Strom Headlight Bulb

[pfletch]

I found a headlight modulator that is a "plug-in" that works with a H4 bulb. what type of bulb does the V-strom have. I don't have a V-strom yet but when I do this wil be my first modification.

[wpennington]

Just got my V-Strom yesterday. My manual calls out a H4 headlight bulb. Complete spec is: 12V 60/55W H4

[pfletch]

Thanks Wpennington.

[Woofy]

Who makes the plug-in headlight modulator?

[pfletch]

www.comagination.com i bought one for my girlfriends v-star but havn't installed it yet.

[replaced]

Just a minor rant about the headlight modulators:

Basically, I hate them and I strongly feel as if they should be outlawed. I cannot stand when I met a Goldwing and his freaking light looks like a discotech. My instant thought is that it is a cop, and I should start to pull over. When a motorcyclist is behind me with a modulator, I become entranced by staring at it in my rear view mirrors, and find myself not paying as much attention to what's in front of me.

I have never seen anything that proves that they increase safety, then again I have never heard of any accidents caused by them either.

Thanks for allowing me to give my opinion.
Brendan
2002 V-Strom with the standard lights

[DirtyWurty]

[quote="Howboucha"]Just a minor rant about the headlight modulators:
Basically, I hate them and I strongly feel as if they should be outlawed.

I have to add my opinion.
Lost a good friend to a left turning suv.
At his funeral my other riding buddy and I said we would get modulators for our bikes to offer us a SLIGHT bit more protection from left turning drivers.
I bought one and he didn't.
2 weeks later a driver turned in front of my friend and his wife, he will be in a wheel chair forever and his wife survived after 2 months in hospital.
A modulator will be the first thing I buy for my new strom because I feel better with it on even if it offends some people.
It might save my family from a nightmare.
It is also polite to turn off the modulation when freeway riding but be sure to turn it on again when you get to country roads.
I would rather offend a driver than smash my lips on his radiator.

[cos]

pfletch,

Thanks for that link! I've wanted a plug n' play modulator for the headlight and didn't know there was one.

-Bruce
Detroit

[pfletch]

Hey Cos, I just bought a plug and play modualtor from Kissan(it was reccomended by someone on the other forum) and it really was plug and play, took 10 mins to install. Seems to work great, on high beam only. It was a little expensive at $159, but I figured that would seem cheap when flying over the hood of an SUV aimed at the windsheild. I wasn't going to bother putting one on my Strom, but that thought kept running through my mind>

[cos]

pfletch,

Just curious how come you didn't get the one from http://www.comagination.com/ ?

-cos

[pfletch]

Basically it was because the Kissan one is set up for dual headlights, and requires no splicing of wires. The one from coimagination requires some minor splicing and a voltmeter to check positive/negative. I don't have one
and I am not really that mechanical.
The one for my girlfriends V-Star is still sitting in my desk.

[cos]

Well that's a good reason, I didn't realize you'd have to splice. I just soldered some wires on a sensor on my Ford that I had crimped about 2 yrs ago when installing a high performance intake. I had the check engine light come on right after I did an oil change (Purolator & Mobil 1) and was very surprised to find that one of my connections came loose, so I agree with your decision.

How do you like it?

-Bruce

[pfletch]

Hey Bruce,
I like it, it was a 5-10 minute install, and anything that makes me a little more visible is a good thing. I had a SignalDynamics modulator on my Sv650, which was pretty cool, but the install was a lot more involved, like I said I don't want to be sliding across the hood of Ford Expedition thinking shoulda, coulda,woulda. I like modulators, I see other drivers do a doubletake and know it works. It also seems to make them want to move over in their lane to let you by on 2 laners with double yellows

[STROMETTE]

Stromette will NOT own a bike that doesn't have a headlight modulator. Every bike in the stable gets one. Period. I have absolutely no doubt it has saved my skin on countless occasions (even had a trucker tell me at a gas stop once "I would have pulled right out if it wasn't for seeing that flashing headlight thing you have") :!:

[mokusbajusz]

In Hungary (and I think in whole Europe) it is not allowed to install modulators. Instead I simply turn on the high beam especially in cities. Cars splash apart in front of me. :lol:

[Night_Wolf]

Be careful on your travels through Canada this summer :shock: I don't think theadlight modulators are legal. I don't know the law, but you might want to check before you get a ticket as we all know "ignorance of the law is no excuse" I know as I picked up a ticket for crossing a yellow line in North Carolina and that is not an automatic ticketable offense here.

Stromette will NOT own a bike that doesn't have a headlight modulator. Every bike in the stable gets one. Period. I have absolutely no doubt it has saved my skin on countless occasions (even had a trucker tell me at a gas stop once "I would have pulled right out if it wasn't for seeing that flashing headlight thing you have") :!:

[prg]

Since I installed my Kissan modulator, I am sure I am better seen. Cars wanting to turn in front of me wait and really seem to stare at the bike. Much better than not being noticed. Some people do not like it, but that means they notice it. Considering the number of phone yacking idiots out there, I feel much better with it on. There is probably a good reason they were Fed approved.

By the way the install was simple enough.

[water warrior]

Has anyone tried the headlite modulator and/or brake lite modulator from Comagination ? Sounds pretty good to me if they are easy to install and function as advertised. And the price isn't overwhelming either.

[STROMETTE]

I know as I picked up a ticket for crossing a yellow line in North Carolina and that is not an automatic ticketable offense here.

Hmmm, not trying to hijack a thread or get OT here but could you explain what you are saying a/b the yellow line?? :? Are you talking a/b a double yellow line? If you weren't aware this means no passing here in the US I'm surprised you made it all the way to NC not only w/o a ticket but alive. :wink: Secondly and more importantly, could you explain what I'll be able to do w/said yellow line in Canada that I can't do here? Thanks in advance.

Stromette

[kneedrachen]

just to keep the thread going and out of genuine curiosity, have any of you with a headlight modulator have someone pull out in front of you because they thought you were signalling them to go? i've flashed my high beams to give the "hey, it's okay to go" sign. . .just wondering...I'd like to get a modulator, but that's one of my concerns, kind of torn between a modulator and a set of PIAA or KC auxillary driving lights.

[Night_Wolf]

Depending upon which province you are in, Crossing a solid yellow line or even a dbl yellow is not necessarily a ticketable offense. The solid line (single not dbl) we crossed had a clear view and ample room to pass. We did and were pulled over by a State Trooper in NC. If you are involved in a MVA while on the "wrong" side of a yellow line you will be charged in Ontario and could be charged depending upon the views of the local constabulary. Of course being a "local" if I'm charged it is somewhat easier for me to challenge and contest. BTW it is against the Law to cross a Solid White line in Ontario

I know as I picked up a ticket for crossing a yellow line in North Carolina and that is not an automatic ticketable offense here.

Hmmm, not trying to hijack a thread or get OT here but could you explain what you are saying a/b the yellow line?? :? Are you talking a/b a double yellow line? If you weren't aware this means no passing here in the US I'm surprised you made it all the way to NC not only w/o a ticket but alive. :wink: Secondly and more importantly, could you explain what I'll be able to do w/said yellow line in Canada that I can't do here? Thanks in advance.

Stromette

[STROMETTE]

just to keep the thread going and out of genuine curiosity, have any of you with a headlight modulator have someone pull out in front of you because they thought you were signalling them to go? i've flashed my high beams to give the "hey, it's okay to go" sign. . .just wondering...I'd like to get a modulator, but that's one of my concerns, kind of torn between a modulator and a set of PIAA or KC auxillary driving lights.

Not exactly sure how to respond to your question since it'd be impossible to say why someone pulled out in front of you (or me). The idea of the modulator (and what I experience) is you become more visible so people DON'T pull out in front of you. For me there is absolutely no doubt the headlight modulator contributes to my safety and decreases my chances of becoming another statistic. Statistics show aside from single vehicle accidents (rider downs the bike) it's the "but I just didn't see the motorcycle officer." :twisted: Car makes left turn in front of a bike at an intersection...perhaps a modulator would have caught the driver's eye and prevented the fatality. Rider is slammed into from behind due to not being seen. Next time your out riding at night just look at a bike ahead of you. It's usually a single brake/running light sometimes as small as your fist. ALL my bikes have headlight modulators, dual-function hyper-lites (running & brake lights), upgraded headlights, my gear is very reflective, etc. Strom just got a new set of auxillary lights too. People can say "but all that is expensive" and my response is that it's a small price to pay for my health and well-being.

[water warrior]

I really really really agree with Stromette on being seen and not hurt(pun intended)and I am giving serious thought to a modulator front and rear. With the amount of money some of us tack on for farkles this is actually a cheap insurance package that is available and requires no driver input to function once under way. Stromette is a high mileage rider and gets more experience in one year than most of us do in 5 years, so I will gladly go with her opinion. Ride On, Ride Safe.

[kneedrachen]

i might have not been clear in my question. I have a modulator in the rear in addition to LED lights, i may actually buy the kit to turn my turn signals into running lights as well...My question *should* have been phrased have you ever had someone pull out in front of you while using a modulator and then stated they thought you were signalling them to go. That's all I meant. I actually saw a modulator today on a BMW GS series bike. . .visible would be a gross understatement!

[mokusbajusz]

The meaning of signalling with highbeam is different country by country in Europe. For example in Hungary it means I let you go, in Italy: clear off, I come!

[Cheff]

I got the Kisan, and it is a breeze to install. And it works! I don’t always get the response from drivers I want, but it’s obvious they have seen me. One advice for any one with modulator... Keep your distance, I have had more than one encounter where the cager in front did not like my flashing light and stomped on the breaks, or when they get that first view of it and panic swerve thinking it is an emergency vehicle.

In any case it’s doing its job, I get noticed!

[fatmarmot]

Ok, I'm sold. I typically find the modulators annoying on other bikes but the argument for increased visibility by you guys (and gal) totally makes sense. I think a modulator will be the next farkle I purchase. Thanks.

[fatmarmot]

Hey Stromette,

What is a "dual-function hyper-lite?

[JohnInNH]

Balazs... FYI driving with your high beams in traffic is against the law.

As a note it may help a person know you are there HOWEVER they will not know how far away you are. They may think you are farther away than you are since their vision in impaired from being dazed by the high-beam and they could pull in front of you.

Also ... It is a major factor in causing road rage. Driving a bike is NOT the place to be and be causing road rage. Bikes loose against a cage every time.

If you were behind me with your high beams on in traffic for 10-15 minutes with you lights blaring in my mirrors preventing me from seeing who was around me I would not be a happy camper.

I suppose dual 150 watt high beams make you more visible too?

So what if they cause other people to crash! LOL..... Eff em! It''s not you ass. Right?

Please think a little before blatantly driving around with your high-beams on with oncoming traffic or behind someone. It may cause an accident. Maybe even yours. (Seriously) the loss of depth perception (by oncoming traffic) is huge when they are on.

Relying on a modulator to make you seen is no replacement for being a cautious driver. Do not assume that just because you have a pulsing headlight people see you. They may still NOT see you.

[STROMETTE]

Hey Stromette,

What is a "dual-function hyper-lite?

They function as running lights AND they flash/pulse when brakes are applied. The running lights are at 40% compared to when full flashing. You can find info here:
http://www.hyperlites.com/unikits.html

Also, FWIW, I did *not* choose the specific V-Strom kit as I am a firm believer in triangulation of lights being the most visible and thus safe. I mounted mine on the side of license plate bracket which I have upside down (I modified the fender for a different project--when I get back from this current trip I'll get some pics up if you'd like).

[water warrior]

Stromette

Looking forward to your pics and a ride report. Ride On.