Pulsing headlight - is this legal???

[Yamaman]

Sorry if this has been discussed before but I did search and couldn't find anything.

 

Anyway, I was driving to work this morning when I came up on a very new looking Honda ST1300. As I passed him I noticed he was flashing his headlights at me. I couldn't figure out what I had done to tick him off so I just kept going. He must have sped up some because I noticed him again behind me a mile or so later and his headlights were still pulsing on and off. It became apparent that he was not doing this manually but must have installed something on his bike to do this constantly. It was extremely distracting. So my question is, has anybody heard about this and is it legal? While it may have made him more visible it was at the expense of taking my attention away from other things on the road, so I personally think it is dangerous and should not be legal, especially on the freeway where you may be riding long distances following the same vehicles. Also, I think it's just going to tick off most cagers and the last thing we need is something else to turn cagers against us.

 

Any other thoughts?

[dingy]

Below is a link to a web page citing the legality of these in all 50 states.

 

http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle-technical-articles/Modulator-regs.htm

 

The purpose of the modulator is to attract other drivers attention.

 

Your point is well taken about it possibly been annoying though to uneducated motorists.

 

Gary

[frogmaster]

Below is a link to a web page citing the legality of these in all 50 states.

 

http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle-technical-articles/Modulator-regs.htm

 

The purpose of the modulator is to attract other drivers attention.

 

Your point is well taken about it possibly been annoying though to uneducated motorists.

 

Gary

 

ABSOLUTLY... Saved my buttocks a few times. Got use to the cager roll to a STOP Sign then quick look then pull out into my right of way with out completely stopping or completely looking either . Since installing the Headlight Modulator now I see the same described above followed by a complete stop then the SECOND LOOK... yes some are annoyed because they had to wait and extra 3 to 5 seconds . Search motorcycle accident reports and see how many defendants say "I never saw him"

Ride Safe

[Bummer]

I run a modulator on the high beam of my headlight. A sensor stops the modulation when it's too dark. I go to low beam when I'm in a group ride, unless I'm at the front. The rest of the time, in daylight, it's on high beam and modulating. It's legal in the US and Canada.

 

I also have a modulator on my passing lamps that's activated by my horn. While I honk the horn(s) my headlight stops modulating and my passing lamps start. I don't really know if that's legal, and I don't care. I've met the bumper, up close and personal, and I'm not real interested in it happening again.

 

Folks have pulled over. Doubtless some have become angry. A couple have done very stupid stuff to let me by. I'm sorry about that, but the bottom line is that they saw me. That's the whole point.

 

I can guarantee you, nobody has ever been as POed at my modulator as I was at Armando when he ran me over.

[Yamaman]

Below is a link to a web page citing the legality of these in all 50 states.

 

http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle-technical-articles/Modulator-regs.htm

 

The purpose of the modulator is to attract other drivers attention.

 

Your point is well taken about it possibly been annoying though to uneducated motorists.

 

Gary

 

Thanks for posting the law. This one kind of has me stumped. I can see a few situations where this might be helpful, but I fear that in most cases it will do more harm than good, and I just don’t have enough faith in the average rider to use enough common sense to discern the difference.

I didn’t notice if there was a time frame for their use, but surely these are only legal during daylight hours, right? As distracted as I was by this today, I can’t imagine what it would be like at night with one of these guys following me on the highway for any length of time. I would probably let my temper get the better of me and slow down until he passed me, then follow him for several miles flashing my lights up and down in his mirrors. See how he likes it.

I certainly hope that anyone who does use these is very careful of what situations they do and don’t use them in. I could see them on a lonely country road or on city streets with lots of cross streets. On the other hand, for the reasons already stated, I think they are completely inappropriate on limited access highways where you might be following the same vehicles for long distances, and anywhere at night.

[Guest tx2sturgis]

I....

Folks have pulled over. Doubtless some have become angry. A couple have done very stupid stuff to let me by. I'm sorry about that, but the bottom line is that they saw me. That's the whole point.

 

I can guarantee you, nobody has ever been as POed at my modulator as I was at Armando when he ran me over.

 

Well said. And it amazes me that the original poster, being a motorcyclist, did not know what it was.

 

That makes you wonder how absolutely con-founded the 4-wheelers must be.

 

Sometimes I think motorcycles need flashing strobes all the way around and a warning sirens howling ALL the time! Oh wait...ambulances get in accidents too when running 'hot'....dang must be some really bad drivers out there....

 

Yep. Modulators=visibility.

[Flyinfool]

Thanks for posting the law. This one kind of has me stumped. I can see a few situations where this might be helpful, but I fear that in most cases it will do more harm than good, and I just don’t have enough faith in the average rider to use enough common sense to discern the difference.

I didn’t notice if there was a time frame for their use, but surely these are only legal during daylight hours, right? As distracted as I was by this today, I can’t imagine what it would be like at night with one of these guys following me on the highway for any length of time. I would probably let my temper get the better of me and slow down until he passed me, then follow him for several miles flashing my lights up and down in his mirrors. See how he likes it.

I certainly hope that anyone who does use these is very careful of what situations they do and don’t use them in. I could see them on a lonely country road or on city streets with lots of cross streets. On the other hand, for the reasons already stated, I think they are completely inappropriate on limited access highways where you might be following the same vehicles for long distances, and anywhere at night.

 

From the referenced Code

 

(f) The system shall include a sensor mounted with the axis of its sensing element perpendicular to a horizontal plane. Headlamp modulation shall cease whenever the level of light emitted by a tungsten filament light operating at 3000 deg. Kelvin is either less than 270 lux (25 foot-candles) of direct light for upward pointing sensors or less than 60 lux (5.6 foot-candles) of reflected light for downward pointing sensors. The light is measured by a silicon cell type light meter that is located at the sensor and pointing in the same direction as the sensor. A Kodak Gray Card (Kodak R-27) is placed at ground level to simulate the road surface in testing downward pointing sensors.

 

This basically says that there must be a photocell that will turn off the modulation in the dark.

[V7Goose]

Yes, they are legal. Unfortunately. I am one of those who feel they are a VERY VERY VERY bad idea.

Goose

[Yamaman]

And it amazes me that the original poster, being a motorcyclist, did not know what it was.

 

 

Not really sure what this is supposed to mean? I'm not just a motorcyclist, I've been operating vehicles for nearly 40 years, put about 30,000 miles a year on my various vehicles and live in (I think) the 4th largest city in the country. This is the first time I've ever seen one of these, and thus my question here. When I have a question regarding motorcycles, I usually come here first. What's so amazing about that?

[Yamaman]

Yes, they are legal. Unfortunately. I am one of those who feel they are a VERY VERY VERY bad idea.

Goose

 

Thanks. Glad to hear I'm not completely alone on this. The fact that someone who uses this stated that he's seen people do stupid things to get out of his way pretty much sums up my argument against them.

 

To those who use these, just because something make YOU safer doesn't make it right, if you end up being the cause of someone else being less safe. All I ask is that you consider using good judgement as to when and where you do and don't use it. It seems pretty clear that there are some situations where it would not be appropriate.

[Guest tx2sturgis]

Not really sure what this is supposed to mean? I'm not just a motorcyclist, I've been operating vehicles for nearly 40 years, put about 30,000 miles a year on my various vehicles and live in (I think) the 4th largest city in the country. This is the first time I've ever seen one of these, and thus my question here. When I have a question regarding motorcycles, I usually come here first. What's so amazing about that?

 

No inference about your experience, environment, or knowledge was intended.

 

What I meant by that is: that if a another MOTORCYCLIST is confused, or annoyed by a rider simply trying to stay alive in traffic, then what about the motoring public?

 

As a motorcyclist, we assume we all have some common knowledge...but if WE are not getting the word about modulators, motorcycle safety, or the rights and unique characteristics of motorcycles in traffic out to you and others on two wheels, than it does not say much about our public perception among the 4 wheeled and un-initiated.

 

Most of us who run modulators do it when and where legal and prudent. At night or sitting behind a low-slung car in traffic, are 2 situations when I do not have it on. However running thru a busy traffic congested area at speeds of say 20-50 mph is a GOOD time to have it on, during the daytime. I also have small bright driving lamps that negate the need for the modulator most of the time. During rush hour, with heavy side road traffic, conjestion, or around shopping centers on say, saturday afternoon, I will activate it.

 

 

Your post was VERY useful. We need to get better about getting the word out.

[Yamaman]

No inference about your experience, environment, or knowledge was intended.

 

What I meant by that is: that if a another MOTORCYCLIST is confused, or annoyed by a rider simply trying to stay alive in traffic, then what about the motoring public?

 

As a motorcyclist, we assume we all have some common knowledge...but if WE are not getting the word about modulators, motorcycle safety, or the rights and unique characteristics of motorcycles in traffic out to you and others on two wheels, than it does not say much about our public perception among the 4 wheeled and un-initiated.

 

Most of us who run modulators do it when and where legal and prudent. At night or sitting behind a low-slung car in traffic, are 2 situations when I do not have it on. However running thru a busy traffic congested area at speeds of say 20-50 mph is a GOOD time to have it on, during the daytime. I also have small bright driving lamps that negate the need for the modulator most of the time. During rush hour, with heavy side road traffic, conjestion, or around shopping centers on say, saturday afternoon, I will activate it.

 

 

Your post was VERY useful. We need to get better about getting the word out.

 

Thanks for clearing up your statement. I agree with everything you just said. Sorry I misinterpreted your intent. I hope you're correct about most riders with modulators using good judgement. In Houston there are an awful lot of riders who have none.

[bongobobny]

Another vote for NOT liking them! There was an incident where no one is sure, but a girl may have thought the pulsing light was a turn signal, and pulled out in front of a member, resulting in a fatality...

[casabroker]

I run mine with brights and passing lamps in the daylight, which is legal. Any inconvience isn't going to kill someone in a car. But their stupidity could kill me! Simple as that.

[BigBoyinMS]

The PO had already installed a modulator on my RSV when I bought it. I don't have it on all the time but when I do it definitely does the job of getting peoples attention which is definitely a positive. The only negative that I have seen is the very few people that aren't intelligent enough to realize that a flashing headlamp doesn't mean that I'm a motor cop.

And like previously mentioned, it turns off automatically in low ambient light.

[flb_78]

I like them and think they're a good idea. I just won't pony up the money for the unit.

 

If someone pulls over because they see a modulating headlight on a motorcycle, that's their problem for not knowing the law.

[Monty]

I have one, and will use it until they make it illegal, which I doubt will ever happen.

 

I see a lot of people noticing me now, where they didn't before.

[Hummingbird]

I have been TOTALLY against modulating headlights almost forever.

 

Now let me explain why - more than several years ago I was leading a group on a ride and one of the bikes behind me had a modulator on his headlight.

 

When I lead I spend nearly as much time counting headlights behind me as I do watching the road ahead. Probably a bad decision but that's how I do it. Unfortunately that bike had his brights on during the entire ride - what a pain in the a$$

 

Now - this past week I was on a ride while at the IR in Indiana. On one of the rides there was a bike behind me with a modulator - don't want to say who it was Monty, but the light was on low beam and it didn't affect my vision as it would had it been on high beam.

 

Previously, I wouldn't have a modulator if my favorite mechanic, again don't want to name him Monty, installed it for me. However that one ride in Indiana has changed my mind about them.

 

Not sure if I would install one but I have changed my attitude towards them.

[jfoster]

I'm against them...I meet a GW on the interstate and it first glance I thought it was a police motor. To me they're the same as the wig-wags on a patrol unit. Yes, I agree they're effective, but so are passing lamps. Unless your escorting a parade or something to that extent I think they should be illegal.

 

I think there are more appropriate messures that one can do that won't mislead the general public: traditional passing lamps, white or amber led (non flashing) lights.

[straycatt]

Count me among the riders that are absolutely AGAINST modulators.

 

They create far more problems than they solve.

Spend some time in an emergency vehicle running hot and you'll find that many drivers have little idea of how to get out of the way.

Enough drivers confuse modulators with E unit lights that it it very dangerous leaving that kind of chaos behind every modulated bike on the road.

[Monty]

Hummingbird,

 

When I was behind you, and you saw it modulating, it was on high beam. When it wasn't modulating, it was on low beam.

 

Just wanted to clarify that.

[Hummingbird]

Hummingbird,

 

When I was behind you, and you saw it modulating, it was on high beam. When it wasn't modulating, it was on low beam.

 

Just wanted to clarify that.

 

Well then every bike prior must have had their headlight adjusted a lot higher for some reason because yours didn't bother me at all. That was my objection to modulators running behind me, the few that did were really a pain.

 

Obviously, yours is adjusted for correct night riding or you would have changed it -

[Monty]

Or....now that you're older, your eyesight might not be as good, so it doesn't bother you as much.

[Hummingbird]

Or....now that you're older, your eyesight might not be as good, so it doesn't bother you as much.

 

 

OUCH - OUCh - OUCH

[BradT]

Personally I do not like them. Whenever I see them my eyes seem to automatically look right at them and then for a bit I see spots and this occasionally this can be an issue.

 

I will run my HID on High beam for the simple reason of being seen. So I understand why people feel safer using them and I will not fault them for that, even if I get blinded for a second.

 

Brad