Son of the hound, I appreciate you doing some research, or posting someone else's research on this topic. Like I said there is limited studies on it and most studies that mention it say two things, modulators are not as effective as one would imagine or there was not enough data to make a definitive statement. I actually came across some of the studies mentioned in that post/blog. The study I posted found had a portion of the study that specifically tested for the effectiveness of headlight modulators. The joy of research studies is you can find a study to match your opinion whatever your position may be.

Also, that post/blog you copied was written in 2009. The study I posted was completed in 2015. A lot happens in 6 years.

What I have an issue with is the beginning of the blog followed by the personal comments in this post are all normative statements that do absolutely nothing to support or denounce the effectiveness of modulators. Empirical research peer reviewed by their respective communities validates the research and their results.

Again, everyone is free to have their opinions, some like modulators, some don't, that's life but lets keep the discussion on point and not emotional, at least for this topic.

 

I have run modulators on all my bikes since the mid 1980's. They most definitely work. Nope, NEVER has anybody mistake my headlight for an "OK turn left in front of me"....LMAO at the idea. NEVER.


It has saved my bacon twice. Once a driver even caught up to me down the road at a stoplight and told me he was about to pull out from a stalled line of cars into my lane when he noticed something flashing. That's first hand evidence.


Annoying? I don't give a chit who thinks it's annoying. NEVER had anybody give me a hard time about it. NEVER. Most people talk way tougher online than in person. I've had plenty of people ask me about it at a stoplight, but NEVER had anybody give me a hard time. Let's face it. In Chicago, you mouth off and you might get shot


Certainly makes you more visible, and with all the cell phone usage nowadays I'll do anything to stay alive. My brake light flashes too. Bright *** Lights taillight, and it's damn bright. Maybe even annoying LOL.


I will say the modulator on the LED is damn attention getting. Yes, with this setup I have had some people pull over. Thank you!


Now look at my sig closely. Not many guys on this forum have put anywhere near my type of mileage on their bikes and I have stayed safe all these years. Knock on wood. I hope all you stay safe too. Be visible, any way you can.


So you do what you want. I'll keep annoying drivers, being highly visible, and staying SAFE.

 

A buddy had one on his Road King. If I remember correctly, he could turn it off at any time, like in group rides. It also came with a sensor so that turned it off automatically when sunlight was low. I'm not sure if it was active on high beam, low beam or both.

 

They look great on a GW!
I’m just saying.....

 

So, you **** someone off enough to flip you off and you, on a precarious 2 wheels return the favor???

Seems counterintuitive to the safety aspect considering the amount of road rage in the world today...

 

Hey everyone , all these negative opinions about headlight modulators is exactly how I feel after owning and operating them , more people pulled over and then tailgated me or flipped me off than I care to count , total disaster . Since then I have been using bike vis products with outstanding success and the light do not have to be turned off at night , I cant see and flickering from the drivers seat and I have had very few pucker moments for a little over a yr now . I am not in any way affiliated with these people , I just really think they hae a great product , I run the larger leds on top of my crash bar and will post picks if anyone is interested . https://www.bikevis.com

 

I am glad that my post stimulated a good discussion about an important subject. Obviously we all have differing opinions and thoughts about this and that is awesome. I hope that we can all agree that safety is an important subject and I welcome continued debate on the matter.

 

justmike911, you are right , at the end of the day its all about being safe and preventing some one in a car from causing a accident , I have a buddy who had a lady cross traffic in front of him and cause him to slam into the side of her car, He has the electra glide with the led head light and spots , but she said she never saw him ? . There are always going to be many reasons why we must be defensive drivers , At 53 yrs. old and many yrs of riding I have been very lucky and don't have many horror stories to tell , but I hate trying to always be prepared for that car thats going to pull out and where are my escape paths to take.

 

I looked into one of those back in the day, but I was riding a 'wing then; much quieter and incandescent bulbs to boot.

Now, I've gone with amber led's on my passing lamps, and THESE definitely get me noticed. I've even had cars move over, one time I had a car actually pull over (onto the shoulder and everything) to get out of my way!

I love them. Search 'Xprite Amber 4.5" LED' on Amazon.

 

so if one has a modulating headlight and a motorist thinks there a cop and pulls over that's a bad thing. but if you have led passing lamps and a motorist thinks your a cop and pulls over, that's a good thing?

i don't have a modulator. don't plan on it either. but i don't hold anything against those that do. i also don't find them anger inducing or irritating either. i don't 'target fixate' when i see one coming towards me, or think that they are signaling me to 'go ahead' if i encounter one at an intersection.