Headlight Modulators, are they safe?

[BEER30]

There is no doubt... none... that the modulator on my headlight has stopped folks from pulling out in front of me. They start the roll then hit the brakes hard.

 

I have a toggle switch on mine so I can turn off the modulator when I want too. I try to remember to turn it off when I'm with a group, unless I'm leading. I usually forget, but I don't take offense if someone in the group asks me to turn it off. I figure the group gives us the needed visibility.

 

As far as confusing it with some other kind of signal. That would take quite a leap in judgment. It modulates way to fast to be mistaken for the kind of signals truckers use. It's too big and modulates too fast and is the wrong color for any kind of turn signal. The only thing mine has been mistaken for is an emergency vehicle.

 

Mine has help me avoid trouble more than once. I will continue to use it. If we are riding together in a group and it bothers you, just say something, I'll turn it off.

Same here , but my new modulator , Kisan Path-Finder has a built in switch . I just toggle the switch onto high beam 3 times to deactivate it and with a sensor , it will also turn itself off at night . Riding in a group we are more visible , therefore the threat is possibly less of not being seen . If I am in a group and asked to turn off , I will gladly abide also . But do not get mad at me if you do not ask !

Riding solo , the risks much greater , so I will accept the aid of any device that will help me be seen .

Now I have been driving legally since I was 11 years old , from hardship license to present day license . I have driven more roads involving many weather and surface conditions than most here . From courteous to PO'd drivers that use headlights for signaling in many conditions , I do not recall in any hand-book that states headlight use for signaling of any sorts other than the means to see at night .

Truckers have their own lingo on the road . A scoot , or cage are not truckers and flashing headlights lights towards another driver usually happen at a slower rate of speed , not at vehicles doing higher rates of speed that are attempting to make turns . At faster speeds , one would interpret that a LEO/speed trap or a road hazard is up ahead .

 

BEER30

[Riderduke]

I know the young girl made a bad decision, but I personally don't like the modulator. When someone flashes their lights at you, it usually means they are giving you the right of way to GO. As an officer, I have saw a lot of idiots do stupid things when they see flashing lights. To an inexperienced driver, this could mean trouble. Whether they pull off the road in front of you and cause an accident or just kick up rocks that may hit you, either way I'm uncomfortable with them. My question would be to the members using the modulators, how many times have someone pulled over and let you by when you come up behind them? I saw many drivers panic and make a sudden stop to pull over out of my way. I wonder if they think you're a fireman?

 

After this accident my wife and I have talked about a Modulator and from a Person who doesn't like MC's and isn't a very good driver, she said that the modulator is bad because when she see's one It takes her an extra second to decide what the light is and she says that it is difficult to tell how far off they are. This is a comment from a non-rider/ non-passenger.

I'm still not sure. But the wife says NO

 

Gary's accident will most likely come down to the kid had an extreme lack of driving experience, very poor training and just isn't capable of making good decisions while driving.

I agree with this statement. However I think that this doesn't take away any blame on the kids part, she killed another person.

 

I ride with alot of different riders and I see my friends go through a intersection at full speed as if they think the cagers see them. I for one will always hesitate until I see the eyes of the cager and I know that he sees me. intersections scare the Hell out of me.

[Guest KitCarson]

Same here , but my new modulator , Kisan Path-Finder has a built in switch . I just toggle the switch onto high beam 3 times to deactivate it and with a sensor , it will also turn itself off at night . Riding in a group we are more visible , therefore the threat is possibly less of not being seen . If I am in a group and asked to turn off , I will gladly abide also . But do not get mad at me if you do not ask !

Riding solo , the risks much greater , so I will accept the aid of any device that will help me be seen .

Now I have been driving legally since I was 11 years old , from hardship license to present day license . I have driven more roads involving many weather and surface conditions than most here . From courteous to PO'd drivers that use headlights for signaling in many conditions , I do not recall in any hand-book that states headlight use for signaling of any sorts other than the means to see at night .

Truckers have their own lingo on the road . A scoot , or cage are not truckers and flashing headlights lights towards another driver usually happen at a slower rate of speed , not at vehicles doing higher rates of speed that are attempting to make turns . At faster speeds , one would interpret that a LEO/speed trap or a road hazard is up ahead .

 

BEER30

People simply do not pay attention.......period.......last week...several week ago......I went to meet a member on this site. He wanted to hear Cricket Chirp.......there was a lot of traffic and as we were , getting line up, had turned the first intersection corner....he was 20 feet in front of me......a car swung out of the center lane and did a u-turn right in front of me.......I stood on the brakes! Car stopped on edge of the road.....they were lost.......did not know where they were going or what they were doing......I am very, very observant....I saw the front wheels of the car turning before it even did what it did.......I used to ride in a large club......a lot.........have had vehicles try to pass and push their way into the middle of a pack.......so there are no sure answers........no way to insure anything will not happpen.........I do love this modulator thing......I know I as an experiened rider and driver......I certainly see it......I do not mistake it for any signal light.....I do not think it is a truck flashing its lights at me........it instantly gets my attention......and attention is what I would think we want. Kit

[Lone Eagle]

I just installed the Kisan modulator on my bike - along with HID lights, and have always had my light bar (lights on). So far, I tend to go along with Big Shell regarding the modular. I ride with a lot of different groups, and usually ride towards the rear - or tail gunner (something about loud pipes ). I think that if I had the modulator on with the group, someone might focus their attention on me - and miss the guys up front, so while riding with the group - I will leave it off. I do, however, always turn it on regardless when I get onto the two lane roads here. By myself, I find myself leaving it on.

 

I haven't yet determined if it has helped people see me better, but for now other than going to pink chaps (), I am looking at anything that will make me more visible for people - and I am thinking that the modulator will be just one part of making that happen.

[Sleeperhawk]

I do know I want to get the brake modulator. For now at stops, I see anyone coming up, I pump the brakes to just flash the brake lights. Hopefully this gets their attention.

 

Ride Safe all.

[kbran]

I agree. Before mine were installed had a few pull out infront of me. Since I've had them none have done so. And blinker lights are red or yellow not a white big headlight modulating. And they pulse to fast to be confused with someone flashing there headlights at you. I still watch out for people at intersections and prepare for someone pulling out. I think they help more than hurt and I will continue to use mine until more stats show different.

 

There is no doubt... none... that the modulator on my headlight has stopped folks from pulling out in front of me. They start the roll then hit the brakes hard.

 

I have a toggle switch on mine so I can turn off the modulator when I want too. I try to remember to turn it off when I'm with a group, unless I'm leading. I usually forget, but I don't take offense if someone in the group asks me to turn it off. I figure the group gives us the needed visibility.

 

As far as confusing it with some other kind of signal. That would take quite a leap in judgment. It modulates way to fast to be mistaken for the kind of signals truckers use. It's too big and modulates too fast and is the wrong color for any kind of turn signal. The only thing mine has been mistaken for is an emergency vehicle.

 

Mine has help me avoid trouble more than once. I will continue to use it. If we are riding together in a group and it bothers you, just say something, I'll turn it off.

[Tartan Terror]

I swear by my Modulator based on my experience. Now with all the impatiient people out there you need something. Their thought is pull out as long as they think you can brake in time and not wait one more vehicle so they have plenty of time. They want to feel like they beat you. That being said no one looks. Hell people pull out in front fo tractor trailers and say they didnt see them. Maybe true but they just dont want to be behind them. On many occasions i got pulled out in front of with out it. Maybe they think we can brake quicker. Who knows. Since I installed my Modulator I have been seen. I even had a lady pull up next to me at a light( 2 lane rd) and roll down the window to tell me there was something wrong with my HL. I just said " It got you attention right? Its working perfectly but Thank You for noticing!"

In this case the girl noticed it but made a very bad choice. In all my driving and especially driving FD vehicles a driver is not to assume but to wait for another driver commit before turning. By this I mean Gary was not speeding but was also not slowing to turn so she assumed and just went. Never watched.

As for the HL Mod looking like a turn signal- NO WAY! As for looking like a Emergency Vehicle not likely but would you pull out in front of a Fire Truck or Ambulance? Well some idiots do and I bet this Girl would have to. She just didnt have the experience to handle her vehicle.

 

I Feel Safer with my Modulator but rest assured I do not feel Safe!!!!!

[gibvel]

I'm amazed by the number of people I have had pull out in front of me that, upon looking in the rear view mirror, had a perfectly clear roadway if they'd have just waited for me to pass. Just happened again yesterday morning.

[Midrsv]

I do know I want to get the brake modulator. For now at stops, I see anyone coming up, I pump the brakes to just flash the brake lights. Hopefully this gets their attention.

 

Ride Safe all.

 

Check out the Whelen light bar that I have on my bike, there is a photo in my gallery. It has a couple of second flash, nearly a strobe effect before it stays on full. It does catch peoples attention.

 

Dennis

[Sleeperhawk]

Check out the Whelen light bar that I have on my bike, there is a photo in my gallery. It has a couple of second flash, nearly a strobe effect before it stays on full. It does catch peoples attention.

 

Dennis

 

I like the light bar on your bike, but I have one there, plus the wing, and I want to be able to use one device for all three brake lights.

[CrazyHorse]

After this accident my wife and I have talked about a Modulator and from a Person who doesn't like MC's and isn't a very good driver, she said that the modulator is bad because when she see's one It takes her an extra second to decide what the light is and she says that it is difficult to tell how far off they are. This is a comment from a non-rider/ non-passenger.

I'm still not sure. But the wife says NO

 

 

I think taking an extra second might be a good thing.

 

The girl may have had a lack of focus maybe for a split second she saw a blinking light but I have to agree with peoples staments of lack of experience or lack of education. I think all three of these contribute to crashes lack of attention,expereince and education in young drivers. As you get older I would surmise its more a lack of attention that causes most crashes but how are we gonna change that? We are not we cant make someone focus. All we can do educate and maybe some experience. Unless they have an attention test they give you every year at the DMV and weed out those with less then good attention but attention comes down to other factors how you feel that day etc. I think it comes down to you and taking care of yourself. I think modulators will give someone hopefully a second look at you. Now its up to you to prepare for the worst. There are gonna be times when the big man calls you home and you have no time to react (like a guy driving over the center line at the last second) and theres not much you can do about it.

Pay attention to yourself and plan your escape the best you can but even then that might not help.

 

Now as far as blinking your headlights I would never construe that to be a go ahead (unless passing a big truck on the highway) I use that to alert drivers that may cross my path hey I m here watch out, not as a go ahead.

[pegscraper]

After this accident my wife and I have talked about a Modulator and from a Person who doesn't like MC's and isn't a very good driver, she said that the modulator is bad because when she see's one It takes her an extra second to decide what the light is and she says that it is difficult to tell how far off they are. This is a comment from a non-rider/ non-passenger.

I'm still not sure. But the wife says NO.

 

This is exactly what I'm saying way back on page one. Virtually all the responses here are looking at this from the perspective of US, the bikers. Look at this from the perspective of the other guy. The general public does not know what these things are, or what their purpose is. It's more difficult to judge a distance with a flashing light. Obviously these things cause confusion for the general public. By now that should be very clear. WE know what they are. MOST OTHER PEOPLE DON'T. Cagers don't need any more to reason to be confused. I've seen people many times do the slow roll through an intersection and then hit the brakes hard when they see me, and it has nothing to do with having a headlight modulator, because I don't have one. And I will not be installing one. Based on other responses here, they also appear to give a real false sense of security.

[wild hair 39]

i have one on each bike,and thank,they have saved my a$$,many times--but to each his own,i do what i thank is best for my riding:confused24::confused24:

[MrRadi8]

I've run a modulator for years. I have had dozens of people comment on how they know it's me, or tell me I have an electronic issue. Nobody has ever said they thought my signal was on.

 

The girl is looking for an excuse to not paying attention and killing. I would bet good money she was on the phone or reading/sending a text at the time of the murder.

[FROG MAN]

Murder is way to strong of an opinion here. We all have opinions because Gary and Leslie were one of our own.The fact is none of us witnessed the tragedy. If we had still our accounts may not totally agree.On the other hand that could have been my daughter or yours.What bothers me is the mental stress our country's youth are under.Little values,morals,or support.Many of them raise themselves.I monitor the daily incarcerations at our local jail.Way to many teenagers going to jail.I wonder if there child hood environment had been different if the out come would change.True teenagers have to many things on there minds.This hinders proper judgment while operating a motor vehicle.Our law enforcement is covered up with domestic violence issues.In my youth we didn't even lock the front door when leaving.

[MrRadi8]

If she had shot them with a gun, it would be murder. Instead, she sent over a ton of steel in their direction with disregard for established traffic laws. A ton vs. a few grains. Which is more deadly?

 

Accident? No. She put the events in motion by not paying attention to the task at hand, or disregarded the potential that driving entails.

 

Having lost other friends through the same type of action, I say it's murder/manslaughter.

[FROG MAN]

All I am saying is I do not have enough evidence to make a judgment call and neither does any of us.Getting back to the origin of this thread. I think the benefits of a head light modulator out weight the risk.Increasing our visibility is a great thing.However we should always expect the unexpected with approaching traffic. I may get a modulator some day.

[juggler]

I agree with this statement. However I think that this doesn't take away any blame on the kids part, she killed another person.

 

I agree - I do however distinguish between a bad decision by a driver and criminal or willfully criminal behavior. There should be consequences for her mistake and they should be sever, but not as sever as if she was drunk.

[Ramblingman]

You folks as well as I ...know you have to drive defensively at all times and even with my modular I still look for that eye contact when I'm coming up on someone ....but how often do we all still have something that happens that's close every summer ... I know with the trailer this summer I left plenty of distance between me and others ...but you know ....with or without I believe I'm keeping more distance now !!

[juggler]

You folks as well as I ...know you have to drive defensively at all times and even with my modular I still look for that eye contact when I'm coming up on someone ....but how often do we all still have something that happens that's close every summer ... I know with the trailer this summer I left plenty of distance between me and others ...but you know ....with or without I believe I'm keeping more distance now !!

 

I hear ya man. Next year will be the first time pulling a trailer for me. I am apprehensive about it, but I know I will be even more cautious than I am now.

[1BigDog]

Subjective statement with no statistics or proof to back it up.

Insurances companies never break it down by single age groups. They just state that 15 to 20 is the most dangerous group. Should we make the driving age 21?

 

And no one has ever done a study that I can find to show the accident stats for drivers in there first two year of driving that waited until they were 18 or 19 to start driving.

 

There is no reason to believe that raising the age would change the idea that people in their first couple of years are most likely to make mistakes no matter what age they start driving at.

 

No, Hig4, it was just my personal opinion, backed up by 36 years of driving experience. I was 16 once, and when I got my licence at 17 we did some pretty stupid stuff back then, myself and most of my friends. I survived, some didnt. Like the saying goes, before you can be old and wise you must first be young and stupid. I dont need any statistics to say that most kids at 16 are way too immature to drive responsibly.

[BigShell]

After this accident my wife and I have talked about a Modulator and from a Person who doesn't like MC's and isn't a very good driver, she said that the modulator is bad because when she see's one It takes her an extra second to decide what the light is and she says that it is difficult to tell how far off they are. This is a comment from a non-rider/ non-passenger.

I'm still not sure. But the wife says NO

 

As others have said, I think that extra second may be a good thing. My experience, so far anyway, has been that when people see it, they stop doing the wrong thing until they can evaluate what they are seeing. Sure, some will be confused and continue doing the wrong thing, but they were doing it anyway!

 

I've not witnessed where someone started doing the wrong thing because they saw the headlight flashing. So it only keeps 3 out of 4 drivers from pulling into my path. I'll take that! That's 3 less evasive actions I have to take.

[silvercrew]

I haven't made up my mind on the modulator headlight yet. One thing I do see with it is at a quick glance if someone was in a hurry they could mistake it for a signal light. The light is flashing that person is going to turn and away the car/truck goes. Like I said I haven't made up my mind on it yet and I may not any time soon. There is only one goldwing around here with it on and I have only seen it a few times so I don't know.

[Older...]

I believe the best statement so far in this discussion was to have all drivers, "drive defensively." Driving through a stop sign when you admit you see something coming is not driving defensively. That's aggressive driving, like trying to beat a train. Or just being plain ignorant, irresponsible, and/or stupid.

Drive defensively whether in a car or on a motorcycle. Drive defensively whether having modulating lights or not. Drive defensively whether pulling a trailer or not.

[Guest KitCarson]

No, Hig4, it was just my personal opinion, backed up by 36 years of driving experience. I was 16 once, and when I got my licence at 17 we did some pretty stupid stuff back then, myself and most of my friends. I survived, some didnt. Like the saying goes, before you can be old and wise you must first be young and stupid. I dont need any statistics to say that most kids at 16 are way too immature to drive responsibly.

Boy taint' that statement the truth!!! Hey want to know what I used to do? I always had a dirt bike too.....so I got the idea of riding the rails!! It took me several weeks to get the hang of riding a railroad track!!

I have three almost grown kids now(I am still not grown-but working on it) All my kids were involved in some kind of vehicle accident when they first started driving......now I have three grandkids........I know they will do it...I did.....you can talk to them till you make them think you are an old grouch....they are not going to pay any attention.....just like I was when I was young.....I already knew it all........:rotf:. So much truth in that simple statement......so very much. Kit