Running Lights

[Harryc]

So I was riding through Western Connecticut last Saturday, nice country roads and small New England towns. No less than three times, I noticed cagers starting to turn left directly in front of me (2 lane roads, they were coming in the opposite direction), then at the last moment they seemed to see me and pull back into their lanes. This seems to be a good story, but it has me thinking. How can I be more visible to oncoming motorists. I have a ridiculously bright Daymaker LED headlight already, but a friend recommended a headlight modulator. I am also looking for any suggestions on the best/brightest running lights to make the bike appear 'wider' and/or more visible. Thoughts? I am ready to invest in the best gear to be seen. Headlight modulators make sense, but I heard they are illegal in some states? Anyone know about NY or other N. Eastern States?

[Hook#3287]

Harry, can't answer your question about the legality of modulating lights in NY, heck can't even answer about MA either, but I've been told in MA, as long as it isn't a blue flashing light, it's good.

I used to have a very lightly blue headlight bulb and that would get a lot of double takes, with some people in front of me, actually pulling over.

Never got called on it, it burned out and I never found another.  Didn't really look that hard.

I had lights mounted on my crash bars at one time, those are pretty spaced wide.

[Valkpilot]

So I was riding through Western Connecticut last Saturday, nice country roads and small New England towns. No less than three times, I noticed cagers starting to turn left directly in front of me (2 lane roads, they were coming in the opposite direction), then at the last moment they seemed to see me and pull back into their lanes. This seems to be a good story, but it has me thinking. How can I be more visible to oncoming motorists. I have a ridiculously bright Daymaker LED headlight already, but a friend recommended a headlight modulator. I am also looking for any suggestions on the best/brightest running lights to make the bike appear 'wider' and/or more visible. Thoughts? I am ready to invest in the best gear to be seen. Headlight modulators make sense, but I heard they are illegal in some states? Anyone know about NY or other N. Eastern States?

By Federal law, motorcycle headlight modulators are legal in all states.  I carry a copy of the statute just in case it's questioned.  http://www.americade.info/mod-law.htm

You have to buy one specific for LEDs if that's what you've got for a headlight.

[98valk]

from my post http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,89285.0.html

For safety, A Triangle Head Light Pattern

The results of the controlled field tests indicated
that the triangular lighting pattern used with each
type of auxiliary lights (crossing, ditch, and
strobe) increased detectability of the locomotive
compared with the use of the standard
headlights alone. Each system provided a
distinctive, uniform light pattern that motorists
could recognize as signifying a locomotive.
The crossing light system provided the best
overall performance. The increase in detection
distance provided by the crossing light system
(over that of the ditch and strobe systems and
the standard headlights alone) was statistically
significant, providing a greater safety margin.

ntl.bts.gov/lib/42000/42800/42871/rr0717.pdf

[Harryc]

@Valkpilot, good info, thanks. Any recommendation for a decent headlight modulator unit for LEDs?

[Valkpilot]

@Valkpilot, good info, thanks. Any recommendation for a decent headlight modulator unit for LEDs?

Start here: https://kisantech.com/mag/

Google or Bing search for "led headlight modulator" will yield a ton of results.

[Harryc]

Thanks. From Kisantech this looks to be the correct unit for my application. https://kisantech.com/mag/pathblazer/p115w-h3-hd4.html

[Harryc]

Harry, can't answer your question about the legality of modulating lights in NY, heck can't even answer about MA either, but I've been told in MA, as long as it isn't a blue flashing light, it's good.

I used to have a very lightly blue headlight bulb and that would get a lot of double takes, with some people in front of me, actually pulling over.

Never got called on it, it burned out and I never found another.  Didn't really look that hard.

I had lights mounted on my crash bars at one time, those are pretty spaced wide.

Thanks Bill.

[Hooter]

I  won't ride without them on my bikes. All 3 have them. (Passing / running whatever you want to call them) I have very little problem with people  pulling out in front of me. More light to the front the better.

[98valk]

I  won't ride without them on my bikes. All 3 have them. (Passing / running whatever you want to call them) I have very little problem with people  pulling out in front of me. More light to the front the better.

so you're telling me loud pipes don't save lives? 

[hubcapsc]

People say I show up real well with motolights... it doesn't seem
so much like it with this old daytime picture that from an angle...



Here's Wimp showing up at a meet-up place in the daylight, he
has similar lights, much less expensive than motolights, they
work great I think...



I can see Stanley Steamer's pod lights on his Interstate really well.

I think "the triangle effect" of lights like these get notice 

-Mike

[Leathel]

I have fitted these spots, same spots as I run on the 1100

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2X-2-10W-Cree-LED-Work-Light-Spot-Offroad-Driving-Fog-Lamp-Motorcycle-4WD-UTE-/172659144443?epid=625299959&hash=item28334976fb:g:1VgAAOSwGYVW9jYO&vxp=mtr

on the Valk i fitted them as wide as I could and my riding buddies recon they really stand out





this is with the spots only on, But I have since set them wider and higher, you can ride without the headlight if that blows



Modulators are illegal in NZ

I also thought about setting up the indicators as running lights like my old bike but not looked in to it yet, but having orange on as well should add to the package to stand out?

[Harryc]

Thanks Leathel. Did you wire them directly to the headlight circuit or did you use a relay with direct battery power and a switch? Your mounting system has me thinking too. I'd also have to do a custom bracket because I already have a lot going on with the crash bars between highway pegs and the Baker Air Wings already mounted to it.

[Leathel]

Thanks Leathel. Did you wire them directly to the headlight circuit or did you use a relay with direct battery power and a switch? Your mounting system has me thinking too. I'd also have to do a custom bracket because I already have a lot going on with the crash bars between highway pegs and the Baker Air Wings already mounted to it.

I have a switch block on my front brake master that activates a relay, picked up the power from the accesery wire behind the RH side cover.... I put a multi wire cable under the carbs when I had them out the first time so have 9 wires to  run power back and forwards.... makes it easy to add bits

quick google for the switch block I have found this link, can be found cheaper though

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/1237/51191/Show-Chrome-Accessories-L.E.D.-Master-Cylinder-Switch-Block-Assembly

It would not be hard to get a relay feed from the park lamp and a small relay (if you can find one) would fit in the headlamp housing lamp.....just need a power source run forward

[Harryc]

Thanks. No 'park lamps' on US bikes and I already used the accessory circuit for my electronic fuel cutoff, but I could certainly use it to trigger another relay. Ideally if I do this I'd go with a fuse block that has a large relay for all of these switched accessories. Too many wires on the battery presently. I already have the horn, heated grips,  and battery tender hooked to the battery.

[Gryphon Rider]

I have auxiliary lights that are actually small headlights that use H4 halogen bulbs. I run all three lights on high beam during bright daylight and have not had people turn in front of me.

[Leathel]

Yeah I have grips, 2 horns, fuel shut off, & spots, I have one main fused power that loops on to each relay but I have some pretty small relays I got from a wreck for the lower power needs, I needed a big relay for the horns though but one with twin power outs

Here is the size of the relays I am using



numbers from the relay

[Harryc]

@Leathel, thanks!. @Gryphon Rider, where did yoiu get that light bar?

[Valkpilot]

Thanks Leathel. Did you wire them directly to the headlight circuit or did you use a relay with direct battery power and a switch? Your mounting system has me thinking too. I'd also have to do a custom bracket because I already have a lot going on with the crash bars between highway pegs and the Baker Air Wings already mounted to it.

Wiring diagrams for adding driving lights: http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,56705.msg546076.html#msg546076

[Harryc]

@Valkpilot, thanks for the diagrams.  You guys are great. Thanks for all of the input and ideas.

[Gryphon Rider]

@Leathel, thanks!. @Gryphon Rider, where did yoiu get that light bar?

I made it. 1" diameter aluminum bar and clamps from a local motorcycle accessory store.

[h13man]

I have fitted these spots, same spots as I run on the 1100



on the Valk i fitted them as wide as I could and my riding buddies recon they really stand out

I installed the same ones except in chrome finish on top the engine guards. Took some adjustments for night use as "tuners/lowriders" didn't like them. 

On another note, I see you have Kury Premuim floorboards on the driver position. Are they mounted with Kury adapters  on stock mounts?

[Harryc]

I installed the same ones except in chrome finish on top the engine guards.

Do you recall where you got them? I can't seem to locate that same light in chrome.

[h13man]

I installed the same ones except in chrome finish on top the engine guards.

Do you recall where you got them? I can't seem to locate that same light in chrome.

I believe I got them thru Amazon.

[Harryc]

I installed the same ones except in chrome finish on top the engine guards.

Do you recall where you got them? I can't seem to locate that same light in chrome.

I believe I got them thru Amazon.

Thanks. I actually found them but at 3 times the price on EBay.

[h13man]

I paid $60 for mine.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00J6990A2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I had a pair of 1 1/8" Kury Magnum clamps I revised to mount them. I tried the Kury "P" accessory clamps and was very dissapointed in the QC and fit in the 1 1/8" fit (sleeve fit) .

For the switching I used this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0195V8G4Q/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 which is a extremely QC item and you can see the light on in the daylight.

[Harryc]

@h13man, thanks!

[Wayn-O]

@Leathel, thanks!. @Gryphon Rider, where did yoiu get that light bar?

I made it. 1" diameter aluminum bar and clamps from a local motorcycle accessory store.

@Gryphon Rider, please show us more pics of your aux lightbar setup.  I would love to copy what you've done.  Thanks!

[Gryphon Rider]

@Leathel, thanks!. @Gryphon Rider, where did yoiu get that light bar?

I made it. 1" diameter aluminum bar and clamps from a local motorcycle accessory store.

@Gryphon Rider, please show us more pics of your aux lightbar setup.  I would love to copy what you've done.  Thanks!

I'll get back to you in a few days.  I haven't even unpacked the bike from InZane yet, and I don't want to give you a bunch of close-ups of bug guts.  And I need to decide how to make my pics available in the near future, as Photobucket has just committed suicide, although they don't know it yet.  BTW, not asking advice on the photo hosting thing.

[The emperor has no clothes]

@Leathel, thanks!. @Gryphon Rider, where did yoiu get that light bar?

I made it. 1" diameter aluminum bar and clamps from a local motorcycle accessory store.

@Gryphon Rider, please show us more pics of your aux lightbar setup.  I would love to copy what you've done.  Thanks!

I'll get back to you in a few days.  I haven't even unpacked the bike from InZane yet, and I don't want to give you a bunch of close-ups of bug guts.  And I need to decide how to make my pics available in the near future, as Photobucket has just committed suicide, although they don't know it yet.  BTW, not asking advice on the photo hosting thing.

you may not be asking, but I suspect you are going to get it.

[DarkSideR]

Another option would be to upgrade to a LED headlight. I sell the adapter brackets making the conversion to the DayMaker headlights a possibility.

I suggest this not only because I can see better at night but because I am also much more visible during the day.

https://www.facebook.com/DayMakerBrackets/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K48cp45_h6Q

Email me ValkyrieJosh@gmail.com if you are interested.

[Harryc]

Another option would be to upgrade to a LED headlight. I sell the adapter brackets making the conversion to the DayMaker headlights a possibility.

I suggest this not only because I can see better at night but because I am also much more visible during the day.

https://www.facebook.com/DayMakerBrackets/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K48cp45_h6Q

Email me ValkyrieJosh@gmail.com if you are interested.

Thanks Josh, already have your bracket and a very bright Eaglelights Daymaker. It was me who started the thread though ... obviously some folks need the bright light 'triangle of death' coming at them to wake up.

[pancho]

I have fitted these spots, same spots as I run on the 1100

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2X-2-10W-Cree-LED-Work-Light-Spot-Offroad-Driving-Fog-Lamp-Motorcycle-4WD-UTE-/172659144443?epid=625299959&hash=item28334976fb:g:1VgAAOSwGYVW9jYO&vxp=mtr

on the Valk i fitted them as wide as I could and my riding buddies recon they really stand out





this is with the spots only on, But I have since set them wider and higher, you can ride without the headlight if that blows



Modulators are illegal in NZ

I also thought about setting up the indicators as running lights like my old bike but not looked in to it yet, but having orange on as well should add to the package to stand out?

I'm wondering if those 10w crees help light up the road any at night,, how much additional light do they provide?


Never mind,, I see you answered my question in the original post...

  " this is with the spots only on, But I have since set them wider and higher, you can ride without the headlight if that blows "

Think I will get a set to replace some small halogens that are mounted on the crash bar.