Improving Safety and Visibility
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Joined: May 2010
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Improving Safety and Visibility
So after my unfortunate wreck, I got to thinking that maybe there are some ways to improve the safety of my 2009 Iron. After all, it is entirely black and only has the minimum lighting required by law. I started thinking of ways to improve my rear tail lights for a start. I found these below.
http://www.customdynamics.com/motorc...bulbs.htm#1157
Does anyone know if either set will fit on the 2009 Iron? I don't know what kind of bulbs they have in there. I am going to check the owner's manual when I get home.
Some other upgrades that I have considered are some of the other LED and strobe accent lights, tastefully placed, so as not to look like a Honda Civic.
http://www.customdynamics.com/motorcycle_lights.htm
Has anyone experimented with any setups like these? I think it would increase my visibility to other motorists and possibly add a good luck at the same time. I would like to hear the thoughts of others and what you do to improve your visibility.
http://www.customdynamics.com/motorc...bulbs.htm#1157
Does anyone know if either set will fit on the 2009 Iron? I don't know what kind of bulbs they have in there. I am going to check the owner's manual when I get home.
Some other upgrades that I have considered are some of the other LED and strobe accent lights, tastefully placed, so as not to look like a Honda Civic.
http://www.customdynamics.com/motorcycle_lights.htm
Has anyone experimented with any setups like these? I think it would increase my visibility to other motorists and possibly add a good luck at the same time. I would like to hear the thoughts of others and what you do to improve your visibility.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 748
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From: Ohio
I was reading about a guy who got rear-ended the other day. My first thought was to add the Kuryakyn rear LED flashing brake/turn/run light system to my bike--then found out that Kuryakyn doesn't have them available yet for the Iron. They are in production, I was told via e-mail. They flash six times when you apply the brakes, and are extremely bright. I had them on my first 883c along with the Panacea light. You might want to look for something like that.
I also went and removed the reflector from the rear fender. My thought in this accident was that the cage driver might have been looking at the reflector in the middle of the rear fender and perhaps missed the two outer taillights. Who knows for sure, but now on my bike I've only got two lights for drivers to see when they pull up behind me.
I also went and removed the reflector from the rear fender. My thought in this accident was that the cage driver might have been looking at the reflector in the middle of the rear fender and perhaps missed the two outer taillights. Who knows for sure, but now on my bike I've only got two lights for drivers to see when they pull up behind me.
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Yeah, that was me. Mine never had the rear reflector installed on it. I was thinking the more lights, the better. I have considered strobes. Here in New Jersey, especially Bergen County, there are plenty of teenage queens on the road behind the wheel of their mother's Mercedes. They all have Blackberrys, which they do not need, and an iPod in the car. Plenty of inexperienced drivers with multiple distractions make this place a nightmare to ride through. You really have to be on your toes at all times.
Last edited by valacech; Jun 4, 2010 at 10:24 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,083
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From: Berwick, Pa
I also went and removed the reflector from the rear fender. My thought in this accident was that the cage driver might have been looking at the reflector in the middle of the rear fender and perhaps missed the two outer taillights. Who knows for sure, but now on my bike I've only got two lights for drivers to see when they pull up behind me.
So, you think the reflector was too visible, and they couldn't see the tail lights?? And you think removing the reflector makes you more visible????
This is a joke, right???
I know many people, myself included removed the reflectors for cosmetic reasons. But you are certainly the first I have heard say they removed them to be more visible!
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 2
From: Virginia
I intend to add the Kuryakyn rear LED setup in the very near future. The more visibility, the better. I also have the HD aux headlight kit on my bike... which would probably look pretty stupid on an Iron. It doesn't look fantastic on my white Low but it doesn't look hideous either.
I also have a hi-viz (florescent yellow/black) Joe Rocket mesh jacket. Of course, I'm less concerned with the fashion police than I am with being visible.
I also have a hi-viz (florescent yellow/black) Joe Rocket mesh jacket. Of course, I'm less concerned with the fashion police than I am with being visible.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 606
Likes: 2
You need all the help you can get, but some must be slaves to fashion.
Many guys ride black bikes, wear a black jacket, and use a black helmet.
I heard and have noticed many car accidents involve black or dark cars, and I see prople driving dark cars at dusk, in the rain, with no lights on.
That is really asking for it.
I had one black car which was wrecked 3 times in as many years, I had white cars with no accidents for a total of 20 years.
I have twice backed into another car, both times they were dark cars at nite.
My bike is red and chrome, and I almost always wear a red shirt when riding, I dislike the tough guy skull head biker nonsense, that seems to be mostly a new rider thing.
I wont go as far as wearing a reflective vest, but try and wear something bright when not wearing a jacket.
You can get headlight flashers which seem effective in the daytime, and all sorts of flashing tail lights, but I think its best not to disguise yourself as pavement as a first step.
Brett
Many guys ride black bikes, wear a black jacket, and use a black helmet.
I heard and have noticed many car accidents involve black or dark cars, and I see prople driving dark cars at dusk, in the rain, with no lights on.
That is really asking for it.
I had one black car which was wrecked 3 times in as many years, I had white cars with no accidents for a total of 20 years.
I have twice backed into another car, both times they were dark cars at nite.
My bike is red and chrome, and I almost always wear a red shirt when riding, I dislike the tough guy skull head biker nonsense, that seems to be mostly a new rider thing.
I wont go as far as wearing a reflective vest, but try and wear something bright when not wearing a jacket.
You can get headlight flashers which seem effective in the daytime, and all sorts of flashing tail lights, but I think its best not to disguise yourself as pavement as a first step.
Brett
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 866
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
So, you think the reflector was too visible, and they couldn't see the tail lights?? And you think removing the reflector makes you more visible????
This is a joke, right???
I know many people, myself included removed the reflectors for cosmetic reasons. But you are certainly the first I have heard say they removed them to be more visible!
This is a joke, right???
I know many people, myself included removed the reflectors for cosmetic reasons. But you are certainly the first I have heard say they removed them to be more visible!
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Ohio
Thanks for actually reading and thinking before posting.
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 748
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
So, you think the reflector was too visible, and they couldn't see the tail lights?? And you think removing the reflector makes you more visible????
This is a joke, right???
I know many people, myself included removed the reflectors for cosmetic reasons. But you are certainly the first I have heard say they removed them to be more visible!
This is a joke, right???
I know many people, myself included removed the reflectors for cosmetic reasons. But you are certainly the first I have heard say they removed them to be more visible!
On almost every car built within the last 15 years there is a rear center taillight, which actually functions when the brakes are applied. The rear center reflector on the Nightster and Iron, in my opinion, can actually confuse an already distracted driver into thinking you haven't applied the brakes. I've seen this a hundred times with drivers who rear end someone who happened to have a rear taillight or center light which wasn't working. Trust me, this happens.
I think what makes a system like the Kuryakyn so effective is that the led flashers are not only bright but pulse which automatically draw your attention towards them.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 520
Likes: 1
From: Newark OH
You need all the help you can get, but some must be slaves to fashion.
Many guys ride black bikes, wear a black jacket, and use a black helmet.
I heard and have noticed many car accidents involve black or dark cars, and I see prople driving dark cars at dusk, in the rain, with no lights on.
That is really asking for it.
I had one black car which was wrecked 3 times in as many years, I had white cars with no accidents for a total of 20 years.
I have twice backed into another car, both times they were dark cars at nite.
My bike is red and chrome, and I almost always wear a red shirt when riding, I dislike the tough guy skull head biker nonsense, that seems to be mostly a new rider thing.
I wont go as far as wearing a reflective vest, but try and wear something bright when not wearing a jacket.
You can get headlight flashers which seem effective in the daytime, and all sorts of flashing tail lights, but I think its best not to disguise yourself as pavement as a first step.
Brett
Many guys ride black bikes, wear a black jacket, and use a black helmet.
I heard and have noticed many car accidents involve black or dark cars, and I see prople driving dark cars at dusk, in the rain, with no lights on.
That is really asking for it.
I had one black car which was wrecked 3 times in as many years, I had white cars with no accidents for a total of 20 years.
I have twice backed into another car, both times they were dark cars at nite.
My bike is red and chrome, and I almost always wear a red shirt when riding, I dislike the tough guy skull head biker nonsense, that seems to be mostly a new rider thing.
I wont go as far as wearing a reflective vest, but try and wear something bright when not wearing a jacket.
You can get headlight flashers which seem effective in the daytime, and all sorts of flashing tail lights, but I think its best not to disguise yourself as pavement as a first step.
Brett
The next guy had a large reflective segment on his jacket and I saw him clearly from a mile away and he didn't blend in at all. Needless to say it made the decision easy on what to get and wear. Now to find a shirt that is highly reflective should I decide to ditch the jacket in the summer.
I have wanted to put a brake light modulator on the bike but I haven't gotten around to it. One more thing to add to the list. It might have to wait if I get the vrod since it will need its own goodies.
MH