tdragger
Living Legend
I've had this on again/off again debate with my local mechanic that performs the required annual inspection on my R3 regarding auxiliary lighting. He contends that my aux lights have to be wired so that they automatically shut off when my high beams are turned on. I know that my truck fog lights are wired that way but I'm not so sure that motorcycle lights are required to operate the same way.
According to Virginia Code
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19VAC30-70-360. Motorcycle lights: headlamp, rear, signal, warning.
A. Inspect for and reject if:
1. Motorcycle is not equipped with at least one motorcycle headlamp.
2. Any motorcycle headlamp is not of an approved type (SAE-M). A motorcycle
may have one or more headlamps. In addition to the headlamp(s), a motorcycle
may be equipped with not more than two auxiliary headlamps of a type
approved (SAE-C) by the superintendent and identified as "auxiliary front lamps."
3. Lens and reflector do not match except in sealed units, or if the lens is cracked,
broken or rotated, or if the lens and reflector are not clean or bright.
4. Any motorcycle lights-headlamp, rear lamp, signal or warning lamp has any
wire, unapproved lens or plastic covers, any other materials that are not original
equipment or any colored material placed on or in front of lamp or lens.
5. Lamp is not focused or any filament or bulb fails to burn.
6. Lamp is not mounted securely or if switch does not operate properly.
7. The center of the hot spot is set more than four inches up or down from the
horizontal centerline or more than four inches to the left or right from the vertical centerline.
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Being curious I called the Virginia State Police and talked to the Trooper in charge of inspections in our area. He confirmed that motorcycle aux lights do not have to be tied in with the headlight circuits and can be always on as long as 2 criteria were met, 1) that there are no more than 4 lights shining at any one time, and 2) that the aux lights are marked as SAE-C. I don't know about you but I've never seen a light marked with SAE-C. Has anyone else? Are the Triumph OEM aux lights marked as SAE-C?
Below is a table of standard designations of light types from the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE):
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According to Virginia Code
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19VAC30-70-360. Motorcycle lights: headlamp, rear, signal, warning.
A. Inspect for and reject if:
1. Motorcycle is not equipped with at least one motorcycle headlamp.
2. Any motorcycle headlamp is not of an approved type (SAE-M). A motorcycle
may have one or more headlamps. In addition to the headlamp(s), a motorcycle
may be equipped with not more than two auxiliary headlamps of a type
approved (SAE-C) by the superintendent and identified as "auxiliary front lamps."
3. Lens and reflector do not match except in sealed units, or if the lens is cracked,
broken or rotated, or if the lens and reflector are not clean or bright.
4. Any motorcycle lights-headlamp, rear lamp, signal or warning lamp has any
wire, unapproved lens or plastic covers, any other materials that are not original
equipment or any colored material placed on or in front of lamp or lens.
5. Lamp is not focused or any filament or bulb fails to burn.
6. Lamp is not mounted securely or if switch does not operate properly.
7. The center of the hot spot is set more than four inches up or down from the
horizontal centerline or more than four inches to the left or right from the vertical centerline.
NOTE: Motorcycles may be equipped with means of modulating the high beam of their headlights between high and low beam at a rate of 200 to 280 flashes per minute, provided they are equipped with a switch or device that prevents flashing of headlights when headlights are required to be lighted.
NOTE: Inspection is to be performed with lamp on high beam.
NOTE: The use of strobe lights being placed inside the headlamps of police motorcycles is permitted. The strobe light system developed by Harley-Davidson for use in police motorcycle headlamps has been tested and does meet the current standard; therefore, strobe light systems of this type and similar types may be used in police motorcycle headlamp systems.
NOTE: Inspection is to be performed with lamp on high beam.
NOTE: The use of strobe lights being placed inside the headlamps of police motorcycles is permitted. The strobe light system developed by Harley-Davidson for use in police motorcycle headlamps has been tested and does meet the current standard; therefore, strobe light systems of this type and similar types may be used in police motorcycle headlamp systems.
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Being curious I called the Virginia State Police and talked to the Trooper in charge of inspections in our area. He confirmed that motorcycle aux lights do not have to be tied in with the headlight circuits and can be always on as long as 2 criteria were met, 1) that there are no more than 4 lights shining at any one time, and 2) that the aux lights are marked as SAE-C. I don't know about you but I've never seen a light marked with SAE-C. Has anyone else? Are the Triumph OEM aux lights marked as SAE-C?
Below is a table of standard designations of light types from the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE):
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