Headlight modulator?

[reaper]

Everyone has talked about brighter bulbs for visibility, but what's everyones take on headlight modulators.
Here in the land of blue hairs (senior citizens) I too would like to be as visible as possible, but I'm not sure a brighter bulb is the answer

[strobe]

Thought about it, but I do not like the way they look when I am approaching a bike. It definitely gets my attention though, so may end up doing it anyway.

[ballast]

http://s2.images.proboards.com/cool.gifI think modulator is a better answer than brighter. I know when I'm out and about I always notice the bikes with modulated headlights. I'll probably look into one before Custer.

[ringadingh]

I had a bike approach me just yesterday, with a modulator, and I noticed him right away. It was the first time I had seen one. They seem to be very effective. Im not sure if I going to get one but Id say that they work well. I ride at night a lot, so for me being seen from the rear is more important, but every bit helps.

When I attended the Edmonton Motorcycle show I talked to a motorcycle cop. He told me headlight modulators were not legal in Alberta. I wonder if this is true anywhere in the U.S.A. and why...

[strobe]

When I attended the Edmonton Motorcycle show I talked to a motorcycle cop. He told me headlight modulators were not legal in Alberta. I wonder if this is true anywhere in the U.S.A. and why...

Unless things have changed recently I think that cop may need to brush up a bit on the law, according to Transport Canada they are legal:

http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle-Safety/Modulator-regs-canada.htm

The wording of this is almost the same as the US DOT law and specifically applies to motorcycles. I see tons of them installed around here, so if they are illegal, no one is doing much about them.

[lomax]

...I use a headlight modulator made by Signal Dynamics. I feel a whole lot safer having this device. If I am following another bike, I turn it off but otherwise its on all of the time on high beam. It automatically shuts off when the light fades in the evening. I would not be without one. I have read on forums that a lot of riders don't like them but I can't figure out why anyone would not want to be seen better and these definetly get it done. I have never been hassled by LEO's. They are legal. :)

Well that Cop was a complete dick then!

[strobe]

Well that Cop was a complete dick then!

Yah, he probably does not like them or something...but definitely legal...if I put one on I may print out that regulation for when that guy stops me. :)

[MarkG]

While I know some people like the modulators, the blue hairs don't. My mother's eyes are bad enough she becomes confused with modulated lights, flashes, etc. Just what you don't need with the glaucoma and other deteriorating eyesight problems. I've talked with several others and they hate it, too. The main complaint is that it is distracting and a detriment rather than a help. Since it is not steady they don't know where it is in relation to the stuff going on around them. Under those circumstances, her comment is that as long as she can keep it between the white lines she must be okay. I choose to run with my light on bright, day and night. At least it is a steady light and the elderly seem to be able to deal with it.

marka, that was exactly what he said, people will focus on the modulator and may drive to where the've focused. But I still don't think its right to express what you believe, as though it is the Law.

[gghost]

I have been running a modulator almost from day one. If I am following someone closely, I will put my lights on dim (thus turning off the modulator). At night I turn on my aux lights since the modulator does not work them.

[goldstar225]

I had one on my last bike and will be adding one to my Nomad. IMHO it's one of the best safety mods you can add. In the 15 or so months that I ran one I had only one person pull out in front of me from a side street where I had to take evasive action. Two other started to pull out but stopped before becoming a danger. I did not have anyone try to turn left in front of me.

Some people may be annoyed by them but consider this... To be annoyed they have to notice you.

[cheriann]

I have considered the same thing, because like most, I want to be sure I am seen. Hubby and I even added the brake modular to our bikes. However, like others, when I see it on another bike approaching me, it's very annoying.

I saw something on another bike the other day that I liked....he had the light bar (like I also added to my 900) AND smaller bright lights down lower on his crash bars. I was able to see him VERY WELL, with all the lights, but since none of them were flashing, they weren't annoying.

[nomad561]

There are pros and cons to these devices. While they do make you more visible,they can also be a distration. I had a bike with a modualtor coming at me and the car in the inside lane next to me thought it was an emergency vehicle and tried to pull to the right,where I was. My thoughts on this and other devices are such that if you are solving one safety issue but creating another,whether it is a concern for you or another driver, then it isn't the best solution.
Generally speaking,as motorcyclists we are much more aware of our surrounding than others on the streets and I think it would be more beneficial to try to raise everyone's awareness to all of their surroundings instead of adding another potential distraction. That's not to say the people that do use modualtors are a distraction because I don't know your individual situation.
Ride like you are invisible.

[barrynfla]

I had one on my last bike and will be adding one to my Nomad. IMHO it's one of the best safety mods you can add. In the 15 or so months that I ran one I had only one person pull out in front of me from a side street where I had to take evasive action. Two other started to pull out but stopped before becoming a danger. I did not have anyone try to turn left in front of me.

Some people may be annoyed by them but consider this... To be annoyed they have to notice you.

+1 I switched mine from my 900 to the Nomad. Wouldn't ride without one.

[Yellow Jacket]

Valid opinions both for and against have been expressed. I won't argue with any of them.

But, as for me, I would rather be an annoyance to a few than to be ignored or not noticed by many.

I run a modulator.

[Scoot]

Valid opinions both for and against have been expressed. I won't argue with any of them.

But, as for me, I would rather be an annoyance to a few than to be ignored or not noticed by many.

I run a modulator.

Same here I even have the red,blue,yellow prism around my headlight, I do everything I can to get noticed. It has saved me a few times.

[dogdoc]

I too run a head light modulator and believe me they work. had it for about 1 yr and I noticed alot more attention to ME from drivers. You can see one coming for a mile away, where a reg light not so much. People even pull over to the right and let me by(works good when in a rush). i also run the brake modulator and they work great too. Thumbs up.

[reaper]

Valid opinions both for and against have been expressed. I won't argue with any of them.

But, as for me, I would rather be an annoyance to a few than to be ignored or not noticed by many.

I run a modulator.

Same here I even have the red,blue,yellow prism around my headlight, I do everything I can to get noticed. It has saved me a few times.
Prisms> explain please

[markusmaximus]

While I know some people like the modulators, the blue hairs don't. My mother's eyes are bad enough she becomes confused with modulated lights, flashes, etc. Just what you don't need with the glaucoma and other deteriorating eyesight problems. I've talked with several others and they hate it, too. The main complaint is that it is distracting and a detriment rather than a help. Since it is not steady they don't know where it is in relation to the stuff going on around them. Under those circumstances, her comment is that as long as she can keep it between the white lines she must be okay. I choose to run with my light on bright, day and night. At least it is a steady light and the elderly seem to be able to deal with it.

Why would someone with glaucoma or deteriorating eyesight be driving? Or did I misunderstand the point?

[ballast]

While I know some people like the modulators, the blue hairs don't. My mother's eyes are bad enough she becomes confused with modulated lights, flashes, etc. Just what you don't need with the glaucoma and other deteriorating eyesight problems. I've talked with several others and they hate it, too. The main complaint is that it is distracting and a detriment rather than a help. Since it is not steady they don't know where it is in relation to the stuff going on around them. Under those circumstances, her comment is that as long as she can keep it between the white lines she must be okay. I choose to run with my light on bright, day and night. At least it is a steady light and the elderly seem to be able to deal with it.

Why would someone with glaucoma or deteriorating eyesight be driving? Or did I misunderstand the point?


'Cause it's Florida and if those people didn't drive the roads would be empty. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

Crap, I was trying to be funny and referenced the wrong post.
Sorry...I should be smited for that. :-[

[strobe]

'Cause it's Florida and if those people didn't drive the roads would be empty. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif



LOL http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[dogdoc]

that thar is sorta funny.

[Scoot]

Same here I even have the red,blue,yellow prism around my headlight, I do everything I can to get noticed. It has saved me a few times.
Prisms> explain please

http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/images/2141-honda_200.jpg

Kuryakyn Rainbow Strobe

The Rainbow Strobe is a small cage assembly that slips over an H-4 style halogen bulb, creating a colorful pattern within the headlight. Although the beam is, for the most part, unaffected, some blue, green, and red coloring occurs. Installs with ease on any H-4 halogen bulb with three prong (P43t) base.