When riding a motorcycle on the road, one of the best ways to stay safe is to always announce your intentions. As with many other aspects of motorcycle modifications, not all safety features are legal requirements on your bike. You may be wondering whether front turn signals are mandatory or optional, and we can answer that question. Does a motorcycle need front turn signals? Read on to find out.
The Legal “Need”
Not all states require front turn signals on motorcycles. It’s important to know which ones do, so you don’t get in trouble, especially if you’re planning to take your bike over state lines. The following states have laws that explicitly state that front turn signals are required on motorcycles:
- Arkansas
- California
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Missouri
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New York
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Wisconsin
If you don’t live in one of these states, you may be allowed to ride your motorcycle without front turn signals. However, if you live next to one of these states or plan to travel through them at any point, you should install front turn signals to comply with the laws.
The Safety “Need”
Even though you may not be legally required to have front turn signals on your motorcycle, the safest thing to do is to install them anyway. As we mentioned earlier, there’s no better way to keep yourself safe than by making your presence on the road known.
LED Turn Signals
Harley LED turn signals offer the best chance for other drivers to spot you. That’s because LEDs are brighter than stock turn signals and will catch the attention of other motorists more effectively.
Now that you know whether a motorcycle needs front turn signals, do the smart thing and pick up some LED signals for your bike. Even though they aren’t required in every state, a little extra safety never hurts.