Headlight modulators

[3 4 the road]

About six months ago, I installed headlight modulators on my GL1800. At the same time, I installed taillight modulators. I put on ones made by SDC. After about a month, the module for the headlight modulator fried itself, so I replaced it with the Kisan pathblazer modulator. I installed them on the high beam lights.

I have been so impressed with the results of having these. I have probably put on close to 8,000 miles on the bike since I installed them, and never once (knock on wood) have I had to brake suddenly because someone was left turning or pulling out in front of me. They make me so incredibly visible to approaching traffic, that it is almost embarrassing. It is not uncommon for drivers to wait much longer to left turn in front of me than is necessary. I also frequently see approaching traffic hugging their fog line. And a few times, I have actually had drivers pull over to let me pass them.

Obviously, a lot of drivers see them as some type of emergency vehicle, for which I am sorry. But I much rather they see me and confuse me for something I am not, than not see me at all!!

IMHO, they should be SOP on ALL motorcycles.

 

[Smilam]

I have had the same results that you have experienced. I have had two occasions when I wasn't seen in the last four years and probably 30,000 miles. One younger woman pulled out from a stop sign but I was watching her since she seemed distracted and never even looked in my direction. The other one was also a young lady that pulled out from a parking space without looking back or checking her rear view mirror. She was busy talking to her passenger. I still watch for the other driver but have had a lot fewer instances of people pulling out in front of me since I installed modulators on my last two motorcycles. I have been cussed out when drivers mistake me for a policeman but my response is that the modulator did its job and have you ever seen a policeman on a silver trike wearing a high visibility jacket? The only times I don't have mine turned on is at night or when I am on a group ride that I am not leading because I don't want it to be a distraction to the motorcycles ahead of me.

 

[DTR 11TG]

... I put on ones made by SDC. After about a month, the module for the headlight modulator fried itself, so I replaced it with the Kisan pathblazer modulator. I installed them on the high beam lights.
...

I was wondering why you went with a different brand, was there no warranty with SDC? It seems like a short amount of time for a failure and not be under warranty or was there another reason for the brand change?
I have thought about using a modulator, but the ones I have seen one the road seemed more distracting than alerting, more like a moth to the flame sort of thing.

 

[Trail Blazer]

I have the pathblazer also and yes it has impressed me, have had very,very few people pull out in front of me and a lot of time some will start to pull out then hit there brakes. the only thing I don't like is I hear the ticing in my entercom. I tried to fix it, checked ground, made sure I had good contact on all connection still hear the tic, tic, called Sierra and they said there is no noise suppressor that would fix the problem. so I just turn up the radio

 

[0pini0nated]

Re: Headlight Modulators are GREAT. Kisan Electronics ~ *not* so great

I agree that headlight modulators are a worthwhile installation. I was so impressed after installing a Kisan Electronics P115W-S on my Lehman XL1200 Raider, that I bought another one and installed it on my wife's V-star 1100.

I was frustrated after being cut off by a driver turning "right-on-red" while not noticing that I was entering the same intersection. With so many automobiles equipped with Daytime Running Lights, motorcycles have a hard time standing out.

But after a few thousand miles, the first Kisan P115W-S on my Raider stopped modulating ~ it would modulate 2 or 3 or 4 times, then went to a straight hi-beam with no modulation.

After a few more months, the second Kisan P115W-S on the V-star failed as well. Same symptoms, and same failure. It wasn't a big problem ~ they're constructed to fail with the headlight on hi-beam, and low-beam still works as normal. But I was out $217, plus the time to install and remove both of them.

The customer service rep (Andy) tried to sell me a couple of new daylight sensors ~ he was sure it was my fault.

In the end, I threw them both in the trash.

 

[kkaykk]

IMHO, they should be SOP on ALL motorcycles.

I don't want to rain on anyone's parade but don't assume that having a modulator is the most effective safety feature ever invented.

At times some drivers have or had assumed they were getting a flashing headlight telling them to pull out in front of them (which could create a dangerous situation). The last time I saw this happen was several years ago during a stayin' safe motorcycle training. The lead bike had a modulating headlight and a guy pulling a horse trailer took the flashing light to mean to pull out... the driver assumed he was being let out to avoid being behind and having to follow a group of bikers. The lead motorcycle had to come to an emergency stop to avoid hitting the trailer.

Was the truck driver in the wrong? Yes... but you don't just want to be right you want to be safe.

This is just my two cents... your mileage may vary. Ride safe.

 

[msocko3]

I don't want to rain on anyone's parade but don't assume that having a modulator is the most effective safety feature ever invented. At times some drivers have or had assumed they were getting a flashing headlight telling them to pull out in front of them (which could create a dangerous situation). The last time I saw this happen was several years ago during a stayin' safe motorcycle training. The lead bike had a modulating headlight and a guy pulling a horse trailer took the flashing light to mean to pull out... the driver assumed he was being let out to avoid being behind and having to follow a group of bikers. The lead motorcycle had to come to an emergency stop to avoid hitting the trailer. Was the truck driver in the wrong? Yes... but you don't just want to be right you want to be safe. This is just my two cents... your mileage may vary. Ride safe.

:Agree: Plus when lights get older with use they seem to get a touch dimer. I've had bikes with modulators approach me and I couldn't tell the difference until they were right on me.

 

[tfdeputydawg]

I don't want to rain on anyone's parade but don't assume that having a modulator is the most effective safety feature ever invented.

At times some drivers have or had assumed they were getting a flashing headlight telling them to pull out in front of them (which could create a dangerous situation). The last time I saw this happen was several years ago during a stayin' safe motorcycle training. The lead bike had a modulating headlight and a guy pulling a horse trailer took the flashing light to mean to pull out... the driver assumed he was being let out to avoid being behind and having to follow a group of bikers. The lead motorcycle had to come to an emergency stop to avoid hitting the trailer.

Was the truck driver in the wrong? Yes... but you don't just want to be right you want to be safe.

This is just my two cents... your mileage may vary. Ride safe.

This one I can believe. However, anyone that mistakes the rapid modulation as a signal to proceed should not be driving.

 

[Sully]

A friend removed his, he was saying too many people were turning in front of him. He's thinking they may have thought he was signaling them to go ahead and turn :Shrug: Win some, lose some

IMO, I like the Brake Lights to flash when the brakes are used. Mine are set to 6 flashes. if nothing else, it makes me feel better.

 

[kkaykk]

A friend removed his, he was saying too many people were turning in front of him. He's thinking they may have thought he was signaling them to go ahead and turn :Shrug: Win some, lose some

IMO, I like the Brake Lights to flash when the brakes are used. Mine are set to 6 flashes. if nothing else, it makes me feel better.

+1

 

[rhino 2]

When I want to let someone go in front of me I will flash my lights, Same as when you pass an 18 wheeler most will flash their lights to let you know you are clear to pull in front..

 

[lboos]

delete.