Headlight Modulators

[pais]

  Recently passed a bike utilizing a HL modulator. Some I've seen, I wasn't sure if I was looking at a loose HL, vibration or what. Most recent one I saw was very noticeable. Steady gate to it, so to speak. Wondering if anyone utilizes one with the addition of a BonS Smartswitch? If so, is wiring a problem or what? Comes to electronics I'm lost! I muddle/struggle through the mechanical part of motorcycle ownership, but at least, I'm confident it's done right. Even if it takes me twice or three times as long as most
  Any suggestion on which is reliable and effective? Preferably easy to install, I really like P&P.

[MarkT]

If the modulator is installed downstream (on the light bulb side) of the SS, it should work.  Modulators don't shut the power all the way off on the dim cycle but reduce the voltage to dim the bulb to a lower percent.  Like around 30% IIRC.  This is required by the federal specification.  Also to preserve the tungsten bulb so it doesn't suffer the shock off fully off and on.  Also they will only work with incandescent bulbs, not LEDs. BonS's SS is basically a pair of relays triggered by the OEM circuits that originally powered the bulbs directly.  I don't know if he used traditional relays or MOSFETs to implement it, but I suspect the latter. In any case, they power the output completely on or off, I'm sure, so must be upstream of your modulator for the latter to work.  BonS can correct me if I'm wrong but I'm 90% on this.

[9Ball]

I always wondered if they made oncoming drivers have a target fixation causing them to steer towards you.  I’m sure the value is for left turners and those that might pull out in front of you claiming they didn’t see you.

Just musing...

[gordonv]

I've an IS, and run a head light modulator. I also liked the idea of BonS Smartswitch so bought one. I also have a 65W/65W bulbs, over the factory 45W/45W.

I posted in my project that when I installed the Smartswitch, the modulator no longer functioned. As Mark mentioned about where you place it in the circuit, I don't recall where I did. But lets think, the wires from the battery to the fairing, then the bulbs. The modulator was in the OEM wire harness, then to the Smartswitch. Ah, my picture! The blue is the Smartswitch receptacles, and the teal ones from the modulator.



Could I have placed the Smartswitch into the modulator? Yes, but I doubt there would have been that higher amps getting to the bulbs.

Conclusion. Buy extra lights if you want to be seen better.

[Fixjet]

I always wondered if they made oncoming drivers have a target fixation causing them to steer towards you.  I’m sure the value is for left turners and those that might pull out in front of you claiming they didn’t see you.

Just musing...

Never been my experience that it fixated drivers.  I used one since 1980 and will never ride without the it.  Every time I ride we see someone at a crossroad start to roll out then stop and wait and it gets their attention.  With more and more cars having daytime driving light I think it is even more valuable.  Not getting lost in the sea of driving lights is great.  And it is correct that it modulates the one beam 4 times a second.  My Kisan modulates the high beam, some do the low beam.  Easy install as it plugs into the bulb and the connector plugs into it. 

[MarkT]

I've run the Kisan - wire-in modulator (not plug n play but supports up to 150w) on Deerslayer since '98.  I also have the HiPower headlight mod I wrote up back then, which is the predecessor of the BonS smartswitch.  That is, his SS is a PnP implementation of my HiPower headlight mod.  Of course, mine is wired as I said above - the modulator is downstream of my HiPower mod.

http://www.horseapple.com/Valkyrie/Tech_Tips/Installing_Kisan_Products/installing_kisan_products.html

http://www.horseapple.com/Valkyrie/Tech_Tips/Headlight_Upgrade/headlight_upgrade.html

[0leman]

I have one on my '99 IS.  It was there when I got her in '08.   Don't know what brand it is or how its wired as never taken the front off.   

BUT, I do run it a lot on the hwy's .  It is bright and  does get most folks attention on the two lane roads I ride on.  That being said, yesterday went for a ride.  Coming home, had three folks pass on coming traffic when they shouldn't have.  The last one, cause me to hit the brakes and go far right as I could.   I got wondering if my high beams had gone out.  Pulled over to look, nope they were still flashing.  Just bad drivers I guess.

I do remember when driving on the road, Hwy 295, between Reno, NV and Susanville, CA, there was a time I passed a semi on a long straight stretch with what I thought was plenty of time.  There was a HD coming at me, his headlight washed out in the vehicle behind him. Couldn't see him.  Not really close, but it I hadn't hit the gas, it could have been.   Just saying

[Grandpot]

I installed a modulator from Kisan (p/n P115W-D) on my IS on 12/28/08.  It has worked perfectly and never burned out a bulb.  It attaches directly to the headlight bulbs.  There is no other wiring involved except to install the supplied photo cell that disables the modulator at night.

It really does get drivers attention.  The police do not stop me for having the modulator.

[pais]

    Now even more to think about. I forgot that I converted to a LED headlight.

[gordonv]

Every time I ride we see someone at a crossroad start to roll out then stop and wait and it gets their attention. 

I see the same thing. I Know they see me, the way they stop. Like mentioned, they move, and then stop.

A fellow rider says they will mistake the flashing as a sign for them to go ahead. I say Never, there is a big difference between the modulation and someone flashing their lights at you.

I forget the brand I have, but it will modulate in either High or Low beam, and by a quick change from Low-High-Low/High-Low-High, it turns it off. So I do that for when I'm ridding with other riders.

[MarkT]

A couple weeks ago I was riding down CO hwy 83 returning from the Springs at 70 and an oncoming SUV passed way too close.  WTF I said gave him the salute when he went by but I had to slow and move to the right.  I was running my FIVE fwd LED lights on high beam at the time - I said what, are my lights out?  This bike doean't have a modulator but no way I'm not seen.  No they work, he was just an Ahole.  Lotsa high speed and crazy drivers in this close-to-AF Academy area.  Driving on I-25, traffic speed near the academy and for miles north is usually over 80 in (IIRC) a 65 zone.  Lotsa bad "accidents" along there.  One reason I prefer taking the old highway 83 instead.

[hueco]

There was one on my Valk when I bought it. My experience was that when the driver waiting to pull out saw that you were not an emergency vehicle. It pissed them off. And. They would just pull out in front of me. So. I took it off.

[h13man]

As far front/headlight modulators, I'm not a fan of as can protect my front side but not my rear thus I use a Back Off on my brake light circuit which with a tap of the brake, they Back Off. The front is set up with a standard Silver Star HL bulb and 20w Cree LED spots mounted to top of the engine guards thus the "train" pattern that seems to work really well. The light difference between the SS and LED's mounted in this pattern are significant enough to see that I'm a motorcycle especially at night. The problem I see with spots that are mounted to close to the headlight, I can't distinguish distance of said vehicles thus it causes indecision on my part and that's not good as other folk may not be as patient especially in the smart phone era.

[westsidevalk]

I am a true beliver by  personal evidence alone. Been Riding 38 years.

I have run a headlight modulator for many years and the number of cagers that start turning  into my right of way, whatever the circumstance, is absolutely minimal.

I recall cagers that didnt "see" me before I ran a modulator, and I used my little stock " beep beep horn " fairly often.

Now I run 120 db dual tone  chrome airhorns, but cant recall the last I needed to use them in a compromised right of way situation, and its not because I ride like Grandpa, far from it.

I also run Two Bros 6 into 6 pipes that get the old girl really going, and they are are sooooo sweet sounding in stereo with the turnouts.

It is truely astonishing to me how rare it is to bikes with headlight modulators, really amazing, such a inexpensive way to enhance visibility.

I believe in the following strictly experientially and will never, ever be dissuaded.

Air horns help save lives

Loud pipes help save lives

Headlight modulators help save lives

The Honda Valkyrie is one of the best motorcycles ever.

Not drinking and riding saves lives

Not riding beyond your limits helps save lives.

Not riding with your emotions helps save lives

Not riding at speeds that are not reasonable and prudent for the conditions  saves lives.

My Valkyries favorite highway  cruising speed is somewhat past the freeway speed limit.

My 1999 GL1500CT, the 38th Sedona Red and Pearl White produced in 1998
is the  finest machine in any typical gathering of motorcycles.

This summer I rode over 4,000 miles  in New England and saw no more than a  dozen Valkyries in all my travels.

Years ago they were not common but definitely not uncommon.

Today I took  I-91 south out of Ma to Ct 190 to Ct. 74 to Ct. 44 and we had lunch at the Vanilla  Bean in Woodstock.

In the parking lot  were 25 Harleys, 1 KTM, 2 Ducatis, 2 Moto Guzzis and far and away the star of the show i my gorgeous 99 Valk.

Had to brag, proud to own such a fine machine. :

Ever since I got the used cream colored seat off fleabay she is literally an attention magnet like never before.

I have little old ladies come up to me and say

" I dont know much about motorcycles but that one is really beautiful

[0leman]

I have had my Valk I/S for over 10 years now.  She came as I said above with headlight Mod.  It also came with "back off" tail lights.   The pervious owner also put the standard tail light on.  The tail lights alternate between the trunk brake lights and the brake light on the fender.   

As far as folks getting mad at me for not being an emergency vehicle, never happens.  There have been a few folks who tend to pull over the their side of the highway when I do come at them, especially in the spring.  Also I tend to turn off the Mod when I get within a certain distance behind them on the highway.

I do think the Mod's both tail and headlights help.   

[da prez]

  To each their own. I purchased the dayliter at Taos and swear by it. Cages that would normally pull out in front of me or left turners hold back.  I paid very close attention to the situation and the dayliter makes a world of difference.  The halo shape is an eye catcher.
  This is an un-solicited endorsement. The DAYLITER works.  I am sure there will be that nimrod that will never look because they own the road.

                            da prez