On my previous ride, a 2016 Honda Goldwing, hitting the starter button while the engine was running would turn off the lights for a moment. Some Goldwing riders use this feature to "flash" their lights at oncoming traffic to get driver's attention. I haven't tried that, but did accidentally hit the starter button while the Spyder was running, startled myself but did not notice if the lights were affected or not (it was during the daytime). I'm not sure if on the Spyder this would risk any damage to the starter itself and wondered if anyone knew what the effect would be rather than my just trying it again to see what happens.
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Accidentally hitting the starter button while the engine is running
- Thread starter vito1943
- Start date
pegasus1300
Well-known member
I don't know if the lights will flash or not, but it wont hurt your Spyder. Like your car there is an interlock that won't let the starter spin if the engine is running. You do have a flash feature on your hi/low beam button.
What he said :agree:
I do like the flash feature on the Spyder, and have considered changing my lifelong practice of riding with high beams on in the daytime to using the low beams just so I can avail myself of the flash feature. Nice to know that I did not hurt the starter by accidentally hitting the button while the engine was running.
Wmoater
Active member
What’s worse is when your wife is getting used to the controls on the left after dark (night riding), and since none of them on the left side are back lit, she tries to turn the high beams to low as cars approach and constantly hits the horn instead. It took a couple rides to figure out. I so wish every switch would be backlit on the left bar instead of by feel after dark. I’m sure she’s hit the starter button too. No damage ever occurred!
IdahoMtnSpyder
Active member
Control of the lights by the starter button is completely different between the Goldwing and Spyder. With the GW the headlights come on when the ignition is turned on. The starter circuit activates a relay to cut power to the headlights while starting in order to reduce the load on the battery. The Spyder headlights are controlled by engine speed, i.e., the lights are not turned on until the engine is running at 900 RPM+. There is no connection between the starter circuit and headlight circuit with the Spyder.
Looking at the wiring diagram it looks to me when the engine is running there is 12 volts on both sides of the starter solenoid so if you hit the starter button while the engine is running the starter will not activate.
JohnRuckus
Member
wait...what is this flash feature? Flipping the switch from low to high or something else?
Pretty much... you just press the Flash button momentarily & it'll flash your headlights onto Hi beam momentarily; only if you hold it pressed down your headlights will remain 'flashed on Hi beam' for as long as you can hold the switch. :thumbup: But strangely enough, it does nothing if your headlights are already on Hi beam?! :dontknow:
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FrogmanDave
Active member
On your 2020 RT you toggle the button up to turn on the high beams (assuming you are on low beams to start). If you toggle the button down the high beams will come on but only for as long as you hold the button. So what people refer to as a 'flash function'. I'm not sure what Peter is referring to about if your high beams are already on. Maybe the previous controls are different.
No difference in the earlier controls that I'm aware of Dave, I was just having a bit of a poke - cos if your Hi beams are already on, they won't 'flash on' any more than they already are.
And I'd say that this is why vito contemplated re-considering his lifelong practice of riding with his lights on Ho beam all the time, and considered instead that he might start running most of the time on Lo beam - simply because you can't 'momentatily flash to Hi beam' if you're already on Hi beam.
But if you're running on Lo beam most of the time, then you can use this 'press down to flash' facility to flash your Hi beams whenever you feel like it 
hyea: :thumbup:
Before LED headlights, I always rode with high beams on during the daylight. Most of my riding time was daylight. Bulbs will burn out when used (hot filaments and vibration don't go well together). The filament "on" the longest will be the first to fail. I'd rather lose my high beams and have low beams for night driving than the other way around, especially in non-remote areas.
Since changing to LED headlights, I still run high beams all the time for visibility during the daylight.
Since changing to LED headlights, I still run high beams all the time for visibility during the daylight.
FrogmanDave
Active member
Same here.
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