Did I waste my money on this gadget???
Intermediate
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: S. FLORIDA
So let me get this straight when you put the kickstand down and stay on the bike you get heavier? How does that happen? The sensors embeded in the road are called homeruns, simply put they are a plain wire that runs back to the control box. This square is like a force field and when a large enough piece of metal enters, it signals the control box that a vehicle is there. But thats not the end. The control box can have lots of different settings depending on how old it is. The newer ones can be set for traffic density and different cycles for different times. Sometimes these homeruns(sensors) get cut or break do to lots of different reasons mostly construction. When the wire is broken it does not send any signal. Last some control boxes are set to a single car stop a two car stop or maybe even a three car stop in other words if one home run one box cut in the road then it usually means just one car to signal that you are there, howerver if there are two or three boxes are there it can mean two car trip or three. the best advice is sit back in the farthest spot on the furthest box. Somtimes it does help crossing on the corner but we have not figured that out yet. There maybe be a few weight sensors left out there but these are large divits in the road shaped like a cylindar with a covor over it alot more noticable but very extinct. In south florida most of the homeruns are set up for a two car trip oh and most of the pedistrian buttons are disconnected in the control boxes.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,260
Likes: 5
From: Batesville Ga
If putting down your kickstand (which means leaning the bike over) works, it's because it exposes more of the metal to the induction coils.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,928
Likes: 1
From: Desert S. West
Why don't you just mount the things, then go to a particularly stubborn light at an off time - say at midnight or so. See if the thing works. Then you can answer your own question. Many intersections have sensor strips embedded in them and they can sense the weight of a car or motorcycle - but not always the motorcycle because they are lighter. These magnets are supposed to work on those embedded sensor strips that are not sensitive enough to detect a less than 1,000 pound motorcycle.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,318
Likes: 54
From: Texas Panhandle
It's just another gadget someone makes money on. There is a long list of gimmicks and scams that people pay money for like Dyna beads, tire sipping, Avon, her buddy Amsoil and bottled water to name a few.
The sensors are magnetic wires. When enough metal (like a car) passes over it the inductance changes and ta-da the sensor changes the light. Cars are big metal, motorcycles not so much. To accomplish the same effect just hang a piece of metal under your ride if you think you need it.
The sensors are magnetic wires. When enough metal (like a car) passes over it the inductance changes and ta-da the sensor changes the light. Cars are big metal, motorcycles not so much. To accomplish the same effect just hang a piece of metal under your ride if you think you need it.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 305
Likes: 0
From: California
There is one light that never tripped for me. I put one of these magnets on my BMW and now it works. I haven't tried the light with my FXDL yet. Did it fix the problem or did the city fix the sensor? I'll never know but as unscientific as this is, it worked for me.
Maybe others have had this issue with this light. It's on PCH making a left into the Malibu Inn. CA law says you have to wait 3 light cycles. But how would the cop who pulls you over ever know how long you have been there.
Maybe others have had this issue with this light. It's on PCH making a left into the Malibu Inn. CA law says you have to wait 3 light cycles. But how would the cop who pulls you over ever know how long you have been there.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
From: Daytona Beach
The high beam low beam works only if there is a little sensor on the actual traffic arm over the road. Have you ever watched an ambulance or fire truck going with lights on down the road? On the front of these vehicle is a little bouncing white light, it jumps up and down and back and forth. This light is seen by the little sensor on the light arm above the road and changes the lights so they don't have to stop. One word of warning though, in California if you are caught changing lights with a mag light at night, you can get a ticket. Not that I would know of course. As far as red light running, check your local laws for how long you have to wait before its legal for a motorcycle to proceed, and if there is a cop watching you when you do this he will see that you waited and not even think about messing with you.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 442
Likes: 0
From: Chesapeake, VA
Did I waste my money on this gadget???
I've learned a thing or two I didn't know from reading this thread. To the OP, for $10 bucks, don't second guess yourself. Like others have said, please test it, and let us know the results. I'm curious now.
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