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Hello xBhpians,
I'm just an ordinary biker who commutes to work and does some weekend rides. I'm not a motorcyling fanatic or a raging motorcyling groupie, but what I enjoy riding is a well built, reliable, practical, good performing motorcycle for the money I pay. So, while I may not have the tone or perspective some of the petrol heads may have, please bear with me.
I feel that our (Indian) manufacturers have done a fantastic job over the years to create some of the most wonderful motorcyles. From practical usage to performance oriented to pure enthusiast variants, they have everything to meet the entire economic spectrum of our society. I wanted to understand if they are being held back by archaic, irrelevant laws created by the bureaucracy of our country. And consequently, are we being flogged for the bureaucracy's idiocy?
The Road and Transport ministry passed a compliance circular to motorcycle manufacturers saying from April 1st, 2017, all vehicles must have an always-on headlight.
I would like to know what really is the purpose of AHO when DRLs were previously made mandatory by the same bureaucracy on motorcycles? From what I understand, an always headlight is required in places where you need to know if there is oncoming traffic in cases of fog, smog or obviously, low visibility. Clearly, this law is relevant in places where fog and visibility affects riding.
Now, coming to India, less than 25% of our country is affected by severe fog - this 25% includes the coldest motorable roads and also densely populated urban areas from Himachal to Amritsar to Delhi to Ganga plains and NE.
I come from a tropical climate down south. Pray tell me, why does a manufacturer need to follow this law to make AHO here? There are only two seasons in most places in Southern India - decently hot and very hot. If this was not enough, mother nature decided to gift a third weather type called sweat to coastal areas. I'm sure Mumbaikars and Chennai people can relate
Dude, can someone tell the bureaucrats that for people like us, fog is like northern lights? It's a phenomenon we pay money to travel to see!
Now, this law looks like a copy-paste job from some European union law by some lethargic bureaucrats. What is surprising is that no manufacturer has asked why exactly do they need to put AHO on motorcyles when the same bureaucrats have not asked car manufacturers to do the same!? What is even more surprising is that consumers like us have not bothered asking why on earth do I need a AHO on my bike in 35 deg C weather as if sunlight was not melting the poor oncoming rider enough, I would make him feel more at home with my headlight. Also, I already have DRLs for this very purpose!
This law is only relevant to some parts as I mentioned above and manufacturers can work with dealers to implement AHO in the regions where it is required.
Why does AHO bother me?
I have read posts on xBhp and posts across the internet that have mentioned how this AHO will apply more load on the alternator and thus the engine. Doesn't this mean the engine will consume more petrol? While this may be negligible from an individual perspective, this going to more petrol imports overall. Does this make sense when the govt is pushing EV tech and reduction in dependency on oil.
Since the light is running more often than it should, it may have to be replaced often. That is ₹ for me.
Secondly, new bikes and scooters are coming with LED headlamps which are seriously blinding and annoying. I don't mind the warm yellow light, but this white light is torture either during day or night. Feeling aside, while LEDs may be efficient in power consumption, LED lamps cause us fatigue.
Thirdly, I need to pay ₹ to install a switch to turn off my headlight because I don't like disturbing the oncoming traffic and concerned people who say, "bhaiyya aapka light on hai," although this is a dying trend these days. Looks like they know the silliness that is going on.
Now, does putting an on-off switch affect production cost for manufacturers? I don't know. Maybe qualified people can answer.
I may be misinformed and would like you to guide me in the right path.
But please tell me why we cannot have decentralized motor vehicle laws.
If what I say is right, it is time that we take this up with the authorities.
If I ever get a chance to visit the concerned authorities office, I'm going to shake his hand, sit on the chair, take my phone, turn on the torch, throw the light directly on his face and continue talking.
Thank you
I'm just an ordinary biker who commutes to work and does some weekend rides. I'm not a motorcyling fanatic or a raging motorcyling groupie, but what I enjoy riding is a well built, reliable, practical, good performing motorcycle for the money I pay. So, while I may not have the tone or perspective some of the petrol heads may have, please bear with me.
I feel that our (Indian) manufacturers have done a fantastic job over the years to create some of the most wonderful motorcyles. From practical usage to performance oriented to pure enthusiast variants, they have everything to meet the entire economic spectrum of our society. I wanted to understand if they are being held back by archaic, irrelevant laws created by the bureaucracy of our country. And consequently, are we being flogged for the bureaucracy's idiocy?
The Road and Transport ministry passed a compliance circular to motorcycle manufacturers saying from April 1st, 2017, all vehicles must have an always-on headlight.
I would like to know what really is the purpose of AHO when DRLs were previously made mandatory by the same bureaucracy on motorcycles? From what I understand, an always headlight is required in places where you need to know if there is oncoming traffic in cases of fog, smog or obviously, low visibility. Clearly, this law is relevant in places where fog and visibility affects riding.
Now, coming to India, less than 25% of our country is affected by severe fog - this 25% includes the coldest motorable roads and also densely populated urban areas from Himachal to Amritsar to Delhi to Ganga plains and NE.
I come from a tropical climate down south. Pray tell me, why does a manufacturer need to follow this law to make AHO here? There are only two seasons in most places in Southern India - decently hot and very hot. If this was not enough, mother nature decided to gift a third weather type called sweat to coastal areas. I'm sure Mumbaikars and Chennai people can relate
Dude, can someone tell the bureaucrats that for people like us, fog is like northern lights? It's a phenomenon we pay money to travel to see!
Now, this law looks like a copy-paste job from some European union law by some lethargic bureaucrats. What is surprising is that no manufacturer has asked why exactly do they need to put AHO on motorcyles when the same bureaucrats have not asked car manufacturers to do the same!? What is even more surprising is that consumers like us have not bothered asking why on earth do I need a AHO on my bike in 35 deg C weather as if sunlight was not melting the poor oncoming rider enough, I would make him feel more at home with my headlight. Also, I already have DRLs for this very purpose!
This law is only relevant to some parts as I mentioned above and manufacturers can work with dealers to implement AHO in the regions where it is required.
Why does AHO bother me?
I have read posts on xBhp and posts across the internet that have mentioned how this AHO will apply more load on the alternator and thus the engine. Doesn't this mean the engine will consume more petrol? While this may be negligible from an individual perspective, this going to more petrol imports overall. Does this make sense when the govt is pushing EV tech and reduction in dependency on oil.
Since the light is running more often than it should, it may have to be replaced often. That is ₹ for me.
Secondly, new bikes and scooters are coming with LED headlamps which are seriously blinding and annoying. I don't mind the warm yellow light, but this white light is torture either during day or night. Feeling aside, while LEDs may be efficient in power consumption, LED lamps cause us fatigue.
Thirdly, I need to pay ₹ to install a switch to turn off my headlight because I don't like disturbing the oncoming traffic and concerned people who say, "bhaiyya aapka light on hai," although this is a dying trend these days. Looks like they know the silliness that is going on.
Now, does putting an on-off switch affect production cost for manufacturers? I don't know. Maybe qualified people can answer.
I may be misinformed and would like you to guide me in the right path.
But please tell me why we cannot have decentralized motor vehicle laws.
If what I say is right, it is time that we take this up with the authorities.
If I ever get a chance to visit the concerned authorities office, I'm going to shake his hand, sit on the chair, take my phone, turn on the torch, throw the light directly on his face and continue talking.
Thank you
also, saying that its required only for 25% of regions( and hence not relevant), is like saying i use my toilet seat for less than 2% of the day, hence it shouldn't be there. 
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