I've always installed brake light flashers on my motorcycles with the hope that it will help prevent getting nailed by someone who doesn't notice that I'm stopping. I'm not looking for anything fancy, just something that flashes the brake light a few times after I begin applying the brakes. Anyone installed such a device on your 05-06 ST? I'd be interested in knowing what brand you used, how you like it, difficulty of installation, etc. Thanks.
Brake light flasher on 05-06 ST
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83 Posts
The Kisan TailBlazer Tail light Modulator 100HD works great.
Check out http://ridesafer.com/store/item/19mfs/Modulators/Kisan_TailBlazer_Tail_light_Modulator_100HD.html
I have been rear ended on a bike. Something I don’t want repeated.
Jeff
Check out http://ridesafer.com/store/item/19mfs/Modulators/Kisan_TailBlazer_Tail_light_Modulator_100HD.html
I have been rear ended on a bike. Something I don’t want repeated.
Jeff
IMHO ~ I hate them!
I rode behind a bike using such a device and it confused me greatly. I couldn't tell if they were tapping the brakes, turning right or turning left. If I were a cager driving behind such a catraption I might get their signals confused and wind up hitting them by 1) trying to pass them on one side or the other thinking they're drunk for tapping/pumping the brakes (when they were actually signaling) or 2) Thinking they're turning because I see a red flashing light that appears to be consistant with many turn signals so I do not slow down when in fact they are stopping.
I for one discourage the use of these lights.
Again it is my humble opinion and I know many others prefer them. I just like to consider what cagers are thinking when they see me riding and I, when I drve my cage, could get the wrong idea from the flashing brake lights.
I rode behind a bike using such a device and it confused me greatly. I couldn't tell if they were tapping the brakes, turning right or turning left. If I were a cager driving behind such a catraption I might get their signals confused and wind up hitting them by 1) trying to pass them on one side or the other thinking they're drunk for tapping/pumping the brakes (when they were actually signaling) or 2) Thinking they're turning because I see a red flashing light that appears to be consistant with many turn signals so I do not slow down when in fact they are stopping.
I for one discourage the use of these lights.
Again it is my humble opinion and I know many others prefer them. I just like to consider what cagers are thinking when they see me riding and I, when I drve my cage, could get the wrong idea from the flashing brake lights.
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411 Posts
Zach-I have the Kisan License plate frame modulater with the integrated turn signals. Works great, easy to install and very high quality. I found mine on ebay brand new for $59.00. Here's a link, I hope-Ridesafer.com
Charlie
Charlie
Interesting topic. In the UK, brake lights must be steady, not flashing. Turn indicators are amber colour. I was surprised to note that in the USA, rear turn indicartors are still, in some cases, red. IMHO, amber indicators and some form of flashing brake light, perhaps with the frequency to indicate braking severity, would be ideal.
Dusty,
I too agree that ALL turn signals ought to be amber.
For the most part the majority of red turn signals are the cagers. But since many US drivers are ignorant of this minor detail, they/we have a tendancy to not distinguish amber from red and only see flashing lights which normally indicates a turning vehicle.
I too agree that ALL turn signals ought to be amber.
For the most part the majority of red turn signals are the cagers. But since many US drivers are ignorant of this minor detail, they/we have a tendancy to not distinguish amber from red and only see flashing lights which normally indicates a turning vehicle.
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710 Posts
I have got into the habit/ritual of always doing a few quick flashes of my brake light whenever coming to a stop with the lever. Of course this is not possible for emergency manuevers! Oh, and I always keep an eye glance or two to my rear mirrors when coming to a stop and try to provide an exit path for myself, again not possible in an emergency though.
Sport,
I will agree that continuously flashing brake lamps are annoying. Most companies now make their product programmable or so they only flash a few times. I believe the more attention you can get during initial braking the better. It is also nice to have the flasher s when traffic is approaching at a stop. This what I use from Run-n-lights.
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I will agree that continuously flashing brake lamps are annoying. Most companies now make their product programmable or so they only flash a few times. I believe the more attention you can get during initial braking the better. It is also nice to have the flasher s when traffic is approaching at a stop. This what I use from Run-n-lights.
G
Guest
·Another one to look at would be from http://www.comagination.com/ , they also do a headlight modulator which i used in the US, legal in all states it really gets you noticed in traffic, and if wired into the main beam, you can then easily turn it off out of traffic by switching to lo-beam...... whatever gets you noticed has got to be good
A Harley rider was killed two years ago a couple of miles from where I was living at the time: he was stopped on a two-lane road, waiting to turn left. The driver claimed not to see/notice the bike and slammed right into the back of him. To be fair, I don't know if the rider had his turn signal on ( or if he even had turn signals), but because I traveled that road every day, I took that lesson to heart and installed a "Back-Off!" brake light flasher on my bike ('06 Sprint ABS). It's small enough to fit in the wiring compartment behind the brake light and license plate, where it's easy to splice into the circuit and also be protected from the elements. I consider it a cheap ($40) preventative measure. I agree with Sport's point that a flasher might cause some confusion, but if it makes an otherwise oblivious driver notice me, I don't really care if they're a little confused! In fact, it might pull them out of their stupor faster and sharpen their awareness. I also agree with Sport's comment about turn signal color: they should all be amber to avoid confusion; why aren't they? +1 re: Dusty's idea of frequency increasing with severity. My daily commute includes some dense traffic so when driving, I frequently tap my brakes to signal to those behind me that I'm slowing down: once or twice if slowing, three or more if I'm coming to a (quick) stop. I'm convinced that it's prevented me from being rear-ended many times! OK, I'm done. :asb:
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313 Posts
I also have the Kisan TailBlazer wire-in unit. My old Sprint had the bulbs with the electronic portion hidden in the bulb base.
I personally like them and as I aim to modulate speed as much as I can with the throttle when in traffic, the potential "annoyance" factor for those following is less. Of course, being tailgated here is routine.
I also firmly believe that ALL indicator lights should be amber - and not red as they are on many cars. Even some imported cars have adopted the US style of red indicator lights.
Anyway - be safe, take care. BB
I personally like them and as I aim to modulate speed as much as I can with the throttle when in traffic, the potential "annoyance" factor for those following is less. Of course, being tailgated here is routine.
I also firmly believe that ALL indicator lights should be amber - and not red as they are on many cars. Even some imported cars have adopted the US style of red indicator lights.
Anyway - be safe, take care. BB
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916 Posts
SAME!!!
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868 Posts
I went for a license plate holder with a LED bar on the bottom of it like the one NotSoFast is talking about. So the main brake light doesn't flash when I apply the brakes but the additional (bright) 6 inch LED strip does and the flashing is intelligent ie. does a few fast flashes then a few slower flashes and then holds on after that (off the top of my head I can't remember how long it flashes for before staying on but I can find out if anyone wants to know). In my opinion this is the best of both worlds - not only do you keep your normal brake light as a steady light but you add more light i.e more visibility with the flashing LED.
my 2 cents
my 2 cents
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868 Posts
I forgot to add, I agree amber turn signals make all the difference to standing out from the surrounding traffic.
I'm all for being noticed so I did what jwhitehead suggested - added a modulator to the main beam as most of my riding is my daily commute along a freeway and at least half of that is lane sharing. The modulator makes a *huge* difference. The before and after installation of the headlight modulator was amazing in terms of people in cars noticing you - the majority of people now move over to give me more room. I'm sure a large amount of them think I'm a motorcycle cop but I don't care as it does the job of getting me noticed.
I'm a bit of a fair weather rider because when it rains here it really rains hard and the car drivers get crazier than normal plus we usually have distinct wet and dry seasons unlike England (where I'm from originally). So I take my car when it's raining and I look out for other bikers and try and see what makes them stand out or not. One night in stationary traffic and pouring rain something grabbed my attention in my peripheral vision from my wing mirror - it was a bike with motolights mounted the forks - I noticed those lights way before I saw the headlight and/or heard the bike. So with that in mind, my next 'visibility' upgrade will be something like those lights...
I'm all for being noticed so I did what jwhitehead suggested - added a modulator to the main beam as most of my riding is my daily commute along a freeway and at least half of that is lane sharing. The modulator makes a *huge* difference. The before and after installation of the headlight modulator was amazing in terms of people in cars noticing you - the majority of people now move over to give me more room. I'm sure a large amount of them think I'm a motorcycle cop but I don't care as it does the job of getting me noticed.
I'm a bit of a fair weather rider because when it rains here it really rains hard and the car drivers get crazier than normal plus we usually have distinct wet and dry seasons unlike England (where I'm from originally). So I take my car when it's raining and I look out for other bikers and try and see what makes them stand out or not. One night in stationary traffic and pouring rain something grabbed my attention in my peripheral vision from my wing mirror - it was a bike with motolights mounted the forks - I noticed those lights way before I saw the headlight and/or heard the bike. So with that in mind, my next 'visibility' upgrade will be something like those lights...
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towelie - yes, the kisan unit works with the LEd lights!!
Enjoy - BB
Enjoy - BB
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428 Posts
This has been bothering me as well. I saw some flashing lights on a goldwing last year that really stood out, as if the 4 regular brake lights don't already. The are hyper-lites, super bright led's that flash and then turn solid, come in many different flavors as well. My local bmw shop carries them. Been planning on picking up a set before the summer riding season.
hyper-lites
gary
hyper-lites
gary
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83 Posts
I have installed two of them on friend’s bikes. However, mine is still sitting on the bench. I have had modulators of some sort on all my bikes since the Buell got rear-ended. Think about the Kisan headlight modulator for the high beam. I have been. IMHO I like the Kisan better than the Signal Dynamics products. The Kisan seems more intuitive on what is meant by the flashing light. The Signal Dynamics seems to keep one attention but creates confusion in what is being communicated, this being from a focus group 2 years ago.
Jeff
Jeff
I hate to admit how little I actually know about motorcycle electrical systems, but I bought the Kisan 100HD and am trying to figure out which of the 3 taillight wire(s) I run to it. The Kisan unit itself has 3 connectors, one labeled "Brake input," one labeled "Ground," and one labeled "Output to Bulbs." The wires that go to the taillight are yellow, black and striped. I figure the black wire goes to the ground, but which wire (yellow or striped) goes to the power part of the Kisan unit?
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