Traffic Light Changer???
Thread Starter
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,478
Likes: 12
From: Nashville, TN
RE: Traffic Light Changer???
Hey, some excellent points raised here. I can testify for CERTAIN, that my harley needs it. I've sat a traffic light through 3 or 4 cycles, until a cage came behind me. Doesn't always happen. I usually try to stop right on top of either side of the sensors, but that doesn't always help. Here in TN, we almost got the law passed that would allow motorcycles to go if the traffic light didn't change for them, but it failed. As far as turning right, the doing a u-turn. I've done that some too, but if you're at a major intersection in the turning lane to turn left, and the other two lanes on the right are full of traffic, it's NOT a good idea to make a right hand turn across 2 lanes of traffic.
I think I'll order one, and see what the thing looks like. Maybe just go out in traffic, and test it before I put in on my bike. Hell, I've had people telling me for years to go play in the traffic. [sm=lockeddance.gif]
I think I'll order one, and see what the thing looks like. Maybe just go out in traffic, and test it before I put in on my bike. Hell, I've had people telling me for years to go play in the traffic. [sm=lockeddance.gif]
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,146
Likes: 50
From: A barrier island in NJ
RE: Traffic Light Changer???
ORIGINAL: bertpcp
it does work, and yes harleys do need it also, at least in NY. I can wait at most of these lights all day unless a car is behind me. I usaully just wait until it is safe and run the light.
it does work, and yes harleys do need it also, at least in NY. I can wait at most of these lights all day unless a car is behind me. I usaully just wait until it is safe and run the light.
That doesn't work too well around here. They put in a lot of cameras to catch the red-light runners at most intersections...
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Traffic Light Changer???
ORIGINAL: Thumper26
That doesn't work too well around here. They put in a lot of cameras to catch the red-light runners at most intersections...
ORIGINAL: bertpcp
it does work, and yes harleys do need it also, at least in NY. I can wait at most of these lights all day unless a car is behind me. I usaully just wait until it is safe and run the light.
it does work, and yes harleys do need it also, at least in NY. I can wait at most of these lights all day unless a car is behind me. I usaully just wait until it is safe and run the light.
That doesn't work too well around here. They put in a lot of cameras to catch the red-light runners at most intersections...
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,146
Likes: 50
From: A barrier island in NJ
RE: Traffic Light Changer???
ORIGINAL: akappler
Are the cameras triggered similar to how the traffic signals are? If so and the traffic signal doesn't detect the bike, the camera might not either.
ORIGINAL: Thumper26
That doesn't work too well around here. They put in a lot of cameras to catch the red-light runners at most intersections...
ORIGINAL: bertpcp
it does work, and yes harleys do need it also, at least in NY. I can wait at most of these lights all day unless a car is behind me. I usaully just wait until it is safe and run the light.
it does work, and yes harleys do need it also, at least in NY. I can wait at most of these lights all day unless a car is behind me. I usaully just wait until it is safe and run the light.
That doesn't work too well around here. They put in a lot of cameras to catch the red-light runners at most intersections...
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,146
Likes: 50
From: A barrier island in NJ
RE: Traffic Light Changer???
ORIGINAL: Thumper26
ORIGINAL: akappler
Are the cameras triggered similar to how the traffic signals are? If so and the traffic signal doesn't detect the bike, the camera might not either.
ORIGINAL: Thumper26
That doesn't work too well around here. They put in a lot of cameras to catch the red-light runners at most intersections...
ORIGINAL: bertpcp
it does work, and yes harleys do need it also, at least in NY. I can wait at most of these lights all day unless a car is behind me. I usaully just wait until it is safe and run the light.
it does work, and yes harleys do need it also, at least in NY. I can wait at most of these lights all day unless a car is behind me. I usaully just wait until it is safe and run the light.
That doesn't work too well around here. They put in a lot of cameras to catch the red-light runners at most intersections...
I'm not sure how they're rigged, motion or what, but I'm not going to be the test case!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,927
Likes: 5
From: Midwest
RE: Traffic Light Changer???
Lights are not triggered by weight. There are wire loops embedded in the pavement that detect the presence of metal and that's what signals the lights to change.
Look at the pavement as you're pulling up to a light and you see where the wires are buried in the pavement. (It looks like someone has caulked a black "box" about 10 feet long and about a foot narrower than the lane. The corners are usually squared-off. Those are the sensor wires.)
Always stop your bike directly over one of the wires and you should be okay. I like to stop with my engine over a corner where the wires intersect.
If you find that a particular sensor consistently gives you a problem, the sensitivity CAN be adjusted by whoever maintains the stoplight. Getting them to do it is another story.
PS: if your state has "right on red", you can go ahead legally by turning right, then making a 180 back to the light then turn right again. Not the easiest way, but it's better than getting a $100 ticket in the mail from Candid Camera.
Look at the pavement as you're pulling up to a light and you see where the wires are buried in the pavement. (It looks like someone has caulked a black "box" about 10 feet long and about a foot narrower than the lane. The corners are usually squared-off. Those are the sensor wires.)
Always stop your bike directly over one of the wires and you should be okay. I like to stop with my engine over a corner where the wires intersect.
If you find that a particular sensor consistently gives you a problem, the sensitivity CAN be adjusted by whoever maintains the stoplight. Getting them to do it is another story.
PS: if your state has "right on red", you can go ahead legally by turning right, then making a 180 back to the light then turn right again. Not the easiest way, but it's better than getting a $100 ticket in the mail from Candid Camera.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,927
Likes: 5
From: Midwest
RE: Traffic Light Changer???
ORIGINAL: akappler
Are the cameras triggered similar to how the traffic signals are?
ORIGINAL: Thumper26
That doesn't work too well around here. They put in a lot of cameras to catch the red-light runners at most intersections...
ORIGINAL: bertpcp
it does work, and yes harleys do need it also, at least in NY. I can wait at most of these lights all day unless a car is behind me. I usaully just wait until it is safe and run the light.
it does work, and yes harleys do need it also, at least in NY. I can wait at most of these lights all day unless a car is behind me. I usaully just wait until it is safe and run the light.
That doesn't work too well around here. They put in a lot of cameras to catch the red-light runners at most intersections...
Thread Starter
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,478
Likes: 12
From: Nashville, TN
RE: Traffic Light Changer???
BG Weasel, I do the same stopping practices, but still get stuck at traffic lights frequently. And it's certainly difficult to get transportation workers to adjust the sensitivy of the sensors (especially in states other than which you reside). I live in Tennessee, our politics are bad enough, but I also ride into other MORE backwards parts of our great country. In some places, it's an accomplishment just for a bike rider to get outta town alive.
Did you prehaps attend the Weasles rally in Nashville??? Maybe we met.?? I'm not a weasel, but I do rub elbows with them frequently.
Did you prehaps attend the Weasles rally in Nashville??? Maybe we met.?? I'm not a weasel, but I do rub elbows with them frequently.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 593
Likes: 0
From: Austin, Texas
RE: Traffic Light Changer???
I saw the same product selling on JC Whitney online. It's interesting to read the feedback from others who have tried it. The majority of them say that it didn't work for them, it's a waste of money, etc.
I would imagine it all depends on where you're riding and how the lights/inductive loops are configured. Plus, it seems that each light may be different. Some may be on timers, others inductive loops.
Who knows.
I'll do the "right turn/180" trick and save some bucks until I hear more people in TX having luck with them (ANYONE?)
I would imagine it all depends on where you're riding and how the lights/inductive loops are configured. Plus, it seems that each light may be different. Some may be on timers, others inductive loops.
Who knows.
I'll do the "right turn/180" trick and save some bucks until I hear more people in TX having luck with them (ANYONE?)
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,290
Likes: 4
From: Payson, AZ
RE: Traffic Light Changer???
They do work. I get off work at 1:00am and there is one light that will not activate for me and at that time of night it could be a long wait for a cager to come along, also the LAPD motorcycle cops are all over the place just waiting to pounce on you even at that time of night. I bought one of those "traffic light activators" off ebay and it really works! That pesky light activates the instant I approach it now. They word it to try to make you think it is some kind of device, but it really is just a magnate, so just buy the cheapest one you can find.