting technology, this seems to be less and less common. Unless of course you owned a 2005 to 2008 subaru. Those suckers eat headlight bulbs like a fat kid eats cupcakes at a birthday party.

[cappisj1]

The motorcycle safety class in Illinois touches on your very theory. They just make a note to be conscious that oncoming vehicles could misjudge the distance of motorcycles with two headlights.

[Moparnut72]

I had an after retirement job as a counterman in a NAPA store. It seems like hardly a day went by where I didn't sell a package of Subaru headlight bulbs. Subaru front axles were another popular Subaru part.
kk

[bigbikerrick]

What do you guys think is the reason that the Subarus eat headlight bulbs? I am just curious, I had a 99 camry that went through headlight bulbs very frequently, just the high beam would burn out.  No other car Ive had did this. Weird!
Rick.

[Huzo]

I just think bikes with two headlights are ugly.

-AJ

I think bikes that have someone make a turn in front of them are ugly…

[willowstreetguzziguy]

I weave in my lane any time I think a driver may not see me. Started doing it years ago after watching a video about it. Sometimes I expect to be stopped for "ompaired driving".    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqQBubilSXU

I do the same when approaching an intersection and a driver ready to make a left turn. By aiming toward them for a few seconds and then turning to proceed straight ahead,  I hope they see me and refrain from turning in front of me. It has worked so far.

[DoubleGuzzi]

My only bike with 2 headlights has one for low beam and one for high.

That seemed to be common from around 2004. I hate that - looks like there's a fault or the bulb has blown. My 1999 Triumph 955 Sprint ST had simultaneous twin lights from the factory, though later model years had the one-eyed setup. Even the poxy beamed twin lights of a 2000 Laverda 750 had both on at the same time. I put the reasoning down to insufficient alternator output/specification, along with forced headlight use, in many countries.
(On 'modern' bikes I retrofit a lights on/off switch, 'cos I'm bad  )

[bacongrease]

  I have a 14 Tundra, that eats headlights.   

 I passed a car with a upcoming trike with 2 headlights in the other lane.  . The guy threw up his arms and went apeshit. A little too close, he may of had to brake some..Twilight. . I thought it was a car much  farther away.   

[Stretch]

I think that very bright lights impair one's ability to estimate speed; especially at a distance.
So, maybe 2 very bright lights on a motorcycle aren't so good for being seen; but they ARE
good for seeing at night! 

The smaller the object, the harder it is to estimate it's speed when head on.

Daytime motorcycle headlights were mandated because of the difficulty in seeing small(er)
objects in traffic; lights made the bikes stand out. Of course now with EVERYBODY running
daytime running lights, bikes no longer stand out as much. And if people have their heads down in
automobile infotainment systems or other electronic crib toys, the lights make no difference
at all.

Motion and speed is sometimes hard to detect when a light is moving directly toward one;
like others, I try to move a little bit side to side when approaching intersections or potential
danger from other road users in order to draw attention to myself. So far, so good.... 

And I heartily agree with Swedemoto about turn signals being placed too close to headlights -
the turn signal is sometimes impossible to see. This is particularly bad with LED headlights.
Same on the rear with turn signals and brake/running lights. And it's worse, of course, at night.
Some cars turn off the headlight on that side when the turn signal is activated in order
for the turn signal to be seen. Myself, I think that there should be a mandated distance
between headlights and turn signals.

                                                         -Stretch

[twowheeladdict]

  I have a 14 Tundra, that eats headlights.   

 I passed a car with a upcoming trike with 2 headlights in the other lane.  . The guy threw up his arms and went apeshit. A little too close, he may of had to brake some..Twilight. . I thought it was a car much  farther away.   

Personally I am never in a hurry requiring me to pass vehicles that are close to the speed limit. 

If they are going much slower than the speed limit I.ask myself why.  Can they be.getting ready to turn left into a driveway?  I only pass if there is no oncoming traffic and I have determined that the vehicle is just driving slow.

We are all one mistake away from going to jail for manslaughter.

[mechanicsavant]

Same church , different pew . There has been number of motorcycles hit from behind by self driving cars that see two taillights as a car at a great distance , not a bike up close . Victory & some other bikes with tail lights on the sides of the fender are the most common victims ! But don’t worry THEY are working on a software improvement!!!

[bad Chad]

What's your thoughts on this... an approaching motorcycle with 2 headlights always on may appear like a car that is farther away, making these motorbikes with 2 headlights more risky to ride than motos with one headlight ?

I'm interested if there are published material or facts on the subject.  I feel "this is a thing" but cannot quantify it . 



   

If two headlights on a bike were to make your bike look like a car at a distance, why would that pose any increased risk to the rider??

[Dr. Enzo Toma]

If two headlights on a bike were to make your bike look like a car at a distance, why would that pose any increased risk to the rider??

It increases risk to the rider because the motorcycle would look further away than it is, impacting how others on the road judge its speed and distance. Say a car is turning or overtaking and sees your motorcycle's 2 close headlights pointed at them, if they think it's a car they will think it's further away because cars don't typically have their headlights 1-2 ft apart. So they may think they have more time to pass or turn in front of the motorcycle than they actually do, causing a collision.

[Kildareman]

Never had a problem with any of my two headlighted bikes. Even when only one was lit I used electronics to have the other on at the same time - Twinlight driver. I prefer the balanced look. From my experience as a rider of 40 odd years and numerous training courses and qualifications, including multiple RoSPA Gold it's down to observation and not assumption. I never assume another vehicle has seen me and plan accordingly.  Remember they're all out to get you.

[twowings]

Hey, one could have flags of all nations, flashing lights, and klaxons blaring and the sonsofbreeches STILL would claim they didn't see you!

I avoid nighttime rides at all costs and use those hours for drinking adult beverages and making love.

[Bulldog9]

Hey, one could have flags of all nations, flashing lights, and klaxons blaring and the sonsofbreeches STILL would claim they didn't see you!

I avoid nighttime rides at all costs and use those hours for drinking adult beverages and making love.

Same, I avoid riding at night if at all possible. Increased risks not worth it. Will do when I have to, but am generally at my destination, winding down and either cooking dinner or walking to the restaurant.

[bronzestar1]

I don't ride at night either.  It's risky enough during broad daylight, even with modulating LED headlight bulbs and reflective riding gear.  That risk goes up exponentially at night.  I think there's some merit to the argument that distances are harder to judge at night, whether your bike has single or dual headlights.  Hard to make that argument in broad daylight though, because there's a lot more to see, including the rider on the bike, to help better judge distances.