Like the rest of you, I'm always concerned about my "invisibility" in traffic. My bike came equipped with a pair of constantly flashing (with the brakes of course) 16 LED Hyper-Lites on either side of my license plate, and turn signals that had been converted to running lights. These helped a lot, but I still had the cages in front to worry about. My Motolights made me more more visible, but it wasn't enough.
My latest acquisition was a headlight modulator. The other drivers definitely see me like never before. The "blinking" high beam along with my lower fork mounted Motolights really get their attention. Other drivers don't really see you unless they perceive you to be a threat. Now they look carefully to see if I'm a cop. In fact, the first week I started using it, two cars pulled over to let me by.
Highly illegal here, and a hefty fine if it's a cop that spots you. I see one guy on an old K bike with the same thing most mornings, going the opposite direction to me. It does stand out, but not worth the fine! Hi visibility vests and white helmets are the 'proven' choice here. Victorian Police and a couple of other organisations did some tests a year or two ago, and proved that there was a marginal preference for the 'yellow/green' vest over the 'orange' colour for visibility as far as being seen goes. They didn't consider headlight flashers due to their illegality.
I ride an R1150GS Adventure with sidecar. IBA #39193
I have used them for a few years, and cages notice you. One thing to consider is the ability to turn them off. Riding behind other bikes when they are flashing is very RUDE. I have the Kissan as they only flash on high beam.
I saw my very first one on a sportbike heading at me in the canyon the other day, and it was really annoying to me. No question you get noticed. So methinks being able to turn it off is a good thing, and maybe only use it when needed.
I have taken to putting a piece of Rosco 11 or Lee 101 (theatrical color filters) behind my headlight guard; turns the beam yellow to observers, looks more or less normal at night when I have my aux lights on, and I can remove it in 2 seconds if the law gives me grief.
It's as easy to install as the Kisan, but it's a lot cheaper. I don't think the whole job took me more than 15-20 minutes.
I have one of these on my R1150R, V-Star and wife's Reflex. They are set up so that they only flash: 1) during daylight (photo sensor) and 2) when your "high beam" is turned on. When you go through a long tunnel (or it otherwise becomes dark) they stop modulating, so you just have your high beam on. If you are in the rare situation where you want modulation off during daylight, just turn off the high beam. Simple.
I think they *really* help. It invokes all the proper reponses in those people most likely to kill you. And its a 20 minute job to put the little module inside your headlight housing.
Having said that, I am in no way advocating *not* riding like the whole world is out to kill you (and make it look like an accident).
In addition, the same site also has a taillight flasher module. Also inexpensive and reliable. On my V-Star I have it flashing some auxilliary LED lights (2 rows on a license plate frame). As I want to add some extra LEDs light bars to my lower fender on the R1150R, that project is still in the works and vying for position with the "honey-do" project list.
2005 R1150R -- Granite Grey Metallic
Lifetime Member #566
I have three of the comagination.com ones, the longest for over two years. They all work like a charm.
I think the Visipath are a bit smaller and perhaps easier (more flexible) to mount inside the headlight housing. The electronics are all sealed/potted inside some epoxy material and seem very robust.
The Kisan is 157% the cost of the VisiPath. What would the extra money be buying you?
I will point out that I do have a Kisan signalMinder installed to rationalize & automate the turn signal controls. I love the thing and it does get rid of a major quirk of Beemers.
I try to pick whatever gets the job done, is dependable, and is the best value for the money. YMMV
-- Steve
2005 R1150R -- Granite Grey Metallic
Lifetime Member #566
Just got my issue of Motorcycle Consumer News today and they have an article on installing headlight modulators. Ironically, the author discusses installing one on an R1150R (very easy). Can't recall the manufacturer, but it did feature a sensor, so it only works during daylight hours.
My R came with a Fallert fairing, which from the side looks pretty good,
but from the front is a little dorky;
but hey, I only see the front when I walk into the garage anyway.
The issue is that it extends the headlamp housing out and down and is mounted in what amounts to a cantilevered load. I rarely ride after dark but the first time I did I could see how much the thing shakes; or as I have come to refer to it "modulates". I noticed Sunday night @ Mac's Drive-In (shameless local plug) that I only had high beam and a parking light to make it home (about a mile). Picked up two new bulbs @ Country Rode and installed one last night.
When I first observed the 'modulation' I was concerned about wiring & premature bulb failure; having lived with it for the last 8 mo / 6000 miles I've come to appreciate the enhanced daytime visibility.
