Opinion: Don't ride with brights on.

Message

PhilD9er · #31 Unread post by **PhilD9er** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 7:59 pm

"If you live in the US, which you do, your house lights flash at 60 times a second. In Europe, 50 time a second. Anythingover about 24 times a second appears to be a solidly on light to the human eye. So a 50 times a second signal would
appear solid to "normal" people and not flashing."

So, what's optimal? What rate do a police car lights flash at? The strobe ones, that is.

I'd like to get my front blinkers into the act, as well as the headlight, as they're on all the time as well. A burst of distracting blinking, all at the push of a button.

PhilD9er · #32 Unread post by **PhilD9er** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 8:00 pm

btw, don't think I didn't appreciate the "which you do" clause in your post. It was very pithy and clever.

Relsek · #33 Unread post by **Relsek** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 10:25 am

iwannadie wrote:
Relsek wrote:I used to ride with just a low beam lit until I saw the video that this still was taken from. That's me on the left, next to the red Busa, mine is Black and Purple and not very noticible, especially since I'm wearing a black jacket and helmet with a smoked shield

Kev
well not to sound rude. but your on a black bike wearing all black as well and your surprised your not visible when compared to someone in bright red? some brighter leathers/helmet would go along way to improve visibility. now someone is just going to see your bright light and not know what the light is attached to. here Alot of people ride bicycles in the bike lanes in traffic and they from a distance are hard to tell apart from a motorcycle. ive mistaken a motorcycle for a bicycle because of the light before and the other way around.

I'm already looking into brighter gear.

PhilD9er · #34 Unread post by **PhilD9er** » Sun Aug 28, 2005 5:37 pm

UPDATE: No, I don't have a superhuman thumb! I had a friend time me with a stopwatch while I aimed my deadlight at the garage wall. We took the date at 15 second intervals. I normally flash my brights at 4 times per second, but in 'hyper' mode at 6-8 times per second.

Tip: You don't have to cycle the switch all the way. Practice.

Also, I've looked into high speed flashers for the amber turn signals -- and that's still viable. But cheap xenon strobes affixed to the front are looking like a better solution.

There's NO DOUBT IN MY MIND that flashing at intersections works. Last night I brought several drunks to a dead stop with this technique.

Gadjet · #35 Unread post by **Gadjet** » Sun Aug 28, 2005 6:35 pm

Only time I use my high beam is when I'm riding at night on the highway and there is no traffic in range, or the odd time when I am coming up to an interesection and it looks like the guy that wants to turn left in front of me is going to go - then I'll blink my high beam on a couple times to make sure that he realizes I'm there.

I have seen one bike coming towards me that had a modulator on, and it was very distracting and annoying.

mydlyfkryzis · Mon Aug 29, 2005 10:43 am

WhyteGryphon wrote:.....
I have seen one bike coming towards me that had a modulator on, and it was very distracting and annoying.

Exactly why I have the modulator. I had it off on day (was going for inspection and didn't want to argue the point with the inspector) and I realized I had forgotten how many people turn in front of you either left turn in front or right turn out of the intersection in front of you. As soon as I had it back on, I noticed many more start to pull out then stop as they seen the modulated light. The light makes them take a second look and reevaluate their move.

The light won't protect me from idiots, I still drive like I am invisible, but it does get attention and reduces the number of times I have to take evasive action. I like not being invisible.

Mer · #37 Unread post by **Mer** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 1:32 am

Craig7220 wrote:If its daylight, I ride with highbeam on. I do use the lowbeam at night. With some of the cage drivers around here, I need all the help I can get in being seen.

Ditto. It does make a huge difference in visibility. When others are riding behind me I can see them much better with their brights on. I'm having to search for the ones running their regular lights.

Ladymx · #38 Unread post by **Ladymx** » Wed Aug 31, 2005 5:02 am

If you flash hi beams here its a 50/ 50 chance they will either continue the turn or stop. There are too many people from all over here that it depends on where they are from as to what they will do. Its just better to be ready for anything.

BuzZz · #39 Unread post by **BuzZz** » Wed Aug 31, 2005 6:26 pm

It just occured to me......

I run a 90/100 watt bulb in my bike. The 90 watt lowbeam is bright but aimed lower so aggravates drivers less. I ride at night alot, and there ain't many lights around here, in town, there's nothing at all in the country. I like my 100 watt highbeam, lights up critters farther ahead and shows road hazzards better.

You guys all running 55/60 watts still?

Ladymx · #40 Unread post by **Ladymx** » Thu Sep 01, 2005 4:44 am

BuzZz wrote:It just occured to me......

I run a 90/100 watt bulb in my bike. The 90 watt lowbeam is bright but aimed lower so aggravates drivers less. I ride at night alot, and there ain't many lights around here, in town, there's nothing at all in the country. I like my 100 watt highbeam, lights up critters farther ahead and shows road hazzards better.

You guys all running 55/60 watts still?

Good point buzz the Watts do make a big difference.