Modulating headlight debate

[willtill]

If Momma's not happy... no one is happy.

If you love her... you would buy them (for her...)



Give 'em a chance Doug. You can turn them off during the daytime if you want. You are in control of the modulation if needed.

[flat6bagger]

I guess I have to eat crow and also have to ask.
Who is the best vendor to buy them from?
How hard are they to install?



Doug

[Travelor]

Kissan makes one that is designed for the dual headlights of the F6B. The connections can be a task to install, especially if you are putting them on the high beam so that you can turn them on and off if needed. But the high beams of the F6b can be really annoying (!!), so I put the modulator connections on the low beams (much easier to get to) with a cut-out switch just in case I didn't want them on all the time. I used a small SPST, you just put it inline with one of the sensor wires and it interupts the signal as if it were dark. Switch not really needed, the sensor will turn off the modulation at dusk.

Here is picture of my sensor position. Position is critical due to components under this panel, and best to use a step drill. I put the sensor in a rubber grommet rather than the plastic mount that comes with it.

[Steve 0080]

Doug, you know I love ya...but I just fell out of my chair and spotted myself reading your posts......Way to funny.... Make sure you show us your "new" lights if you come to Franklin !!!!

[Steve 0080]

willtill...If you rode a bike equipped with headlight modulators; you would see the difference. In the city or suburbs; you would be aware of it within the hour of first riding with them."



There are no stats to back this up but the results are stunning !!!! I put my on my son's bike to give him a fighting chance when he first got his MC license...

I had cars pull directly into my path the very next day!!!

[F6B1911]

I've had pretty good results with a Hi-Viz jacket and a Conspicuity vest.

cysmk.jpg

[willtill]

I've had pretty good results with a Hi-Viz jacket and a Conspicuity vest.

Attachment 15609

And that will work too! Use EVERYTHING available.

[willtill]

Kissan makes one that is designed for the dual headlights of the F6B. The connections can be a task to install, especially if you are putting them on the high beam so that you can turn them on and off if needed. But the high beams of the F6b can be really annoying (!!), so I put the modulator connections on the low beams (much easier to get to) with a cut-out switch just in case I didn't want them on all the time. I used a small SPST, you just put it inline with one of the sensor wires and it interrupts the signal as if it were dark. Switch not really needed, the sensor will turn off the modulation at dusk.

Here is picture of my sensor position. Position is critical due to components under this panel, and best to use a step drill. I put the sensor in a rubber grommet rather than the plastic mount that comes with it.

Your installation of the modulators to work with the low beams are interesting. But I do believe that is illegal. Federal law states that the high beam is the only beam that is to be modulated.

With saying that though... I personally don't see an issue with installing them on the low beams of the F6B. Hell of a lot easier to get to (at least on this bike). And the effect is still preserved; regarding what the modulator is designed to do.

You would definitely need a "cut out" though as you have designed, for current headlight modulator units don't take into account that they are being installed with the low beam only. The normal "built in" feature to disable a modulator.. is to switch the headlamp beam to low... to disable it. Or put something over the modulator's ambient light sensor; so the modulator thinks it's dusk... instead of daylight.

[BIGLRY]

While there are no studies supporting the headlamp modulator as an effective motorcycle safety device, some research suggests headlamp modulators may increase the conspicuity of motorcycles. If ya want to read more scientific type stuff then this pdf file "Development and Testing of Techniques for Increasing the Conspicuity of Motorcycles and Motorcycle Drivers" is one supportive research paper. This is a final report by Paul L Olson which has something to say about headlight modulating along with other things.
http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstr...=2&isAllowed=y
I personally don't run one as I believe no one can see me on a MC no matter what I do. And if they can see me then they are out to kill me so I ride that way....very defensively at all times.
I do believe you definitely stand out more with a modulating headlight and the modulating of the light at the proper frequency does force one to look, just like the modulating light on the front of a train... you can't help but look, same for the cycle rate of emergency vehicle lights.

[willtill]

Doug... I replied to your PM about this... -Will