Light modulator opinion

[Varmintmist]

I know that the modulator gets the bike noticed.

However, I am getting helpful folks telling me my light is flashing,,,,, all the time, even from riders. I pulled up next to a cage at a red light because he was waving and talking to me in his mirror this morning and he asked about it. While we were takling, a HD rider coming the other way slowed to tell me it was flashing.  Maybe the town is freindly, I dunno, but it is beggining to be bothersome.

I like the idea. It is starting to look like it is a distraction to other drivers, at least in town. I KNOW that it has helped at least once when a car was going to turn onto the road and I saw the driver do a double take.

Maybe I should turn it to low beam at intersections and in town and flip it to high (wear it modulates) when moving.

[..]

If I'm travelling behind another vehicle I'll turn mine off. Having someones brights flashing in my mirror would be annoying.

If I'm waiting at a stop light I'll turn mine off and wait until I've cleared the junction after the green light comes on before tuning it back on.

Apart from that it's on all the time.

[badger1002]

Mine worked all the time, high r low beam, except when I turned it off.  Rarely was it off. I used High beam on the highway and low beam in the city (city cops tend to get pi$$y about highbeams interfereing/bothering other drivers) Never got pulled over by a cop for it but just accepted the "attentions" of the cages & other riders as I was now no longer invisible, just slightly annoying to them.

[pufrider]

My wife had an ugly conversation with local law enforcement about the modulator. After the conversation and my follow up conversation with the sergant on duty, I pulled them out of our bikes.

Great idea, improves safety, makes you seen, but too much involvement with LEO for me.

My 2 cents.

[..]

http://www.kisantech.com/regulations.php

[ChromeDome]

I would think that you want them on as often as possible .... especially in town where people tend not to pay attention and there is a lot more two way traffic so a lot more oppurtunity to turn in front of oncoming traffic ... "honest officer .... I never saw him or his bike!".

[Gear Jammer]

In Texas, the law allows headlight modulators.  Of course at night they're not functional, so no problem.  During daylight hours, mine are on always.  Cops see me and just keep on going.  Even if they don't like them, there's nothing they can do about them. 
Of course, that doesn't mean they can't find a problem with something else if they want, but I've had no problem.  Ask Bandit about riding in front of me at Swamp Romp, and whether or not he had instant sighting of the bike in his mirrors.  And ask Hotglue about the PIAA 1100X driving lights I put on as well.  Having been hit by a car whose driver said she didn't see me ( I'm a nurse, can I help you?     )   I have all the lights I can, if I can find a place to mount them.  MHO  Gear Jammer out

[Serk]

Opinions are like... Well ya'll know...

IMHO though, if there's anything I do that's gonna make cage drivers react DIFFERENTLY to me, I don't wanna do it... They're just as likely to be thinking "Hmmm, wonder why that light's flashing" will drinking their latte, talking on the cell phone, and juggling their sandwich while they plow into me as they are without the modulator...

As always, just my opinion... Tried it, I felt less safe with it and took it off...

[3fan4life]

I think that they are a good way to get "noticed".

I haven't used them because they were illegal in VA.

The one thing that would concern me is whether or not they reduce bulb life.


This link http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle-technical-articles/Modulator-regs.htm gives the reg on them and has a copy that you can print to carry with you in case you're stopped by the police while using one.

[Brad]

I haven't used them because they were illegal in VA.


This link http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle-technical-articles/Modulator-regs.htm gives the reg on them and has a copy that you can print to carry with you in case you're stopped by the police while using one.

The link you give states that they are legal in all 50 states per federal law

[Serk]

The link you give states that they are legal in all 50 states per federal law

And since when has Virginia been bothered about things like the Federal government telling 'em they can't ban something? 

[¿spoom]

 As mentioned, they are legal in all states, key words being modulator not flasher. I ran one for a few months many years ago and took it off because of behavioral problems it caused in others. Yeah they get ya noticed but sometimes it's not all good

[franco6]

i use it when a vehicle needs to get out of the way. the running lights give plenty . when i need someone to pay att. there s nothing like a blast of air.the feds are ok with the modulators, locomotives, e.m.s. vehicles etc- most  states do not allow them.

[Hogg]

I use mine at very busy intersections, maybe just before I pass a vehicle, or to briefly flash a driver who appears not to be paying attention.  That way the flashing light is a change from the norm, something that will allow you to be noticed for that period of time when you are in that more-dangerous-than-normal situation .  Still don't RELY on it though, just a tool, like a horn, may be noticed by cagers, may not be.  I've seen MC riders coming the other way, usually a winger, and he has the dang thing on all the time. It's nothing but annoying if used in that way.  Thats why the riders and drivers were stopping you to tell you about the flashing headlight, they were thinking "certainly nobody would knowingly ride around with that distracting annoying flashing light all the time, on purpose".    IMHO, as always. That and $2.53 will get me a Starbucks cup of coffee....

[3fan4life]

I haven't used them because they were illegal in VA.


This link http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle-technical-articles/Modulator-regs.htm gives the reg on them and has a copy that you can print to carry with you in case you're stopped by the police while using one.

The link you give states that they are legal in all 50 states per federal law



The key word there is WERE.....

I'm not sure when the federal regulation was passed.

I found that information looking for a list of states in which they were legal.

I would like to know what others think about how the modulators affect bulb life.

Since replacing the bulbs on an Interstate is a PITA.   

[..]

I've used a headlight modulator for over 100,000 miles. No bulb problems here.

[sheets]

I use mine at very busy intersections, maybe just before I pass a vehicle, or to briefly flash a driver who appears not to be paying attention.  That way the flashing light is a change from the norm, something that will allow you to be noticed for that period of time when you are in that more-dangerous-than-normal situation .  Still don't RELY on it though, just a tool, like a horn, may be noticed by cagers, may not be.  I've seen MC riders coming the other way, usually a winger, and he has the dang thing on all the time. It's nothing but annoying if used in that way.  Thats why the riders and drivers were stopping you to tell you about the flashing headlight, they were thinking "certainly nobody would knowingly ride around with that distracting annoying flashing light all the time, on purpose".    IMHO, as always. That and $2.53 will get me a Starbucks cup of coffee....

My sentiments exactly.  Ymmv, sheets

[Michael K (Az.)]

I use mine at very busy intersections, maybe just before I pass a vehicle, or to briefly flash a driver who appears not to be paying attention.  That way the flashing light is a change from the norm, something that will allow you to be noticed for that period of time when you are in that more-dangerous-than-normal situation .  Still don't RELY on it though, just a tool, like a horn, may be noticed by cagers, may not be.  I've seen MC riders coming the other way, usually a winger, and he has the dang thing on all the time. It's nothing but annoying if used in that way.  Thats why the riders and drivers were stopping you to tell you about the flashing headlight, they were thinking "certainly nobody would knowingly ride around with that distracting annoying flashing light all the time, on purpose".    IMHO, as always. That and $2.53 will get me a Starbucks cup of coffee....

You can also hit your starter button while driving and it will flash the lights.