Correct, of course. I wasn't suggesting modulating HIDs or LEDs. Just commenting on visibility schemes in general.

 

Hey Markus, how's the shop/home remod going? The wifey prego yet? LOL

I'm a firm believer in headlight modulators (the circuit is direct fed via fused relay circuit with AWG12). I've stuck with the halogen for the headlight (albeit a 60/70w Osram) for exactly this reason. With the HL modulator and 6 diode LED Position Light ("Third Eye") plus occasionally my twin 50w halogen driving lights (also fused and relayed with AWG12 but given we only have 280W; i.e., 22 amps available to work with less the total OEM system draw of 13 amps), if any cager in front of me does not see me they are actually dead rather than the usual brain-dead!

HLM may be uncool but I'd rather be warm dork than a cold stiff.

 

I wonder how effective they are, or if they get you the right kind of attention? From a purely curious perspective.

Where do these factors weigh in? As another motorist on the road (car, bike or whatever), headlight modulators get my attention, but often in a confusing way. Flashing lights usually means something more than "I'm just driving along like normal, but I'm a little smaller than you so pay attention". Usually people flash high beams to warn of dangers ahead, because your vehicle itself is not normal, as a safety vehicle needing to pass, or something along those lines. So when I see one I immediately think "what's wrong?" Don't misunderstand me, I'm all for bringing attention to yourself and safety, but not if it causes other people stress. There aren't enough people riding with them around here for everyone to know what they are (I'm sure of this). I wouldn't have if I weren't in the motorcycle community.

I don't have anything against them, and if they are significantly effective then I suppose I can't argue. It just seems like riding around with your horn on intermittently (aside from Joe forging the gauntlet of frozen NYC traffic frogger). I'm sure it's safer but at what cost? I'm not hard defending no HLM, but do wonder these things time to time. Everyone has a different level of safety comfort ... to be safest I'd ride around in full leathers from 10a 11-am on weekdays only, but that doesn't happen.

Slokie, you ever have anyone pull over for you or anything?

 

I once got stopped by a WI local yokel who did not know what a HLM was and thought something was wrong with the headlight. For this exact reason I carry with my insurance card the DOT statute that defines their operation and states they are legal in all 50 states.

I have run a HLM since 1988 and am a firm believer in their effectiveness and if DOT allows them then why not use them, similar to why I run a hard-wired radar detector.

And I have had ordinary cagers pull over or at least enough to let me ride by which I do carefully, and it is a time saver in traffic. Of course I also wear a "Super See-Me Vest" and my helmets are quite eye-catching too.

BTW, I added a FIAM Lo-Tone horn 180 degrees opposite the OEM horn; no relay required. Audible warnings can be effective but mostly so at low revs / MPH.

 

Helmet without direct lighting shows reflective tape and decals as they would otherwise appear.

 

Skokie, does the modulator flash it all the time? Do they kill bulb life? I like your approach to conspicuity. Its probly 90% of the battle to not get hit.

 

I'm going to somewhat agree with 7moore. I agree that they do get peoples attention but IMO, in a negative way. I've only talked to the group of people that I know (+ ride with) and we all seem to have the same opinion. When you see a HLM, your eyes are drawn to it, and it creates target fixation. We all know what that is and what it does. Last thing I want is someone veering into my lane, fixated on my light and not what's in their lane of traffic. I'm not trying to start a pissing match. No one I've communicated w/ in person prefers the flashing headlight, but to each his own.

 

It seems the guys that lane split may see more benefit. I tried lane splitting for a bit some time ago (In theory I totally support the practice). Some locals here just don't handle that one well. Not enough people do it for them to be comfortable and I decided that riding with aggravated cagers and doors being opened on me wasn't worth it. Now in heavier traffic where people are more used to splitting motorbikes and less pointless F-250's commuting around I could possibly see modulation aiding lane splitting.

I'm also not trying to start a pissing match or anything, just pointing out things that make sense in the conditions that I ride.

 

This is what I run now but when purchased it was $100


If you read above I power with a fused, relayed (triggered by the OEM high beam switch) 12 AWG harness direct from an ignition switched power distribution strip I made.

The link to the manual below should answer all your questions but bulbs do not suffer because a proper HLM only dims it by 95% which makes the bulb appear to go out.

http://kisantech.com/mag/Images/manuals/PB.pdf

In the 25 years I've been running a HLM (and that equates to about 250,000 miles not km and I've been street riding since 1973) I have NEVER, EVER had a car, truck, bicycle or motorcycle apparently become fixated on my HLM equipped motorcycle and veer toward or into me! If anything the give me a wider birth, and as I said, occasionally move over and let me pass when I'm behind them.

If other road users don't like it, tough, let them take it up with the DOT.

I'm unequivocally convinced by my own and other riders road-tested miles that HLM save not only rider 's lives but likely often those who might otherwise have hit them.

I also run an LED license plate auxiliary brake light I made (current and superseded neon units shown), moved the OEM front turn signals/running lights to the rear (also visible in photo: I ran a 3rd wire to the rear for the R/L function and have good old LP Type 3 incandescent bulb - yellow lens TS/RL in the front), and have reflective tape on the fender, rear hard case and panniers (when attached). I must have a well lit rear end and I check my mirrors whenever stopped and leave myself an "out" ever since 1974 when I almost got rear-ended while waiting for the stop & go light on Delores St. at 20th (my garage was on 20th just 3 doors down) by a "low rider" screaming up Delores. He missed me by inches and table-topped 20th, nose-dived back into Delores fishtailing, and continued sparks flying up the hill. It was after 1 AM and they may have found my body in a median palm tree the next day!

Each to their own but I started out as a motorcycle courier in San Francisco and split lanes on the old 101 on my 61 BSA 250 single with its 6 volt Lucas electrical system. Lucas, Prince of Darkness LOL!

If I save just one life with this friendly advice, I'll be an even happier man.

 

Haha, man you've been riding nearly as long as I've been alive!

While I'm not convinced either way, this quoted statement is one that I go back and forth on. Like I said before, being as safe as possible totally makes sense to me, but not if it means being a total ******* (not saying HLM is necessarily ). Like super loud pipes (mine are pretty loud too)... sure they may be safer, but if at some point you're just ticking everyone off wherever you go, it's not really justifying the hobby; where is the line for personal recreational safety and being an unnecessary social nuisance?

All that being said, I'm definitely not against HLM, just like playing devil's advocate on forums at the risk of being taken too seriously. Decision is pretty easy for me using an HID projector, so I don't have to even apply any of my ramblings for this bike .