Help me be seen out there

[krasmu]

I've had several bikes in my life and but have never been cutoff as many times with all of those combined as I have with my now "silver 90 1200". There should be plenty of lights on this bike but somehow I'm still missed. At this point I'm still refusing to put louder pipes on it to be heard. I've been doing lots of thinking about doing some of the lighting tricks to be more visible. I understand what the brake modulator does but can somebody explain how a headlight modulator does? Is the headlight constantly changing? Does that drive you nuts at night? Has anyone had any luck converting all the lights on the bike to LED to make them brighter. I will be removing the paint on the tail light lens and getting that light operational soon. Then maybe adding some LED strips to the trunk sides and some LED driving/fog lights up front.

[SgtSlag]

Conspicuity: how visible you are. There is more to it than just lights, and modulators, but they help tremendously

A headlight modulator is required, by federal law, to have a light sensor which disables it in darkness, automatically [your headlight comes on solid, no pulsing; switching to the other mode (HI/Lo) bypasses the modulator, leaving the beam on steady, regardless of light level - a manual bypass, always available]. They also do not "flash" your headlight, as this is reserved for emergency vehicles only (Police, Fire/Rescue, etc.). The modulators ramp the brightness up/down rapidly, but it is NOT a flashing, rather it is a pulsing. The law is rather specific on this, so making a cheap flasher, which turns it on/off rapidly, for less than $20, is NOT legal. Modulators are legal in all 50 States, by federal law; they are also legal in Canada; don't know about Mexico, or other parts of the world.

Buy one which is plug-n-play, unless you are comfortable in wiring. They work exceptionally well at getting you noticed, based solely on my personal experience, since 2006. I won't ride without one -- I order one ASAP for a new-to-me bike. Same with brakelight modulators -- I install one on every bike I own, ASAP.

I recommend installing some high-Lumen, low amperage, LED lights on the front engine guard bars. They form a triangle of lights, similar to what is seen on locomotive engines: people can gauge your distance, and speed, based on the changing size of the triangle of lights. I recommend LED's pumping out 500+ Lumens each (your standard 55/60 Watt headlight puts out around 800 Lumens, max.).

Wear a hi-vis jacket, or a road crew type vest, over your jacket. They vary in price from $10, to $50, for a road crew vest. We've received numerous complements from LEO's at gas stations about our vests. We upgraded to hi-vis jackets, but the principle is the same -- only the cost went up, along with comfort, and protection.

Add decorative reflectors to your helmet, and bike. Here is a company I used to increase visibility on my black helmet: StreetGlo. Here is the set I used on my black helmet: Speed Strips (scroll down just a bit; I used burgundy; not easy to apply, but sharp looking). Search Amazon.com for reflective decals, as well -- plenty to choose from. Here is another site with information on this topic: WebBikeWorld.com decals. Cheers!

[krasmu]

thanks, that explains the headlight modulator to me. I'll definitely be looking into that. I do have the hi-vis vest but I'll admit I generally reserve that for dark cloudy or rainy days. I know, I know..
One other question please. I removed my trunk light bar today to see what is going on underneath. I was surprised. I guess expected to see one or two light socket holes there. There are none. Does the ambient light from the two corner lights just flow down through to the center of that bar or are guys adding in some kind of lighting application in the middle? Once the paint has been removed of course.

[Avidrider62]

Ambient light flows to the middle

[99VoyagerXII]

I haven't gotten around to putting the headlight and taillight modulators on my Voyager yet, but I do have them on my Suzuki C50, and they do get attention....to the extent that some folks pull over on the shoulder when meeting me, TailBlazer (taillight modulator) works well too. When stopped, I often will release and engage the brakes to restart the taillight flashing feature. I highly recommend BOTH.

[krasmu]

Thanks everybody. I think this will be a winter project, but at least i now have a better idea of where i want to go.

[trigger12]

This goes without saying, but all the high visibility accessories in the world won't attract the attention of the distracted cager, who's too busy with a cell phone, food, etc. to see you. Defensive driving will always need to be in play.

[ekap1200]

This goes without saying, but all the high visibility accessories in the world won't attract the attention of the distracted cager, who's too busy with a cell phone, food, etc. to see you. Defensive driving will always need to be in play.

I have to agree, you could have flashing lights on your helmet and some would still not be paying attention and see ya. A few days ago at a stop light I looked around at the other cagers and every one of them was on their cell phones. Not that more lighting won't help, but its not a cure for stupid drivers. We have a brake flasher light module and two 1800 lumen lamps on the front and it helps , but still have drivers not paying attention. Defensive and offensive driving, keeping distance from other vehicles and staying in a position to be seen at intersections is the way I stay alive here in the northeast... even if it means slowing down. Gene

[Mr Jensee]

Instead of opting for more lighting I decided early on to wear bright clothing. The neon yellow or safety orange works well to make yourself more visible at a distance. I see more and more cars today with accessory lighting that can tend to get you lost in the lights in traffic. So far nobody has cut me off or caused a close call. (knock on wood)

[SgtSlag]

I also installed a "third brake light" on my trunk lid, in the center. It's inexpensive, bright, and at most driver's eye level. It is also adjustable for angle. They're readily available on e-Bay, for little money. Here is a a search link to their site for these additional lights: link. Make sure you buy one that is not too long to fit your trunk...

Combine this with a brakelight modulator, and you should be able to make your 'rear end' much more noticeable.

I agree, all the lights and modulators, combined with hi-viz clothing can't make you accident-proof, but it can go a long way to helping some drivers see you. Anything I can do to stack the odds a little more in my favor, I am willing to try. Cheers!

[davidl]

I don't know the actual numbers but I think statictis? tell us that more motorcycle accidents/deaths are caused by car drivers turning in front of rather than into them from the rear. SO if this is true, best thing to do is to be seen. I have seen several videos about highlight modulators and motorcycles that have them can be seen farther away than one with just a headlight or lights. I have one and it has stopped several people from turning out. Makes some people mad because they pull to the outside lane to let me pass or slow down but at least I get seen. I will have one on every bike I own...

[krasmu]

that was going be my next question. How many people get upset after finding out that you are not an emergency vehicle? That last thing I want to do entice road rage. I watched a couple videos on U-tube of bikes with these headlight modulators in use and the first thing that popped into my mind was how much it looked like an emergency vehicle. I know they are not main stream around here at least and might cause a stir. I figured I'd call the local sheriff and see if they have had any complaints and get their input, even though they are legal. For now I like the idea of the front driving lights to create the triangle and the brake modulator along with some extra LED strips on the saddle bags and fairing. Plus I wear a bright silver 3/4 helmet, I think I'll place some silver reflector tape on it for night time. the head is always moving so that should give some extra visibility there.

[voyager55]

I've used a modulator for several years now & have never had a single problem.
Best safety feature you can buy imo

[davidl]

I've had no road rage. I have had several people let me pass then pull up beside me at a stop light to tell me my headlight was "blinking". Either way as long as people take a second look before they pull out, the better it is for me...

[chevyman1]

I had people tell me my headlight was flashing.
Also had people pull off the road in front of me I don't think it because they think it's an emergence vehicle but because it annoys them, usually older ladies .

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

I've been running with a modular on my headlight for a few years now and NOT ONCE have I experienced any road rage from other vehicle operators!
I can say with the utmost sincerity and honesty that I have realized more than once that it has saved me aggravation and pain
(and/or death)!
Plus it also makes my wife feel more comfortable and safe as well.

[SgtSlag]

I've been using a headlight modulator since around 2006. I have had several people tell/ask me about my "flashing headlight", but I just nod, "Yes, I know it is flashing..." I've had a very few folks pull over, thinking I was some sort of LEO, but that is their problem, not mine.

In the past nine years of usage, I have never encountered road rage because of it. I've also had more than a few cages start to pull out in front of me, then stop, preventing me from locking my brakes (I was on my brakes, slowing down, as I could not trust them to stop...). I do not have any scientific evidence, but I have plenty of anecdotal evidence, based on nine years of real-world experience -- for what it is worth. Cheers!

[krasmu]

sold! I will be putting one on my Christmas list and having it installed before the 2016 riding season.