Turning OFF Daytime Running Headlight

[JTJersey]

JT, Old Road Dog said 1 way to do it in his post, That is where the Roadkings and the FLHS Electra Glide Sport had a toggle switch for the passing lamps Now if it were me that is where I would wire in a lighted toggle switch for the headlight You would not have to see any ugly wiring this way

# 11 in the diagram

Yep, there are two black plastic caps there on my '21 FLRT. Perfect. Doesn't Harley sell a switch that fits that hole? All I found were entire wiring harnesses for specific things.

 

[Jack Klarich]

Yep, there are two black plastic caps there on my '21 FLRT. Perfect. Doesn't Harley sell a switch that fits that hole? All I found were entire wiring harnesses for specific things.

#2106-0217 Drag Specialties, HD part number is 71522-96

Both come with a wire harness, so you can source just a toggle switch from any Auto parts jobber, that is the route I would check first

 

[vwbug72501]

We’re dealing with semantics here look up headlight not daylight running lights on a motorcycle…

No semantics in my research. I did search for "headlight" specifically. I just used the more generic term "DRLs" in my post when stating my feelings about the subject.

 

[vwbug72501]

What “seems” to be a good idea can actually lead to complacency by riders with deadly consequences.

Amen. Have you ever noticed that there's no old complacent riders? I learned a long time ago:

1. You don't exist if you're smaller than them.

2. They're all out to get you.

I learned this long before cellphones too.

 

[JTJersey]

Amen. Have you ever noticed that there's no old complacent riders?

Well, um, not entirely true. I've come across several old/older people at rallies and events who've either never ridden or hadn't ridden since they were young men and now that they're retired they decide to jump back into it.

Full face helmet? Check.

Lights on? Check.

Stereo blasting? Check.

Cell phone hooked up? Check.

Cool, off we go, what could go wrong? Just because your old doesn't necessarily make you smart. Sometimes just lucky.

 

[rhino 2]

Well, um, not entirely true. I've come across several old/older people at rallies and events who've either never ridden or hadn't ridden since they were young men and now that they're retired they decide to jump back into it.

Full face helmet? Check.

Lights on? Check.

Stereo blasting? Check.

Cell phone hooked up? Check.

Cool, off we go, what could go wrong? Just because your old doesn't necessarily make you smart. Sometimes just lucky.

1965/66/67 Made me smart..Old age makes me Cautious....

 

[vwbug72501]

Well, um, not entirely true. I've come across several old/older people at rallies and events who've either never ridden or hadn't ridden since they were young men and now that they're retired they decide to jump back into it.

Agreed. I was talking about those who started riding "young" (1965 in my case) and have continued to ride pretty consistently through their lives. I was talking bout the "credit card bikers", who are more prevalent on 2 wheels IMHO, that never rode when young and think that a motorcycle will recapture their youth. My experience has shown that the vast majority of those on 3 wheels have the common sense to accept their limitations but the burning desire to keep riding to the end. I'm with Bob about smart and cautious.

 

[priell3]

Kim and I like it bright.

 

[ultrafxr]

To each his / her own. Live and let live. It's your ride and your hide. Whatever. But as for me and my ride I'll light it up as much as possible. Nothing and I mean nothing can guarantee that oncoming traffic will see you but I still think the odds are better with lights on. And there is no way studies can account for crashes that did not happen or can determine they would or would not have happened if the headlight was on or off. As for the headlight modulators yes they do grab attention and yes there is a Federal law that they are legal but I got stopped several times by highway patrol officers years ago when I had one. Never got a ticket as I told them I could turn it off. I didn't want to get into an argument about legality there on the side of the road and risk a ticket which I would win but only at the expense of time and effort as each time I was 000s of miles from home. Just not worth the hassle, imo.

 

[rhino 2]

Kim and I like it bright.

That’s the way I ride day Or night..Even when I have the hi-beams on the spots stay on..With 3 forward facing lights it breaks up the motorcycle 🏍 looks so oncoming traffic gives you a little more room..

 

[pigfoot63]

passing light switch

Yep, there are two black plastic caps there on my '21 FLRT. Perfect. Doesn't Harley sell a switch that fits that hole? All I found were entire wiring harnesses for specific things.

Here is the Harley switch and a couple of wiring connections, passing lights on on right side .

the left side I believe is for a cooling fan, both are just tucked in under the tank and held with a small

zip tie no need to remove tank.

 

[DOKK]

I believe to each his own as well but I added more lights to the front and rear of mine. When I did, I was riding back and forth to work daily during the day on the interstate. Now, with my new job, I ride the same interstate but all of my traveling is at night. The extra lights became a plus then. I run my high beams during the day as well. I want to take every opportunity I can to be seen and to see.

 

[NJtony]

New Jersey Kinda does require your bike headlight on

This is what I found New Jersey allows your light to modulate, only 1 state says you don't need your headlight on Delaware.

• Required and modulation allowed — Almost half of the United States allow for a “modulating headlight” to be used, and the headlight use is a requirement. That means your light can change between full power low beam and a dimming effect. It does not turn off and, but dims and goes back to full power over and over. This is more eye-catching to your fellow motorists and offers a better chance to be seen and recognized in traffic.
  
• Required by law — Eighteen states have a headlight law that it is required. It doesn’t matter what model year you ride, the headlight must be on all the time. For those that have older models where the headlight has a switch, start practicing turning it on after you start the motorcycle.
  
• Required and modulation allowed — Almost half of the United States allow for a “modulating headlight” to be used, and the headlight use is a requirement. That means your light can change between full power low beam and a dimming effect. It does not turn off and, but dims and goes back to full power over and over. This is more eye-catching to your fellow motorists and offers a better chance to be seen and recognized in traffic.
  
• Required with model year stipulations — Seven of the states require headlights to be used after a certain model year, but the oldest allowed motorcycle is a 1956 model year in Indiana.
  
• No requirement — As mentioned, very few states don’t require a headlight to be used during the daylight hours. Without the requirement, we do recommend you stay in the practice of using it regardless.
  

 

[Old Road Dog]

As a Trucker ( now retired) anything to make these water heads see me better is a good thing. Also, the less interaction I have with law enforcement the better off I am. Having said that now a contradiction. Someone at a bike night put forth the "moth to a flame" theory. Where bright lights actually may cause a distracted driver to veer toward you. Boy did that start a big "debate" with two clowns rolling around on the parking lot. Here's something if anyone cares to research it ( I dont). Will having your lights off become an insurance issue if involved in an accident? Ive been involved in a few not caused by me accidents in a big truck and one of the first questions a responding officer asked me was if I had my headlights on. The fact is every one of those jokers that hit me proclaimed: I DIDNT SEE THE TRUCK!