Headlight Modulator

[Lakeman]

Does anyone use a headlight Modulator or do you have an opinion on them?

 

[rhino 2]

Does anyone use a headlight Modulator or do you have an opinion on them?

If you want to annoy people they work great.:Shrug:

 

[Lakeman]

Good if they see it enough to be annoyed then it works, is that what you are saying?

 

[Gold Rush]

I only have personal experience with one modulator. A guy that rode with us a few years ago had one. They do get you attention but need to be shut off when following another rider. They become a distraction after the initial incounter...

 

[Yogisan]

Yep, been riding with one for two seasons now. They're effective for what they are supposed to do - make other drivers notice you. They don't work on everyone because, as we all know, there are some real idiots out there. However, I have noticed that my need to go through evasive maneuvers to avoid getting splatted by "left-turners", "side-street-existers" and "cruise-through-stop-signers" has dropped significantly. You can tell when they see you because the front end of their vehicle dips when they put on the brake.

 

[GARYD]

I suppose they are OK for some people, just not for me. I have been riding for 51 years and have never been in a situation where a modulating headlight would have helped. I think they are ONLY good for getting left turners attention and maybe that's enough for a lot of riders. I've never had that type of encounter.

As Gold Rush said they are a PITA when riding in front of someone with one.

I concentrate on my riding and what's around me instead of relying on a false sense of security. JMHO

Besides, there are idiots/drunks out there that just might run you down because you pi$$ed them off with the light.

 

[Big_Steve]

I know a lot of riders with them, and they swear by them. Makes sense, you can't miss them when one's coming your way. But I've never owned one.

On my VTX trike, I had folks pulling out in front of me, and coming over from the next lane all the time. All I had was the stock headlight, nothing else. On my Valkyrie 2 wheeler, I added spot lights in front, and run them day or night. I'm not having any trouble being seen with them. The spots are doing the job, and help at night too.

 

[curley03]

I've used them now on 2 bikes. Do they work? Do they get attention? Do they annoy people? Has it stopped drivers from pulling out in front of me? YES,YES,YES,YES I could care less if they annoy some one. Thats is proof enough that they see you coming. People seem to stop from pulling out in front of you MOST times. They don't have the ability to change an Ass Pole when they want to pull out in front of you but the old excuse doesn't hold up if they see you coming. And when riding behind some one you like turn the things OFF if you want. They also help get the slow driver who doesn't have a clue whats going on around them out of your way like magic just turn the flasher on and they move over, most times. No one has ever complained about the lights to me. curley

 

[ladyff1481]

I'm really glad to see this subject. My 2nd trike is on it's way and I wondered about getting a modulating headlight. I never really thought about it annoying other riders especially if you do alot of group rides like we do. So is there a way to stop it from "moving" or will it always "move" when on during the day?

 

[Lakeman]

They don't run at night so if you cover the sensor it will not work. I would get the one that works on low beams so the spots would be on.

 

[Yogisan]

The headlight modulator I use works on the high beam. If I want to shut it off in the daytime (like riding behind another bike or in a group, sitting at a stoplight behind another vehicle, etc.) I just switch to low beam. The modulator also has a sensor that shuts the modulating function off at night or in tunnels so you have an unmodulated high beam in those situations. The frequency of the headlight modulation blinking and the darkness sensor control is mandatory by Fed standards.

 

[Lakeman]

I want the low beam so the spots will be on.

 

[GARYD]

If I ever got one I'd install it like Yogisan.

 

[DanDolfn]

I nearly got killed by a guy that turned left in front of me. When I stopped, he apologized and said "I didn't see you."

That was my clue to get a modulator. The effects were immediately noticeable. People would wait MUCH longer to turn left across me or to come on to my road if they were waiting on the right.

I asked people when I rode with them (I was the last rider) if they found it annoying, but they said they did not.

Besides, like has already been said, the modulator only works on high and shuts itself off at night. You can always switch to low beam if you want to turn it off temporarily.

On my new bike, I have two extra lights on low, so the total of three lights gives me more visibility than a single headlight.

But with a single headlight, there is no doubt I would recommend a modulator. In fact, I would think it to be absolutely essential.

 

[Smoken'JOE]

Motorcycle Headlight Modulator - From $45.95 VisiPath - limited time.

One I have used for many years. Now I have gone to HID. Works very well but very bright too.

 

[paws]

Yes - we use them.

When we used to run CB radio we got a LOT of calls - we thanked them all for noticing us. That's the reason we have them!

 

[Rex Slye]

Does anyone use a headlight Modulator or do you have an opinion on them?

Put one on!! I modulate the low beams on my Wings. I can't remember how many times it's saved my behind. Talked my buddy into one for his Harley and I watched it save his too after a woman pulled out in front of him from a gas station but seen the light and put on the brakes so fast the front of the car nose dived or he would have T boned her. That wasn't the only time either. I didn't choose to install on the high beams...low beams work just fine and are not blinding to drivers but they will be seen by them. .

 

[rwbetour]

I limit the amount of time that I run the modulator. I shut it off when group riding or following another bike or car. Generally don't use it on freeway unless heavy traffic. On two lane roads or in town, they are running.

 

[tkglider]

Don't leave home without it.

 

[Lakeman]

Rex mine is on the low beams and just started to use it. I'm not sure it's seen far enough down the road (low beams). I have the "spots" on my Ultra that are on with low beams only and I wanted them to be on. I installed a switch so I can turn it off if we are group riding.

 

[oldbear]

I've used them now on 2 bikes. Do they work? Do they get attention? Do they annoy people? Has it stopped drivers from pulling out in front of me? YES,YES,YES,YES I could care less if they annoy some one. Thats is proof enough that they see you coming. People seem to stop from pulling out in front of you MOST times. They don't have the ability to change an Ass Pole when they want to pull out in front of you but the old excuse doesn't hold up if they see you coming. And when riding behind some one you like turn the things OFF if you want. They also help get the slow driver who doesn't have a clue whats going on around them out of your way like magic just turn the flasher on and they move over, most times. No one has ever complained about the lights to me. curley

1. I've had 'em on my bikes for several years now and will not be without one. Like 'em or not, the DO get the attention of the idiots in the cages and I figure we can use all the help we can get in being seen. I also use brake light modulators for the same reason, Are the a pita if you're in front of one? yes, but if you're riding with others you can always turn 'em off if you wish. One thing about it, it WILL help the cars see you where otherwise they might not. I've ridden since '68 and have been running modulators since '06. They definitely help you be seen