Headlights on/off during daytime?

[vifferman]

I understand not. the light (I believe) doesn't really flash, just sort of flickers in brightness. They are very popular in the States. I looked at getting or making one, but was deterred by their illegality. Damn stupid law. They also do the same thing for tail lamps .

Damned stupid bureacrats. You'd think they'd be happy with anything that reduces motorcycle accidents. But then, that's not their function is it? They're the anti-fun, anti-commonsense brigade. Them. Pah!!

[SARGE]

That's 4 times a second - do they have time to go off and on in that time? Wouldn't they just be pulsing very slightly?
Does it shorten the lifetime of the bulbs?

they never go "off" they just modulate between hi and lo beams. if you are near colemans and see my bike, stop in, i'll show ya.. pretty wicked and gets me noticed in traffic. very handy coming down the motorway.

actually cools the bulb, therefore lengthening its lifspan.

also, has a daylight sensor. only functions in full daylight.

[SARGE]

*****exerpt****


Modulator Background:


Since having one's headlights on improves vehicle head-on recognition to other vehicles (and because the inept public lacks the common sense to turn on headlights during dawn/dusk, fog, rain, snow, smoke and other poor-visibility conditions) some automobile manufacturers, and most notably General Motors, began installing Daytime Running Lights - DRLs - as standard equipment on their autos. DRLs automatically operate the auto's high-beam lamps at reduced voltage (less brightness) whenever the ignition switch is on, with NO operator action... which is a good idea to make cars more visible in reduced-visibility situations, but is a bad idea for motorcyclists who then lost their safety edge from having their lights on all the time. Now with the common use of DRLs, a motorcycle could be lost in a "sea" of turned-on headlights during daylight conditions. Something was needed to make the motorcycle stand out from the crowd once again. Enter the 1990s and development of the motorcycle headlight modulator. With a modulator installed, the motorcyclist is once again able to be differentiated from other traffic, with the headlight pulsating, varying between two degrees of brightness.

The flickering of the high-beam is unmistakable. Disliked by some, misunderstood by many, it is seen by all. Simply put, MODULATORS GET YOU NOTICED ! And being noticed improves the odds that you'll be seen by an inattentive driver, ergo the chance for a collision with an auto is reduced.

Headlight modulator installation is recommended for the cycle's HIGH beam element, although it is legal on either high or low beam. The reason the high beam is preferred is because the high beam pattern illuminates the area to the center and left of the bike's centerline, which is the direction from which the majority of auto-cycle collisions occur... especially oncoming cars turning left in front of the cycle. The low beam pattern tends to illuminate the area to the center and right of the bike's centerline, a location where fewer auto-cycle collisions seem to originate. A common comment frequently reported in post-accident investigation dialogue is the auto driver saying "I never saw him." Perhaps it's because the driver wasn't looking at the cyclist, or looked "right through" the cyclist, not taking note of his presence. With a headlight modulator operating the high beam of the headlight, there is less potential for that statement to be made.

As I said... MODULATORS GET YOU NOTICED !

An important distinction that you should be aware of if you are considering the purchase of a modulator or defending its use, is that the modulating headlamp DOES NOT FLASH! Flashing is defined as the rapid turning on and turning off of power to the lamp. With a headlight modulator, the lamp never turns off, but rather power is varied between two different power levels at a specific rate of speed. Therefore it does not flash. It simply modulates (or pulsates, shimmers, twinkles or flickers, if you prefer)... Flashing lights are illegal on all but emergency vehicles. But Modulating lights are legal. But keep in mind that they are legal on motorcycles only. Automobiles are not permitted to have modulating headlamps.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tell Me More...

Four questions typically come up in conversations about headlamp modulators:

1. Isn't it hard to drive at night with the light flickering like that?

NO. There is a photo-sensor that disables the modulator circuitry once daylight falls below a pre-set level. As dusk approaches, the lower intensity of ambient light hitting the photo-sensor will tend to turn the modulator off, especially when driving under the canopy of overhanging trees or in and out of "shadow" areas. When that begins to happen, you'll know it. Reflected light from signs and roadside reflectors will make the light's change from modulation to steady high-beam apparent. It's time to switch to low-beam.

2. Won't my headlight bulb burn out from all that flickering?

NO again. Since the average power applied to the bulb filament is lower, the use of a modulator actually extends the usable lifetime of the modulated headlamp's bulb.

Headlight Modulator Etiquette:

During the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's Experienced Rider Course I took during the summer of 2001, there was considerable debate over the proper way to "use" the modulator. While use of a modulator is indeed legal, some common sense should be used while it is in operation. Since it can be switched on and off at will using the headlight dimmer switch, there are times and situations in which it is reasonable and proper to turn it off:

When you are sitting behind a vehicle in traffic, your modulator can be a nuisance to the driver in front of you. This is especially true if you are far enough behind the other vehicle for your headlamp to shine in the driver's rear-view mirror.

When you are sitting at a red traffic light waiting to proceed through the intersection with nothing in front of you to block the light, your modulator may be a nuisance to a driver on the other side of the intersection facing you. Give him a break. Dim your headlight (turn off the modulator) until the traffic light turns green and you can proceed.

If you are going to be stationary behind any vehicle for more than a few minutes, do the driver ahead of you a favor. After following someone for a while, it will become clearly obvious to you that the driver in front has noticed you. Put your headlight on low beam (modulator off) until you prepare to pass the driver.

Turn off your modulator when you are riding in a group, unless you are the lead bike. The lead bike's modulator will stimulate enough of the oncoming driver's attention for the whole group. If you're riding in the "drag" or "sweep" position, you can give the leader an occasional "twinkle" on a long straightaway to let the tour leader know how far back the tail end of the group is, without being an annoyance to the rest of the group. (This applies more to LARGE group rides like Americade's mini-tours, where there may be 50-60+ bikes in the tour group.)


Keep common courtesy in mind. Remember that a modulating high beam can be as much of an assault on one's eyes as loud pipes are on one's ears. Act accordingly. Act responsibly. And remember that the impression you leave on the public reflects on ALL motorcyclists!


NOTE 1

Selected excerpts from the Hurt Study** supporting use of a Headlamp Modulator:

In multiple vehicle accidents, the driver of the other vehicle violated the motorcycle right-of-way and caused the accident in two-thirds of those accidents.

The failure of motorists to detect and recognize motorcycles in traffic is the predominating cause of motorcycle accidents. The driver of the other vehicle involved in collision with the motorcycle did not see the motorcycle before the collision, or did not see the motorcycle until too late to avoid the collision.

Intersections are the most likely place for the motorcycle accident, with the other vehicle violating the motorcycle right-of-way, and often violating traffic controls.

Conspicuity of the motorcycle is a critical factor in the multiple vehicle accidents, and accident involvement is significantly reduced by the use of motorcycle headlamps (on in daylight) and the wearing of high visibility yellow, orange or bright red jackets.

The typical motorcycle pre-crash lines-of-sight to the traffic hazard portray no contribution of the limits of peripheral vision; more than three-fourths of all accident hazards are within 45deg of either side of straight ahead.

Conspicuity of the motorcycle is most critical for the frontal surfaces of the motorcycle and rider.

Any effect of motorcycle color on accident involvement is not determinable from these data, but is expected to be insignificant because the frontal surfaces are most often presented to the other vehicle involved in the collision.

Motorcycles equipped with fairings and windshields are underrepresented in accidents, most likely because of the contribution to conspicuity and the association with more experienced and trained riders.

** Motorcycle Accident Cause Factors and Identification of Countermeasures, Volume 1: Technical Report, Hurt, H.H., Ouellet, J.V. and Thom, D.R., Traffic Safety Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90007, Contract No. DOT HS-5-01160, January 1981 (Final Report)



we need these things down here..i have never had a bike without one .. they really DO make a difference

[Ixion]

snip heaps of really good stuff about modulators

I think they are a really good idea. have done ever since I found out about them

But I've been put off making/buying one because of the legality factor.

i'm interested that you actually use one.

Have you used it for long? Have you had any attention from Mr Plod over it ?. Have any cops noticed it but not pulled you up on it ?

How do you get on at WOF time ?

[hoops]

Lights are hardwired on my CBR1100XX... I normally ride with them on (dipped).... but miss not having the choice now.

[SARGE]

I think they are a really good idea. have done ever since I found out about them

But I've been put off making/buying one because of the legality factor.

i'm interested that you actually use one.

Have you used it for long? Have you had any attention from Mr Plod over it ?. Have any cops noticed it but not pulled you up on it ?

How do you get on at WOF time ?

i have used this one for 3 years here in NZ ( originally from the States..) i actually WANT attention from the cops over it ( i have pages and pages of laws and notes on thier usage from the US.. really love to get into court over it)

i just make sure the WOF building is dark enough to de-activate the modulator.


i use this one..

http://www.kriss.com/modselect.htm

[inlinefour]

If the key is on then the light is on. There is no light on/off button...

[froggyfrenchman]

always on. day and nignt! be seen and be safe(r). dnt be too safe though, point that headlight at the sky at all posible times

[crash harry]

Lights always on, but I prefer the ability to turn them off especially for cold cranking purposes.

Have considered building a module to automatically bring them on as long as there is oil pressure - ie they come on when the engine is running but not when the ignition is just turned on. It's on the "one day" list

[Right Charlie]

Lights always on, but I prefer the ability to turn them off especially for cold cranking purposes.

Have considered building a module to automatically bring them on as long as there is oil pressure - ie they come on when the engine is running but not when the ignition is just turned on. It's on the "one day" list

Just Wire a Horn Relay Paralell to the factory oil pressure sender. Thats just a switch thats connected when pressure is less than 10 psi or so.

If you run the Light's wires through the normally open part of the relay, any time that power is supplied to the relay (ie Oil Pressure = Zero) your lights will turn off.

However, the down side to this plan is that if your engine ever craps out at night you loose your head lights too... :S

[vifferman]

longharied goats.

[Ixion]

longharied goats.

Longgoatally ?

[limbimtimwim]

hardwired, but always run with the mainbeam on when on bikes that offer a choice. I'm all for increasing visibility... downside is sometimes visibility is not wanted...

Mine are stuck on too. And that is why I have marked *that* fuse with a little white dot.

Mr policeman.

[froggyfrenchman]

on, when i remember (98%)

[crazyxr250rider]

hmmm good to se a couple of vampires around...............?