traffic lights not changing
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,722
Likes: 7
Very inconsistent around here. Some will change, some won't. We also have a new law that allows us to run the light after waiting a reasonable amount of time and nothing is coming. I don't recall the exact time limit. I've heard people say to try to get as much metal as close to the sensor lines in the pavement as possible. Don't know if that makes a difference or not.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 596
Likes: 1
From: Cumming, GA
.next time you all pull up to those lights that don't change, take note and you will see some cuts in the pavement.[very nice straight cuts] Under those 'cut' lines are wires that sense pressure and let the trafic controller know something is there..[it is a closed loop circuit].....
..bikes are generally not heavy enough to trip the wire and close the circuit.....I have found that if ya line yer tires up on the 'line' they will trip the circuit .....cars do it anyway since they are so heavy.....kinda like a security gate that mysteriously opens............some states use a photocell sensor, some states put wires in the pavement system.....
The other alternative is to pack a real 'big mama' on yer ride so ya got more weight....but we all know that really hurts the 'weight to HP ratio'.......Binny
..bikes are generally not heavy enough to trip the wire and close the circuit.....I have found that if ya line yer tires up on the 'line' they will trip the circuit .....cars do it anyway since they are so heavy.....kinda like a security gate that mysteriously opens............some states use a photocell sensor, some states put wires in the pavement system.....
The other alternative is to pack a real 'big mama' on yer ride so ya got more weight....but we all know that really hurts the 'weight to HP ratio'.......Binny
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 309
Likes: 186
Sometimes, when I blow through the light, I say to myself, the universal rule is, when traffic lights malfunction they are treated as 4 way stops. The rest of the time I say something along the lines of "screw this."
Last edited by AbqDave; Oct 8, 2008 at 09:00 AM.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
http://www.greenlightstuff.com/trigger.html
I bought this and it works every time now. You need to roll up on the light slowly though. If you go to fast it still don't work. But if you just go easy into the light, it will trigger. I love this thing.
I bought this and it works every time now. You need to roll up on the light slowly though. If you go to fast it still don't work. But if you just go easy into the light, it will trigger. I love this thing.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,483
Likes: 39
From: Passaic County, NJ
Most bikes are not heavy enough to trigger the traffic sensor. Here in SC, the gov. just signed into law that motorcycles can make a left on red after waiting 120 seconds, and checking traffic flow. You wouldn't want to turn left into oncoming traffic. You are then supposed to report the faulty sensor to the state and they will fix it.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 465
Likes: 1
From: Long Beach, CA
Another trick - that seems to work for me - is the put the bike on the side stand - with the stand resting in the sensor area. Seems to trip the light with no problem.
Or get of (or have your passenger get of), walk over and press the crosswalk signal button
Or get of (or have your passenger get of), walk over and press the crosswalk signal button
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,021
Likes: 2
It is my understanding that the sensors are not based on weight but are magnetic sensors. There simply isn't enough steel in the bikes to trip some of them which is why the magnets work.
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 465
Likes: 1
From: Long Beach, CA
As mentioned by RudeDog before, I guess there are many different types. And while I suspect all new road construction adopts the newer technologies, the roads in my area haven't been upgraded, that I know of, in over 20 + years...
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,026
Likes: 0
From: Carroll County, Maryland
just use a remote control that will turn the light green before you even stop. Attach it to your bars.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqmNe76HVhk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqmNe76HVhk