Quick running lights question..

[dauphinc]

I know the headlight and tail light stay illuminated when the bike is running no matter what, but are the turn signals supposed to be as well? Mine aren't, and I believe it would be safer if they were..

[jeremy_nash]

no, they arent designed to

[Gary856]

The turn-signals are normally off. Agreed that it would be great to have them constantly on as running lights; saw another bike (a cruiser) with turn signals as running lights so you see 3 lights from behind - much more visible at night. Maybe they would draw too much current for the GS's stock alternator.

Maybe going w/ LED running lights would be the way to go. The other night I saw a sport bike with a row of white LEDs (constantly on) right below his single brake light; it was very distinctive and visible from behind.

[TR]

Gs's, at least my 2000, doesn't have running blinkers, they just work like turn signals, one side at a time and the circuit uses the resistance of the bulbs as part of the circuit to set up the blinking time, try unplugging a bulb and the other bulb will blink faster. If you replace the sockets on each corner for 3 wires sockets, like Katana´s, you might have amber running dim ligths which coul be activated by the headlight switch, but you'd need some extra wiring. These lights would be dim as taillight, and shiner when they blink... If you want the 4 regular blinkers go on when running then you new a new set up, perhaps a new handlebar switch from another bike which has this sort or running blinkers...  and some sort of wire modification and I certanly don't know if this is legal where you live. 

[dauphinc]

Ah ok, thanks guys. I was wondering, because the previous owner had a self cancelling turn sig module on it and the module also made my blinkers act as running lights. pretty cool at night, but during the day they were hard to see. i ripped off that module and put a regular relay on, and the running blinker lights went away (of course) so i was wondering if this was normal.

[DoD#i]

Maybe going w/ LED running lights would be the way to go. The other night I saw a sport bike with a row of white LEDs (constantly on) right below his single brake light; it was very distinctive and visible from behind.

That's also an easy ticket: White light showing from behind (while not backing up.)

Use red in the back, white or amber in the front - otherwise a fine idea.