Headlight modulators - are they legal in NZ?

**STfella** · 10th December 2003, 07:24

What are they? They cause the headlight to modulate (pulse high and low intensity). I deliberately don't use the term flash, because I know that flashing lights are illegal. Modulated lights are very effective in getting you seen. In the US they have been made legal, by Federal law, for motorcycles only. I have also seen them used in Europe. I've not yet seen any in NZ and no one in the motorcycle shops I've been to seems to know what I am talking about.
Does anyone know if these are legal in NZ, and, can they be obtained in NZ?
If you do a web search on - motorcycle modulated headlight - you'll get some background on them.

**What?** · 10th December 2003, 08:31

The law makes no mention of modulators, so they are not illegal. It is likely to stay so unless some hairbrain at LTSA decides that they are unsafe.

**What?** · 10th December 2003, 08:40

Whoops - I forgot the first question...

There are two types of modulator that I know of. One is a device which reduces and increases voltage cyclicly whilst preventing increased amperage draw at reduced voltage. The other is an inverter that takes DC power, turns it into AC and then alters the frequency of the power delivery. Both have the same effect.

I am assuming the manufacturers of bike headlight modulators are using one of these systems, but there are other possibilities...

A modulated headlight will cycle between normal brightness and a reduced level of brightness. I don't know what the cycle time is, but would guess it to be in the vicinity of 5 per second?? It creates a flickering effect which is more noticable than a constant light source.

**Jackrat** · 10th December 2003, 09:30

ST, modulators where avaliable during the 80s,I had a Rep,trying to sell me some back then.Mate,they just didn,t sell.????????
They are legal,But it would seem nobody is interested enough to make them worth stocking.Go figure..

**STfella** · 10th December 2003, 09:32

Hi "What?", Thanks for the technical answer. Your first response was the main thing that I was after, ie. they are legal. As I have not come across anyone in NZ who sells headlight modulators, I'll order one from the US. Because there has not been any exposure to them on the roads here, I'll expect a few agresive reactions from tin top drivers, when they realise that I am not an emergency service.

**What?** · 10th December 2003, 09:48

STfella - I don't think there's much chance of them mistaking you for an emergency vehicle. The modulators pulse the headlight's intensity, but not hugely. It does make it more noticeable, but not like a flashing main beam. From what I've read and heard, they do seem to be a good thing and are effective.

Interesting comment, Jack. I personally don't recall them being available here. Sort of points to the importer not having his act together?? Nothing like a good magazine review to sell a new gadget... Mind you, we are a conservative lot

**James Deuce** · 10th December 2003, 10:12

Originally posted by What?
The law makes no mention of modulators, so they are not illegal. It is likely to stay so unless some hairbrain at LTSA decides that they are unsafe.

Bound to be some obscure regulation that doesn't permit fiddling with the standard lighting installation. After all it is a motorcycle oriented safety enhancement and isn't related to speed or alcohol

**Motu** · 10th December 2003, 11:38

The VIRM says the lights must remain steadily illuminated,but surely you would have a switch to disable it for nightime use.So safe for a WoF,but if a cop is having a bad day,you may supply him with an excuse for harasment.

**Hitcher** · 10th December 2003, 11:44

Originally posted by Motu
The VIRM says the lights must remain steadily illuminated,but surely you would have a switch to disable it for nightime use.So safe for a WoF,but if a cop is having a bad day,you may supply him with an excuse for harasment.

You could always use the old "Really Officer, are you sure that's what you saw?" excuse...

**STfella** · 10th December 2003, 12:24

Re: On/Off switch
The units that I have been looking at on US websites have a daylight sensor, so that if the ambient light falls below a certain level the modulator is automatically switched off and headlights shine with a steady beam. Additionally there is a switch to disable the modulation. Thank you for the point raised regarding VIRM.

**Jackrat** · 10th December 2003, 13:25

I may be wrong but arn,t some BMWs equiped with these things already,,I saw a Bemmer with what appeared to be a modulating light resently,May have been after market of course.
The units I saw in the 80s were an NZ made product,but I never was the guy again after that one time.
Got to be a good idea tho,.

**jrandom** · 10th December 2003, 13:39

Originally posted by Jackrat
I never was the guy again after that one time

Why, customers got antsy and you decided to switch identities?

**Motu** · 10th December 2003, 16:32

you could just remount the headlamp in a wimpy bracket,this will allow the headlamp to vibrate and shake as it goes down the road - quite often seen on custom Harleys.

**Jackrat** · 10th December 2003, 17:06

Originally posted by jrandom
Why, customers got antsy and you decided to switch identities?

Hmmm,that didn,t really work did it.?

**STfella** · 10th December 2003, 17:28

Originally posted by Motu
you could just remount the headlamp in a wimpy bracket,this will allow the headlamp to vibrate and shake as it goes down the road - quite often seen on custom Harleys.

I like your style, I'll bear it in mind when I next ride a Harley (like never). But, it's just not the image I see of me and my ST