Headlight Modulator ?

[boomerang2120]

Riding more regularly is showing me the obvious benefits of a headlight modulator - too many people don't pay attention or just don't see a bike. So...

What brand headlight modulator do you have? Likes & dislikes ? Best places & prices ?

Thanks!

[mikestorm]

I have a Kisan PathBlazer and Kisan TailBlazer. Both plug and play (Tailblazer replaces your stock taillight and PathBlazer is plug and play for use with your stock headlight.

Installation is a snap for both. Pricing is pretty good too.

Pathblazer has a light sensor. When there's light, your highbeam setting is replaced by 'modulate'. After dusk the highbeam automatically functions as a highbeam again.

[ringadingh]

Ive seen a couple on bikes in the past and I found them almost distracting as they approached. I guess thats what they are meant to do though.

[nomad561]

I think they are distracting and cause more problems than they fix and shouldn't be legal. However,they are legal and do attract attention from people that might not otherwise see motorcycles,so I will agree that they work.
Here is a link to a website I buy some safety equipment from.
http://www.ridesafer.com/Headlight_Modulators_s/26.htm

[cactusjack]

I wouldn't have one. I don't like them. Ride with your high beam on and driving lights and if they can't see you, then they aren't going to see you with a headlight modulator, either.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

The problem I see is that some drivers would see you coming and think you wanted them to pull out as a lot of drivers flash their lights when they are signalling for you to come out. Just a thought. I have seen a few bikes coming up the highway and you definitely notice them. Being a biker I know what it is but people unfamiliar with bikes wouldn't understand it. Just a thought. The system that MikeStorm mentioned sounds like the right idea if you are going to have one.

[cactusjack]

A rider's best defense is riding with the assumption they can't be seen and acting appropriately. In other words, technology is not a substitute for proper vigilance.

[recumbentbob]

I have the Kriss modulator on my Nomad and one on my wife's Yamaha.

Plug and play. It has saved me quite a few times.

http://www.kriss.com/

It works on high beam if you want to turn it off put it on low beam. There is an optical sensor so it only works in the day time.

[dogdoc]

I own a Kisan plug n play and I really like it alot. I still ride with vigilance but it does help for you to be noticed in a good way. I have riden without it for a few yrs and with it and I would buy it again.

[garyo4]

I have one from Signal Dynamics, easy to install. I always, without exception, ride as if those cages are out to get me. That said, I haven't had a vehicle attempt to pull out in front of me since installing it. For group runs, etc I'll put a rubber vacuum cap over the photo sensor that gets installed in the bottom of the headlight bucket so the modulator will think it's night time and won't flash, that way it isn't an annoyance to those in the pack in front of me.
With the headlight flashing a consistent flashing rate and is flashing continuously ever since a vehicle saw you way down the road and it is still steadily flashing, I doubt they will take that as a signal as your blessing to cut you off. But then again there are idiots operating every type of motorized vehicle made.
Always ride defensively and hope the enhancements we add onto our bikes will help us make it home.
Gary

[mikestorm]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

A rider's best defense is riding with the assumption they can't be seen and acting appropriately. In other words, technology is not a substitute for proper vigilance.

Completely agree, however technology can certainly augment proper vigilance. Case in point: I still ride with that assumption and I use a headlight modulator.

[boomerang2120]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

A rider's best defense is riding with the assumption they can't be seen and acting appropriately. In other words, technology is not a substitute for proper vigilance.

Couldn't agree more. There is no substitute for awareness, but I'm wondering if this is an option worth adding to the "safety net".

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by mikestorm

Completely agree, however technology can certainly augment proper vigilance. Case in point: I still ride with that assumption and I use a headlight modulator.

All I meant was don't install a headlight modulator and then let your guard down. It's not an impenetrable force field.

[macmac]

I give the cagers the death ray stare! . These lamp flasher aggravate me bad, but you can have them. I try to see what kind of bike it is and can't see past the flashing.

[cnc]

While I'm sure that statistics show that bikes are not seen as well or register in a drivers mind as traffic, the more I ride the more I think that not being seen is not always the case. I believe that sometimes a driver just doesn't care, maybe thinking "it's only a bike, he's got brakes".
I found myself in this exact situation last week. Two of us on bikes were crossing a small bridge with a string of cars in front and behind. immediately after the bridge we were planning to make a right turn onto another road. Waiting to make a left turn onto that same road with a string of cars behind him was an oncoming van. Seconds after I put on my flasher to turn, the van floored it turning left as I turned right. He cut off both bikes and forced us onto the shoulder. He knew dam well we were there.
I anticipated that he might do this, and was ready for him, slowing a little more than I would have for the turn and simply steered onto the shoulder and back on the road as he roared past. In some situations you can't, but in my opinion one of your best defenses is to trust no one and prepare for the what if.