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Sep 2, 2010 | 10:59 AM

#71

rh8234

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 3,968

Likes: 34

From: Lockport Township, IL

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtowner

Head light modulator, I know it's saved my bacon at least 5 times. I need to do something with the tail lights not sure yet. My biggest fear is getting rear end by some idiot on his cell phone.

Backoff Brakelight modulator (WIG WAG version if you have tour pack with brake lights in the tour Pack). Have the units on all my bikes and have purchased and installed them for several friends. If you ever ride behind a group of bikes, the guys with the modulator will stand out. You cannot miss the flashing brake lights. That being said, your fear of getting run over by some idiot on a cell phone will never go away. THEY WILL NOT SEE YOU NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO! Making yourself more visible is a great idea, but not a substitute for keeping the bike in gear, keeping an eye on the mirrors, and having an escape route planned.

Sep 2, 2010 | 11:23 AM

#72

Wingnut51

Tourer

Joined: Mar 2010

Posts: 265

Likes: 0

From: Georgia

Quote:

Originally Posted by rh8234

Okay everybody! We all have ideas about what will make us more visible. Let's not get dilusional though! Fact is, we ain't going to be seen regardless of the costumes we wear, or regardless of the color of our bike, or regardless of the kind of lights we display. Understand that! Ride with that knowledge and you will increase your chances of survival. Always presume every car on the road will deliberately try to run you down. Always try to have an escape, and NEVER presume you will be seen!!!! Maybe I have gotten so old because I learned this at an early age. Maybe I am just lucky?

I agree with the above. Hi Vis gear will improve your odds but don't get complacent because I've seen cars pull in front of big red fire trucks with flashing lights and sirens. I wear a Hi Vis jacket every day when I commute to work but I'm always fully aware of the idiots around me. I frequently see a driver start to pull into my lane but suddenly back off when he sees me, but I'm always ready with an escape route in case he doesn't see me or if he just doesn't care that I'm there.

Sep 2, 2010 | 11:50 AM

#73

Aleslinger

Tourer

Joined: Oct 2008

Posts: 410

Likes: 1

From: Reseda, CA

Being seen is good if other drivers are looking for you or looking at all. Being heard is good too so get the right pipes. However, getting noticed is imposible with the stock horn. I'm looking to upgrade that audio attention getter to increase my changes of survival.

No matter what, driving to survive is the most important thing you can do, so practice that swerve and quick stop and don't forget to SEE.

Sep 2, 2010 | 12:01 PM

#74

mtowner

Tourer

Joined: Jun 2009

Posts: 277

Likes: 0

From: Bluff City, TN

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wingnut51

I come to stop at least 3 to 4 bike lenths in back of the car in front of me, and either inside or to the outside of the lane, depends of the type of road
(2 or 4 lane). Watch my mirrors like friggin' hawk. I don't take my eyes off my mirror, till I see the car come to a complete stop behind me.

Sep 2, 2010 | 12:44 PM

#75

Aleslinger

Tourer

Joined: Oct 2008

Posts: 410

Likes: 1

From: Reseda, CA

Good procedure mtowner, I also pull a few revs to let people know I'm there.

Sep 2, 2010 | 12:54 PM

#76

iclick

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 11,615

Likes: 50

From: Baton Rouge, LA

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtowner

Head light modulator, I know it's saved my bacon at least 5 times. I need to do something with the tail lights not sure yet. My biggest fear is getting rear end by some idiot on his cell phone.

I got rear-ended 20 years ago and am still paranoid about it. I installed a Kuryakyn module that flashes the lights several times when the brakes are first applied, and also added an LED tail light assembly that is 3x brighter than stock when braking. I still watch my rear-view mirror when coming to a stop, though.

Sep 2, 2010 | 01:15 PM

#77

bldap

Tourer

Joined: Sep 2009

Posts: 301

Likes: 0

From: North Carolina

I installed the HD fog lamps prior to riding to Texas. There were many times when a cager would start pulling out in front of me and then abruptly stop. I can only attribute it to the lit fog lamps. Of couse the EG also has the running lights but I believe the addition of the bright fog lights helped tremendously.

Sep 2, 2010 | 01:43 PM

#78

rmw

Cruiser

Joined: Jun 2009

Posts: 199

Likes: 2

From: Indiana

During the 13 years I was a firefighter I can assure you that no matter how many lights and how loud your pipes are there will be ocassions when people will pull out in front of you. I had it happen numerous times during emergency runs with every light and strobe running along with a 130dB siren. A 747 could be tasxing down a road and someone would hit it and claim they didn't see it.

I use a Kisan front and back which unscientifically seems to work very well but I'll also weave if approaching an intersection with a car waiting to turn. The motion seems to increase visibility.