Integrated Front/Rear Signals Indiana

[lbaker]

Hey guys, anyone have experience in integrated tail/head lights with turn signals in your state that requires turn signals? I've never had them, but knowing my luck I'm afraid if I get them I'm going to be stopped constantly to prove they are integrated in the front/rear lamps. So many of them I see now its really hard to distinguish the side led blinkers so I'm assuming Johnny law won't either.

 

[mark13018]

Indiana is a hand signal friendly state. It is perfectly legal to have a vehicle with NO turn signals in Indiana... Look in the section listed below. Read it entirely, if you can use hand signals on the type of vehicle your operating you don't HAVE to have turn signals.

But yes, I have integrated turn signals on my 2006 cbr600rr and love it (them). Never had issues with anyone seeing me or the direction I'm turning. I also have custom built ones my cl450 cafe racer. All perfectly legal in Indiana.

Section: IC 9-21-8-27

Source: http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title9/ar21/ch8.html

 

[lbaker]

Thanks for your reply, maybe you can help clear this up for me. I've been referencing Indiana code 9-19-7 http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title9/ar19/ch7.html

IC 9-19-7-2.5
Rear view mirrors; speedometers; turn signals
Sec. 2.5. A motorcycle manufactured before January 1, 1956, is not required to be equipped with the following devices:
(1) A rear view mirror.
(2) A speedometer.
(3) Mechanical or electric turn signals.
As added by P.L.63-1994, SEC.5.


That just always read to me as >1956, must have something supplemental to hand signals. Can you help? I don't know a lot of people that ride and the info Im getting is mixed.

 

[lbaker]

I guess I should also add up until this point what I've been told its more or less up to the officer that pulls you over. If its 9am and you are using hand signals you are okay, if it's 8pm and you are using hand signals on something >1956 you more often than not are getting a ticket.

 

[teazer]

The way it appears to me is that the two sections appear to be in conflict but are not. The Construction regs allow pre 56 bikes to not have headlights or indicators, and one can deduce that post 56 must be so equipped, but the other section says that you can use a hand signal. So they must be fitted, but you don't have to use them.

Indiana regs do not appear to specify the distance between indicator lamps and does not say that they must be an independent circuit, so I would think that integrated signals are OK under Indiana law.

But there are also Federal rules issues by DOT such as S23 which specifies where the switches MUST be placed on the bars. http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmcsrruletext.aspx?reg=393.22&keyword=motorcycle%20lights says that headlight mounted indicators are not allowed and neither are integrated lights if the brake light is still on when the indicators are on. You could argue that it is temporarily deactivated as it flashes.

You could spend a few winter night reading through DOT regs and then apply Indiana regs on top of the federal rules for an added dose of fun.

So to stay out of trouble it's probably best and safest to fit decent indicators - integrated or other. You can also use an integrated tail light and supplement that with some short LED strips just for fun. Like this one we put together. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRzot6mfzGI

 

[lbaker]

That's a very good idea! It definitely does sound conflicting, and everyone seems to reference one code or the other. Thanks for your input!

 

[mark13018]

Yeah. All of the above.

And to be honest, I've had bobbers, choppers, and other custom bikes that don't have speedos, mirrors, signals, headlights and/or taillights, open pipes with too loud of exhaust, no front brakes, license plate mounted incorrectly and not lit, etc. Etc. Etc....

AND I've had cops stop and check out my bike(s) and/or even to tell me to open it up WOT at lights in traffic and say it's an awesome bike.... Never been pulled over at 2am for running a red light that won't change (illegal in Indiana)...

From my experience all of the cops I've encountered, talked to, and my 4 family members in local law enforcement that frequent my residence, check out my bikes, and hell, even go on rides with me (they also have "illegal" aspects of their bikes and other friends and family do). Won't generally pull you over UNLESS you're doing something really stupid or he/she thinks you are putting yourself or others in danger. Let alone give you a ticket for a first time offence for not having turn signals.

BUT if you want to be "safe than sorry" just throw some on there. Like teazer said, we don't have a lot of the silly regs other states have on WHAT the turn signals are. You can pick up turn signals for like $5 and spend a whole 5 minutes wiring them up.