S-T.N folks - For safety's sake

[Veda]

Huh, where I live flashing low to high beam is universal signal for "go in front of me."

[boattrash]

I like it when some people flash me; mostly only girls say under the age of 23 and firm. Old fat white guys keep it stuck in...

[doug06z]

I'll just stick to paying attention to my surroundings and thinking that everyone is trying to kill me.

james

A huge +1. Today I more than likely would have been creamed, had I not been paying extra attention to the wheels of the suv that pulled directly out in front of me. My gut told me the fat slob b**ch was not paying attention, and sure enough she was'nt. I had to come to a complete stop so she could make her turn into my path while I had the right of way. I just shook my head and she waved like "I'm sorry". Yes fat slob suv driving b**ch, you should be sorry

[R Doug]

[maddjack]

[sagerat]

Headlight modulators, uh, no, I'll pass.  I associate them too strongly with Goldwings which means I'd have to get a half-lid, wear plaid shirts, deerskin gloves, as well as vests and hats festooned with rally pins, plus I'd be 73 years old.  

But thanks for trying.  

[Snowdog]

It would be illegal to use them over here, but I wouldn't anyway.

I don't think pissing people off makes you any safer and I'm certain they don't exactly make it easier for other road users to judge your speed and distance.

[lionlady]

Extra pair of lights (off road use only - not motolights) on the forks, work well for me. The triangle of lights gets the same 'pause... whazzat?' reaction from most drivers.

P

[denydog]

I'm sure a modulated headlight is more noticeable to the public than a steady light, but I'm not sure how much it actually translates into reduced risk.  My opinion is that they are annoying, and I'm not sure the extra attention is worth it.  So I choose not to use one.

BTW- I think the H.I.D headlight on my bike is a little more noticeable than the standard headlight, due to the whiter color.  I don't have a blue H.I.D., just the OEM/White version, but it still seems to stand out a bit.

[jcs-thundercat]

I've often wondered how much headlight modulators affect bulb life.

Cycling a light bulb on and off repeatedly will cause the filament to heat and cool, thus expand and contract and burn out much sooner.  For this reason, headlight modulators (by law) do not turn the bulb off, they reduce it to no less than 17% intensity.  

My senior design project when I was studying electrical engineering was to design a "dynamic" headlight and brakelight modulator system.  It could be configured to operate continuously, or to be triggered for a few seconds by certain events:  pressing a button, activating the turn signals or pressing the horn.  The brakelights would flash upon touching the brake, or if the accelerometers detected enough deceleration (so they would activate on engine braking).  We also added an LCD display with a speedometer and accelerometer.  

http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle-technical-articles/Modulator-regs.htm
From FMVSS 108:
S7.9.4.1 A headlamp on a motorcycle may be wired to modulate either the upper beam or the lower beam from its maximum intensity to a lesser intensity, provided that:

    (a) The rate of modulation shall be 240 40 cycles per minute.

    (b) The headlamp shall be operated at maximum power for 50 to 70 percent of each cycle.

    (c) The lowest intensity at any test point shall be not less than 17 percent of the maximum intensity measured at the same point.

    (d) The modulator switch shall be wired in the power lead of the beam filament being modulated and not in the ground side of the circuit.

    (e) Means shall be provided so that both the lower beam and upper beam remain operable in the event of a modulator failure.

    (f) The system shall include a sensor mounted with the axis of its sensing element perpendicular to a horizontal plane. Headlamp modulation shall cease whenever the level of light emitted by a tungsten filament light operating at 3000 deg. Kelvin is either less than 270 lux (25 foot-candles) of direct light for upward pointing sensors or less than 60 lux (5.6 foot-candles) of reflected light for downward pointing sensors. The light is measured by a silicon cell type light meter that is located at the sensor and pointing in the same direction as the sensor. A Kodak Gray Card (Kodak R-27) is placed at ground level to simulate the road surface in testing downward pointing sensors.

    (g) When tested in accordance with the test profile shown in Figure 9, the voltage drop across the modulator when the lamp is on at all test conditions for 12 volt systems and 6 volt systems shall not be greater than .45 volt. The modulator shall meet all the provisions of the standard after completion of the test profile shown in Figure 9.

    (h) Means shall be provided so that both the lower and upper beam function at design voltage when the headlamp control switch is in either the lower or upper beam position when the modulator is off.

[kickapoojim]

Great post!

I didn't think much thought went into the device.  I hate'em. But it's nice to know a little about them.

Stick around here jcs-thundercat

[Brad1445]

Headlight modulators should be illegal.  I bet it causes accidents.  Its the equivalent of a leaf blower.  It dont fix the mess it just moves it.

[zer0netgain]

I'm mixed.  Yeah, they get you noticed, but I agree...more of a hazard than a help.  I see a flashing light behind me and my first thought is that a cop is coming up behind me.

[lionlady]

Everytime I look at the news, it seems that there's a fatality involving a motorcycle.

I want to share with you my experiences with headlight modulators.  "saved" me from many, many possible incidents.

The idea behind headlight modulators is to get folks to stop and LOOK, rather than making an assumption about what they see. There are many ways to get noticed.

P

[Karmak]

Other than the bit about them being annoying and obnoxious?  Well, there's the problem that truckers see flashing headlights as a signal that it's okay to go -- as in "You're clear of me, so it's okay to pull into my lane" or "I'll slow down so you can pull out of that side street."  Most people who have hooked up modulators simply think people will see them.  They don't think about what message that flashing light is sending.

If you want to be seen, plant extra lights on your bike, not flashing ones.  I believe they're not a safety device.  I think they're dangerous.

????I installed extra driving lights, nice, bright ones.  No more than 5 minutes from the house, a moron pulled a left directly in front of me.  Of course, I've been around a while and do not expect anything to save me except good 'ol awareness.  It is quite possible adding lights, modulators, etc. may save some people and I believe that anything you can do to increase your visibility is in your favor, so go for it with the knowledge that you'd better not bank on it.  Modulators or extra lights will not provide insurance against morons, idiots and the people who flat out want to kill you.

[jcs-thundercat]

I'm not going to argue with people if they don't like headlight modulators.  I just wonder if they've actually seen bikes equipped with them.  Per the law I referenced, they flash and dim 4 times per second, which looks quite different from someone toggling their high beams (headlight modulators work on whichever beam setting the bike is using, they don't switch from high to lows or vice-versa).  I think it's pretty unlikely that it would be confused with "go ahead".  Cagers rarely notice me signaling "let me pass" with the high beams anyway.

-jcs

[Windblown]

Headlight modulators are the "loud pipes" of the visible spectrum geeks.

LOL!  

That's sig line worthy.

Riders with a headlight modulator are the only riders I will not usually return a wave to.  I figure if they don't care about being a ahole to everyone why the hell should I return their wave?

[Mydlyfkryzis]

I have been using one for 4 years now. It doesn't require special bulbs. Mine plugs into the bulb, sandwiched between the bulb abd the stock socket. (Pathfinder Blazer).

The modulated light does not lower my awareness or careful riding. I am observant. What I observe is this.
Modulator off:
A car comes to the intersection (or pulling out of a driveway). I see the car and cover my brakes. The car starts to roll out, I slow down and they pull in front of me. They seem to be unaware I was even there. No accident, I was prepared, but this happens a bit. Despite my headlight and 2 auxiliary lights.
Modulator On:
A car comes to the intersection (or pulling out of a driveway). I see the car and cover my brakes. The car starts to roll out, I slow down and they suddenly stop, noticing something odd. They seem to be aware of a vague danger, maybe a cop.  No accident, I was prepared, but I didn't need to take evasive action.

I am not making this up. Every once in a while, I leave the modyulator off to see if it is my imagination or not. While I have some incidents with the modulator on, as some cagers are completely oblivious to all but there phone call, I have far fewer incidents than with the modulator off.

I'd rather be prepared to take evasive action, and not have to, then to be prepared and have to.

I also use hyperlites (flashing for 5 seconds, then solid red) brake light leds. It keeps the drivers behind a little more aware. I still watch my mirrors when stopping and prepare for evasive maneuvers, but I prefer not having to take them.

Oh, and I never had anyone confuse the rapidly, constantly modulating headlight confused for a headlight flash or 2 that says, go ahead, make your turn.  If someone confuses a constantly modulating light for the flash to turn signal, they probably would of turned in front of you anyway.

The argument that modulating lights are no substitute for good riding habits is specious. The modulating headlight and good riding habits are not mutually exclusive. You can and should have both.  

The type of arguments against modulators seem similar to one like this: Practicing emergency stops is not needed if you ride defensively. IF you are a good rider, you'll never need to stop quickly.

I'll practice stopping, riding defensively, and keep my modulator on.

[leveredge]

I think they are noticed and annoy the folks that would notice anyway. I don't like them. The guys that pull up in back of me and ride for miles with those things blinking in my mirrors are so very nice to share their safety with me.

[turboderek]

The argument that modulating lights are no substitute for good riding habits is specious. The modulating headlight and good riding habits are not mutually exclusive. You can and should have both.  

The type of arguments against modulators seem similar to one like this: Practicing emergency stops is not needed if you ride defensively. IF you are a good rider, you'll never need to stop quickly.

I'll practice stopping, riding defensively, and keep my modulator on.

I was going to say something similar.  A question to the anti-modulator crowd.  Does hi-vis gear help a rider be more noticeable or is it also annoying and wasteful?

[1KPerDay]

If it flashed from Hi-Viz yellow to Hi-Viz orange it would be annoying and wasteful.

[tbeemer]

I believe they're also illegal in some states due to the fact that it's mostly associated with emergency vehicles.  I personally don't like 'em, due to a lot of reasons already cited.  But if you think they work and they give you some peace of mind, knock yourself out.  Just don't ride behind me with 'em.  

Tom

[al_roethlisberger]

 +1  headlight modulators  

If you don't like 'em, don't buy one    ...ditto if you don't like da-glow yellow gear     No worries, but live and let live.  Some folks like them, and they are legal.

I've had the same single bulb on my Kisan headlight modulator for a few years now, and it has never burned the bulb out.  I'm convinced it has increased my visibility based on observing other driver's reactions.  If that helps bring me home to my family, that's good enough for me, and too bad if it's a little annoying to some folks    Just don't stare at my headlight, which seems like pretty good advice in general, modulator or not  

BTW, they are 50 state legal according to Kisan, http://www.kisantech.com/regulations.php

"FMVSS 108 (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) (49 CFR Part 571.108 S7.9.4) allows motorcycle headlight modulation systems in all 50 states provided they comply with the standards set forth in this section."

Cheers,
Al

[jcs-thundercat]

"FMVSS 108 (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) (49 CFR Part 571.108 S7.9.4) allows motorcycle headlight modulation systems in all 50 states provided they comply with the standards set forth in this section."

Yes, the federal law, FMVSS108 overrides all state laws.  There have been a few cases (I think one was in new york) where a motorcyclist was given a ticket over it, and had to take it to the judge to get it thrown out.

I can see how some think they would be annoying to others, that's why for the project I was on we had them configurable so that they could be off normally, but activated for brief periods.  Good for when you're passing or you know the guy turning left doesn't see you, but it won't piss off someone if you follow them for a few miles.

-jcs

[Snowbird]

Yesterday I passed a pickup because it obstructed my view and it looked like some of his load might end up as road debris. The pickup was going about the speed limit and I began my pass at the beginning of a marked passing zone. I was riding two-up on a two lane highway. Only one vehicle had been behind me; I was watching my rear as I waited for my chance to pass.

When I was alongside the vehicle I was overtaking, another car came from behind, doing-- apparently-- a flying pass, passing the vehicle following me, me (now in the left lane) and the pickup truck. Nice.

Would a headlight modulator have helped?