[DeathWind]

Well, I've been riding since 1993 and I had my second closest call this morning on the way to work. Lady pulled out from a side street right into my path. I had less than 25-30' reaction time. I locked it up, but was lucky enough to prevent what I thought was going to be the inevitable. I don't know why she didn't see me. It was cold so I had my bright red North Face coat, silver helmet with reflective flame tape all over it, and my bike is the Road Glide (dual headlights). My only thought was she was looking further down the road as she rolled through the stop sign and continued to pull out in front of me. Another motorcyclist was behind me...still don't know if he was in my lane or to left of me....came riding by or swerved out of from behind me, made a few gestures to the old bat as he got beside her. I finally stopped shaking 3-4 miles down the road....this led me back to researching modulators. Is anyone using them? I looked into them a while back but didn't think the cost was worth it...well due to a few close calls and today’s frightening incident. I purchased one, but did a single unit instead of the dual for both headlights. They're legal in all states and I can't find anything saying that dual light setups need both modulated. So I guess I'll try it and see what happens.

[voodoochild]

At least you're Ok! Amazing isn't it.....everyone's in such a freakin hurry. Probably going out to do something important like get the newspaper.

[Texas Road Glide]

that bike is unsafe for ya, wind
i need to come to sc an pick up that dangerous drop dead gorgous bike for ya, so i can save your life!!!!!!
just kiddin........smirkin
i know how you feel though, my bike has minimum lighting, and it seems this last month we have had so much fog, you would think i was living in london.
try sittin a light in fog, looking in your mirrors seeing only fog,and hearing a tire screeching sound coming up from behind,thats happened twice in the last week!!!! one scared me so bad i ran the light,peed my pants, cussed like a sailor and wished this was not my only source of transpo
when you get those modulators hooked up, let me know if you like them, cause i am intrested to.................
i was thinking of adding alot more lights on the back of my bike, but i dont like the way they look on other peoples bikes, so i havent done it yet.
but i am going to still adrees that. for sure!!!

be safe

TRG

[cowboy]

TGR you can buy a kit from HD for about $40 bucks , it turn's your rear T signals into brake light's as well, even come's with the red lences ,it's a simple plug it setup , I have it on my bike & last year I was over in new mexico & my Brother seen it & we headed to the HD shop & he got a set for his 98 E glide

[DeathWind]

I had the HD module and KuryAkyn's Deep Dish Bezels Lenses. With the turn signal bulbs running all the time (and a little hotter that I think they should have been) they melted my lenses. So I took care of the rear with KuryAkyn's Deluxe Panacea and turnsignals. In the mornings if I look in the rearviews and see a car approaching the light I'm sitting at I hit the breaks again to start the flashing brake lights again.

I order the modulator, but only a single one. Maybe with one steady and one modulating, they won't think I'm LE and start pulling over. I've see a couple videos of the modulators and read several reviews on www.webbikeworld.com. So we'll see. Maybe with the rears flashing when I stop and front modulating during the day I'll be a little safer. One thing I did read several places was to carry a copy of the Federal Statute that shows that the modulators are 50 state legal.

Here is a video webbikeworld did: WebBikeWorld Video

[kenfuzed]

Anything that you can add to keep you alive is worth a shot. Not to be a complete skeptic, but unfortunately if someone is not paying attention not even the sun mounted on your bike will get you noticed. The other day some guy made a left in front of a bus here and got t-boned. Afterward he said "I never saw him". It happens all the time, only difference is when its against a defensless motorcycle it never ends well.

I replaced my headlight with a 90/100 halogen that has a higher kelvin temperature (whiter/bluer color). Ever since then I've actually seen a few more opposing cars hesitate before making that left. Also installed one of those taillight modules to convert the turn signals into brake lights.

[FlynDutchman]

Originally Posted by kenfuzed

Anything that you can add to keep you alive is worth a shot. Not to be a complete skeptic, but unfortunately if someone is not paying attention not even the sun mounted on your bike will get you noticed.

What kind of mount do you need to have for the sun ??

[DeathWind]

Yep, being in the military I have more clothing I have to wear to meet the safety regulations, so I am more visible that the average bikers. I have to have bright clothing in the day and reflective at night. Like you said, it's the ones not paying attention that will get you every time.

It would be nice if they had a mandatory motorcycle awareness module everyone had to complete in order to get a driver's license. Plus, make it part of the written test to get the learner's permit. It won't fix everyone, but may save a life or two.

[mwelych]

How the hell do you miss seeing a bus??? !5 tons of metal flying down the road. You hafta be blind!!

[FlynDutchman]

Originally Posted by mwelych

How the hell do you miss seeing a bus??? !5 tons of metal flying down the road. You hafta be blind!!

You'd be surprized...I drive a fire engine....Red & white with enough lights to cause an epileptic seizure, makes enough noise to make most drivers ears bleed. I see people pull over when we're just driving down the street, & when we go lights & sirens somewhere, they all try to pull out in front of us so they don't get caught by all the traffic tied up behind us. The problem is they give a drivers license to just about anybody, I mean you don't even have to speak or read English, they give the test in like 20 different languages. You only have to know what the signs & signals mean.

[DeathWind]

Well, the modulator came in today and I've got it installed. I opted for the single unit, even though I have dual headlights. Easy install, but the toughest part was deciding on where to put the daylight sensor. I ran it through the wire loom up to the clutch master cylinder. It stays put and looks straight up as directed so oncoming and dash lights don't have you modulating at night. I also left it wired to modulate the high beams since it's only allowed to operate in daylight. I usually run brights in the day anyway for more visibility. here is a short, but not small video (1.4mb) if you want to check it out. Just excuse the dirty bike. It's been a month since weather has allowed me to clean it since I ride daily...sorry northerners, not rubbing the fact that I'm able to ride on this clear, beautiful, warm, pre-spring, glorious weather, 73 degree day.......

Headlight Modulator on FLTRI

[DeathWind]

Well. first morning to work with the modulator and it definatley gets some attention. Idiot pulled into the median and then in front of me, even with the flashing light, so I brake and hit the horn. So now she's in front of me and her and the passenger are looking at each other then at me, when she finally decides to pull back into the median. Too her surprise, I just zip on by and she's stuck in the median for 8-10 cars. As long as it's getting me noticed I'm fine with that. I am carrying a copy of the federal statute in case I get pulled over. Here are a couple places you can print it from:

WebBikeWorld's version

A little more official looking version:

Open and go to section S7.9.4 on page 29

[cowboy]

LMAO, I should get one of those , I ride a 03 FLHTPI, COP BIKE E-GLIDE all white , they would realy get out of the way , good to here something's works to move the cages

[DeathWind]

After a meeting today, instead of going back to work I got to enjoy a 30 minute, 71 degree, clear skies, ride home through three jurisdictions. I passed marked police units in each area and didn't get a second look. I hope that's because they are up to date on the federal statutes concerning the modulators. I did notice that at intersections where drivers would normally try to beat me and make the left turn, stayed put until I passed. Coincidence? Not sure but I do know that I normally would have had a least half of these people making the left turn with no concern for me heading straight toward them.

Now that my ruby red and chrome Custom Dynamics LED accent lights have arrived, let's see if I can make myself more visible at night....

[chucktx]

glad everything is working out....but dont get real comfy in the thought that they see you. ride with the same caution and defensive mode you had before, all the lights are just another tool to help stay alive....

[DeathWind]

Yea, even though the people at the intersections noticed me and appeared to wait until I pass, I still had two cars merge into my lane with me visible in their mirrors and my headlight flashing. Still, more comfortable knowing that I increased my visibility some, but still smart enough to continue riding like they are idiots out to get me.

[DeathWind]

Guess I'd get the 100 mark out of the way while I'm at it.

[chucktx]

heheheeh congrats!!

[DeathWind]

Well, it's been a little over a week with the modulator and I can truly say that I notice a difference over riding without it. I ride to work daily, rain or shine, and I'm being seen. I still ride like they are all out to get me, but I'm not being cut off at intersections as often and given more room when they want to come into my lane. Too bad it's only legal in the daytime. As far as I can tell the sensor does a good job keeping the modulator on during overcast days and early morning rides. Not a bad safety mod for $60-80 (singe or dual modulator). I'm using the single Comagination Visipath (on a dual headlight Road Glide) seeing that it was half the price of the Kisan version and didn't require rewiring like the Diamond-Star.

[eValve]

The best thing that happened is that you are okay. Better drive safely nect time.


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