Car main beams

[redbikejohn]

I've noticed a lot of cars not dipping their main beams recently. I wondered if it was related to newer cars auto dim function so did a quick Google. Seems it is an issue and cars either struggle to recognise a bike or are plainly not programmed for single light recognition . Pretty poor really.

[DavidS]

I’ve deactivated the auto-dip on both our cars.
Historically, I have always dipped as soon as I see lights coming but my previous Audi RSQ3 with LED lights was very slow at dipping for cars and bikes but did for every road sign reflection.
My wifes A1 is better but still not perfect.

By the way, Teslas seem to have by far the worst headlights when you meet them cresting a hill.
Way too bright and too much spread.

While I’m at it, what’s with light strips front and back and tiny indicators inside a ring of rear/brake lights?

[Billy Bananahead]

While I’m at it, what’s with light strips front and back and tiny indicators inside a ring of rear/brake lights?

Fashion. A bit like adventure bike riders with theses so-called daytime running lights or spotlights whatever they are called.

[Magnusson]

Daytime running lights are useful. I remember hearing somewhere that when Grayhound started running daytime lights on all their buses their accident rate dropped something like 50%. Silly considering those are not small vehicles.
Spotlights on the front of bikes is something else entirely. There is a special bad place reserved for the riders who use those. Specially those who have them pointing straight ahead and up.

[DavidS]

I did use them on my Norden and Tiger but pointed slightly down.
I had too many scary moments, which all but disappeared after I caved in and switched them on.