Illegal Spyder???

I was on a ride the other night when I had to stop for two local Sheriffs doing their traffic directing duty. While I am waiting for them to motion me through, one of them walked toward me. I expected the normal "whats that" or "cool machine, after all a Spyder does attract attention.
Instead I was informed that "according to Michigan law" my factory Spyder RTL has to many lights facing forwards and is illegal in the state of MI. I was told that only 4 white lights could face the front. My Spyder has 2 headlights, 2 fog lights, 2 little LED lights, and 2 white lights on the front fender making it 8 so I was not compliant with the law.

I told him, "sorry" and turned off the fog lights, he said I still was not compliant because I still had 6 forward facing white lights. I told him it was all stock and there was nothing I could do about it, he just laughed, said he was just messing with me and motioned me through.

It made me wonder about what he was saying and here is what I found. I skipped the parts that didn't pertain.

State Law:



257.685 Head lamps; number; modulator; height; auxiliary, spot, or other lamp; exemption.
Sec. 685.
(2) A motorcycle or moped shall be equipped with at least 1 and not more than 2 head lamps that comply with this chapter.
(4) Every head lamp upon a motor vehicle shall be located at a height measured from the center of the head lamp of not more than 54 inches nor less than 24 inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands.

(5) When a motor vehicle equipped with head lamps as required in this section is also equipped with auxiliary lamps or a spot lamp or any other lamp on the front of the motor vehicle projecting a beam of an intensity greater than 300 candlepower, not more than a total of 4 of those lamps on the front of a vehicle shall be lighted at a time when upon a highway.

There is a law that I had never heard of.
Now I am wondering if the LED lights on the fender and above the headlights put out more than 300 candlepower.Does anyone have any information on those? I cant find it anywhere.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Fatcycledaddy

I was on a ride the other night when I had to stop for two local Sheriffs doing their traffic directing duty. While I am waiting for them to motion me through, one of them walked toward me. I expected the normal "whats that" or "cool machine, after all a Spyder does attract attention.
Instead I was informed that "according to Michigan law" my factory Spyder RTL has to many lights facing forwards and is illegal in the state of MI. I was told that only 4 white lights could face the front. My Spyder has 2 headlights, 2 fog lights, 2 little LED lights, and 2 white lights on the front fender making it 8 so I was not compliant with the law.

I told him, "sorry" and turned off the fog lights, he said I still was not compliant because I still had 6 forward facing white lights. I told him it was all stock and there was nothing I could do about it, he just laughed, said he was just messing with me and motioned me through.

It made me wonder about what he was saying and here is what I found. I skipped the parts that didn't pertain.

State Law:



257.685 Head lamps; number; modulator; height; auxiliary, spot, or other lamp; exemption.
Sec. 685.
(2) A motorcycle or moped shall be equipped with at least 1 and not more than 2 head lamps that comply with this chapter.
(4) Every head lamp upon a motor vehicle shall be located at a height measured from the center of the head lamp of not more than 54 inches nor less than 24 inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands.

(5) When a motor vehicle equipped with head lamps as required in this section is also equipped with auxiliary lamps or a spot lamp or any other lamp on the front of the motor vehicle projecting a beam of an intensity greater than 300 candlepower, not more than a total of 4 of those lamps on the front of a vehicle shall be lighted at a time when upon a highway.

There is a law that I had never heard of.
Now I am wondering if the LED lights on the fender and above the headlights put out more than 300 candlepower.Does anyone have any information on those? I cant find it anywhere.

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Did they talk to you or give you a citation? Did you encounter a couple rookies during a slow night? Most states do have similar laws, but your encounter is one of a very few that I has seen posted here.

There are a whole lot of semi's lit up like Christmas trees going down the road.

I also have a bump skid on mine, and if you count lights, I think I would also be in trouble. Here, I have never been stopped and did have a State Trooper give me a thumbs up sign when he went by one dusky evening.

IMO--lights are good and should add to the safety and visibility of those using them.

They are far less than 300 candlepower... You just ran into a fellow who must be trying to Make a name for himself...

... A BAD name! nojoke

No he was not mean or rude, no ticket was given, and in fact as I stated he laughed about it.
It just made me wonder if he was right, so i looked it up, and then it made me wonder how may candlepower those little light put out just in case I run into him again.
I almost think it was his way of starting a conversation about the Spyder.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Fatcycledaddy

No he was not mean or rude, no ticket was given, and in fact as I stated he laughed about it.
It just made me wonder if he was right, so i looked it up, and then it made me wonder how may candlepower those little light put out just in case I run into him again.
I almost think it was his way of starting a conversation about the Spyder.

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I did not absorb the "he was laughing about it" on my first read. I went for the heart of the post. Oooooooooooooops--jumped the gun a bit. :bowdown::bowdown:

I did have a HP in MN pull me over on my Venture in the 80's. He ended up wanting to see my Yosemite Sam lighted mud flap.

Those kind of limits are to prevent vehicles like off road pickups you see occasionally with a light bar on top with about 10 headlamps from having all those lights turned on while on the highway.

:hun: Dealers sell limiteds with the fog lights installed. Could not do if illegal. & asked same question to dealers & leo buddys fyi the fender lights are "marker (indicader)lights" much like blinkers but not used to light the road infront of you. Little loophole some may not be aware of. Always safer to ask than be ignorant. Now all tha aditional lights you could mount.... Just play by the rules & dont get us in trouble plz. :2thumbs:

A lot of states have laws that are not enforced. In South Carolina you can not have more than 4 white lights facing forward, none to the rear, only red or amber on the rear, and only white or amber on the front. The only way I can explain it is, we just have too many laws and lawers.:sour:

IMHO....I believe Federal DOT supersedes State regulations on this ..........and it's not a violation, because the Spyder as equipped by the manufacturer complies with the LAW ....otherwise it couldn't be SOLD in the U.S.A. ........Mike :thumbup:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BLUEKNIGHT911

IMHO....I believe Federal DOT supersedes State regulations on this ..........and it's not a violation, because the Spyder as equipped by the manufacturer complies with the LAW ....otherwise it couldn't be SOLD in the U.S.A. ........Mike :thumbup:

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:agree:

Never argue with LEOs, but the REALITY is if the Spyder WERE illegal, you would not be able to register it, obtain a plate, or have dealers selling them.
Not sure "what" the 2 little LED lights refer to?

AJ

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Fatcycledaddy

I was on a ride the other night when I had to stop for two local Sheriffs doing their traffic directing duty. While I am waiting for them to motion me through, one of them walked toward me. I expected the normal "whats that" or "cool machine, after all a Spyder does attract attention.
Instead I was informed that "according to Michigan law" my factory Spyder RTL has to many lights facing forwards and is illegal in the state of MI. I was told that only 4 white lights could face the front. My Spyder has 2 headlights, 2 fog lights, 2 little LED lights, and 2 white lights on the front fender making it 8 so I was not compliant with the law.

I told him, "sorry" and turned off the fog lights, he said I still was not compliant because I still had 6 forward facing white lights. I told him it was all stock and there was nothing I could do about it, he just laughed, said he was just messing with me and motioned me through.

It made me wonder about what he was saying and here is what I found. I skipped the parts that didn't pertain.

State Law:



257.685 Head lamps; number; modulator; height; auxiliary, spot, or other lamp; exemption.
Sec. 685.
(2) A motorcycle or moped shall be equipped with at least 1 and not more than 2 head lamps that comply with this chapter.
(4) Every head lamp upon a motor vehicle shall be located at a height measured from the center of the head lamp of not more than 54 inches nor less than 24 inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands.

(5) When a motor vehicle equipped with head lamps as required in this section is also equipped with auxiliary lamps or a spot lamp or any other lamp on the front of the motor vehicle projecting a beam of an intensity greater than 300 candlepower, not more than a total of 4 of those lamps on the front of a vehicle shall be lighted at a time when upon a highway.

There is a law that I had never heard of.
Now I am wondering if the LED lights on the fender and above the headlights put out more than 300 candlepower.Does anyone have any information on those? I cant find it anywhere.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by PaladinLV

Never argue with LEOs, but the REALITY is if the Spyder WERE illegal, you would not be able to register it, obtain a plate, or have dealers selling them.
Not sure "what" the 2 little LED lights refer to?

AJ

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This is true provided one did not add any other lights. i.e. After market and not OEM.

Jack

fog lights, driving lights, parking lights side marker lights are not classified as headlights...how many you have on at one time could be an issue but have never seen a problem. Only when you get into the colored light...:thumbup:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Fatcycledaddy

I was on a ride the other night when I had to stop for two local Sheriffs doing their traffic directing duty. While I am waiting for them to motion me through, one of them walked toward me. I expected the normal "whats that" or "cool machine, after all a Spyder does attract attention.
Instead I was informed that "according to Michigan law" my factory Spyder RTL has to many lights facing forwards and is illegal in the state of MI. I was told that only 4 white lights could face the front. My Spyder has 2 headlights, 2 fog lights, 2 little LED lights, and 2 white lights on the front fender making it 8 so I was not compliant with the law.

I told him, "sorry" and turned off the fog lights, he said I still was not compliant because I still had 6 forward facing white lights. I told him it was all stock and there was nothing I could do about it, he just laughed, said he was just messing with me and motioned me through.

It made me wonder about what he was saying and here is what I found. I skipped the parts that didn't pertain.

State Law:



257.685 Head lamps; number; modulator; height; auxiliary, spot, or other lamp; exemption.
Sec. 685.
(2) A motorcycle or moped shall be equipped with at least 1 and not more than 2 head lamps that comply with this chapter.
(4) Every head lamp upon a motor vehicle shall be located at a height measured from the center of the head lamp of not more than 54 inches nor less than 24 inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands.

(5) When a motor vehicle equipped with head lamps as required in this section is also equipped with auxiliary lamps or a spot lamp or any other lamp on the front of the motor vehicle projecting a beam of an intensity greater than 300 candlepower, not more than a total of 4 of those lamps on the front of a vehicle shall be lighted at a time when upon a highway.

There is a law that I had never heard of.
Now I am wondering if the LED lights on the fender and above the headlights put out more than 300 candlepower.Does anyone have any information on those? I cant find it anywhere.

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Amazing, you can carry a gun but to many lights is illegal. Wtf is the world coming to .

In CA, a retired fireman riding his spyder with the LED American flag on the mud flap was stopped by CHP and threaten with a ticket because he had a blue lite on his bike. In the end he didn't write the ticket.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pitzerwm

In CA, a retired fireman riding his spyder with the LED American flag on the mud flap was stopped by CHP and threaten with a ticket because he had a blue lite on his bike. In the end he didn't write the ticket.

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if that is the law so be it. but i hope the chp can live & work to his own standards, i don't want the leo parking his m/c on a sidewalk or in
front of a hydrant or stopping at cvs while on duty or talking to his girlfriend while on duty........

My car has at least 24 forward facing LEDs ringing the head light. Sounds like a very dated law he quoted. Probably wriiten right after the law that says you have to clean up your horse poop when your buggy goes through town.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Fatcycledaddy

...he just laughed, said he was just messing with me and motioned me through....

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Am I the only one who finds the idea of a cop "just messing with [you]" disturbing? We've already got enough problems in this country with police-public relations; something like this definitely doesn't help.

Same for my state no more than 4 white lights on the front. I always wondered about the 2 extra little lights in the headlight housing too.. I run the LED flag on my rear bumper and yes I could be pulled over because of the blue lighting but since its on the back I figure they don't bother. Plus I can turn mine off with the remote control I have setup on it.

When I run the fog lights I turn the spot LED lights off. So either the headlights and Fogs - or headlights and Spots.

No more than 4 driving lights in the front. Fogs are driving lights. Headlights are driving lights. The Spot LEDs are driving lights. The fender lights are marker lights. Not only are HIDs and more that 4 are illegal but blinding oncomming drivers can be dangerous when they can't see you. I like being able to see and I like oncoming drivers to be able to avoid me. :-)

my FJR Sport/Tourer...Clearwater Krista's (dimmable) and Glenda's plus 2 stock headlights...was always secure riding through the middle of the night in summer to avoid the blistering summer heat.

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/a...d=120417&stc=1

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Chupaca

fog lights, driving lights, parking lights side marker lights are not classified as headlights...how many you have on at one time could be an issue but have never seen a problem. Only when you get into the colored light...:thumbup:

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Fog lights are. That's why when highbeams are activated, the vehicle shuts off the either OR both the low and fogs.
Parking/side marking lights are still required.. and the fender lights also may be required under certain states cause the front wheels are wider then the chassis and body of the vehicle, depends if they want to classify it as a motorcycle or automobile, and some states still vary.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RotaxDuramax

Fog lights are. That's why when highbeams are activated, the vehicle shuts off the either OR both the low and fogs.
Parking/side marking lights are still required.. and the fender lights also may be required under certain states cause the front wheels are wider then the chassis and body of the vehicle, depends if they want to classify it as a motorcycle or automobile, and some states still vary.

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Agree with above, that is how my Chrysler lights work, On my Rt I am legal with the two Glenda fog lights mounted sort of on the A frame, but when I turn on the high beams I have two PIAA spot lights, the two oem headlights and the two Glendas and I am illegal, but I have not been stopped and probably will not be because I am consistent in dimming my high beams and it seems the LEOs mostly ignore lights and loud pipes on bikes. Were that no so, 90% of the Harleys would be impounded.
On my 1800 Gold Wing with a Hannigan sidecar I had the following when I turned on the hihg beams: two oem low beams, two oem high beams, two PIAA driviing lights on the forks, two Glenda fog lights and two PIAA driving lights [and the high beams were 85 watt rallye bulbs] for a total of 10 forward facing headlights, I was careful and hardly used the high beams if any traffic was around, dimmed early when I did use them, but out on the open road I really lit up the countryside and was never stopped. I do live in southern Illinois deer country and drive a lot at night and I have hit two deer on the bike both during noon and 2PM.
Andy

I have added no lights to mine.
He looked at the 2 marker lights in the fender, lowbeam headlights, fog lights, and then on mine there are 2 little LED lights above and outside of the headlights.
He told me that I could change the marker lights on the fender to yellow.
I think I am legal though because the marker lights on the fenders and the little LEDave lights put out less than the 300 candle power

Have we considered the possibility, that this LEO might have just wanted an excuse to get a closer look at the bike? :dontknow: