Question about DOT approval (or consequences of "illegal" equipment)

[north-aurora]

I am looking for some running lights and am tempted to buy this pair on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/OZ-USA%C2%AE-motorcycle-cruiser-passing-running/dp/B00J6990A2/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1467216465&sr=8-9&keywords=motorcycle+driving+lights). I think they would look great on the Valk and they don't take up much space (and draw only 20W). Problem is they are rated for "offroad use only", which means they are not DOT approved. 99% of buyers put them on their bike anyway (based on the reviews) for street use. Not having looked into this issue much in the past, I wonder what kind of risk you get yourself into by putting lights on your bike that are not DOT approved. I might be okay to take on the risk of getting a traffic ticket if caught, even okay if the cops make you take them off on the spot. However, it could be a different story if it voids your insurance and they don't pay in case you are in an accident...

I know there has been a long debate over implications on insurance for going dark side (rear car tire), but what about other "illegal" (not DOT approved) equipment, such as running lights?

[Gavin_Sons]

any officer that will pull you over for say speeding will not know the difference between DOT and non DOT specs. Only a DOT officer would know that and probably let you off with a warning. Nost officers are just out to fill their quota of tickets or warnings not to nit pick your vehicle. I would put them on and only use them during the day. Using them at night is where you could find yourself in trouble with any officer.

[Chrisj CMA]

There are a few of things people put on bikes that are called off road only.  Yes you are probably right they are probably not DOT approved, but I have never heard of anyone getting stopped or fined for these, I think the off road thing is just legal jargon for cover their a$$es:

Cobra drag pipes

those rotating flashing brake light bulbs

running lights (like the ones you want)


My belief is no one (LEO included) is going to care unless that specific piece of equipment is the cause of a problem.

If those lights aren't way brighter than the average running lights on the road, then don't worry about it.  Now, if you have them aimed at peoples eyes and someone complains, that's very different.

[Gryphon Rider]

Just have a switch to turn them off.  You're not replacing a DOT light required for your bike to be legal, you're adding something that's not required, but fine for off-road use.  The only issue I could see is if another driver was blinded by your lights and this caused an accident.

[Ice]

Being retired LEO, in my opinion, I doubt you would have much issues even if pulled over for a traffic offense, the lights in the link look good and look like DOT approved equipment, unlike some other stuff I have seen. Most officers are not going to start taking your bike apart looking to ensure its DOT approved equipment, unless you piss him off. That said it may be a different issue when it comes to inspection, here in Va. a good inspector would say something about them, but if mounted properly and aimed properly he may not say anything.

[GiG]

It will cost you $300 + in NC to run non DOT approved equipment
Happened to me last year
Kept me at roadside for over 45 minutes "for my own safety" and I feel MUCH safer now that the fine is paid and NC coffers are enriched 

[Ice]

Gig, he took one look and said the guy is non DOT!!!  easy ticket.... Just messing with ya, you guys going to MITM?

[GiG]

Gig, he took one look and said the guy is non DOT!!!  easy ticket.... Just messing with ya, you guys going to MITM?

Non-DOT fer sure, but I am from the Wopaho tribe... 

[Gryphon Rider]

It will cost you $300 + in NC to run non DOT approved equipment
Happened to me last year
Kept me at roadside for over 45 minutes "for my own safety" and I feel MUCH safer now that the fine is paid and NC coffers are enriched 

Was your non-DOT equipment things that were mandated (e.g. headlight, taillight, turn signals), or extra stuff not required (e.g. aux. lights)?

[Willow]

...
I know there has been a long debate over implications on insurance for going dark side (rear car tire), but what about other "illegal" (not DOT approved) equipment, such as running lights?

On the insurance question there is a lot of talk (not  so much real debate) on insurance and non-motorcycle specific rear tire.  I've never heard anyone give an example in which the insurance company resisted paying because of a "car tire".  I know of several people, including myself, who were in accidents while so equipped.

Unless your policy has a clause stating all your equipment must be DOT approved I don't see they'd have a leg to stand on.  If the insurance company were to take that position they would claim to not be required to pay for any accident that was deemed to be your own fault.

Put on the running lights you want.  For your sake be sure they're not so bright as to blind or irritate oncoming traffic.  Other than that you should be good.

[Gryphon Rider]

On the insurance question there is a lot of talk (not  so much real debate) on insurance and non-motorcycle specific rear tire.

C'mon, Willow, "car" is so much faster to type and read than "non-motorcycle specific". 

[MP]

I personally know of several MC riders who have been fined for having blue lights on while going down the road.  They could NOT move the bike until the blue lights were off.  Blue is LEO color.  Officers said if you want blue LEDs for the parking lot, no problem.  Just have a switch to turn off when moving.

[Moonshot_1]

From the description of the lights, these are extremely bright ones. I would say that if you would have them on at night and they emitted what on coming traffic would consider blinding light you may have an issue with law enforcement. Like if you failed to dim your bright lights and the oncoming car was law enforcement, they'd likely want to have a chat.

If that scenario were to happen with these lights, I would suspect the outcome would be similar.

And if they are in fact that bright, would oncoming traffic turn on their hi-beams, in an attempt to get you to dim yours, making it harder for you to see?

[art]

Guess where you live. I got pulled over for having too many lights on in Oregon. The max is four driving lights. I had headlight two driving lights side by side of the headlight and two small lights like you are looking at. No ticket but a warning. Kind of stupid, we just want to be seen.

[Chrisj CMA]

I personally know of several MC riders who have been fined for having blue lights on while going down the road.  They could NOT move the bike until the blue lights were off.  Blue is LEO color.  Officers said if you want blue LEDs for the parking lot, no problem.  Just have a switch to turn off when moving.

Blue lights especially if they can be seen from the front will always be a problem

[RainMaker]

I got stopped for one of those "Cylon" moving lights on back and was told to disconnect it while I was stopped or get a ticket.  So I did.

[north-aurora]

Common sense applies, as always. I think I might pull the trigger on the lights and go with a switch. Not blinding oncoming traffic can be avoided by using a downward angle and not shining it upwards into drivers faces. Some experimentation might be required. 

[Jess from VA]

I'm with everyone else.  Do it, so long as your annual IL safety inspection (if any) would not be an issue.

IN VA we go to gas stations (NEVER DEALERS) for inspections.  They know nothing about bikes, and that's what you want.  Of course you also want a safe bike, so take car of it yourself without some inspector doing it for you.  Dealers like to fail you on things so they can sell you things.

Cops virtually all have an appreciation for safety.  Properly aimed lights (non blue and red (besides tail lights), because they own those colors) always add safety.  Only someone with a particular motivation to screw with you would ever even attempt to get into a DOT-nonDOT issue (and most would get it wrong anyway).  The only exception to this I can think of would be those ridiculous nonDOT plastic toy scull caps hilariously referred to as helmets (they will get you a ticket many places).  You might as well wear a pair of Mickey Mouse ears (either make you look equally intelligent).

I run 2 off road 80-100 Hella bulbs in my interstate headlights (properly aimed, and always on dim), two PIAA 1100X 55W (rated at 70W) only at night, aimed low, and two caliper mounted Motolights (35W) aimed straight ahead at all times during daylight (just to be seen, not to see anything) with my dimmed 80W twin headlamps.  I never get flashed, I never get the finger, I pass all my inspections at gas stations, and I never get any nonDOT tickets.  And I had all 6 forward lights for years when VA forbade more than 4 forward lights, until the law was recently changed (though I never run all 6, it's overkill and a wast of good amperage).  Why, because extra forward lights on bikes are safer that's why.

Anyone who knows what a joy it is to get into the Interstate headlight housings would fall over in laughter if a cop tried to get in there to see what bulbs you were running.  (Right up there with the Ujoint boot and alternator)

[Gryphon]

I personally know of several MC riders who have been fined for having blue lights on while going down the road.  They could NOT move the bike until the blue lights were off.  Blue is LEO color.  Officers said if you want blue LEDs for the parking lot, no problem.  Just have a switch to turn off when moving.

That varies from state to state.  Missouri changed their law last year and now allows my blue LEDs as long as they don't flash.  Never had a problem with the LEDs in Oklahoma.  That being said, I have my blues on a separate switch and can turn them off and leave on only the whites on the fairing and the reads on the saddlebags. Just in case I have an issue when traveling.