Marker Lights - does Johnny Law frown on non-DOT ?
05-27-2005, 08:05 AM
#1
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Location: New York City
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Marker Lights - does Johnny Law frown on non-DOT ?
has anyone gotten busted by the law for short stlk, flushmount or led turnsignals? The retail websites all say "for show only - not DOT approved" I'm looking at the led in rear pegs (www.fendereliminators.com) - very trick but probably not legal. Also thinking flushmounts. Just wondering what the probability is of attracting the wrong attention.
05-27-2005, 08:29 AM
#2
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Location: Nashville, TN
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Re: Marker Lights - does Johnny Law frown on non-DOT ?
Speaking for the state of Tennessee (and I've also lived in North Carolina, Florida, and Missouri, which have the same laws regarding motorcycles) turn signals and/or marker lights aren't even mandated by law. The only lights required by law are a low beam headlight and a taillight that casts some kind of illumination on the license plate (which is hard to enforce unless your tag is mounted WAY up under the tail). You can run any kind of lights, DOT or non-DOT approved, for turn signals and/or markers, and the cops can't say a thing about it. In the states that require DOT approved turn signals, most cops really couldn't care less if the lens area is 1/2" too small to be approved by DOT...they have more important things to do than try to chase you down over a set of turn signals they THINK don't comply with DOT standards...like track down dangerous thugs dealing kilos of sugar at the donut shop.
**HOWEVER** be warned! If you're the type of squid to pull wheelies in traffic, or split lanes doing 110 mph, be prepared to have EVERY non-compliant bit on your bike written up on the next citation you get. If you don't ride stupid, the cops don't have probable cause to pull you over to check out those "questionable" turn signals...or that suspicious looking chrome bottle with the NOS label...or whether your thong-bikini clad passenger is wearing a DOT approved helmet.
**HOWEVER** be warned! If you're the type of squid to pull wheelies in traffic, or split lanes doing 110 mph, be prepared to have EVERY non-compliant bit on your bike written up on the next citation you get. If you don't ride stupid, the cops don't have probable cause to pull you over to check out those "questionable" turn signals...or that suspicious looking chrome bottle with the NOS label...or whether your thong-bikini clad passenger is wearing a DOT approved helmet.
05-27-2005, 05:41 PM
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Re: Marker Lights - does Johnny Law frown on non-DOT ?
Here in Southern California there are cops who sit on local mountain roads and just look for someone with non stock turn signals or an improperly mounted lic plate. Heck they even give tickets for aftermarket exhaust. Especially on Ortega.
But on the other hand both times ive gotten pulled over they didnt write me up for my rear flushmounts or my lack of a lic light or my non stock cans. They did however write me up for 95mph and once for no insurance. To defend myself one 95mph ticket was on a desolate toll road at 6am on a Sunday morning. The other 95mph and no ins was on interstate 40 between Needle CA and Goffs. It too was early on a sunday morning. For those not in the know the 40 in that area is in the desert. Completely straight, perfect visibility and ZERO cars. The no ins thing was cause my proof had expired and Progressive hadnt sent me the new paperwork yet. I got home from that trip and it was waiting on the counter for me. Bastages!!! Oh well just a fix it ticket.
Back to the topic... California enforces (sp?) it's laws.
But on the other hand both times ive gotten pulled over they didnt write me up for my rear flushmounts or my lack of a lic light or my non stock cans. They did however write me up for 95mph and once for no insurance. To defend myself one 95mph ticket was on a desolate toll road at 6am on a Sunday morning. The other 95mph and no ins was on interstate 40 between Needle CA and Goffs. It too was early on a sunday morning. For those not in the know the 40 in that area is in the desert. Completely straight, perfect visibility and ZERO cars. The no ins thing was cause my proof had expired and Progressive hadnt sent me the new paperwork yet. I got home from that trip and it was waiting on the counter for me. Bastages!!! Oh well just a fix it ticket.
Back to the topic... California enforces (sp?) it's laws.
12-21-2005, 11:39 PM
#5
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Re: Marker Lights - does Johnny Law frown on non-DOT ?
I know in Florida, all that is mandated is like stated above, headlights and taillights for motorcycles, as handsignals are to be given IF there are no signal lights on the motorcycle....
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