Does anyone swear by headlight modulators here?

[eddiekay]

I put a modulator on the bike and am sure I'm being noticed ( got cussed at by some gal) But...soemthing I noticed....the modulator "light ups' all the reflective signs I approach in all but the brightest sunshine...it's a very weird effect to see big signs pulsing brighter and especially noticeable just before dusk. I got to thinking...if i notice this, so does a lot of other drivers . Even if they don't know it's me...they know it's something and maybe, just maybe they wake up a bit. It's an unexpected feature that I think is useful.

[tylernt]

I love my modulator, but I don't use it all the time (to avoid confusing, irritating, or desensitizing drivers) -- I just flick it on as appropriate. Modulators are awesome and I highly recommend them. I love seeing driver's heads swivel to follow me, with the look of gears grinding on their face.

[addy126]

[greg737]

I use my modulator just like tylernt describes in his post.

You don't need it all the time, but I wouldn't want to be without it when I'm making my way through our suburban business district during the afternoon hours when the Soccer Moms are racing around in their Yukon Denali SUVs while yakking on their cellphones and dealing with ill-behaved children.

[KJohnson21]

Headlight modulators are supposed to be very effective safety devices. eddiekay's reference to noticing the effect being reflected on signs reminded me of one the restrictions though. Modulators may not be used at night.

Here are some prior discussions on the forum:

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=20092

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=13803


Here's a FAQ list that addresses the details of legality and such, with links to the official info too. (URL updated from earlier posts.)

http://hlm.ddmiller.com/faq.asp

[tylernt]

Good point KJohnson21 -- for example, JC Whitney sells (at least they used to) an illegal modulator. It's very inexpensive but it does not have the photocell for automatic night disablement... so even if you follow "the rules" and disable it manually at night with a switch, it is still not legal.

[Snake]

I have had Honda GoldWings come up from behind me with their modulators going and it sure got my attention. The cagers moved to the next lane over to let them pass. Very effective.

[Apex]

Ok, now I need to look into getting one....

[greg737]

Originally Posted by KJohnson21

Headlight modulators are supposed to be very effective safety devices. eddiekay's reference to noticing the effect being reflected on signs reminded me of one the restrictions though. Modulators may not be used at night.

Modulators may not be used at night? Say it isn't so Captain Obvious!

[Alex]

That's colonel obvious to you! (Ken meant no harm...)

[mrlmd]

I have a headlight modulator on my Suzuki S50 and also a brakelight modulator - anything to attract attention and avoid the "I never saw him" excuse. I have them one for the Ninja too.

[eddiekay]

Decisions, decisions.... entering a narrow entry path, ( modulator on) already in the path, I had a car enter also from the opposite direction. Coming up alongside the driver I asked, "Did you see me in the driveway?"
reply..."Yeah, but you were blinking me through, weren't you?'

WTF ?

[DUX]

Originally Posted by eddiekay

Decisions, decisions.... entering a narrow entry path, ( modulator on) already in the path, I had a car enter also from the opposite direction. Coming up alongside the driver I asked, "Did you see me in the driveway?"
reply..."Yeah, but you were blinking me through, weren't you?'

WTF ?

That's the main reason that I will never run one.

There are definite advantages, but personally
the risk that a cage will misinterpret and turn left in front of me outweighs everything else.
Posted via Mobile Device

[250Rocket]

Yeah, I have the best modulator on the market, it's call "A Thumb"

Lol, seriously, I thought about getting one but 90+% of the time you don't need it.

Whenever i see a car at an intersection whe i think might cut me, i'll flash my high beams. 3 quick times in the day and 1 time at night. The point is it doesn't annoy drivers when it's not needed and i can control it according to each and every situation.

Just a thought.

[tylernt]

Originally Posted by DUX

the risk that a cage will misinterpret

I can't imagine this happening. Flashing the hi-beam manually with your thumb, yes. 4 perfectly regular flashes per second, no. Any misinterpretation is going to be thinking you're a cop.

Just MHO.

[eddiekay]

I guess part of the question is where you drive. Coming up behind cars and the occassional lane splitting it's very nice to have. Approaching cars....you never know what they're gonna think. But, they will see you....at which point they choose to get pissed, pay careful attention or tell you your lights are broken. I'm still not sure why but cagers tend to piss off real easy when it comes to riders. I always tell newer riders that the question is rarely their ability to control the machine but always their ability to anticipate what other riders and cagers are gonna do. Having the headlight modu for about 2 months now...I'm very pleased with it.

[DUX]

Originally Posted by tylernt

I can't imagine this happening. Flashing the hi-beam manually with your thumb, yes. 4 perfectly regular flashes per second, no. Any misinterpretation is going to be thinking you're a cop.

Just MHO.

You're assuming that the other driver knows what a bike modulator is. Many do not.

Its just personal preference. I prefer not to run one but won't judge those who do.
Posted via Mobile Device

[DUX]

Originally Posted by eddiekay

I guess part of the question is where you drive. Coming up behind cars and the occassional lane splitting it's very nice to have. Approaching cars....you never know what they're gonna think. But, they will see you....at which point they choose to get pissed, pay careful attention or tell you your lights are broken. I'm still not sure why but cagers tend to piss off real easy when it comes to riders. I always tell newer riders that the question is rarely their ability to control the machine but always their ability to anticipate what other riders and cagers are gonna do. Having the headlight modu for about 2 months now...I'm very pleased with it.

Cagers piss off easily BC the majority are not riders and the experiences that they remember are those where the person on the bike was a squid (reving just to make noise, speeding, weaving in and out....etc...)

Unfortunatley they also often don't realize the danger that they can easily put you into compared to a car
Posted via Mobile Device

[TrueFaith]

Originally Posted by 250Rocket

Yeah, I have the best modulator on the market, it's call "A Thumb"

Lol, seriously, I thought about getting one but 90+% of the time you don't need it.

Whenever i see a car at an intersection whe i think might cut me, i'll flash my high beams. 3 quick times in the day and 1 time at night. The point is it doesn't annoy drivers when it's not needed and i can control it according to each and every situation.

Just a thought.

Do that around here and you'll get yourself killed for sure. Flashing high beams at an oncoming turning car means "go ahead" around these parts. You'd be asking the guy to cut you off, not preventing it.

[rockNroll]

Anything that makes my steady high-beams-at-all-times not steady won't be on any bike of mine.

[addy126]

Originally Posted by rockNroll

Anything that makes my steady "high-beams-at-all-times" not steady won't be on any bike of mine.

Headlights - South Carolina DMV
Headlights must be turned on whenever driving between 30 minutes after sunset, until 30 minutes before sunrise, and whenever conditions make it impossible to clearly see at least 500 feet ahead.
"High beams cannot be used within 500 feet of approaching vehicles, or when within 200 feet of a vehicle heading in the same direction".

[greg737]

Originally Posted by addy126

Headlights - South Carolina DMV
Headlights must be turned on whenever driving between 30 minutes after sunset, until 30 minutes before sunrise, and whenever conditions make it impossible to clearly see at least 500 feet ahead.
"High beams cannot be used within 500 feet of approaching vehicles, or when within 200 feet of a vehicle heading in the same direction".

Come on addy126, why you gotta go pointing out the obvious? 99 percent of us already know this information and we follow the rules because it's the right thing to do.

rockNroll, however, is special (just ask his momma). He doesn't have to follow anybody's rules or be polite to anyone or think of other people.

[rockNroll]

Originally Posted by greg737

Come on addy126, why you gotta go pointing out the obvious? 99 percent of us already know this information and we follow the rules because it's the right thing to do.

rockNroll, however, is special (just ask his momma). He doesn't have to follow anybody's rules or be polite to anyone or think of other people.

Saweeet! Another internet hero

[Floki]

I've owned one since I had my bike. It was actually the second thing I bought after my gear. Needless to say I haven't any occasions where someone pulls out right in front of me, except for one time I forgot to switch it on. Plenty of occasions where someone would seem like they weren't going to stop then catch sight of the light, at least that is what I think.

Does anyone on this forum really use them? I think they are a solid investment if you don't have HIDs.

[Alex]

/merged with earlier "modulator" thread

Looks like there are some proponents here.

[Floki]

Originally Posted by Alex

/merged with earlier "modulator" thread

Looks like there are some proponents here.

Thanks for digging this up!

[JohnnyBravo]

I don't have not do I want one... I do have a passing button I never use though.
Nothing follows

[old3]

Originally Posted by eddiekay

Decisions, decisions.... entering a narrow entry path, ( modulator on) already in the path, I had a car enter also from the opposite direction. Coming up alongside the driver I asked, "Did you see me in the driveway?"
reply..."Yeah, but you were blinking me through, weren't you?'

WTF ?

My thoughts are the same, more drivers will think you are giving them the right of way and take it. I've seen them in use, more potential harm than good IMO. I assume everyone can't see me anyway.

When we going to ride Eddie? Pick a warm day soon!

[CycleCam303]

They always get my attention. But I hate them with the intensity of a 1000 suns.

[rasta]

At first I liked the idea, but now it just looks like you're flashing yo lights at everyone so they get the **** outta your way. I know....at least they'd see you

[cbinker]

most people are indifferent to bikers, but i think modulators would irritate some common folk to dislike bikers out of ignorance. So, no i do not have an added equipment.

[NevadaWolf]

I've seen them, but personally think they fall into the "loud pipes save lives" category. The idea is good, but the implementation often leads to being an annoyance to others. Plus,as had been mentioned at the beginning of this thread, drivers may not see the constant flickering of the light and only catch it for a moment, misunderstanding it to mean "Go ahead."

Just my thoughts, if someone wants them, its their call. (Now brake light modulators make sense to me, but those are not on all the time.)

[CycleCam303]

Originally Posted by NevadaWolf

Just my thoughts, if someone wants them, its their call. (Now brake light modulators make sense to me, but those are not on all the time.)

Brake light modulators are the shiznit. It really should be the reason everyone upgrades to an led tail light.

[az3200]

Originally Posted by 250Rocket

Yeah, I have the best modulator on the market, it's call "A Thumb"

Lol, seriously, I thought about getting one but 90+% of the time you don't need it.

Whenever i see a car at an intersection whe i think might cut me, i'll flash my high beams. 3 quick times in the day and 1 time at night. The point is it doesn't annoy drivers when it's not needed and i can control it according to each and every situation.

Just a thought.

I used to do this, but then I started thinking that these other idiots on the road will confuse my flashing high beam as a courtesy "I see you, go ahead and go in front of me"


What I do now in those same situations, If I'm able to, is weave back and forth a bit in my lane. It can help get the other drivers attention, and give a better idea of your distance from them than just traveling straight. Basically the point is to make your headlight dance around. It might work, it might not but it makes sense and makes me feel slightly more visible. I saw that tip from a video someone posted on here about staying out of blind spots on straight roads.

[TnNinjaGirl]

I find they are irritating and confusing. Like someone else said flashing your lights invites someone to the right of way and not to hold back.


However brake light modulators are a different story.

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by CycleCam303

Brake light modulators are the shiznit. It really should be the reason everyone upgrades to an led tail light.

Are brake light modulators legal for cars?

It seems that no cager installs those.

[NevadaWolf]

Originally Posted by Motofool

Are brake light modulators legal for cars?

It seems that no cager installs those.

Maybe not install afterwards, but i have seen a few of the third light blink rapidly when the brake it applied. Manufacturers are putting them in on some models.

[ally99]

I modulate my brake lights at stops, but I wouldn't ride with headlight modulators, personally. I choose other ways of making myself visible rather than annoying, misunderstood modulators. I like my constant beam of light, and if I want to make it grab someone's attention, I quickly change my lines within my own lane.

[Floki]

Do you guys live/ride mostly in high traffic areas like big cities? I noticed that in cities the pace is a lot faster and tend to limit my use of the modulator there. However, the majority of my riding is in this small hometown in Mississippi where no one seems to do the speed limit and traffic is very low. This is where my headlight modulator seems to be most useful in preventing people from cutting me off while I'm doing 55 on the highway.

[Whiskey]

They just swap the cager's excuse from "I didnt see him" to "he flashed me to go on, then cut me off, it's all his fault"

Brake light ones make sense, but not headlights