How to Put Lights on a Dirt Bike
It is a well-known fact that dirt bikes are not street legal. This is because they do not have headlights, tail lights, or turn signals, making it difficult to see and be seen at night.
The only source of light on the bike is the headlight bulb, which can range from 50 watts to 500 watts depending on the size of the engine and what type of light output you need for your riding style. In this article, I will discuss a technique on how to put lights on a dirt bike.
Required Materials
- Tire Plug Kit
- Wire Cutter and Stripper
- Heat Shrink Tubing
- Zip Ties or Electrical Tape (Or Both)
- Lighter/Matches (Just in Case)
- Pliers, Screwdriver, Wire Cutters, Multimeter.
A Process on How to Put Lights on a Dirt Bike
Step One: Prep Work.
Before you do anything else to your dirt bike, make sure that the power is cut off by removing any battery cables attached to the terminal posts on top of the motor casing.
Next, remove all external wiring from handlebars and other components unrelated to lighting installation, such as headlights. Remove everything to be easier for you when installing wires without interference from other parts of the motorcycle, which could cause a short circuit or overheating issue.
Step One: Identify The Type of Lights Needed
Most people think they need a headlight and taillight, but this may not be the case. If you only ride your dirt bike in the daytime, you can get away with just installing a tail light instead of both headlights and taillights.
You should also know if there are any regulations in place where you live regarding what type or color of lights can legally be used while riding at night; these rules vary from state to state, so make sure that you find out about them before purchasing.
If, however, there are regulations in your area that dictate what type of lights you need, then headlight and taillight are the way to go.
Step Two: How To Install Headlights And Taillights
Again, this will depend on where you live because regulations for installing headlights and tail lights vary from state to state, making sure that you know the laws before moving forward with installation.
Sometimes it is straightforward to get away with just sticking a small light onto the fender of your bike, but other times, it can be more difficult; if there are any rules about how high up or close together, they should be installed, then follow those guidelines as closely as possible when putting them into place.
You should also check that all wires have been connected and zip-tied securely to prevent any unnecessary accidents when riding your bike at night.
Step Three: How To Make Sure Lights Work
To ensure that the lights work correctly, plug them in and turn on a light switch that will illuminate both headlights and taillights to ensure they are working properly before you head out for the evening.
There is no point investing in something if it isn’t going to be able to do what you bought it for, so take this step seriously! If there is an issue with one of the lights, recheck its connections if anything has come loose or needs reattaching.
Because once installed properly, these lamps should continue operating even after bumpy rides over rough terrain without malfunctioning; however, if they do, then it is worth rechecking the connections.
Step Four: How To Install Lights
To install lights on a dirt bike, you will need to find somewhere to mount and connect them with wires. Of course, you can use zip ties or any other type of tape as an alternative, but these two methods are what I recommend.
The first method is by drilling holes in places that would be appropriate and securing the lamp into place; this isn’t always feasible depending on where you plan on mounting your lamps, so drill small holes at either side of the handlebars near one another so that when mounted there is plenty of room between light no matter which direction their headlight points towards (i.e., down).
For attaching using wire, drill a hole at either side of the headlight and run your wire through it, keeping in mind where you plan on placing them. Once you have both lamps connected with wires to their respective posts, never forget that electricity is dangerous, so be very careful when connecting!
Step Five: How To Mount Lights
To mount lights on a dirt bike, two ways can be used interchangeably depending on preference. The first way is by drilling holes into the fender or body panel and then securing them with screws or bolts from underneath (screwing into metal studs).
This method isn’t always feasible for every location but will work if needed; for example, mounting near the back tire might not allow enough room due to clearance issues with the suspension. The second option is to use zip-ties and mounting brackets secured with screws or bolts from below (screwing into metal studs).
The first way to mount lights on a dirt bike would be by drilling holes in the fender or body panel then securing them using screws, bolts, etc. This method isn’t always feasible for every location but will work if needed; for example, mounting near the back tire might not allow enough room due to clearance issues with the suspension.
The second option is to use zip ties and/or bracket system mounts secured underneath and the topside of the vehicle’s frame rails. Just make sure you have all your wiring connections secure before tightening down any hardware!
Key Considerations While Putting Lights on a Dirt Bike
Number and Type of Lights for Trail Riding:
If you are only making on-road trails, then just a single headlight is usually sufficient. However, a pair of headlights will provide more visibility in off-road conditions where the light can illuminate both your path and obstacles that may be ahead.
Placement:
Placing lighting on dirt bikes should always be to maximize visibility while reducing glare from other riders or vehicles when possible by mounting them low to reduce brightness and high to increase it. Don’t mount lights too close together as this could blind fellow drivers or obstruct their vision as well. When considering how high each light needs to go without causing problems, remember there’s another rider behind you, so don’t put the rear light too high.
Wiring:
When wiring lights, always use the appropriate size wire for a given circuit and connect one end to your battery or power source (usually located under the seat) using crimping connectors usually supplied by the manufacturer of said light.
If possible, match up colors on both wires before twisting them together tightly with pliers, then wrapping each connection in electrical tape to seal off any chance of water intrusion.
If you have an inline fuse between your battery and turn signals, don’t forget to hook it up as well! Mounting brackets are also available to secure everything firmly, so there’s no risk of breaking loose at speed during bumpy terrains like sand or rocks.
These should be placed where they won’t interfere with steering while riding but not so low that they’ll get knocked off by hazards like rocks or tree branches.
Conclusion
The lights on a dirt bike are usually mounted to the frame in some form or another. They can be attached by wires, put directly onto the frame, or even screwed with screws and nuts.
Whatever you decide is best for your specific situation. After mounting where they need to go, tighten them down to stay secure against any bumps that might cause them to shift position while riding.
Don’t forget about safety! Make sure to mount them at eye level when sitting on the bike and make sure nothing obstructs their light beam, such as leaves or branches along your path of travel.
You may read also: How to Change a Dirt Bike Tire Without Spoons
Darren Matlock
Hi, I'm Darren. I love dirt bikes and everything about the off-road lifestyle. I'm passionate about motorbikes, cars, racing sports and going on adventures. If you're like me and enjoy extreme sports, you've come to the right place! I like to write articles about dirt bikes to help beginners get started. Whether you're interested in buying a dirt bike, ATV, motorcycle or want to ride for hobby, I hope my articles will inspire you to learn more about how this machine can be used to ride.
