As I've posted before about my battery life, it has been suggested that I turn off my high-beams, as I did, to preserve my battery...

Questions:
--Are high-beams necessary?
--When do I use them?
--Is there a proper way of utilizing them on my '02 F4i?

IMO, they're there for a reason, and, I feel like it looks silly without them on in the daytime--because they're not meant for night-time riding. Correct?

 

Really? You use them when you can't see out in front of you, hence, like a dark country road. You should only need to use them in the situation, but in certain states it is legal to ride with them on all the time. It's a comfort thing, use them how you feel necessary.

 

i never turn my brights off. unless im cruising with other bikes.

 

I have my high beams on all the time during the day, and turn them off after dusk.

 

Riding with your high beam on should have absolutely no effect to your battery life whatsoever. If your battery is dying after riding, either the battery isn't holding a charge, or there's a problem with your charging system.

This is the best way. Ride with it on during the day, when it starts to get darker turn it off and utilize it only on dark county roads when there's no cars/bikes to blind (either oncoming or in front of you). It's the same as a car, not really rocket science here.