Hitchcocks Forum

I just noticed another change as of 1/1/17.
As well as ABS, we are to suffer AHO (automatic headlight on).
My question is; will the ABS be selectable (can I turn it off) and if I fit a switch in the headlight circuit, am I legal?

Big Brother - I know where thou art!

hi Pete,
not sure about the switch but most bikes i see have the headlamp on,
i do as well,

wonder if all these new laws will matter now we are leaving the club so to speak.

On some bikes the ABS can be disconnected by simply removing the relevant fuse. One step beyond this is to fit a switch interrupting the ABS power supply.
Time will tell if we get something where this can be done without consequence elsewhere.

I bought my new B5 in July this year and it already had headlight permanently on. Unfortunately there isn't even a switch and the casting on the lhs switch block has no provision for retrofitting. I think I'm old enough and have enough plain common sense to be able to decide for myself when I need a headlight and when I don't. Unfortunately leaving the EC won't change a thing as we'll just replace Eurobeaurocretins with our own home bred ones. We're dooooomed.

I really cannot see manufacturers producing two models of the same bike one for the UK and one for Europe.
Basically post Brexit we will be lumbered with EU specification motorcycles/cars having had no input into any new EU legislation.

Why would you want to disconnect either of these safety features, the headlight is so idiots can see you coming, most bikers find ways to add extra lights for this reason, having 2 bikes, one with ABS and one without, I know which one i am more confident with when braking, especially in the wet, i always ride with the headlight on and would happily fit ABS to Bertie if his brakes were good enough to warrant it.

Bertie, I am old, very old in fact but I am still alive because I ride defensively and avoid the idiots. Although I am so old, I still have all my faculties and I don't need or want to ride with my lights on (except at night or in mist,fog and heavy rain of course) and I don't need or want ABS. It all comes down to personal choice and i don't need some Eurobeaurocretin to make the decisions for me . . . . Life today is exactly as described by George Orwell and I don't like it.

We've had the fixed 'headlights on' policy in Denmark for the last 25 years. On every vehicle type. Buses, cars, lorries and motor cycles, you name it. Guess what? Idiots in cars, buses, lorries and vans, et al. still can't see motor cyclists...


I feel only as safe on the road as I can make myself. No bugger else is doing it for me and no amount of regulation will remove the risk.


As a policeman friend once said, "It isn't what you drive. It's how you drive it that makes the difference."

I'm with Nigel - I re-introduced a switch to the lights on my Triumph America

The only time daytime running lights are of any use is on lightly trafficked roads otherwise we are lost in a sea of lights.
I have had the piss taken by so called motorcyclists/ bikers on some message boards for having me & 'er on t' pillion wear Sam Browne reflector belts. Could not care less for I know that we are visible. Like Nigelphoto we are old, past our three score & ten well past in my case and we intend to get a lot older safely.