Triumphrat

PBRPAUL · 06-20-2009, 12:24 AM

Or what? Maybe a death wish? I've been looking at headlight modulators for awhile now. Makes sense to me that something that can increase your visibility could help safety on a motorcycle. All of us have had those experieces where we did nothing wrong but nearly got creamed by a preoccupied cage driver. So I installed a headlight modulator on my R3T. While I was at it I also installed the brake light flasher as well. In California the brake light flasher is approved as long as it flashes no more than four times then goes on steady. On the first ride a elderly lady I was following (at a safe distance) whipped off the road and had a terrified look on her face as I rode by. I guess she thought I was the law. Later that same day I pulled up behind a guy in a left hand turn lane and he jumped out of his car and yells, why's that GD headlight flashing on me. I yelled back (in my best intimidating voice) so I'm sure you'll see me! I was ready to hit the kill switch and put the stand down so I could defend myself (he was really pissed), but he surprisingly turned and got back in the car. I quickly looked back to see if there was a sherriffs deputy behind me and there was not. Maybe it was the leathers, I'll always wonder. So I started shutting the modulator off when pulling up behind people at stops. The next day I was returning home on a two lane highway going about 65mph. There was a pickup approaching and we were the only two vehicles visible. He pulls completely over into my lane and forces me onto the shoulder looking right at me as he goes by at 65+. As I tried to get my pulse rate down, I thought what the hell

, was he mad at the headlight modulator? A couple of days later I was riding in the Sacramento river delta. I was on a levee road and there are absolutely no shoulders on these roads. If you go off the roadway you are either in the river or in the vineyard. The banks are very steep on either side. Many drivers die each year from going into the river. A strangely familiar situation unfolds. I see a pickup approaching and we are the only ones visible. He pulls all the way over into my lane flashing his lights and accelerating

. I'm not going in the river so if he hits me he hits me. He pulls back in his lane and is gone. I'm getting to old for this crap! There was no doubt what set him off. I turned modulator off and I've had no further incidents. The brake light flasher is still operating. Now I'll admit that California has more than its share of road rage types. But there has to be other experiences out there. When I'm riding I see more and more bikes with modulators on. I'm even starting to see them on some Hardleys. There's lots of bikes out year round in CA. So what's happening with modulators in other states and other parts of the world? What are your experiences? Are they annoying to you when you see them? I think this makes a good discussion even if you don't have modulator.

Thanks, Paul

deep6blue · 06-20-2009, 12:41 AM

I don't have one and do not intend to get one. Those headlight modulators are annoying and decieving. They do make you look like police. I saw a guy with one of them one morning and people literally started cramming into the right hand lanes thinking it was a police motorcycle. It made it dangerous for everyone.

As far as pi$$ing people off, what do you think people are going to think if you are flashing your lights at them. They will think you are trying to tell them something.

I know that in Maryland, any blue or flashing lights on the front of the vehicle are illegal. I was stopped in my truck one day because my fog lights had a blue covering on them. When they were turned on they were white. The officer said that flashing lights are for emergency vehicles only.

NOTE: Sorry for all the "you's", I don't mean you personally, just anyone in general with the headlight modulator installed.

PBRPAUL · 06-20-2009, 12:50 AM

Hey, no problem deep6blue. I don't take it personally. That's why I posted the subject. We need opinions, because others are thinking of installing this device.
Paul

PBRPAUL · 06-20-2009, 01:14 AM

I just checked the web and headlight modulators are US federaly DOT approved for all states and Canada. Some highway patrol and state troopers have not gotten the word yet.
Does someone have something good to say about these devices?
Paul

Catenaccio · 06-20-2009, 01:42 AM

Without fail, my wife asks when she sees a modulated headlight (or tail light for that matter) "What is that thing for?" The only other time she mentions a motorcycle is when it's terrifically loud and obnoxious. But I suppose that's the point.

BonnieBabe · 06-20-2009, 02:13 PM

I'm glad you brought this up, PBRPAUL, as I was thinking of installing a headlight modulator for added visibility. I'm leaning against it now - don't want to incite road rage, and I'm not in the mood to play "chicken" with crazy cagers...

deep6blue · 06-20-2009, 03:16 PM

Still illegal in the state of Maryland. See here:

http://mlis.state.md.us/asp/web_statutes.asp?gtr&22-218

HiDesert · 06-21-2009, 03:59 PM

There are one or two bikes around there that have them. I think they could be effective at times, and at other times, annoying enough to make you a target.

I'll soldier on without one, myself. The brake modulator idea is interesting, though.

jefff1 · 06-21-2009, 10:56 PM

I have the front and rear Kisan modulators on the front and rear of my Rocket and the KLR 650 that I was riding today...I first started seeing these on Goldwings a couple of years ago and thought it was cool as you noticed them..More HD riders are using them now too...I have had people start to pull out of side streets and driveways when looking in my general direction and then jerk the brakes when they "suddenly" notice me...I can't always prove that it's the modulators doing it but something caught their attention all of a sudden...I also am good about wearing a hi viz coat too...On my Rocket I also run caliper mounted Moto lights that I leave on during the day to form a triangle of light for people to notice..I have checked our NYS DMV website and it claims they are legal in all states..At least I know they are here...I've only seen one person ever pull over when I was behind them and haven't had any ill behavior from any cagers regarding their use..maybe they see them enough out here to be accustomed to them...I stopped at a Thruway pull over area a couple years back and one guy said that he noticed me quite a ways back because of the lights...I drove 50 miles on my KLR up to Buffalo for Father's Day dinner today and didn't have any adverse reactions...I've even had bikes behind me with them on and didn't find them annoying....Of course I spend more time looking out the windshield than I do in the mirrors so not a problem...Bottom line is I want to be seen by anyone out there...now for the deer that's another story in itself..As for myself I give them a solid endorsement

Also if I lived in California or Florida I doubt I would be brave enough to own a bike and drive ....I do have to hand it to fellas who do...You are fearless..

P.Hill509 · 06-22-2009, 05:04 AM

They are neat I think but I would not install one.

After I got passed the "What the hell is that?" "Uneven pavement making lights look like they are flickering"...."Oh $h1t this isn't my lane!"

The second time I saw them I thought i was going to have a siezure (sp) right there. It doesn't take much to induce one and I would hate to see it happen in traffic.

After a while they will be common place and no one will notice anymore. Like the third brake light, daytime running lights, turnsignal mirrors, and baby on board signs.