Total Motorcycle Community Forums

My opinion as both a biker and a cager is that they might help in some situations and they certainly don't hurt anything. Any device that makes you even 5% more visible to other drivers is a good thing.

I have both a headlight and taillight modulator, and think they are great. I've had several people comment on it, both cagers and other riders.

I use the Kisan PathBlazer and TailBlazer. They are a little more expensive than other modulators, but they are "plug and play" meaning no cutting and splicing of wires. The headlight modulator (PathBlazer) has a sensor that causes it to shut off at night, which is required by law.

Here is the website for Kisan: http://www.kisantech.com/

Here is the official word on headlight modulators from the US DOT:
http://www.signaldynamics.com/Press%20R ... dotltr.htm
(posted on the Signal Dynamics website, another modulator manufacturer)

Link to the entire CFR regulating lighting on vehicles: http://www.signaldynamics.com/products/ ... shmdot.htm

Gunslinger wrote:My opinion as both a biker and a cager is that they might help in some situations and they certainly don't hurt anything. Any device that makes you even 5% more visible to other drivers is a good thing.

They can hurt things: annoying drivers.

I know headlight modulators annoy drivers, myself included. I do not know modulators improve conspicuity. This is why I have not installed one on any of my motorcycles.

I'm all ears if there's studies about this but I haven't found a good one yet.

Skier wrote:

Gunslinger wrote:My opinion as both a biker and a cager is that they might help in some situations and they certainly don't hurt anything. Any device that makes you even 5% more visible to other drivers is a good thing.

They can hurt things: annoying drivers.

I know headlight modulators annoy drivers, myself included. I do not know modulators improve conspicuity. This is why I have not installed one on any of my motorcycles.

I'm all ears if there's studies about this but I haven't found a good one yet.

Well you have anecdotal evidence, because of your own annoyance. If it's drawing that much attention that you're annoyed, then it is making the rider more conspicuous. Although, I've got to ask why it's "annoying?"

I'll to try to find something more than anecdotal evidence later.

NewGuy wrote:

Skier wrote:

Gunslinger wrote:My opinion as both a biker and a cager is that they might help in some situations and they certainly don't hurt anything. Any device that makes you even 5% more visible to other drivers is a good thing.

They can hurt things: annoying drivers.

I know headlight modulators annoy drivers, myself included. I do not know modulators improve conspicuity. This is why I have not installed one on any of my motorcycles.

I'm all ears if there's studies about this but I haven't found a good one yet.

Well you have anecdotal evidence, because of your own annoyance. If it's drawing that much attention that you're annoyed, then it is making the rider more conspicuous. Although, I've got to ask why it's "annoying?"

I'll to try to find something more than anecdotal evidence later.

My anecdotal evidence spans more than my personal opinion on the flashing lights.

The worst case scenario for not running a modulator is I'm just as visible as other motorcyclists out there.

Worst case for running a modulator is I anger a driver having a bad day and they try to run me off the road.

Easy decision.

SignalDynamics wrote:It has been proven that a flashing light is more visible than one steady on. That is one reason why the U.S. Federal DOT has legalized headlight modulators for safety. Its been reported that most motorcycle accidents involve front-end collisions. What's your safety worth?

My company is the leading manufacturer of headlight modules. I just wanted to know what positive or negative experiences or comments you have about these devices.

Awesome idea !!!!

Especially if one would be desiring to achieve monstrous dork n cigarette level capabilities.

Fantastic idea, cant wait to strap on my headlight modulator so i can go riding and pull up at the first set of lights next to fellow riders when they notice I have said modulator thingymejig running and they all dismount and beat the living dodo out of me for being some pillow biting headlight modulator sporting wanker, not mention the car loads of youngins who see me and start lining me up.



Some times, its good to blend in

Oh shane-o, we missed you.

Skier wrote:

NewGuy wrote:

Skier wrote:

Gunslinger wrote:My opinion as both a biker and a cager is that they might help in some situations and they certainly don't hurt anything. Any device that makes you even 5% more visible to other drivers is a good thing.

They can hurt things: annoying drivers.

I know headlight modulators annoy drivers, myself included. I do not know modulators improve conspicuity. This is why I have not installed one on any of my motorcycles.

I'm all ears if there's studies about this but I haven't found a good one yet.

Well you have anecdotal evidence, because of your own annoyance. If it's drawing that much attention that you're annoyed, then it is making the rider more conspicuous. Although, I've got to ask why it's "annoying?"

I'll to try to find something more than anecdotal evidence later.

My anecdotal evidence spans more than my personal opinion on the flashing lights.

The worst case scenario for not running a modulator is I'm just as visible as other motorcyclists out there.

Worst case for running a modulator is I anger a driver having a bad day and they try to run me off the road.

Easy decision.

So you won't use one because it angers other drivers? Hey if a modulator sets someone off that easily they have bigger issues than you or I can fix. And I'd rather see a hundred bikes with these things on the road than one bike with those gawd awful 200 decibel pipes. Now those make me want to hurt somebody.
I don't need a study to tell me a flashing light is more conspicuous than one that doesn't.

Gunslinger wrote: So you won't use one because it angers other drivers? Hey if a modulator sets someone off that easily they have bigger issues than you or I can fix. And I'd rather see a hundred bikes with these things on the road than one bike with those gawd awful 200 decibel pipes. Now those make me want to hurt somebody.
I don't need a study to tell me a flashing light is more conspicuous than one that doesn't.

Everyone has bad days and if I can prevent not be that last straw that breaks the camel's back, I'll take it.

I would rather have a nice warm sunny day than a kick to the shin. That's about as valid of a comparison of headlight modulators and stupidly loud pipes: unrelated.

A flashing light may be more conspicuous than a steady light, but you'll still have the classic problem of "looked but didn't see" or "looked right through you." See: drivers making eye contact and violating your right-of-way anyways.

Skier wrote:
My anecdotal evidence spans more than my personal opinion on the flashing lights.

Modulators don't flash the lights.