Modulators are annoying
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,583
From: Wisconsin, USA
Sorry this thread got out of control. I wasn't complaining about normal modulators. These lights were super bright and much larger than a normal headlight.
Like I have said on many other posts, I am an optometrist and know there are many blind drivers out there. I totally understand why someone would want a modulator.
Like I have said on many other posts, I am an optometrist and know there are many blind drivers out there. I totally understand why someone would want a modulator.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,158
Likes: 68
From: Martinsburg, WV
Really? Because some emergency vehicles around here have headlights that strobe along with their light bars.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
From: Central Florida
BTW, there seems to be a lot of misunderstanding here. For the people who get bent out of shape about group riding with a modulator, just have them turn it off.
Modulators work on high beam, and only during the day. Switch to low beam and there's no modulator.
I have no statistics, but I know on my old bike with only one headlight that I added a modulator after I nearly got killed by an idiot that made a left turn in front of me. After that, drivers seemed to wait FAR longer to enter the road from my right or to let me go by before they left turned across my road.
If any of y'all don't like modulators, tough ****. When it's MY *** on the line, I'll do what's best to protect it.
Fortunately, my Road King has a light bar, and I don't have a problem with visibility.
Modulators work on high beam, and only during the day. Switch to low beam and there's no modulator.
I have no statistics, but I know on my old bike with only one headlight that I added a modulator after I nearly got killed by an idiot that made a left turn in front of me. After that, drivers seemed to wait FAR longer to enter the road from my right or to let me go by before they left turned across my road.
If any of y'all don't like modulators, tough ****. When it's MY *** on the line, I'll do what's best to protect it.
Fortunately, my Road King has a light bar, and I don't have a problem with visibility.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
isn't that the point? if you have a modulator, you stand a better chance at being seen, ergo, making it home alive.
i don't have a modulator, but they certainly don't bother me. and i don't get violent when i see one coming my way. and you really can see them from a lot further away.
and what is the deal? why does it mean if someone has a modulator that they automatically don't ride defensively? why can't they do both?
its not okay to have a modulating headlight, but it's okay to have a brake light that's as bright as a nuclear meltdown? you don't think that distracts drivers behind you? you're light is so bright that they momentarily close their eyes and run your *** over?
how about ride and let ride? can we just do that?
there is a huge difference between modulating and strobing. maybe i'm smarter than your average bear, but i've never confused a modulating headlight on a motorcycle for the strobing headlights of an emergency vehicle.......
i don't have a modulator, but they certainly don't bother me. and i don't get violent when i see one coming my way. and you really can see them from a lot further away.
and what is the deal? why does it mean if someone has a modulator that they automatically don't ride defensively? why can't they do both?
its not okay to have a modulating headlight, but it's okay to have a brake light that's as bright as a nuclear meltdown? you don't think that distracts drivers behind you? you're light is so bright that they momentarily close their eyes and run your *** over?
how about ride and let ride? can we just do that?
there is a huge difference between modulating and strobing. maybe i'm smarter than your average bear, but i've never confused a modulating headlight on a motorcycle for the strobing headlights of an emergency vehicle.......
Last edited by skratch; May 25, 2012 at 09:34 AM.
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,217
Likes: 4
More confusion abounds...
Modulators are legal if they conform to specific specifications, including the intensity and duration of the PULSE of the light. They are NOT supposed flash the light on/off, but create a pulsing effect. As others have said, they work in daylight only, and most kits use the high beam as the on/off switch, allowing you to turn the modulator off. (like when you're on a group ride).
Modulators are legal in every state if they adhere to the specs set down in federal law. You're not going to get a ticket for using one (or, if you do, it won't stand up in court).
I've seen them on bikes like Goldwings, which have unusually big & bright headlights to start with. They are VERY bright. On Harleys & other bikes with a standard 7" headlight, they don't seem to be nearly as bright.
The eye is attracted to movement, not intensity of light. That's a solid fact, and one that I think most of us have experienced firsthand. A steady light doesn't attract the eye nearly as much as one that flashes or pulses. That's why modulators are so effective. Its the same concept that everyone seems to love on the LED brakelights.
Some people have different levels of confidence in the public's ability to drive. Riders who want to wear ATGATT, and have every visibility gadget available on their bike don't bother me. They give bikers a much better image than the ones who are in shorts & flipflops, weaving in & out of traffic at 100mph. Those are the guys who **** me off.
Modulators are legal if they conform to specific specifications, including the intensity and duration of the PULSE of the light. They are NOT supposed flash the light on/off, but create a pulsing effect. As others have said, they work in daylight only, and most kits use the high beam as the on/off switch, allowing you to turn the modulator off. (like when you're on a group ride).
Modulators are legal in every state if they adhere to the specs set down in federal law. You're not going to get a ticket for using one (or, if you do, it won't stand up in court).
I've seen them on bikes like Goldwings, which have unusually big & bright headlights to start with. They are VERY bright. On Harleys & other bikes with a standard 7" headlight, they don't seem to be nearly as bright.
The eye is attracted to movement, not intensity of light. That's a solid fact, and one that I think most of us have experienced firsthand. A steady light doesn't attract the eye nearly as much as one that flashes or pulses. That's why modulators are so effective. Its the same concept that everyone seems to love on the LED brakelights.
Some people have different levels of confidence in the public's ability to drive. Riders who want to wear ATGATT, and have every visibility gadget available on their bike don't bother me. They give bikers a much better image than the ones who are in shorts & flipflops, weaving in & out of traffic at 100mph. Those are the guys who **** me off.
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Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Oxford, Nc
They give bikers a much better image than the ones who are in shorts & flipflops, weaving in & out of traffic at 100mph. Those are the guys who **** me off Quote
Sure as hell No argument there!
Sure as hell No argument there!
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From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..