Kisan Pathblazer

[RubberDown]

I have never much liked the idea of headlight modulators on motorcycles but I decided on Friday that I will install one on the V-Strom. I am so sick and tired of people not seeing me in traffic congested areas and I think a modulator may help. I had another brain dead driver talking away on a cell phone pull out in front of me and this time I saw my life flash right before my eyes. These near death experiences are wearing on me and taking a lot of my enjoyment out of riding.

I really don't want to turn this thread into a discussion about whether or not you think motorcycles should have a headlight modulator because I am sold on trying one. However, I would like to hear from those who use a modulator and what effect you feel it has had on your visibility to other drivers around you. Also, how do you have it set to increase your visibility as much as possible while limiting how much you annoy other drivers on the road?

I understand you can't simply install a headlight modulator and suddenly you will be visible to everyone on the road, some of these brain dead idiots will not see you no matter what you try. On the other hand, I do feel that this is a safety device that could possibly save my life and because of that I am going to buy one.

From what I understand, with the Kisan Pathblazer you can switch from low beam to high beam to activate the modulator during daylight and then if you are riding behind someone and want to disable it, you can switch back to low beam and have a normal headlight...is this correct?

[10/10ths]

I have them on my Wee-Strom and love 'em. I also have the "tailblazer" for the brake light.

All I can tell you is when I come up behind people rather quickly with the headlight modulators on, they pull over immediately and let me pass.

I also see people react as they see me and I know it's due to the headlight modulator.

They see me, so that's all I can hope for with them.

I love mine and will install them on any bike I ever own.

You can always turn them off my switching to low beam.

Cheers

[SCraig]

Just be sure to check your local laws before ordering one. I could be wrong but I think they are illegal in some states.

Personally I don't like them and think that they may cause some accidents, but to each their own. Taillight modulators, on the other hand, I will have on every bike I own.

Edit: My comment got me to wondering so I did a little checking. I read on This Page (http://www.cruiserlinks.com/1_Feature_Article_Headlight_Modulators_2.php) that "Headlight modulators are legal for use in all 50 states" however I did see a couple of instances where they were illegal to use during hours of darkness.

[RubberDown]

Personally I don't like them and think that they may cause some accidents, but to each their own.

They include a light sensor to turn off when it's dark. Lets not discuss whether or not they should be used please. I'm buying one and anyone else can choose to use one or not. I would like to hear from people who use headlight modulators and not those who don't believe they work. Thanks!

[rjsurfer]

I drive the towns ambulance on occasion and this sucker has enough flashing red, white and yellow lights and sirens I'm sure it can be seen and heard from outer space, and you would not believe how many people still don't see it!

Ron W.

[RubberDown]

I really don't want to turn this thread into a discussion about whether or not you think motorcycles should have a headlight modulator because I am sold on trying one. However, I would like to hear from those who use a modulator and what effect you feel it has had on your visibility to other drivers around you.

I hate to quote myself but.........?

[Heavy]

I hate to quote myself but.........?

...but, only tell me what I want to hear...

:rolleyes:

[RubberDown]

...but, only tell me what I want to hear...

:rolleyes:

I give up! Some people just don't know how to read.

[Heavy]

I certainly get the impression that you are only looking for posts from people that use and believe in modulators. That leads me to believe that you are only looking for positive reinforcement.

[liljoec]

I really don't want to turn this thread into a discussion about whether or not you think motorcycles should have a headlight modulator because I am sold on trying one. However, I would like to hear from those who use a modulator and what effect you feel it has had on your visibility to other drivers around you. Also, how do you have it set to increase your visibility as much as possible while limiting how much you annoy other drivers on the road?



Heavy,
Based on the original post I think he is looking for information from people who already have one and how to set it up...

[Heavy]

I stand corrected.

Carry on...

[Colin]

I drive the towns ambulance on occasion and this sucker has enough flashing red, white and yellow lights and sirens I'm sure it can be seen and heard from outer space, and you would not believe how many people still don't see it!That in effect, is headlight modulators in action. If they don't see them on an ambulance well...The answer rjsurfer gave is pretty plain to me but apparently not to Rubberdown.

[liljoec]

That in effect, is headlight modulators in action. If they don't see them on an ambulance well...The answer rjsurfer gave is pretty plain to me but apparently not to Rubberdown.

That doesnt even have anything to do with what the OP originally requested. The answer rjsurfer gave was to a question that was never asked. If this were jeopary, you guys would be incorrect.

Quit starting armchair arguments.

[Colin]

That doesnt even have anything to do with what the OP originally requested.Except for the part ...
I would like to hear from those who use a modulator and what effect you feel it has had on your visibility to other drivers around you.And you are right, the rest of the OP still has not been answered

[water warrior]

Here ya go !! Positive reinforcement for a modulator. JUST GET ONE !! Been using a modulator for over a year now and feel it is a worthwhile investment towards safety on two wheels. Gets you noticed by cagers more than before with just headlights on. Also running SilverStar bulbs which are a little brighter and two driving lights on the forks. Also weave a little from side to side when you get the chance. Every little bit counts.

[RubberDown]

That in effect, is headlight modulators in action. If they don't see them on an ambulance well...The answer rjsurfer gave is pretty plain to me but apparently not to Rubberdown.

You are correct and I have no idea why they ever decided to put lights and sirens on police cars and ambulances. I don't think they have ever caught the attention of one motorist which makes you wonder why they are even there? http://www.thesmilies.com/smilies/confused0031.gif (http://www.thesmilies.com)

It's obvious to me that some people just like to argue on the Internet because they can. I wasn't trying to get only people who like moduators respond to this thread so they could agree with me, I was looking for input from folks that actually use a headlight modulator on a motorcycle.

I know that headlight modulators are a somewhat controversial topic so I was trying to avoid turning this thread into a debate. I guess my initial post was not clear enough and some folks just like to stir the pot. I have dug through some old threads about the headlight modulators and got some of my questions answered on the subject. Thanks!

[GRS1959]

I have a DiamondStar (Signal Dynamics) modulator on my Wee and I love it. It's wired to the high beams and switch to low beams if I want to turn it off. The DiamondStar also has a remote switch to shut the unit off if I want to run un-modulated high beams.

As for annoying other drivers, I am somewhat selective about when & where I use the modulator. I turn it off when following for an extended time, stopped behind someone at a light, etc. Other than that, increasing my visibility is more important than worrying about if I am briefly annoying some soccer mom in her SUV.

[Scouttrooper]

Although I try ride as if I am invisible, I thought the modulator was a sensible, easy, and inexpensive farkle. I most often use mine when approaching blind side entrances where there is limited sight distance or at busy intersections. I have rarely had someone mistake the modulator as a signal to pull out in front of me and when it has happened, I was already covering the front brake and geared down anyway (just good defensive tactics). I don't use it when I'm behind the same driver for any extended period or when the only real traffic is just oncomming drivers in the other lane. My sense is that it gets noticed more often than not. Good enough for me. I often wear a Hi-vis vest too. Call me a geek, nerd, or whatever... just a military habit. I haven't yet cared one bit about looking cool enough for other riders... I'm just gettin mine down the road.

[Pirate650]

I have CoMagination brand unit on my Concours, and I plan on adding one to my Wee-Strom. In Washington State, they are legal in daylight hours only. There are Federal reg's regarding their use also, but state police may want to argue who supersedes whom on this. I'm not a lawyer so I don't know. I also have 2 x 55-watt driving lights (almost always ON) and the Concours has a big bright red fairing to look at, I also have extra yellow running lights on the side cowls, and extra LED taillights, and a LED strobe-light tail/brake light, and a STOPPER LED light strip on my license plate bracket, and a brake light in the GIVI Trunk which both flash. They STILL don't see me. Those who do see the modulator, yes some "pull over" for you, and if a cop sees this might try to cite you for impersonating a LEO. I have been pulled over once by a local LEO who thought I was "flashing" my headlight at him to get his attention, then I had to show him the Revised Code of Washington copy I keep with me to explain that it is a legal installation. Some peple get very angry when they yield to you thinking you are a LEO, then find out you ain't. Plan for this and how you will address it. All modulators must have a light sensor to shut them off at night. That's part of the federal regs. Many drivers are confused by the "flashing" light at intersections, specially four-way stops, and sometimes think that you are signaling them to GO in front of you. How they come to this conclusion is beyond me, but stupidity kows no maximum level. Also, there is no training for car drivers in the usage of modulators, nothing in state driver's training or testing that even mentions them, so how is a cager to know? How can you blame a regular driver, when even some cops don't know the laws regarding modulators? You'll have to decide for yourself when to use it and when not. I was behind a guy once on a 60 MPH state route, who just kept slowing down in front of me, then he pulled over, and jerked in behind me, came within about ten feet of my rear tire and started flashing his lights at me. My modulator had given him severe road-rage. Be aware of this. Washington State requires they be wired into the HIGH-BEAM circuit, so when you switch to LOW BEAM, modulation stops and you have a steady LOW BEAM light. I believe from my reading that the Kizan and others have same design. I am thinking about installing a by-pass so I can cut out the modulator and still have a steady HIGH BEAM in daylight, but at present, the way the system is designed that isn't possible. If you get one, keep a copy of applicable FEDERAL AND STATE laws regarding them on your bike in with your license/insurance papers so you can educate LEO's who stop you. Like all things, there are good and bad sides to modulators. Your decision is yours alone.

[Tollster]

I Have the Kissan HLM and the taillight Modulator. I put them on about 2 months ago because like you...I was tired of the bullshit. I use my strom to go back and forth to work...76 miles round trip. Country riding to the suburbs.
I have found many people are not familiar with it, and quite honestly...its like driving a Police car. I can see why the cops cannot enforce the laws, because they can't see them riding aound in a patrol car, ...they are that good.
No more rolling stoppers and cut offs, even when I believe people have time to stop, then pull out, they hesitate long enough to miss the window, its typically because they do a double take. Which is what I like anyway and feel all drives should have had training on looking twice. I have also had people pull over for me, think I was an emergency vehicle.
I have had people yell at me, when I was behind them, also a couple of oncomers have honked.

They way I see it is I would rather annoy somebody than to end up dead. But, typically in the country where I encounter view intersecting roads, and driveways, I limits its use in lowbeam. Whan I get close to town during my commute I activate the high beam modulator, or if I am riding somewhere I am not familiar with, long trips and such.
If you wish to override the modulator and still have high beams, I found you can put one of those plastic thread protectors over the sensor. Look around at the hardware store, there those little caps that go over the end of all thread rods and such. Some are black, some red, some blue. I have not tried it, but thought right away it would be something to put in the tank bag.
I have had no trouble with LEO, I carry the federal reg in my tank bag, jus went through 6 states in the Northeast 2 weeks ago with o issues. Allot of strae looks from LEO, but no pull overs. However, one thing to think about, is even if your right, you may have to miss a days work pleading your case.
As far as road rage, no issues so far, excersise care as you will have little chance going up against a 2 ton car or SUV with an enraged driver behind it. I have suffered from extreme road rage in the past. I have gotten out of my car and boxed it out in the middle of a busy 3 laner, and numerous other dismounts and verbal exchanges, as well as high speed chases for miles.
I strongly suggest not getting involved with these on the bike, and do not excalate it. I am talking from xperience my fellow strommers, because during my past episodes I was really very blind to what I could have done to the other driver.

[WLR]

I don't think we'd get away with them in blighty, anyone know?