Adding Visibility Advice

2fidyswag · March 15th, 2013, 03:17 PM

I upgraded from stock halogen to a projector retrofit with 6000k HIDS, both on for low beamand both on for hi beam. This is significantly brighter than stock right? And does anyone had advice as to what other things I can to grab people's attention that I can add to my bike?

thanks

alex.s · March 15th, 2013, 04:26 PM

here is a fact: nobody will ever see you and riding with the idea that anyone can see you is putting yourself at risk. assume nobody can ever see you. don't buy loud exhaust, it wont make people notice you it will just make them angry at you. don't ride with your brights on, it wont make people who dont see you see you, it will only anger the people who already see you. always assume you are invisible.

2fidyswag · March 15th, 2013, 04:32 PM

I totally agree with you. I just hope I didn't decrease visibility by the upgrade

xSean13 · March 15th, 2013, 04:33 PM

By going with the projectors, you increased your ability to see, though it may not have an impact on others seeing you.

beazy411 · March 16th, 2013, 05:37 AM

Add some reflective wheel strips for added night visibility, wear hi-viz gear and switch all the lights out for led's. Oh, and ride like no one can see you.
Posted via Mobile Device

eddiekay · March 16th, 2013, 06:24 AM

comagination Headlight Modulator....nothing works as well in the daylight

eddiekay · March 16th, 2013, 06:28 AM

Also....maybe a year ago there was a DIY on this baord showing how to turn your turn siganls into hazard lights.....almost as good as a modulator but when used togehter....the best you can do in traffic

dfox · March 16th, 2013, 06:55 AM

the reason motorcycles have very limited visibility is the fact that cars basically see us as a single point, they're used to seeing something as wide as a car. having a single daytime running light only hinders this fact, because car drivers are used to seeing two points. It's much more difficult to judge distance and speed of a point, rather than two points. Hence, why average car drivers think motorcycles are always speeding.

in my opinion, if you want better visibility, find a way to mount two auxilary lights on either side of your motorcycle, as wide apart as possible. I've personally been thinking of putting running lights on the mirrors, since that's about as wide as you can get and have a reasonable mounting point.

A lot of the bmw dualsport guys do this... search around online for some photos and you'll see what I'm talking about. IMO, it greatly improves your visibility to the average driver.

Joshorilla · March 16th, 2013, 07:21 AM

This technique is practised in britain to good effect, you don't need any fancy rubbish on your bike, just proper technique, and if you ride at night, put on a fluoro jacket.

http://www.msgroup.org/forums/mtt/to...?TOPIC_ID=1304

xSean13 · March 16th, 2013, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eddiekay

comagination Headlight Modulator....nothing works as well in the daylight

I don't think those work well with retrofitted projectors..

DaBlue1 · March 16th, 2013, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beazy411

..wear hi-viz gear

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshorilla

.... if you ride at night, put on a fluoro jacket.

Even though you've increased your ability to see and be seen up front, your rear is still a little dot. As a car driver and motorcyclist, I often times can not see riders who are in all black or dark colors camouflaged against a dark color car or truck. A light colored or hi viz vest, jacket, helmet or belt/harness stands out even at a distance.

subxero · March 16th, 2013, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaBlue1

Even though you've increased your ability to see and be seen up front, your rear is still a little dot. As a car driver and motorcyclist, I often times can not see riders who are in all black or dark colors camouflaged against a dark color car or truck. A light colored or hi viz vest, jacket, helmet or belt/harness stands out even at a distance.

I also as a car driver attest to this. My vision in dim light and at night is somewhat poor and i have difficulty focusing. So Distinguishing between 1 car, or a bike and a car by lights alone at night can be challenging. Reflective clothing definitely helps. That being said i ride in all black on a black bike

shame on me.

I want new head lamps for my visibility only. I feel like the stock lamps do not illuminate enough especially beyond a few yards.

beazy411 · March 16th, 2013, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xSean13

I don't think those work well with retrofitted projectors..

Headlight modulators only work with incandescent bulbs because they can tolerate fluctuating voltages. HIDs require steady power input which is supplied by the ballast.

The problem I see with modulators is night time driving, they get dim and I like my light to be steady but that's just me.

ChaoSS · March 18th, 2013, 07:58 AM

Keep in mind that when you put those really bright lights on your bike you are blinding oncoming traffic, which puts you in danger on any road that doesn't have a median. As well as putting everyone else in danger. But hey, your choice.

Motofool · March 18th, 2013, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2fidyswag

.........does anyone had advice as to what other things I can to grab people's attention that I can add to my bike?....

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=97999

March 15th, 2013, 03:17 PM	#1
2fidyswag ninjette.org member Name: Jay Location: Az Join Date: Mar 2013 Motorcycle(s): Kawasaki Ninja 250, Kawasaki 650 Posts: 113	Adding Visibility Advice I upgraded from stock halogen to a projector retrofit with 6000k HIDS, both on for low beamand both on for hi beam. This is significantly brighter than stock right? And does anyone had advice as to what other things I can to grab people's attention that I can add to my bike? thanks

March 15th, 2013, 04:26 PM	#2
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	here is a fact: nobody will ever see you and riding with the idea that anyone can see you is putting yourself at risk. assume nobody can ever see you. don't buy loud exhaust, it wont make people notice you it will just make them angry at you. don't ride with your brights on, it wont make people who dont see you see you, it will only anger the people who already see you. always assume you are invisible. __________________________________________________
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

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March 15th, 2013, 04:32 PM	#3
2fidyswag ninjette.org member Name: Jay Location: Az Join Date: Mar 2013 Motorcycle(s): Kawasaki Ninja 250, Kawasaki 650 Posts: 113	I totally agree with you. I just hope I didn't decrease visibility by the upgrade

March 15th, 2013, 04:33 PM	#4
xSean13 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Sean Location: Middle TN Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250r (sold) / '03 CBR 600RR Posts: A lot.	By going with the projectors, you increased your ability to see, though it may not have an impact on others seeing you.

March 16th, 2013, 05:37 AM	#5
beazy411 ninjette.org member Name: Aaron Location: New Orleans Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300 Posts: 159	Add some reflective wheel strips for added night visibility, wear hi-viz gear and switch all the lights out for led's. Oh, and ride like no one can see you. Posted via Mobile Device

March 16th, 2013, 06:24 AM	#6
eddiekay ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: eddie Location: Lawnguylind Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 300, WeeStrom Posts: A lot.	comagination Headlight Modulator....nothing works as well in the daylight

March 16th, 2013, 06:28 AM	#7
eddiekay ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: eddie Location: Lawnguylind Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 300, WeeStrom Posts: A lot.	Also....maybe a year ago there was a DIY on this baord showing how to turn your turn siganls into hazard lights.....almost as good as a modulator but when used togehter....the best you can do in traffic

March 16th, 2013, 06:55 AM	#8
dfox ninjette.org sage Name: Fox Location: Boston Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): 08 250R Posts: 881	the reason motorcycles have very limited visibility is the fact that cars basically see us as a single point, they're used to seeing something as wide as a car. having a single daytime running light only hinders this fact, because car drivers are used to seeing two points. It's much more difficult to judge distance and speed of a point, rather than two points. Hence, why average car drivers think motorcycles are always speeding. in my opinion, if you want better visibility, find a way to mount two auxilary lights on either side of your motorcycle, as wide apart as possible. I've personally been thinking of putting running lights on the mirrors, since that's about as wide as you can get and have a reasonable mounting point. A lot of the bmw dualsport guys do this... search around online for some photos and you'll see what I'm talking about. IMO, it greatly improves your visibility to the average driver.

March 16th, 2013, 07:21 AM	#9
Joshorilla Bass Master General Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 24	This technique is practised in britain to good effect, you don't need any fancy rubbish on your bike, just proper technique, and if you ride at night, put on a fluoro jacket. http://www.msgroup.org/forums/mtt/to...?TOPIC_ID=1304

March 18th, 2013, 07:58 AM	#14
ChaoSS ninjette.org sage Name: Tim Location: Goshen CA Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 red 250 ninja Posts: 740	Keep in mind that when you put those really bright lights on your bike you are blinding oncoming traffic, which puts you in danger on any road that doesn't have a median. As well as putting everyone else in danger. But hey, your choice.