Headlight Modulator Negative?

[Fieldsher]

Driving my car, on a limited access multi-lane road, a bike with modulator on came flying up behind me. Thought it was an emergency of some sort and changed lanes, only to be pissed off when the guy blew by me.

Now I want to get a modulator for riding locally and in NYC and this experience has me hesitating. Wouldn't use it on highway but wonder if anyone has experienced cager anger when riding locally or in a large city. No question in my mind that nothing trumps it for conspicuity but there's no way I'd remember to turn it off and on for every intersection.

Am I being paranoid??

Thanks, George

 

[freshmeat]

well-- I'm just about to add mine (the diamond star headlight / tail light combo pack from ridesafer.com clicky )

They have to see me to get ticked off, and I'll live with the karmic penalty of annoying them, if it means I don't get flattened by Mrs. Distracted Soccer Mom Cager.

 

[Carnifex]

Driving my car, on a limited access multi-lane road, a bike with modulator on came flying up behind me. Thought it was an emergency of some sort and changed lanes, only to be pissed off when the guy blew by me.

What, are you kidding, that's my favorite part of having the modulators in the first place..



I have noticed the 'moving over' affect over and over again. More room for me to ride. And don't be 'pissed off' at other bikers, plain old cagers are angry enough at us as it is.

 

[Ignacio]

The problem with the move over effect is that some legislator in some state will confuse a bike with a cop, move over, the biker will look satisfied that they moved traffic, and then say to themself that the biker is screwing with traffic.

Next thing that happens is that the legislator gets a bill passed to outlaw them except for cops.

Being seen is cool, but thinking it's a tool to help clear traffic is perilous.

 

[twowheelnut]

The problem with the move over effect is that some legislator in some state will confuse a bike with a cop, move over, the biker will look satisfied that they moved traffic, and then say to themself that the biker is screwing with traffic.
Next thing that happens is that the legislator gets a bill passed to outlaw them except for cops.

Being seen is cool, but thinking it's a tool to help clear traffic is perilous.

Yes, it's called 'The Moses Effect'. Especially handy for parting lanes of traffic.

 

[Bounce]

Driving my car, on a limited access multi-lane road, a bike with modulator on came flying up behind me. Thought it was an emergency of some sort and changed lanes, only to be pissed off when the guy blew by me.
Now I want to get a modulator for riding locally and in NYC and this experience has me hesitating. Wouldn't use it on highway but wonder if anyone has experienced cager anger when riding locally or in a large city. No question in my mind that nothing trumps it for conspicuity but there's no way I'd remember to turn it off and on for every intersection.

Am I being paranoid??

Thanks, George

None at all after 3 bikes and something like 10 or so years of using them. Most anger comes from other bikers pissed because the personally don't care for them and are on some sort of cruisade against those who use them.

All my real-world experience has been positive.

 

[yanktar]

The problem with the move over effect is that some legislator in some state will confuse a bike with a cop, move over, the biker will look satisfied that they moved traffic, and then say to themself that the biker is screwing with traffic.
Next thing that happens is that the legislator gets a bill passed to outlaw them except for cops.

Being seen is cool, but thinking it's a tool to help clear traffic is perilous.

Not to worry-- Modulators on bikes are explilcitly allowed by FEDERAL Law! States cannot overrule it not matter how high a horse the state legislator gets on.

Like the man said--if they get pissed off at you it means they SEE you!

 

[Fieldsher]

I live in the NYC suburbs and am not too concerned there. Problem is I frequently ride to work in Brooklyn, when the weather cooperates, and encounter a fair number of testosterone charged, wannabe race drivers. "Dis" them and their driving turns deadly.

Sure I could leave the modulator off when in the city, but that's where I am most likely to get T-boned. Maybe the solution is to go for Motolights where nobody gets annoyed and hopefully I'm more visible. I wish there were some better middle ground, but really appreciate the input.

George

 

[Grumpy]

Modulating headlights are a simple argument to me. If they prevent one cager from turning left in front of me.......or equally as important, if they prevent one teenage little girl who's talking on her cell phone from pulling out in front of me, they are woth it!

I personally don't care at all if they "bother" people, if they save me from a wreck!

Jim

 

[radman]

Fuggedaboudit

 

[Penforhire]

I've run one on every bike I've had for over 15 years. They work. Pissing off some drivers is insignificant compared to preventing just ONE from turning left into your path.

Unfortunately they are not useable with HID's and I really like all the low-beam output too much to give it up now. Maybe I'll add & modulate some driving lights?

 

[FJRSANDIEGO]

The Kisan works great... around town, folks do a double take, but sure notice you. When I first saw one, I thought it was an EM Vehicle, then I thought it was a malfunction, but it sure got my attention.

Now on the road +1 on the "Moses" effect. fz1 mirror and blasters add to the safety factor.

But to be honest, the passing lights on the vstrom work nearly as well on two lane roads....

 

[Toynut]

I once had a driver ask me if I knew that my headlight was flashing? I responded , "yes" and asked him if I had caught his attention? He replied "absolutely".

I said, "good, then it must be working properly"!

Now when people ask about the headlight modulator, I just tell them it helps keep people from making left turns in front of me. They usually respond positively with a nod or a thumbs up. I have even had people ask me if they can install them on their cars for the same safety reason.

Bottom line ... They work well!

A Back-Off modulator out back works equally well at stops, particularily with Hyperlites.

P.S. I have had very good luck with the Kissan modulators. Pretty much a plug and play proposition.

 

[Ignacio]

Not to worry-- Modulators on bikes are explilcitly allowed by FEDERAL Law! States cannot overrule it not matter how high a horse the state legislator gets on.

Can you cite the specific law? I'm actually curious of where it states that.

 

[Toynut]

Iggy,

This is on the Kisan technologies web sight.

I had to go to another site to get an active link. Scroll down to the reference section (Item 2).

This should work.

https://search.netscape.com/ns/boomframe.js...2Fmodulator.htm

 

[freshmeat]

Not to worry-- Modulators on bikes are explilcitly allowed by FEDERAL Law!  States cannot overrule it not matter how high a horse the state legislator gets on.

Can you cite the specific law? I'm actually curious of where it states that.

From the signal dynamics website (Diamond Star modulator)

(letter to SignalDynamics from US DOT)

(Actual US DOT regulation) Title 49, Chapter V, Part 571, Sec 571.108, Standard No. 108, Lamps, reflective devices and associated equipment

Note that headlight modulators must have a sensor that disables the modulation at night.

 

[kaitsdad]

Modulating headlights are a simple argument to me. If they prevent one cager from turning left in front of me.......or equally as important, if they prevent one teenage little girl who's talking on her cell phone from pulling out in front of me, they are woth it!
I personally don't care at all if they "bother" people, if they save me from a wreck!

Jim

+1,000,000

 

[Carnifex]

Not to worry-- Modulators on bikes are explilcitly allowed by FEDERAL Law! States cannot overrule it not matter how high a horse the state legislator gets on.

+1

I keep a printed copy of the section of USC (or is it CFR?) that allows the modulators in with my reg and insurance cards, just in case.