South West Bikers | Motorcycle Forum

Alright, I know this is silly... Does anyone else absolutely despise parking lights being one half click away from the steering lock? I've only ever experienced this on European makes (Triumph and Ducati) but I've killed too many batteries from this terrible feature. Not thinking, hopping off from a long ride and instinctively turning the key all the way to lock the steering. Next time I hop on, dead battery.

They have it on Japanese bikes too, can't say it's ever been an issue to me.

If you find that you keep doing it, why not either covet the clicks of the key or just remove the bulb?

I did just this on my old Aprilia once when SWB used to watch the MotoGP at 'The Walkabout' pub in Exeter. Luckily I was near a convenient hill but that V twin still took some starting! Lesson learned and am now VERY watchful when parking and locking up. Perhaps I should have carried a Makita drill-charger battery - see the 'Seaton Bike Night' topic viewtopic.php?t=101470&start=15

I had it on my Gixxers and yes i agree with you what a stupid feature cant see any application for it but get a key turn just slightly wrong and you have a flat battery in a few hours. Happy to say i don't have that problem on the BMW.

Seriously though when would somebody actually use this

When parking on the street I'm the dark.

Same as wits Volkswagen's if you turn ignition off with indicator on then the corresponding side light stays on, to let drunk drivers know to miss you.

On bikes with hazard lights, switching to parking lights let's you leave the hazards on and removing the ignition key too.

Handy if you're helping someone who broken down and want to leave the bike down the road warning others.

I can see the good sense in having hazard warning lights available on a bike. For use in the above scenario for instance.
Having sidelights available is useful too, but with a more foolproof method of operation. Having a separate switch perhaps?