Invisible indicators

[Dadpole]

No. This is not a rant abould some blind wanker trying to kill me.
Instead, this is about the modern sportsbike I met at an intersection. It had those white, tiny, triangular LED indicators. With the sun directly on the front of the bike I could not see if they were working. The body language told me the rider was doing a right turn but the indicator didn't. This was with me looking directly at the indicator expecting to see an orange flash. Not a sausage. They were in use as I saw the rear flashing as he turned.

I have noted on a few occasions how the small LED indicator cant be seen on a sunny day, so don't depend on them being seen even when someone looks. Put on giant buggers like the ones on my bike instead. They may look like ugly boxes and generate more drag than a barn door but at least they can be seen.

[Spearfish]

No. This is not a rant abould some blind wanker trying to kill me.
Instead, this is about the modern sportsbike I met at an intersection. It had those white, tiny, triangular LED indicators. With the sun directly on the front of the bike I could not see if they were working. The body language told me the rider was doing a right turn but the indicator didn't. This was with me looking directly at the indicator expecting to see an orange flash. Not a sausage. They were in use as I saw the rear flashing as he turned.

I have noted on a few occasions how the small LED indicator cant be seen on a sunny day, so don't depend on them being seen even when someone looks. Put on giant buggers like the ones on my bike instead. They may look like ugly boxes and generate more drag than a barn door but at least they can be seen.

Some cars are just about as bad
It will be a while before telepathic directional thought amplifiers are fitted as standard to bikes.

[dipshit]

Yep, those clear indicators can be very hard to see in direct sunlight sometimes... particularly those small LED bike ones.

I honestly can't understand why they are legal in this country...???

I would like to use some kind of paint to darken the insides of my indicator lenses to make them more visible... but ironically apparently that would be illegal and would fail a WOF.

[Scuba_Steve]

damm giggity, Clear LED indicators are near impossible to see when suns on 'em, on the flip side they work bloody well at night, whereas normal orange ones work good all the time. another indicator I have a problem with is those fucking "American style" ones, you know where they don't have an indicator as such their brake light just flashes instead Sorry rant over... for now.

[imdying]

I have some little triangle shaped ones on my bike, and even with the dark lenses they're a bit crap. When I finished all of the other things I want to do, and given that I like the shape and size, I'll be butchering into them the nastiest highest lumen output LEDs I can fine, cause you're right, they are dangerous in their current form.

[Taz]

My bikes both came with indicators from the factory and they work great even in sunlight. Who'da thought eh? Maybe I lose some cred points because they are a little bigger than fashion currently dictates but I'd prefer others to know where I intend to go.

[crazyhorse]

No. This is not a rant abould some blind wanker trying to kill me.
Instead, this is about the modern sportsbike I met at an intersection. It had those white, tiny, triangular LED indicators. With the sun directly on the front of the bike I could not see if they were working. The body language told me the rider was doing a right turn but the indicator didn't. This was with me looking directly at the indicator expecting to see an orange flash. Not a sausage. They were in use as I saw the rear flashing as he turned.

I have noted on a few occasions how the small LED indicator cant be seen on a sunny day, so don't depend on them being seen even when someone looks. Put on giant buggers like the ones on my bike instead. They may look like ugly boxes and generate more drag than a barn door but at least they can be seen.

I agree! but some who have them prefer them as they think they look "cool" - NOT!! but I agree, if it makes it difficult for us riders to see, no wonder there are so many accidents involving cages - they sure the hell wouldn't even be looking for them........

[SPP]

I wonder if flushmounts are legal? They're E-marked but are near impossible to see from directly in front (low profile and tucked into the fairing)