Traffic Signal Triggering

[AlabamaNomadRider]

I have problems at some lights, at others no problem. I have tried about everything except the dance routine.

[gazoovn800]

Just jump off the bike and go push the crosswalk button!!!(LOL)

[dogdoc]

I have this one intersection that I hit every day at lunch. I am turning left so waiting for the green arrow. The Nomad alone wont trigger it to go to left green arrow. i have 2-3 strong magnets on the oil filter and drain plug, not helpfull. I pull over the middle wire no help. I have not tried hitting the started button, maybe once out of 5 times it will trigger.

[lost]

I'll have to do a bit of experimenting with that. I've been using the civil disobediant route to date waiting to get ticketted so I can explain it in court.

My frustration has me to the point that I treat the light as defective if it won't change in a reasonable time. In the case of a walk/don't walk if I've had to sit there for more than two recycles, I go through anyway since the light is not functioning if it can't recognize a vehicle there.

I know this isn't the best solution but it does piss one off to have to sit there and hope a car will com along so you can go.

[jamiep24]

Spoke too soon, after 5 1/2 months and 8,000 miles, I ran into my first light that wouldn't turn. Man, I was pissed. There were two smaller bikes (riding along with me) in front and they probably couldn't trigger it, we eventually took a right and went from there.

[garyo4]

They paint the turn signal trigger locations where you are? Heck, where I am they think they are doing good if they paint the centre lines.....
Good info though, thanks.

[Dave]

Every light that I've ever had to wait on around here where I live, I just call the city and they always send some one out to adjust the sensitivity. I've never had any city refuse to do it.

[phenrichs]

Just a note. If you have a lot of trouble with the same lights report it to the city. These things can be adjusted for sensitivity. The HD dealer in Fargo ND has a light basically at their entrance that would never change and bikes had to run it all the time. They finally bitched enough and the city adjusted it.

[gsanborn]

I will definitely try this the next opportunity I get, thanks for the tip!

[jerrycritz]

Seems this topic pops up often and everyone has a method of getting through the light legally or otherwise. What seems to work(usually) for me is, after waiting the appropriate time, I put the bike in neutral and drop the kickstand. Somehow the light then senses my presence. Like I say it USUALLY works.

[nomad561]

I try to stop over the wire at lights and it works most of the time,but there are a few that don't trigger. In NC & SC the state passed laws that allow for motorcycles to proceed through a red light after a certain amount of time passes and if it is safe to do so.

[jestephens]

Originally Posted by Dave

Every light that I've ever had to wait on around here where I live, I just call the city and they always send some one out to adjust the sensitivity. I've never had any city refuse to do it.

Agree. Most times, someone will pull up behind me and trigger the light, but if not, I will run it Red. BUT, I have had the state come adjust sensitivity on some intersections. (in town, but on a state highway)

[Netnorske]

Originally Posted by Dave

Every light that I've ever had to wait on around here where I live, I just call the city and they always send some one out to adjust the sensitivity. I've never had any city refuse to do it.

+1....I work for a city in the Street Division. They will adjust any light you have continual problems with. The light coming out of my neighborhood was like that....(different city than where I work)....it would never trigger with just my bike. I called them and explained the problem, and they came right out and adjusted the sensitivity. Now my bike triggers it every time! I know this don't help when road tripping, but around home if you have a problem, let them know, they will help!

[Jared]

Originally Posted by jestephens

Agree. Most times, someone will pull up behind me and trigger the light, but if not, I will run it Red. BUT, I have had the state come adjust sensitivity on some intersections. (in town, but on a state highway)

I'm in the same boat. They don't have cameras at the intersections here in Utah. If the light doesn't change within a few minutes or someone else doesn't trigger it, I'll run it.

[psychocycle]

Check out this video, it provides some good visuals of inductive loop sensors and then describes how the video author believes that using a magnet does help to trigger these sensors.

http://www.examiner.com/x-10846-Baltimor....ors-w hat-to-do