Fork mounted lights

9773 Views 27 Replies 16 Participants Last post by rubenz, Apr 11, 2014

Torquser

Discussion Starter · Jul 10, 2011

For Conspicuosity. I have searched the threads, want to have more triangular light print than putting them on the light bar under the headlights, looked at the reflector boss - 5 mm bolt, the fender mount - 6 mm bolt, plus the possibility of crushing the fender mount tab when tightening. Then I saw the axle is hollow. What would be wrong with running a 5/16th or 3/8th bolt all the way through and mounting the LED's on the ends? What am i missing, besides adding to unsprung weight?

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ghostrider66

· #11 · Jul 11, 2011

Torquser said:
For Conspicuosity. I have searched the threads, want to have more triangular light print than putting them on the light bar under the headlights, looked at the reflector boss - 5 mm bolt, the fender mount - 6 mm bolt, plus the possibility of crushing the fender mount tab when tightening. Then I saw the axle is hollow. What would be wrong with running a 5/16th or 3/8th bolt all the way through and mounting the LED's on the ends? What am i missing, besides adding to unsprung weight?

It is far better to mount auxilary lights as high as possible on the bike rather than low down.

Check out the link below from iron butt website.

IBA - World's Toughest Motorcycle Riders

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ghostrider66

· #14 · Jul 12, 2011

RoadRdr said:
The lower mounted lights are installed to assist drivers in better judging the speed of the oncoming vehicle. It started with studies on why drivers misjudged the speed of approaching trains. Train wins every time.
There were also studies in Japan by Honda engineers on the triangle of light.

Here's a link to the federal study for trains and the triangle of light.
http://www.fra.dot.gov/downloads/Research/rr0717.pdf

I was convinced the first time I rode with two friends who had Motolights installed. Their bikes stood out on interstates and secondary roads. I don't count on them alone to protect me, but its one more weapon in the arsenal.
Here's a shot taken at Deals Gap on my ST. I also have a yellow stone guard headlight cover. A bit unusual in color but I stand out. If they see me, they see me. Mission accomplished.

Unfortunately studies for the triangular lighting effect on motorcycles makes either very minimal or no difference.

Check out this study from Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

http://www.msf-usa.org/imsc/proceedings/b-Binder-EffectsofMotorVehicleDRLonMotorcycleConspicuity.pdf

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ghostrider66

· #15 · Jul 12, 2011

swingset said:
He's mounting them for conspicuous lighting, higher (and thus closer to the headlights) is the wrong direction.

The "triangle of light" works better the farther the points are away from each other.

Trangle of light maybe effective for trains no proof it is effective for bikes.

http://www.msf-usa.org/imsc/proceedings/b-Binder-EffectsofMotorVehicleDRLonMotorcycleConspicuity.pdf

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ghostrider66

· #17 · Jul 12, 2011

Sorry, didn't mean to upset anyone. I spend a lot of time reading and studying motorcycle safety reports, nothing more than for personal interest. I sometimes get concerned that riders often get a false sense of security because they have gone and made a mod to their bike (i.e. in this case aux. lighting) and as a result maybe take risks that they may not have done before they made the mod to their bike.

I still think the best way to be more visable during daylight hours is to wear as much HiViz gear as possible and there have been tons of studies on the benefits of HiViz gear. On study from Australia actually determined that a motorcyclist is 37% less likely to involved in a collision with another vehicle when wearing HiViz gear.

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ghostrider66

· #23 · Jul 12, 2011

dtalk said:
Actually, the best defense is to dress like a cop and ride a white bike. Police-like motorcycles, because they tend to inspire a fear reaction, register consciously in drivers' brains very readily, much more so than other non-car-like objects.

And no, I can't cite the study, sorry.

+1 on that.
I know we are getting off topic here, but earlier this year I was riding with my HiViz vest on. I pulled into a coffee shop parking lot and noticed a car following me. As I was taking off my helmet the woman driver came over to me and said, " officer could you please tell me how to get to ....." That's when I realized the benefits od HiViz.

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