I've never been rear-ended while on a motorcycle stopped at a light or in the process of doing so. But, I know a few riders who have been injured this way and I've been hit when stopped at a light in my car. I could go into a rant about idiots texting, reading, etc., but I'll spare ya.
On my Tiger, I added one of those KnightRiderz LED flasher strips just below the license plate. It's an improvement, but not all that noticable on a sunny day. I wanted something more for the FJR. I found it.
If you want to get the attention of the drivers coming up behind you as you slow or stop, try this:
1) Get a single Whelen LIN3 lighthead (red). These are normally used in sets on emergency vehicles. Each one is stinkin' bright (3xGen3 LEDs) and draws very little current. They can be had on-line for about $50.
2) Buy a "3rdBrakeFlasher" unit for $20. This is a tiny, sealed 36-mode programable in-line flasher unit.
I set the Whelen (which has several strobe modes) to solid and programmed the flasher to do 5 flashes and then go solid (you need to set it for 4 flashes if you live in the People's Republic of Kalifornia).
I haven't done a video of it, but here's one from a guy who did the same setup on his bike. His flash mode is set a little too fast (you can set it slower), but it shows the effectiveness of this little light.
The hardest part of the install was fabricating and installing a bracket that fit up under my topcase mount, just above the stock brake lights. I'm now probably going to rig up an on-off switch (under the pillon) so I can turn it off during group rides. It's bright enough to potentially annoy the heck out of riders behind me.
On my Tiger, I added one of those KnightRiderz LED flasher strips just below the license plate. It's an improvement, but not all that noticable on a sunny day. I wanted something more for the FJR. I found it.
If you want to get the attention of the drivers coming up behind you as you slow or stop, try this:
1) Get a single Whelen LIN3 lighthead (red). These are normally used in sets on emergency vehicles. Each one is stinkin' bright (3xGen3 LEDs) and draws very little current. They can be had on-line for about $50.
2) Buy a "3rdBrakeFlasher" unit for $20. This is a tiny, sealed 36-mode programable in-line flasher unit.
I set the Whelen (which has several strobe modes) to solid and programmed the flasher to do 5 flashes and then go solid (you need to set it for 4 flashes if you live in the People's Republic of Kalifornia).
I haven't done a video of it, but here's one from a guy who did the same setup on his bike. His flash mode is set a little too fast (you can set it slower), but it shows the effectiveness of this little light.
The hardest part of the install was fabricating and installing a bracket that fit up under my topcase mount, just above the stock brake lights. I'm now probably going to rig up an on-off switch (under the pillon) so I can turn it off during group rides. It's bright enough to potentially annoy the heck out of riders behind me.
