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

[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?

[2RR2NV]

You would be surprised how many stupid drivers there are out there.

ummm.. errr...no i'm not.  

[shil]

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?

Probably not.  What's your point?

[2RR2NV]

well, if it was nighttime, you could always mount a headlight on the back of your bike, and when he came flying up on you, flip it on and freak em out.   and THEN it would be really good to have a headlight modulator.

[sagerat]

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?

Not as annoying as it cannot be mistaken for anything else but a garment whereas motorcycles with modulating headlights can be mistaken for emergency vehicles.

[turboderek]

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?

yes.  The modulators light would have reflected off the back of the truck and thru morse code informed the coming driver you were about to pass.  To activate this option flash your high-beams 2 times followed as you hold down the horn button.

[CLAY]

I had one on the shelf in the garage.  Reading your post prompted me to go out and install it-it's on now.  

Question-I have a B12 with two projector beams- do most of you modulate the bright or the dim?  I just hooked it up to the bright (dim on all the time) figuring I can flip i off by shutting off the bright.  That sound correct?

Edited to add:  I just finished the thread.  Lots of opinions!  I can let you know what *I* find.  My plan is to ridewit it off on the highway and on while on theside streets- that's where I tend to get te pull-outs most often.

[shil]

That's how I did it.

[DmCole]

I purchased a set of PIAA Super Plasma -Eye Burners, If they can't see me know they should be declared legally blind, Also at night people don't like to drive in front of you
the 5000K is as close to sunlight you can get in a normal bulb(stock replacement)

H4 SUPER PLASMA GT-X     
   
Wattage    60/55w = 135/125w, 3800K/5000K

[IvanJ]

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

Yeah, I'm sure that if you had a headlight modulator it would have prevented you from paying attention to what is going on around you

[IvanJ]

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

+1.  I've ridden thousand of miles with a headlight modulator, not once has anyone mistaken it for a signal to go ahead.  The modulation rate is way too fast for it to be mistaken.