I've been thinking about trying to increase my daylight visibility. I have several friends and acquaintences in my church that have been hit or run off the road over the last few months by cars pulling out in front of them. Granted all of them were Harley riders and some of them I question their and their bike's ability to stop or swerve quickly, still I'd rather be seen than have to do an emergency stop/avoidance maneuver.
I searched the forums but did not find much out there about headlight modulators. Does anyone have one installed? Who makes the best/easiest to install/cheapest head light modulator for the 6th gens? Will I need to buy two kits since there are two sets of high and low beams?
[image: View Post]VFRBulldawg, on 19 October 2010 - 10:26 AM, said:
I've been thinking about trying to increase my daylight visibility. I have several friends and acquaintences in my church that have been hit or run off the road over the last few months by cars pulling out in front of them. Granted all of them were Harley riders and some of them I question their and their bike's ability to stop or swerve quickly, still I'd rather be seen than have to do an emergency stop/avoidance maneuver.
I searched the forums but did not find much out there about headlight modulators. Does anyone have one installed? Who makes the best/easiest to install/cheapest head light modulator for the 6th gens? Will I need to buy two kits since there are two sets of high and low beams?
I don't have one personally on my 6th gen, but take a look at "www.SignalDynamics.com". From what I've read, they make a great product. I ordered there voltage monitor and waiting to get it to install.
I have these on my '03 and they do get attention. They modulate the high beams so the low beams are always on. A little pricey, but an EASY installation.
[image: View Post]03vfrrider, on 19 October 2010 - 11:55 AM, said:
I have these on my '03 and they do get attention. They modulate the high beams so the low beams are always on. A little pricey, but an EASY installation.
I also have the same set up. no cutting wires, slice or dice... plug and go. As 03vfrrider says, a little more money but worth it.
I have had mine for 8 years now and it required cutting or tapping into wires. It was not plug-in. The newer models are plug in. http://www.kriss.com/ I really like the modulator and feel the drivers KNOW I am coming towards them. I just added a brake modulator after two close calls.
[image: View Post]VFRBulldawg, on 19 October 2010 - 10:26 AM, said:
I've been thinking about trying to increase my daylight visibility. I have several friends and acquaintences in my church that have been hit or run off the road over the last few months by cars pulling out in front of them. Granted all of them were Harley riders and some of them I question their and their bike's ability to stop or swerve quickly, still I'd rather be seen than have to do an emergency stop/avoidance maneuver.
I searched the forums but did not find much out there about headlight modulators. Does anyone have one installed? Who makes the best/easiest to install/cheapest head light modulator for the 6th gens? Will I need to buy two kits since there are two sets of high and low beams?
I believe Hispanic Slammer has a modulator - mite try him. See his thread the on situation with the end of his 5th gen and subsequent modulator install on his 7th.
I too struggled with what you describe - feeling vulnerable having heard other's stories. I considered a modulator for my 6th gen but read too many threads about people being confused by them thinking that they're law enforcement and / or just irritating other drivers when following them. I attended the PNW meet where another 6th gen had Tightwad's HID's installed. When he was behind me in the group, his lights just popped - all the rest of the bikes seemed to have flashlights installed by comparison. They were highly visible from 1/4 mile or more. They definitely make you look different from all the cars with DRL's. Photographs just can't capture the difference - you need to see them in person from a distance to appreciate it. I went the HID route rather than with a modulator. If you ride much at night though, they're probably too much for other drivers - they're hard to look at directly up close - even during the day. I got the 5000k color temp (which are I believe fairly close to daylight - definitely not blue) and can't believe how dim and yellow my high beams look in comparison. I still remind myself however that my safety is more dependent on my visual scan and situational awareness of other drivers rather just on my headlights. Best of luck and stay safe out there.
I had a Kisan on my 6th gen. Plug & go. Best system I have used and I have them on all my street bikes. I had a tutorial on how to put them on here on the board at one time, but I think it got lost in the bad crash a couple of years back. For the Kisan, you just plug the adapter into the bulb and route the ambient light sensor up to the dash/windscreen area....or where ever you chose to put it. No cutting wires or taping into anything. They do cost a little more than others, but are the best IMHO. They have excellent customer service if you ever need it.
[image: View Post]PolarBear, on 19 October 2010 - 02:50 PM, said:
Dawg,
How about a high-viz vest?
C
I've got one actually and wear if fairly often. I work on an Air Force Base. Still, the summers down here are hot and muggy, and even my mesh Icon vest blocks airflow to my mesh Teknic jacket so I don't like to wear it from May-September if I don't have to.
I have come to believe a headlight modulator is probably the most effective way to make yourself seen by cagers during hours of daylight.
I of course have the HID lights, and I have noticed an increase in cars giving me more attention...less cars pulling out in front of me. I also noticed this with the installation of my GSXR lighted mirrors...the bike just lights up! Of course you can't use the Modulator with HID, so whichever path you go, ride safe!
End of thread · 13 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 17 Jun 2011