do i NEED lights on this

borto1990 · 05-09-2009, 07:34 PM

As I have stated before I am putting a hitch haul box on the nomad. I was going to put lights on the box since it blocked my lights on the bike. however, now that my tour pak it lit up with running lights, brake lights and blinkers do I really NEED lights on the box now.. I know it's probably a "good idea" but is it NEEDED.. I know I have to move the plate to the box when it's in use. Thanks!

Yellow Jacket · 05-09-2009, 07:48 PM

I would think that the lights on the tour pack would satisfy the law but you may need to have a light on the license plate when it's on the box.

borto1990 · 05-09-2009, 08:00 PM

hmmmm, I didn't even think of a light on the plate.. anyone else think this will be an issue?

**ringadingh** · 05-09-2009, 08:13 PM

Your probably ok with the lights as they are, but I know that here in Ontario you must have an illuminated licence plate at night.
Why don't you add some reflective tape to the box so it gives more visibility at night. Thats real easy to do.

rhunt4 · 05-09-2009, 08:32 PM

In some states the running lights have to be red and the turn lights have to be amber with the stop lights red. I am not sure if it is that way in your state or not

chuckster131 · 05-09-2009, 08:37 PM

It won't be a problem unless you are riding at night, you do need a light on the plate then.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yellow Jacket

but you may need to have a light on the license plate when it's on the box.

borto1990 · 05-09-2009, 08:46 PM

hmmm,

cactusjack · 05-09-2009, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by borto1990

hmmmm, I didn't even think of a light on the plate.. anyone else think this will be an issue?

I know it would be here in AZ. There's a reason every vehicle on the road has a license plate light. I don't think it's just so Sylvania can sell more bulbs.

MarkG · 05-09-2009, 09:08 PM

Borto, you are right about moving the plate to the box when needed and you will probably need a light for the plate. Certain cities in AZ are really anal about it. A few riders at work have found out the hard way.

borto1990 · 05-09-2009, 09:29 PM

how does a trailer get away with it? figure if a trailer is blocking the main plate it would be like the same thing.. Guess I'll have to do some checkin

Yellow Jacket · 05-09-2009, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by borto1990

how does a trailer get away with it? figure if a trailer is blocking the main plate it would be like the same thing.. Guess I'll have to do some checkin

That's a good point. I know in most states that utility, cargo, camping, etc. trailers have to have their own plate on them, along with lights.

Makes me wonder, do trailers pulled by motorcycles need to have a license plate on them as well?

spirello · 05-09-2009, 10:03 PM

I know in my state washington you have to have a plate on the trailer as well as the bike. but in oregon you are not reqiered to have a plate but i would anyways you could always go to the dmv and get a extra plate and put it on the box so you woldnt have to tranfer it from the bike to the box every time.

cactusjack · 05-09-2009, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yellow Jacket

Quote:

Originally Posted by borto1990

how does a trailer get away with it? figure if a trailer is blocking the main plate it would be like the same thing.. Guess I'll have to do some checkin

That's a good point. I know in most states that utility, cargo, camping, etc. trailers have to have their own plate on them, along with lights.

Makes me wonder, do trailers pulled by motorcycles need to have a license plate on them as well?

Mine does. AZ requires it. Now in UT, where I used to live, single axle trailers aren't required to, they aren't even titled.

damark115 · 05-10-2009, 07:44 AM

Here in Mass. Everything that touches the ground needs a plate. Must have working lights and illuminated license plate. I have gotten crap in a truck with my trailer ball blocking view of my plate.
You could probably rig up some bracket to hold plate and light that plugs into a pigtail on your bike for quick removal/install.

zoom45 · 05-10-2009, 07:18 PM

I would install lights just for the added safety. Will you also pull a trailer? I had to install a separate tag for my trailer in MS. It also has a tag light on it. If you don't install lights at least put the reflective tape on it. That stuff shows up real bright when lights hit it.
Zoom45

05-09-2009, 07:34 PM	#1
borto1990 Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: grand rapids, mi Posts: 475	do i NEED lights on this As I have stated before I am putting a hitch haul box on the nomad. I was going to put lights on the box since it blocked my lights on the bike. however, now that my tour pak it lit up with running lights, brake lights and blinkers do I really NEED lights on the box now.. I know it's probably a "good idea" but is it NEEDED.. I know I have to move the plate to the box when it's in use. Thanks! Login or Register to Remove Ads
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05-09-2009, 07:48 PM	#2
Yellow Jacket Top Contributor Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Fayetteville, Georgia Posts: 5,792	do i NEED lights on this I would think that the lights on the tour pack would satisfy the law but you may need to have a light on the license plate when it's on the box. __________________ Bob KawaNOW/VBA 210 Green/Silver 2006 Patriot Guard Riders 2009
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05-09-2009, 08:00 PM	#3
borto1990 Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: grand rapids, mi Posts: 475	do i NEED lights on this hmmmm, I didn't even think of a light on the plate.. anyone else think this will be an issue?
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05-09-2009, 08:13 PM	#4
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	do i NEED lights on this Your probably ok with the lights as they are, but I know that here in Ontario you must have an illuminated licence plate at night. Why don't you add some reflective tape to the box so it gives more visibility at night. Thats real easy to do. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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05-09-2009, 08:32 PM	#5
rhunt4 Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Maryville Tn Posts: 489	do i NEED lights on this In some states the running lights have to be red and the turn lights have to be amber with the stop lights red. I am not sure if it is that way in your state or not __________________ Ronald C Hunt:\Users\cat\Pictures\goldwing 1.jpg Login or Register to Remove Ads
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05-09-2009, 08:46 PM	#7
borto1990 Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: grand rapids, mi Posts: 475	do i NEED lights on this hmmm,
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05-09-2009, 09:08 PM	#9
MarkG Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 1,255	do i NEED lights on this Borto, you are right about moving the plate to the box when needed and you will probably need a light for the plate. Certain cities in AZ are really anal about it. A few riders at work have found out the hard way. __________________ Mark Griffin 2021 Manhattan Metallic K1600GTL 2016 Silver K1600GTL - sold 2015 Red/Blk Cross Country Tour - sold 2008 Red/Blk Nomad - sold KE7HG VBA 00176, IBA 65686, MOA 211564 Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Maggie Valley '11\|Kanab '12\|Estes Park '13\|Red Lodge '16\|Custer '18
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05-09-2009, 09:29 PM	#10
borto1990 Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: grand rapids, mi Posts: 475	do i NEED lights on this how does a trailer get away with it? figure if a trailer is blocking the main plate it would be like the same thing.. Guess I'll have to do some checkin
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05-09-2009, 10:03 PM	#12
spirello Advanced Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: VANCOUVER WA Posts: 576	do i NEED lights on this I know in my state washington you have to have a plate on the trailer as well as the bike. but in oregon you are not reqiered to have a plate but i would anyways you could always go to the dmv and get a extra plate and put it on the box so you woldnt have to tranfer it from the bike to the box every time.
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05-10-2009, 07:44 AM	#14
damark115 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Methuen MA Posts: 349	do i NEED lights on this Here in Mass. Everything that touches the ground needs a plate. Must have working lights and illuminated license plate. I have gotten crap in a truck with my trailer ball blocking view of my plate. You could probably rig up some bracket to hold plate and light that plugs into a pigtail on your bike for quick removal/install.
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05-10-2009, 07:18 PM	#15
zoom45 Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Terry, Mississippi Posts: 1,434	do i NEED lights on this I would install lights just for the added safety. Will you also pull a trailer? I had to install a separate tag for my trailer in MS. It also has a tag light on it. If you don't install lights at least put the reflective tape on it. That stuff shows up real bright when lights hit it. Zoom45 __________________ Bobby Risher Terry, MS Kawanow member # 124 South Central Group 2000 Nomad 1500 (carbed) 128,000 miles
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