Headlight Bulb

[voyager55]

What's everyone using for a headlight bulb? Man, there's so many out there.

[SgtSlag]

Careful on the wattage. Going higher could burn up the wires, literally, as well as overtax the alternator. Aside from that, I just went with a standard bulb. Cheers!

[Tonyvdb]

LED, uses way less power and is brighter. This is the one I have

http://www.amazon.com/12W-18W-Motorcycl ... 4+LED+bulb" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[voyager55]

Any idea if a LED setup works ok with a headlight modulator?

[chevyman1]

Signal dynamics headlight modulator will not work with LED bulbs but there website says they are working on one that will

[voyager55]

Kisan modulator works with a LED light. I've had their regular modulator for years, no problems

http://kisantech.com/mag/index.php/pfin/p115w.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[SgtSlag]

Be aware that the Kisan only modulates the Hi-beam; switching to Lo-beam turns it off, with a steady Lo-Beam light. It cannot be used to modulate the Lo-beam. The LED version is an additional $12.95 added to the base price, as well. Just an FYI. Cheers!

[HawkeSHR]

Kisan has excellent products and customer service. I also would recommend their products.

Headlight modulator -opinion alert... (my apologies for seemingly hi-jacking the topic...)

Just my 2 cents on headlight modulators. I had used them for several years but after several occasions where the other driver(s) mis-interpreted the modulator as my flashing them to pull out (me giving them the right of way), I have ceased using it. Happened both when turning (with proper turn signaling) and when continuing straight. Fortunately I do not have a habit of speeding and had plenty of space/time to navigate it properly.

I'm an advocate of lighting and visibility on motorcycles but sometimes what we are communicating can cause the other drivers to mis-interpret our intent. Expecting the others to properly interpret or be aware of what a modulator is and its purpose is not a reasonable expectation.

The problem is that 4-wheel drivers are so distracted by just about everything, they do not "think" when driving and their navigations are very quick and erratic because of their pace in life.

I know this may not be a popular commentary but just something to consider.

Motorcyclists as a community are in many cases becoming better trained but it is the 4-wheelers, who need to be trained about motorcycles and heavier fines for moving violations involving 2-wheeled vehicles should be considered.

I've been in emergency services over 30 years and I do not see a decrease in motorcycle fatalities, especially in my area and in the last 5-7 years. Within the last 2 months I've read (at work at my 911 center and on the news) at about at least 3-4 motorcycle fatalities and at least a dozen non-fatal (with and without injury) crashes - primarily the fault of the 4 wheeled driver.

I link this back to what I communicate to other drivers and they are already distracted let a lone trying to interpret my headlight modulator... I like the feature but not the result...

...Rant off...

[Me Again]

Kisan has excellent products and customer service. I also would recommend their products.

Headlight modulator -opinion alert... (my apologies for seemingly hi-jacking the topic...)

Just my 2 cents on headlight modulators. I had used them for several years but after several occasions where the other driver(s) mis-interpreted the modulator as my flashing them to pull out (me giving them the right of way), I have ceased using it. Happened both when turning (with proper turn signaling) and when continuing straight. Fortunately I do not have a habit of speeding and had plenty of space/time to navigate it properly.

I'm an advocate of lighting and visibility on motorcycles but sometimes what we are communicating can cause the other drivers to mis-interpret our intent. Expecting the others to properly interpret or be aware of what a modulator is and its purpose is not a reasonable expectation.

The problem is that 4-wheel drivers are so distracted by just about everything, they do not "think" when driving and their navigations are very quick and erratic because of their pace in life.

I know this may not be a popular commentary but just something to consider.

Motorcyclists as a community are in many cases becoming better trained but it is the 4-wheelers, who need to be trained about motorcycles and heavier fines for moving violations involving 2-wheeled vehicles should be considered.

I've been in emergency services over 30 years and I do not see a decrease in motorcycle fatalities, especially in my area and in the last 5-7 years. Within the last 2 months I've read (at work at my 911 center and on the news) at about at least 3-4 motorcycle fatalities and at least a dozen non-fatal (with and without injury) crashes - primarily the fault of the 4 wheeled driver.

I link this back to what I communicate to other drivers and they are already distracted let a lone trying to interpret my headlight modulator... I like the feature but not the result...

...Rant off...

I'm not a fan of modulators and have whined and bellyached about them on this forum for years.I now have to admit that your 2 cents worth beat the crap out of all my rants and I totally agree with you.Put them on your brights if you feel the need but NEVER on the dim.
Thanks
Bill

[voyager55]

No sense modulating low beam light. My butt has been saved many times using my modulator. lol

[HawkeSHR]

I'm not a fan of modulators and have whined and bellyached about them on this forum for years.I now have to admit that your 2 cents worth beat the crap out of all my rants and I totally agree with you.Put them on your brights if you feel the need but NEVER on the dim.
Thanks
Bill

It all comes back to us as riding like we are invisible. You ever notice how people don't even read signs clearly posted?

I ride about half the time in the dark (early morning commute) and yesterday I saw a CanAm Spyder going in the opposite direction. He was VERY visible with the array of lights up front. To me that is more of key item than headlight modulation.

Glad I could add some support to your notes Bill. I'm just sharing my reality of people pulling out in front of me because of modulator use. Always is healthy/prudent to consider another angle.

[SgtSlag]

Well, I have to disagree. The Hi-beam is aimed higher, meaning it pretty much hits the oncoming traffic in the eyes. My goal is to increase my visibility, not offend, or blind the oncoming traffic. I've been riding with a headlight modulator since 2006, on three different bikes: 440, 750, and my Voyager. It has made a difference, on all three bikes. Yes, I've made a few drivers wonder what was going on, whether I was a LEO, or not. Fine by me. It made them stop, and try to evaluate who, and what, I was.

While I have no hard evidence, I have my personal experiences which satisfy me that it makes a difference -- most of the time, but not always. I do not rely on it to save me, or my bride, or my son, when he rode my bikes. I use it as a tool, to try to stack the odds a little more in my favor. They're legal by federal law, in all 50 States, they're legal in Canada, as well. While the law, in the States, does not specify Hi/Low Beam, I prefer the Low, as I said, to avoid shining my Hi-beams in oncoming drivers' eyes. I've never seen any credible evidence that the HI-beam works better than the Lo-beam, just like I've never seen any credible evidence (scientific) that they work at all. Maybe you've had better experiences with Hi-beam's. Personally, I try to avoid anything that can interfere with other motorists, and to me, the Hi-beam puts both me, and the oncoming driver, at risk, by possibly making him squint, or look away. If you install a higher wattage lightbulb, the Hi-Beam will be even brighter yet, than the standard 60 Watt bulb...

I also installed two lights, on the engine guard bars, to make a triangle of lights, just like you see on locomotives. There is, however, real proof that a triangle of lights works: they allow the viewer to accurately gauge the distance, and approaching speed, of locomotives. On a bike, they will work basically the same way. However, the triangle needs to be big enough -- putting two more lights close to the headlight, won't allow the viewer to gauge your approaching speed, as the triangle will be too small. It is illegal to modulate any light, other than the headlight (up front; brake lights are an unknown), so the triangle only has one flashing light. Ride safe, and be courteous -- you may be driving that cage, yourself, when you meet a motorcyclist. Cheers!

[voyager55]

You can disagree, but you're still wrong!

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

I have the Kisan Blazer (not the model with works with LED, wish it was) and have used it for three years now. I can honestly say (Knock on wood) that since installation I have not had anyone pull out in-front of me or cut me off in traffic.
In the 3 years before for comparison sake at least 2-3 times by mid-summer. Some more hair raising than others and some I would just blow them off like it was not really a big deal. Some were sincerely innocent accidents which I know happen, while others were cutting it close even if I weren't there. No one has chewed my butt off cause of the flashing and it only works on High beam, I can and have switched to Low beam when on one-way streets when I felt safer but I have also ran it from morning to night as long as the light sensor allowed it to modulate. Once the natural light was low enough for it to no longer modulate I simply switch to low beam and high as needed.

If I offend any cagers, well tough I'm still alive!

BTW - my brother is a pizza delivery guy and hates them (and he is a motorcycle enthusiast).

[ghostler]

LED, uses way less power and is brighter. This is the one I have http://www.amazon.com/12W-18W-Motorcycl ... 4+LED+bulb" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Tony, thanks for the link, saved it to my wish list, looks like a good replacement and reduces load on the battery, too.

[chevyman1]

I have been using the signal dynamics modulator for a number of years now.
It works on low and high beam but you can switch it off when needed.
The only time I may switch off the modulator is if I am riding in a group and am not leading
I run with the light on high day and night it's vary rear that somebody flashes there lights at me after dark.
being a 25 year old bike my high beam is not as bright as a lot of new cars low beams.
The only thing that I have happen is when I am following usually a older lady or man they will pull off the road and let me by.

[Me Again]

I have been using the signal dynamics modulator for a number of years now.
It works on low and high beam but you can switch it off when needed.
The only time I may switch off the modulator is if I am riding in a group and am not leading
I run with the light on high day and night it's vary rear that somebody flashes there lights at me after dark.
being a 25 year old bike my high beam is not as bright as a lot of new cars low beams.
The only thing that I have happen is when I am following usually a older lady or man they will pull off the road and let me by.

If you run on high beam at night and don't get flashed it is probably means that your light is set to low ,not that it's to dim .My reason for not wanting a flasher on low beam is that you are supposed to dim your lights for oncoming traffic anyways ,so the flashing does not become a distraction at night .I'm an old fart and that flashing does distract (annoy) me whether I'm on 2 or 4 wheels

[chevyman1]

If I set my headlight any higher it is shining into the air and don't light up the road in front of me, I am using a stock bulb.
also the modulator doesn't flash at night, It is unlawful to do so.

[Scottals]

Question for Tonyvdb please, is your headlight application a plug and play? I am not savvy enough to rewire the motorcycle.

Thanks

[greybeard]

I bought a plug and play LED headlight bulb only problem I had was it switching to bright and showing headlight out but pulled the pin on the reserve lighting plug fixed that I love it nice and bright now