Headlight Modulator choice

[dave8drs]

Hello Strommers!

I just got a beautiful red DL650 and want to make myself more visible. I'm trying to decide between the Kriss and the Kisan headlight modulators. I'm leaning toward the Kriss just because they are significantly cheaper and from the descriptions, they perform the same functions.

Can anyone provide a compelling argument for or against either?

Thanks for your help.

[MWValley]

Can't tell you about the Kriss but I can tell you I have about 11,000 miles on my Kisan pathBlazer. No problems, it was a snap to install, and it works flawlessly. I am convinced it saved my ass at least once.

From my business dealings with Kisan Technologies I can tell you the support will be top-shelf. Have a question? Make a quick toll-free call, get the right answer from someone who knows exactly what they are talking about. Believe it or not you'll often get Andy on the tech line. He is the chief engineer who designs these devices. Now THAT'S support.

The Kriss unit could be superb as well, but I wouldn't know.

Ride well illuminated!

[Michael P.]

This is my opinion on headlight modulators, they may make cages more aware of you BUT if you have ever ridden with someone who has one on their bike AND they are behind you, it will set you crazy. I road half-way from Ohio to Colorado with a bike behind me that had one. Finally couldn't take the distraction in my mirrors and road behind him the rest of the way.

[p7m8jg]

This is my opinion on headlight modulators, they may make cages more aware of you BUT if you have ever ridden with someone who has one on their bike AND they are behind you, it will set you crazy. I road half-way from Ohio to Colorado with a bike behind me that had one. Finally couldn't take the distraction in my mirrors and road behind him the rest of the way.

I thought there was a way to turn the headlight off or even modulate it to a lower setting, no? :?:

[MWValley]

Absolutely! On the pathBlazer from Kisan, just switch to low beam during daylight hours and the headlight will no longer modulate. Anybody who is riding behind you for an extended period with a modulator isn't doing you any favors. I won't follow anyone with it for very long.

If however you're riding a series of intersections in a city or riding in unfamiliar areas, on any other high-risk area turn the thing ON! I am convinced it saved my hide just about a year ago from right now.

The way I look at it, it's legal in every state in American and every Canadian province. Use it responsibly but use it!

Ride safely.

[Siorc]

I also have the Kisan, and would write more, but I totally agree with everything said by MWValley above. So, "ditto."

[MWValley]

Siorc,

So you agree red is the fastest color too? :wink:

Thanks for backing me up!

[dave8drs]

I'll have to wait until after break-in to see if red is fastest. If not, it's certainly sexiest!

8)

[BioStrom 650]

Just ordered my brank new Kisan modulator for my DL650 off of eBay for $99.00. That's like $50 to $70 dollars off of most everyone elses price. Don't get the Diamond star unit unless you can order an older one that still has the heads up feature. The newer units do not have that and Diamond Star units are a pain to install. you have to slice wires, track down specific wires and such. A real pain. The Kisan units just plug in and that's about it. Headlight modulators are definately worth the price. What price tag can you put on your life??? Even if it just saves your ass once over a ten year period it's still the best investment of your life. I'd also recommend the Hyperlight brake light module. It's easy as pie to install and it really gets your rear end noticed. Hopefully it will keep you from getting rear ended which is a big danger. Keep safe....ATGATT. :)

[p7m8jg]

Just ordered my brank new Kisan modulator for my DL650 off of eBay for $99.00. That's like $50 to $70 dollars off of most everyone elses price. <snip>

Who did you buy from on ebay? Best I've seen are selling for $152 which is pretty close if not retail pricing, no?

[BioStrom 650]

Here's the eBay ad for the Kisan Modulator I purchased. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=4626175214&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT . Email him to see if he has any more. I told him that I was going to let people on the Vstrom Forum know about him. It arrived within days and I had it completey installed within 15 minutes. Easy as pie. It works great. I've alreay noticed at least 3 cars that have decided NOT to pull out into my lane after noticing me coming at them with flashing headlights. None of these 3 instances would have caused an accident, but it's cool to see them start to pull out of the parking lot on my right hand side, and then suddenly slam their brakes on because they don't know what I am. I was 500 yards away but they still wouldn't pull out until I passed. Cars all around me don't know what to make of me. Am I a cop? Am I a volunteer firefighter on my way to a fire? Am I pulling them over? Am I an emergency vehicle of some kind? Am I some kind of freak? O.K........I'm not sure about that last one, but people definately stare at me. Some people slow down, some pull over to let me pass. They're not sure what I am, and so suddenly they start to become very aware of my presence. They start driving very safely. I can't recommend these enough. YOU MUST GET ONE! It may very well be the best investment of your life. All cycles should come with headlight modulators straight from the factory. This is my second cycle with a headlight modulator. I'll never own a bike without one. There.....is that a glowing recommendation or what??? :lol:

[p7m8jg]

Thanks. I tried to offer $90 to another seller who wouldn't even counter-offer with $99 or anything - best he could do was $142 or so.

I'll give it a try.

[water warrior]

Does the Kisan unit modulate one or both lites ?

[fatalerror]

I searched e-bay for the Kizen pathblazer and the cheapest P115W-D there was +150

[BioStrom 650]

The modulator for the Vstrom comes with 2 units. A master unit and a slave unit. Thus, both lights modulate.

[water warrior]

Thank you for the quick reply. Can you imagine if the lites alternated ? Can you spell arrested with no bail ? lol.

[Cheff]

Thank you for the quick reply. Can you imagine if the lites alternated ? Can you spell arrested with no bail ? lol.

Actualy they sell a unit that does just that, but it is for Emergency vehicles only. I am sure it would be easy to modify to get it to that. But yea arrested is the least of your problems there.

[STROMETTE]

**HUGE** +1 for headlight modulators. All bikes in my stable have 'em. Stromette's a big fan of the Diamond Star modulator w/the "heads-up" traffic alert feature which simply means when the horn is pressed the headlight modulates for several seconds regardless of whether it is light or dark. This feature alone has saved my skin at several intersection near-misses.

[BioStrom 650]

Diamond star headlight modulators no longer have that heads up feature that allows you to flash the headlights at night with a press of the horn button. The Department of Transportation decided that the feature was illegal and so forced Diamond star to stop using it as of October 2005. I've tried finding the old unit on eBay, but they're hard to come by and cost about $150.00 when they come up. It is a great feature though, if you can find an older one. If you can't, go with the Kisan unit. Much, Much, Much easier to install. Took me 15 minutes, whereas installing the Diamond star took me about 4 hours and lots of headaches. Also, with all the wire splicing you need to do with the Diamond star unit,...if you have electrical problems with your bike, the dealership can say it is due to you messing with the electrical system and not cover you under warranty. With the Kisan unit, I can remove the whole thing in less than 10 minutes and reinstall it in 10 minutes, after the dealership looks at my bike.

[STROMETTE]

Diamond star headlight modulators no longer have that heads up feature that allows you to flash the headlights at night with a press of the horn button. The Department of Transportation decided that the feature was illegal and so forced Diamond star to stop using it as of October 2005. I've tried finding the old unit on eBay, but they're hard to come by and cost about $150.00 when they come up. It is a great feature though, if you can find an older one. If you can't, go with the Kisan unit. Much, Much, Much easier to install. Took me 15 minutes, whereas installing the Diamond star took me about 4 hours and lots of headaches. Also, with all the wire splicing you need to do with the Diamond star unit,...if you have electrical problems with your bike, the dealership can say it is due to you messing with the electrical system and not cover you under warranty. With the Kisan unit, I can remove the whole thing in less than 10 minutes and reinstall it in 10 minutes, after the dealership looks at my bike.

Hmmm, Stromette has had zero problems finding, installing, or operating the DS units. Seems the last one took a/b 45 min and that's coming from someone who is mechanically declined. My bikes never see the inside of a stealership anyway so I don't run a "risk" of electrical blame and warranty issues. IMHO, the only risk is not having it on my bikes. Of the 8 bikes that have had the unit & w/me averaging 30-50k mi per year I have never once had an electrical issues resulting form the unit... but I have had my skin saved several times. Of course, YMMV.

[STROMETTE]

BioStrom, I was confused when I read you couldn't find the DS unit anywhere and that if so it was $150. :roll: I'm even more confused since currently there's one on eBay for $70:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DIAMOND-STAR-HEADLIGHT-MODULATOR_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35571QQitemZ4 623813306QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

[fatalerror]

Just ordered my d/s with duel headlight adapter from http://www.bikerhiway.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2 for about $77 shipped to Florida

[BioStrom 650]

I'm not sure if you read my post correctly about "finding" diamondstar units. You can find the current model diamonstar headlight modulators with no problem, and at a very reasonable price. The problem lies in finding a Diamonstar headlight modulator with the "heads up" feature. Diamond star units no longer have this feature. They stopped making them with the "Heads Up" feature in October of 2005 by order of the Department of Transportation (DOT). Stromtrooper "FatalError" will find this out when his/hers arrives on his/her doorstep. The only way to get a Diamond Star unit with the ever so cool "Heads Up" feature is to find a used one or a new "old stock" unit that was built prior to October 2005. If you find a "new old stock" unit on ebay, they go for a high price because of the fact that you can no longer get the "heads up" feature, that every one loves. The next real problem, lies in the fact that many of the retailers that sell Diamond Star headlight modulators have no clue that the units have changed since October 2005, so they keep advertising them with the "heads up" feature even though it is no longer there. So....you bid on the diamond star, expecting to get that feature, and low and behold, when it shows up on your doorstep, the feature is not there. I speak from experience on this subject...... :) As to installation of the units......the last bike I had was fully faired, and as such, installation took a long time because you have to remove all that plastic, track down all the proper wires, splice into them, test it, find out that you sliced a wrong wire (maybey that's just me though), install the switch into the fairing, then remount all the fairing parts. I love headlight modulators, and will have them on every bike I own. I no longer advise buying the Diamond star units because of their more complicated installation and risk of ruining future repairs that might be covered under warranty because of the fact that many dealers are just looking for any way to screw you out of more money (not all dealers by any means). The Kisan units are wonderful, reliable, lifesavers that can be installed by a retarded, blind monkey in 20 minutes with no tools at all. I am not a monkey, nor am I blind, so it only took me 15 minutes, working at a slow pace. Whether or not I am retarded depends on whom you compare me to. As for service on the Vstrom. As long as I have a repair that can be covered under warranty, then I'm all for it. If you feel safer doing it your self and taking the financial hit......go for it. All regular maintenance is done by me at home. 8) wow......my fingers are cramping up on me from all the typing. Hope this clears up what I was trying to convey. :wink:

[fatalerror]

Well, because of you, I have now had to cancel my DS order and get the PathBlazer Headlight Modulator instead. :D
Thanks about the heads up on installation, I am really not in the mood to screw with this for hours on end.

[STROMETTE]

The problem lies in finding a Diamonstar headlight modulator with the "heads up" feature. Diamond star units no longer have this feature. :wink:

The one pictured on eBay clearly states "with Headups Traffic Alert" - are you saying you've bid on such and were sent a unit w/o this feature?? Yikes! No, make that double yikes! :( If this is the case good thing we're forewarning other Stromtroopers to clarify this prior to placing a bid. Maybe I'll just shoot the seller a question as I'm thinking having one on the shelf for the next stablemate might be on order.

[BioStrom 650]

:D Glad I could be of help. Don't get me wrong though. The Diamond Star units are very nice. They're less expensive to boot, but.......they are difficult to install when compared to absolute ease of installation of the Kisan units and since the diamonStars no longer have the "Heads Up" feature, the ONLY reason to buy the DiamondStar is price. So,... the only decision is this. (DiamondStar) Am I willing to spend more time on installation, with the slight possiblity that I may void my Vstrom warranty regarding electrical issues to save some money......or....(Kisan) would I rather spend the extra cash and get a unit that is a snap to install and can be easily removed if I run into electrical problems later on that may require warranty work? For me it wa an easy decision. If the Diamond Star units still had the "heads-up" feature, it would have been a much more difficult decision to make. :roll:

[BioStrom 650]

Stromette,....that's exactly what I'm saying :) . I called the Diamonstar company myself when it happened to me. They explained to me all about the trouble they had with the Department of Transportation (DOT) and how they had to stop making units with the "Heads UP" feature. I asked them if there was anyplace I could still find the older units, but they said most of them were already gone. She told me that you can find them once in while on eBay. I was so stupid too. I found a guy on ebay that was willing to end his auction for a new "old stock" unit early (this one still had the "heads up" feature), and sell it to me for $70.00. The auction price for the unit at the time was only at $25.00 so I told him that I would wait for the auction to end instead of purchasing it right then for seventy bucks. 5 minutes before the auctions end, it was bid up to $50.00,....I was thinking that I was going to get a great deal!! Within 45 seconds of the auctions end.....everyone and their brother started bidding on it and before I knew what happened, I had lost it to another bidder. Final selling price was $156.00 So......I bought a Kisan. Couldn't be happier with the unit though. Still wish it had a "Heads Up" feature, but at least the strom has the high beam flasher trigger for night use. Type at ya later 8)

[STROMETTE]

[quote="BioStrom 650"]The problem lies in finding a Diamonstar headlight modulator with the "heads up" feature. Diamond star units no longer have this feature./quote]

YEEEEEHAWWWW, look what our friends at AMotoStuff have:

http://www.amotostuff.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=01012&Category_Code=dl1000_electrical

No bidding wars, no sly seller to deal with, and it's on sale!

[water warrior]

Now that is a decent price even with the Canuck Buck + taxes. Had a thought though. Would I be able to hook up the modulator to my 35 watt driving lites instead of the headlites and have a little better light show coming down the road ? Any electrical gurus feel like jumping in ?

[BioStrom 650]

Looks great IF it actually has the "heads Up" feature. (If that is what you're looking for). I seriously doubt that the ones they have, actually have that feature any more. I would call them or email them to confirm before you buy. They, like so many other retailers, may be unaware that DiamondStar removed the "heads Up" feature from their product. Be very specific in your communication with them. Let them know that Diamond Star removed that feature last year and have them check their product to be certain. Newer versions of the Diamond Star units do not say anything about "Heads-Up" anywhere on the box/container, so they should be able to tell from that. Hope this helps. If they do have the "heads UP", then let me know. I want at least 2 of them!! 8)

[JohnInNH]

Driving with you high beams on is against the law in the presence of oncoming traffic.

FACT driving with high beams on is MORE dangerous then with low beams in oncoming traffic, as oncoming traffic is temporarily blinded and they have absolutely NO DEPTH PERCEPTION This is very true in the day time. The dazzling bright High beams will "spot" the drivers retina causing severe re-image. (I wish I knew where I read the study to support the above)

You WANT opposing traffic to have depth perception. It can and will save you life.

If you think driving with you high beams all the time during the day is helping you you are wrong. People are more abet to pull in front of you because they have no idea how close you may really be.

1) It's a traffic violation (enforced more so in some places)
2) It is dangerous
3) Can cause road rage

Dual head light modulation out of sync will cause you a world of hurt here. You will get busted .. It's considered impersonating a police officer. Trust me you do NOT want that on you record.

If you really want to be noticed get a JC Whitney catalog and get some flashing blue lights.... Or the alternating flashing head lights AND run with you 4 way flashers on. You can pretend you are the presidential guard. :idea:

Holding you horn button for 3 continuous seconds.... LMAO... Yea, that should work.

If you are not familiar with you bike read the manual.. There is a high beam flash lever (the red thing you can easily pull with you left index finger) It will light your high beam filament AND you low beam filament

The newer V-Stroms have this feature. Cheaper than a headlight modulator works fantastic (better than your horn IMHO) Use both if you need to. A polite blip of the lights sure help w/o making a ass out of yourself by holding your horn button CONTINUOUSLY for 3 seconds. :shock:

I don't think I have EVER held my horn for 3 full seconds. WOW!

How to win friends.... Makes friends about as fast as driving all the time with your high beams on.

Modulators may have a place but should be used properly (low beam during the day) If they can not work on low beam I do not know how they can me legal.

I drove OTR (CDL) for years... If they can't see me in my truck with a 50' trailer I really think NOTHING is going to help ;) Some people don't see anything it seems!

Any place there is mirage, they make a world of sense! If I lived in Texas Albq, NE, KS or the UP of MI, I would have one for sure. VT, NH, ME, MA, CT they don't make much sense.

The Deer may like em... FREEZE! :lol:

[fatalerror]

Installed the Kisan's today. Easy as pie. I will see how they work though...

[dave8drs]

Oh boy, I'm not trying to be argumentative here but I have to disagree with the following:

"Driving with you high beams on is against the law in the presence of oncoming traffic."

While I can't find a specific law to cite in either direction, I find it unlilkely that this is the case, especially in light of the fact that some vehicles' DRL (Daytime Running Lights) are in actuality their high beams and the driver has absolutely no control to turn them off.

I did , however, locate the law that specifically authorizes, and even provides the specifics, for headlight modulators. It is located in Federal Motor Vehicle Standards, CFR Part 571.108 S7.9.4 . If you read it, it specifically states that either the low or high beam can be modulated. There is also a section that states no state can prohibit such a device.

Just trying to set the record straight.

[greywolf]

High beam DRLs operate at reduced voltage. Rules about facing and closing distances for full voltage high beam use are not day/night specific. Too close, daytime or not, is illegal.

[STROMETTE]

Water Warrior, we're SOL... AMotoStuff replied to my email that their web site is listing the incorrect model of the DS modulator and that they only have the non-head's up versions. :cry:

[water warrior]

Stromette, thanks for the update. Now, do I or don't I ? Hmmmmm.

[fatalerror]

I definitely see people noticing me MUCH more... it seems a lot of car drivers don't know what to make of it!

[Cheff]

Well second day with the Kisan unit, and still don’t know what to make of it.

One lady stopped in the middle of the road after a rolling stop when she saw my lights coming up to my stop sign.

Another made a hasty retreat to a tight parking space in down town when she saw me coming up behind her.

More than one guy in a truck definitely noticed me, and made sure I could not lane split. I did notice lots more people letting me by and making room as well so this is a good thing.

And this morning for the first time on the Strom a car try to race me of the red light, and I had not split to get to the front, I had my own lane.

I am for sure more visible, people see it. The way they react to it is an entirely different story.

I guess I will get use to it, cuz I like being seen