[wushux2003]

I just installed those on my headlights and went for a ride around semi-rushhour traffic. Can't say if no one tried to kill me because they saw me or the lights... There was definitely alot of left turners along the way.

Anyone have prolonged experience with these? compared to not having them?
Im a safety *****, gearing up is half the fun.

 

[L.A.Tony007]

no but interested to hear your thoughts after you have had it longer. I saw a video on youtube where a guy is coming down the highway with and without it and it sure made a difference on camera.

 

[wushux2003]

I'll post some observations later. Or none at all, which is a good thing...
Im surprised to not see these everywhere, it took minutes to install and im pretty sure its more noticeable than any hi-viz gear.

 

[Blinky]

I have been considering one for awhile but there does not seem to be any hard data on modulators, just antidotal and general observations; almost all in favor of using them. So I went to the MSF site and this is what they have to say:

• Headlight modulators, which cause the light to alternate between a higher and a lower intensity during the day, also increase conspicuity (Hurt, 1981). Headlight modulators are federally regulated lighting devices and as such, all state laws governing them are preempted. Motorcycle headlight modulators have not been studied to determine their effects on other motorists.

So, the jury is out although common sense seems to lean in their favor. I went ahead and ponied up $70 for a NOS Kisan I found on-line at a BMW dealer in Ohio. Should be here by the weekend.

Keep us posted wushux2003

 

[OTG]

I wouldn't leave home without one. A headlight modulator gets the attention of those in front of you like no other device.

 

[the_snake1201]

I had one for years on my C50 since me and the bike were clad in all black. It always got people's attention. Added one for the brake, too. If I wasn't so afraid of the CANBUS system on my current ride, I'd still have them.

 

[JimK]

I have one but I rarely use it, mostly I will turn it on going thru a busy intersection or as needed. I also have the one for the rear brake that works anytime you put on the brakes.

 

[mtmous]

Had them on all bikes since I started riding again. I hook up the unit to the high beam, not the low. We always ride with high beam on unless meeting a car at night. Blinking stops at dusk on ours. I've had people tell me my headlight was blinking. I say thanks for seeing me.
Also have running light converter which blinks all for turns signals and brake light when braking.

 

[Rauzi]

What are the laws and regulations associated with this. Because it gives the "Emergency vehicle - flashing light" look, Has anyone ran into problems? I have been trying to read up on local and state-to-state regulations.
Feedback appreciated...


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[Counter Steer]

I had a friend install one on his Honda Aero ACE. He rides mostly urban back roads. He took his off his bike. He had cars pulling out in front of him constantly. People saw him coming around the curves and pulled out thinking he was flashing them to go ahead.

On the freeway, they probably work fine. To me they make your bike look like a bicycle with their flashing light. I think you will get all kinds of responses as to how well they work, just like loud pipes and which oil to use. For me, go ahead and use them, for myself, I'll stay alert and use other safety techniques. Some high beam headlights, driving lights and flashing lights are just rude, even if you think you are being seen better, some blind the other driver, especially in the rain. But rude works for some people.

I view flashing headlights as newbies or as adventure sport wantabees. But that is just me so flame away.

 

[GrapeApe]

I'm on the fence about them. I like the idea of attention getting, but I've seen a few around here and its more confusing to me about what their intentions are. (ie, flashing for a reason).

Same with the flashing brake lights, I disabled mine after following a Harley with them. Made it look like he was tapping the brakes except everyone was actually stopping hard.

 

[Blinky]

What are the laws and regulations associated with this. Because it gives the "Emergency vehicle - flashing light" look, Has anyone ran into problems? I have been trying to read up on local and state-to-state regulations.
Feedback appreciated...


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They are expressly permitted by Federal regulations for motorcycle use so the individual States can't preempt the Federal regulation.
Code of Federal Regulations
Title 49, Volume 5, Parts 400 to 999
Revised as of October 1, 2000
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 49CFR571.108] [Page 236-307] TITLE 49 TRANSPORTATION CHAPTER V NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PART 571 FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS Subpart B--Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
Sec. 571.108 Standard No. 108;

Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
S7.9.4 Motorcycle headlamp modulation system.
S7.9.4.1 A headlamp on a motorcycle may be wired to modulate either the upper beam or the lower beam from its maximum intensity to a lesser intensity, provided that:

(a) The rate of modulation shall be 240 <plus-minus> 40 cycles per minute.
(b) The headlamp shall be operated at maximum power for 50 to 70 percent of each cycle.
(c) The lowest intensity at any test point shall be not less than 17 percent of the maximum intensity measured at the same point.
(d) The modulator switch shall be wired in the power lead of the beam filament being modulated and not in the ground side of the circuit.
(e) Means shall be provided so that both the lower beam and upper beam remain operable in the event of a modulator failure.
(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.
(g) When tested in accordance with the test profile shown in Figure 9, the voltage drop across the modulator when the lamp is on at all test conditions for 12 volt systems and 6 volt systems shall not be greater than .45 volt. The modulator shall meet all the provisions of the standard after completion of the test profile shown in Figure 9.
(h) Means shall be provided so that both the lower and upper beam function at design voltage when the headlamp control switch is in either the lower or upper beam position when the modulator is off.
​

 

[Rauzi]

Blinky are you a Lawyer? WOW... Thanks


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[wushux2003]

I think turning modulating lights as you approach an intersection could be mistaken for a "go ahead"... When I tried them I considered doing that and then decided to just keep them on, I figure people will see me before giving a "go ahead" flash even makes sense. Crazy rookie logic? Perhaps...

 

[Rick77]

I think turning modulating lights as you approach an intersection could be mistaken for a "go ahead"... When I tried them I considered doing that and then decided to just keep them on, I figure people will see me before giving a "go ahead" flash even makes sense. Crazy rookie logic? Perhaps...

Not crazy rookie logic, pure common sense logic.

 

[bipestuff]

I put one on my C50T shortly after I got it. I had to replace it twice but the guy who makes them replaced at no cost, the third one was the charm and has been working fine for over two years. I have mine on almost all the time as I believe it's saved my butt on several occasions. A few times I've had people pull over thinking I'm some kind of law enforcement as they don't know the laws. I carry a copy in my windshield bag of what Blinky posted just in case I get pulled over and LEO doesn't know the laws. I also have a tail light flasher that flashes 3-4 times before going solid. I've added a couple of red LED light strips along the inside edge of my saddle bags to help with visibility. I also have a Wolo Bad Boy air horn for when others DO pull out in front of me.

 

[wushux2003]

Those of you that have this, have you upgraded your bulb? Im pretty sure im running stock bulbs so they're not the brightest, but then again i dont want to be modulating a blinding light.
Any recommendation for bulbs to run with a modulator? or leave it stock?

Keep in mind i use my modulators sensibly, off at red lights, empty highways, etc...

 

[JimK]

Not crazy rookie logic, pure common sense logic.

At a 4 way stop you may give a single flick of lights to give the ok to the other driver to proceed first, but I am talking of turning on the modulating lights well before a lighted intersection. There you have a continuous blinking for some time as you pass thru . I don`t see how you could take that as hey go ahead and turn in front of me as I go thru this intersection. I see it as just the opposite as hey I`m coming thru , you see me right.

 

[wushux2003]

That would require a tiny bit of common sense, which still isnt too common. I still drive like there's a price on my head.
Either way a bit of confusion at a 4 way stop, all eyes are you either way, is it a cop? is it a a parade? funeral escort? celebrity escort? "Let me t-bone it" isnt a thought.

 

[Newgramps]

Those of you that have this, have you upgraded your bulb? Im pretty sure im running stock bulbs so they're not the brightest, but then again i dont want to be modulating a blinding light.
Any recommendation for bulbs to run with a modulator? or leave it stock?

Keep in mind i use my modulators sensibly, off at red lights, empty highways, etc...

I've run a modulator since early on (first mod), use a sylvania silverstar bulb, re-aimed the headlight because factory setting was WAY too low. Modulator was a plug and play KISAN unit, haven't had the headlight bucket apart since- over 4 years.