When customizing your motorcycle, you could add unique light fixtures! Before you rev up your creativity, you need to understand the legal colors for motorcycle lights. If you install the wrong color lights, you risk fines, warnings, and safety issues. Luckily, this guide will explain legal color options for motorcycle lights so you can keep your ride stylish and street-legal.
Why Do Motorcycle Light Colors Matter?
Laws regarding motorcycle light colors are designed to protect you and your fellow drivers. Lighting colors have different meanings on the road, and using the correct colors guarantees communication between vehicles. For example, brake lights need to signal stopping, while turn signals must clearly display your directional intentions.
Most importantly, riding with illegally colored lights can confuse other drivers and increase the risk of accidents. Before modifying your motorcycle, you should understand the laws surrounding lightbulb color.
What Colors Are Legal for Motorcycle Lights?
Headlights
White or yellow headlights are the only option for a motorcycle. Avoid modifications that introduce multicolored or tinted headlights, as most states in the US prohibit them. If you’re riding in fog, it might be wise to install yellow-tinted fog lights for safety. However, check the local laws to verify that these lights are legal.
Taillights
Your bike’s taillights, including brake lights and running lights, must be red because red is the universal signal telling drivers behind you to stop. Experimenting with custom colors in this area could potentially confuse drivers and lead to accidents. Stick to Harley Sportster taillights to stay safe and road-legal.
Turn Signals
Depending on the make and model of your bike, the turn signals should be either amber or red. Most riders prefer amber because it’s different from red brake lights and does a good job at indicating to other drivers that you’re about to turn or change lanes.
Auxiliary Lights or Accent Lighting
Here’s where motorcycle customizations get exciting! Many states in the US allow you to install auxiliary or accent lighting in certain colors, but there are restrictions. For under-glow, side lighting, or decorative lighting, amber or white lights are the best.
Avoid red, blue, or green lights for these areas. These colors are reserved for law enforcement and can lead to fines.
License Plate Lights
The light illuminating your license plate must always be white because any other color can obscure the plate’s readability, making it a legal liability.
Now that we’ve explained the legal color options for motorcycle lights, you can give your bike more character without breaking the law or risking your safety. If you’re ready to give your ride a makeover, explore the wide variety of motorcycle lights at Eagle Lights.
