09-19-2015, 04:44 AM | #1 |
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Idaho
Posts: 25,054
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Pros and Cons of Headlight Modulators
Here is a link to an interesting thread which discusses the pros and cons of headlight modulators. What do you guys think?
http://advrider.com/index.php?thread...acting.342381/
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Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894 |
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09-19-2015, 05:38 AM | #2 |
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Neuquén, Argentina
Posts: 128
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Light modulators
Hi Spud!
Never heard about it until your post, nor seen at the streets/roads. After peeping at YouTube I've found them interesting for the brake tailights; but for the headlight doesn't satisfied me : I think it could represent a factor of distraction for the opposite driver, more than a caution signal. Maybe also is matter of local (cultural?) situation: there are lots of vehicles (cars, bus, trucks) circulating with headlights improperly set (burned lamp, LED lamps on traditional reflectors suited only for tungsten ones, elevated beams, loose and vibrating lamp housing), and many drivers put on them their highbeams as some kind of punishment; bikes with modulating headlights could fall on the same "punishable" category. Technically, because the pulsating/oscillating current, seems to fit perfectly with LED lamps but not the same with halogen/tungsten lamps. Regards.
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09-19-2015, 05:54 AM | #3 |
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Tigbauan, Iloilo City, Panay Island, Philippines
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ElectricCircus, I don't think headlight modulators work with LED lights, as far as I know only the H4 series.
I've read the pro's and con's for years, from my seat of the pants, I hate to ride without it, in the USA or the Philippines. That "distract" the on coming traffic, I don't buy it, make the one coming traffic "SEE ME", I know from thousands of miles of riding, it works for me.
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09-19-2015, 05:54 AM | #4 |
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Tigbauan, Iloilo City, Panay Island, Philippines
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Oh, and I run Hyperlites flashing tail brake lights to.
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Riceburner Robin / Face Hunter I Medical Mission Matters www.medicalmissionmatters.org Last edited by Riceburner; 09-19-2015 at 07:17 AM. |
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09-19-2015, 06:53 AM | #5 | |
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Location: Neuquén, Argentina
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Quote:
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09-19-2015, 12:22 PM | #6 | |
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Location: Sardis, BC, Canada
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This line made me chuckle:
Quote:
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Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer |
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09-19-2015, 02:07 PM | #7 |
Join Date: May 2007
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Excellent point Weld, never thought of that, rj
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09-19-2015, 03:36 PM | #8 |
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That very example is mentioned in the thread at ADVRider.
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Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894 |
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09-19-2015, 11:34 PM | #9 |
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Arvada, CO
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I saw a headlight modulator on an oncoming motorcycle once and as a driver I found it very distracting and counterproductive.
The strobe effect attracted my eye, that's for sure ... but made it much harder to judge the bike's distance, speed and intentions. I could not tell if he had a blinker on or not. And I found myself fixated on the strobe and ignoring other traffic, which exposed me to other potential traffic hazards. On the other hand, I'm completely sold on brake light modulators that flash and go solid. Or alternate between flashing and solid. As a cager, they make me much more aware of the bike silhouetted against its background, without being too distracting. As riders, my wife and I have both noticed that cars behind us give us more room and stopping distance.
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09-20-2015, 09:52 AM | #10 | |
Join Date: Jun 2006
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I have been riding with a modulator on my NC for about a year. It is truly amazing. MASSIVE decrease in the number of people pulling out in front of me.
I can see people a block away start to pull out and stop suddenly when they see me. I get more pull-outs in my truck than on the bike now. To address a couple of concerns in this thread: there is no requirement to blinding cars ahead. Since the modulator is required to only work on high-beam one can simply go to low beam, as might be polite even with a normal headlight. Concerning oncomers not seeing turn signals: the Hurt report has no mention of "didn't see motorcycle's turn signal", but an epic crap-ton of "didn't see motorcycle". To wit: Quote:
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