royalstarjac Posted June 2, 2009 #26 Posted June 2, 2009 Seems like most if not all of the opinions against the modulators are from riders who have never used one.
BigBoyinMS Posted June 2, 2009 Author #27 Posted June 2, 2009 (edited) After reading all the opinions... I have to say I like it. It does get peoples attention. The girl that pulled over was the first to do that. Everyone else has been smart enough to realize that I'm definitely NOT a LEO. And as far as a trucker (or anyone else for that matter) thinking that it's a headlight flash allowing them the ROW... A modulated headlight flashes at a constant 2-3 flashes a second. A person has to be pretty dense to think that's a person flashing their lights manually. I look at it this way... It gets me seen by more people. A small number are mentally challenged enough to think I'm a cop or that I'm giving them the right-of-way or it confuses them. But I think the extra percentage that see me and give me MY right-of-way is more than if I didn't have it. I ride my Road Star that doesn't have a modulator (yet) as much as I do the RSV and I have had many more people pull out in front of me or merge on me while riding the Roadie. Edited June 2, 2009 by BigBoyinMS
Blackjack Posted June 2, 2009 #28 Posted June 2, 2009 Interestingly, virtually every post here, whether for or against, has indicated that, without fail, the modulator does exactly what it is designed to do: get attention! That works for me. I have one on both bikes and am glad I do. Riding a motorcycle is a moment-to-moment experience, and as such, requires relentless attention to constantly-changing circumstances. A modulator is an attention-getting tool, which should be used properly depending on the situation. If my modulator is on and you are in a cage in the left lane boxing me in with a bunch of other vehicles, I'm only too happy to pull far left so you see it in your driver-side rear-view mirror. More often than not, you will change lanes when it's safe to do so and I can move ahead and reposition myself with space around me, which is the far-safer place for me to be. If I see that I am going to be behind you for awhile, I turn it off, so as not to be irritating or make you nervous. I also turn it off if I'm riding behind another cyclist. Like any tool, used properly, it can help you do a better job. TERRY
Hummingbird Posted June 2, 2009 #29 Posted June 2, 2009 Like any tool, used properly, it can help you do a better job. That might be the most sensible thing said so far, not counting my post of course:innocent-emoticon: BEER30 also said something that has MORE truth to it than most here realize " WHEN YOUR NUMBER IS UP - IT'S UP" and there's not a thing we can do about it:2cents:
davecb Posted June 3, 2009 #30 Posted June 3, 2009 You ought to see them when I ride to work. No modulator, But a white helmet, blue shirt with a badge they can see...They slow down. pull over, and act really dumb. Not a cop. I work for the Fire Dept.....:rotfl::witch_brew::rotf:
Hummingbird Posted June 3, 2009 #31 Posted June 3, 2009 Seems like most if not all of the opinions against the modulators are from riders who have never used one. Like many of you, I have on more than one occasion been riding and found myself daydreaming or gawking around. There is a point in everybody's ride that they forget how fragile a situation they are in. As a rider out there with NO protection afforded us other than OUR OWN due diligence, is it not our responsibility to PAY ATTENTION to the surroundings and act accordingly ?? When we rely on our helmet, modulator, leather boots and Joe Rocket padded outer wear to protect us then perhaps we are doomed to an incident.
royalstarjac Posted June 3, 2009 #32 Posted June 3, 2009 Like many of you, I have on more than one occasion been riding and found myself daydreaming or gawking around. There is a point in everybody's ride that they forget how fragile a situation they are in. As a rider out there with NO protection afforded us other than OUR OWN due diligence, is it not our responsibility to PAY ATTENTION to the surroundings and act accordingly ?? When we rely on our helmet, modulator, leather boots and Joe Rocket padded outer wear to protect us then perhaps we are doomed to an incident. As Blackjack said, the modulator is a tool, it helps get you noticed. Your helmet, boots and gear are tools they perform a funtion but they are only of real use if you crash, after the fact. They keep your brains in your skull and your skin on your bones. A modulator is proactive. It can help keep you out of a crash in the first place. However your number one piece of safety gear is (or should be) between your ears.
BigBoyinMS Posted June 3, 2009 Author #33 Posted June 3, 2009 Like many of you, I have on more than one occasion been riding and found myself daydreaming or gawking around. There is a point in everybody's ride that they forget how fragile a situation they are in. As a rider out there with NO protection afforded us other than OUR OWN due diligence, is it not our responsibility to PAY ATTENTION to the surroundings and act accordingly ?? When we rely on our helmet, modulator, leather boots and Joe Rocket padded outer wear to protect us then perhaps we are doomed to an incident. I don't remember anyone saying that they totally rely on their "helmet, modulator, leather boots and Joe Rocket padded outer wear". A modulator is just one more tool to help us make it home in one piece. Sounds like you are saying that as long as we pay attention and drive safely that we could all disconnect our headlamps and ride in shorts, t-shirt and flip-flops with no helmet. Believe it or not, even when you put all of these things together (the modulators, Stebel horns, LEDs, helmets, boots, leather, etc. AND/OR complete attention to everything and everyone around you) you are still at the mercy of the other guy and incidents will still happen. Mods are just one more tool to get their attention, for good or bad.
BEER30 Posted June 3, 2009 #34 Posted June 3, 2009 constant[/u] 2-3 flashes a second. A person has to be pretty dense to think that's a person flashing their lights manually. Dang ! .......So that what a really modulators does . Got to get me the REAL McCoy now . My thumb get pretty worn out after several minutes flipping the high/low beam switch up and down that fast . I never posted anything about a worn out dimmer switches as I would feel really embarrassed posting such a thing . I feel much better now . Thanks for clearing that up fer me ! :rotf: BEER30
Scooter Posted June 3, 2009 #35 Posted June 3, 2009 I was reading the Gold Wing magazine that a friend had, that some folks had removed their headlight modulators because, as one letter had said, that it didn't matter what speed they were traveling at that deer would freak out and jump out right in front of them. After they removed the modulators, they had no more problems? Has anyone else heard of this?
Hummingbird Posted June 3, 2009 #36 Posted June 3, 2009 This debate will go on LONG after we have all rode our last ride, sold or given our bikes away and no longer have the energy to voice an opinion. The good thing about it is that we are able to debate it and still be on friendly terms with each other I would never disassociate myself with someone that uses a modulator, just make sure they were weren't in my mirror.
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