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
Thanks, Paul