R1150RT -- Purpose of Pilot Light/Parking Light?

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bobbymacd

New member

• Oct 11, 2014

• #1

I am still getting to know my 2004 RT and have two lighting questions:

1. What is the purpose of the pilot light (small bulb lower right of center in attached photo)?
2. My ignition switch has a position to the left (counter-clockwise) of the off position that is for a "parking light." However, nothing lights up when the key is in this position. Is that related to the pilot light? Is there some other light that is considered a parking light?

I couldn't find any explanations in the manuals....

 

gsaddict

Pepperfool

• Oct 11, 2014

• #2

One click past the steering lock position should activate the parking light and the tail light.

The intention is to make the bike visible if left on the side of the road at night in an emergency.

 

Omega Man

Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat

Staff member

• Oct 11, 2014

• #3

GSAddict said:

One click past the steering lock position should activate the parking light and the tail light.

The intention is to make the bike visible if left on the side of the road at night in an emergency.

Click to expand...

Yes and, from what I am told, this is why you can't have a bike registered ("generally ") that does not have the battery- for the parking lights.
OM

 

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bobbymacd

New member

• Oct 11, 2014

• #4

GSAddict said:

One click past the steering lock position should activate the parking light and the tail light.

The intention is to make the bike visible if left on the side of the road at night in an emergency.

Click to expand...

OK...but I would certainly think twice about leaving the keys in the ignition if I had to leave the bike on the side of the road.

And wouldn't the hazard lights be better for that anyway?

 

Omega Man

Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat

Staff member

• Oct 11, 2014

• #5

Hazards are real effective but there is a lot more draw to the battery. Have you tried to remove the key in the "park" position?
OM

 

7

72r60/7

13278

• Oct 11, 2014

• #6

Parking Light History ?

Seems to me that I remember from the 70's that some European country(s) had a Medieval law that when you were parked in or on city streets that you were to have the "parking" lights illuminated. Or was that when you were parked on the sidewalk ? Might have been on a Butler and Smith BMW promo film.
Jog anyone's memory ?
Charlie

 

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BC1100S

Left Coast Rider

• Oct 11, 2014

• #7

In answer to Question 1, I'm going to hazard a guess that "Parking Light Only" is one position of the headlight switch in Europe. It is on my Euro-equipped Ducati.

As for Question 2, I have two positions left of "Off". One is Locked and the other is Locked With Front Parking Light and Rear Tail Light Lit.

 

PAS

New member

• Oct 12, 2014

• #8

Omega Man said:

Hazards are real effective but there is a lot more draw to the battery. Have you tried to remove the key in the "park" position?
OM

Click to expand...

I can remove my key in the park position. 03 RT.

 

pauls1150

MOA #24991, south of Los Angeles

• Oct 12, 2014

• #9

re post #6 - It's my understanding that, in this country, parking lights F&R are required by federal law (no I haven't looked it up); it's in case you have to pull over on to a shoulder or a similar situation.

A few months ago, there was a post from somebody who installed a multi-cell (non-directional) white LED in place of his parking light; I looked up the bulb and saw that a socket change seemed necessary (not a big deal).

I can also remove the key in the "Parking Lights" position - if somebody can't, you have an issue.

 

classicvw

Active member

• Oct 12, 2014

• #10

It's still in New Jerseys motor vehicle code that vehicles parked on the edge of a roadway must have their parking lights lit.

 

J

jfmoore430

Boxer n Cruiser

• Oct 13, 2014

• #11

Wow...Butler & Smith....now that jogs my memory!