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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 17
| Has anyone installed modulators on their headlights and brakelights? If so, are you happy with them and what brand did you use? I would appreciate any input.
Thanks,
Big Woo |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 18
Northeast Ohio | I've used Kisan brand modulator lights on every motorcycle I've owned, both headlight and tail light. I hook-up the headlight so it only "flashes" on "Hi", so when I ride in a group I don't annoy the riders in front of me.
I'm ordering Kisan units for my new 2010 Vision once I find out if the headlight bulb/bulbs are the same as the 2009 model. No rush as there is 3 feet of snow on the ground where I live, and my 2010 Vision has been on order since September and hasn't shown up yet.
Good luck with your decision.
Steve DiFranco |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 849
, FL United States | Have one on my '08 and it works as advertised. No problems as yet. (I just turn it off when group riding). |
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Cruiser
Posts: 75
McHenry, IL | I know headlight modulators are legal but I was thinking of using some simple flip flop logic to make the Vision's dual headlights into a wig wag set up. Any LEO's out there able to shed some light? |
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New user
Posts: 1
| Hey Luke
I am looking into the modulator, and I would like to ask a couple of questions
This is the one that Kisan... Is there a particular model number?
Does it have multiple speeds?
Did you do the installation yourself? How was it...
Thanks for the heads up..
Larry |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 849
, FL United States | Larry, the one I used is made by Signal Dynamics and I got it from www.customdynamics.com. They also carry the Kisan model though I don't know the difference between them. Go to their website and see which one you prefer.
Single speed ( and when 2 bikes that have the same modulator are side-by-side, the modulators flash at the same rate).
Had mine installed by a Victory tech that no longer works for a Victory dealership. Took about an hour.
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 17
| Thanks for the feedback guys. I will have to get on that. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| There are only a couple plug and go units for dual headlite bulbs which in my opinion ar the only modulators worth installing. The best of the two is the pathblazer by Kisan. You simply unplug the stock headlite bulb plugs, plug in the modulator and plug in the bike wired plug to the modulator. You then route the lite sensor to a mount location so the modulator goes steady in low light. Modulators will only work with the switch on high beam, low beam shuts them down.
Someone asked about alternating the lights right left right etc... BIG TIME illegal as is modifying the modulator to any speed other than preset.
As for tail lite modulators? They are ILLEGAL in EVERY state. It is federal law which state or local law cannot over ride. Several manufacturers CLAIM their tail lite modulators are legal, but they are NOT (know the law). Now most cops will not bother you if you have one on your bike, but some inspaction facilities will not inspect your bike if you have one installed. The fine in PA if you get caught running one and the cop is in a bad enough mood to cite you for it, is well over $100. In other words run at your own risk. I use to hve the specific law and section but I seem to have misplaced it. I would however RECOMMEND that if you do run a HEADLITE modulator that you keep a printed copy of the law with you. I got pulled over by a little no name town barney a few years back and spent over an hour arguing with him over the legality. He wanted to book me on a misdemeanor for a flashing lite. Finally told him he wasn't acting in good faith and rode off but I did waste an hour or more on the side of the road which could have been avoided with a copy of the law.
Hope this helps..... T |
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Cruiser
Posts: 256
| I have the led tail light bulbs that flash when you apply the brakes and then go steady. Just haven't put them in yet. Can't see how they are illegal since my subaru outback came factory with a third tail light that does the same thing. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| ANY flashing light on the rear of a vehicle is illegal. I'll try to find the link to the law and post it. ABATE of PA along with MRF have been trying to get this law over turned for over a decade. The catch is some study done in the 80's to explain why emergency vehicles get rear ended so frequently. The finding was that drivers are drawn to flashing red lights like a bug to a lamp. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 256
| Then why is it standard on my Subaru? Don't think they could put that on if it was illegal. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 75
McHenry, IL | Teach - 2010-01-13 5:51 PM
Someone asked about alternating the lights right left right etc... BIG TIME illegal as is modifying the modulator to any speed other than preset.
Thanks! I was pretty sure LEO wouldn't like it but technically I wouldn't be changing the flash rate (speed), just a phase shift!  |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| Prime Power, I don't have an answer as to why your car came with an illegal lite in the rear, BUT I can assure you it is illegal. I had the link saved along with the specific paragraph but I can't seem to find it. I posted it to another forum some time back as this conversation comes up quite frequently. I'll have another look for it, BUT if it flashes before going on steady it is illegal.
Bluto, yes I understood you wanted a wig wag pattern. The law which governs the use of headlite modulators only allows for the lites to modulate at a specific rate. They cannot flash or wig wag, lol..... Only emergency vehicles can flash and wig wag |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| Here you go guys a couple helpful links. The first is just a handy quick reference or easy print version if you have modulator. The second is CFR 49 which provides the guidelines of what is legal and what isn't. I don't have the time to search for the cage reference within this page but it is there.
http://bmwdean.home.att.net/modulator-headlamp.pdf
http://law.justia.com/us/cfr/title49/49-6.1.2.3.36.2.7.12.html
Read S5.5.10 items c & d??. The same rules apply on a cage with the exception that cars may NOT have modulating headlights
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | In the Commonwealth of Virginia the brake light can vary in brightness for not more than 5 seconds, I won't call that flashing, but it would appear that way....
? 46.2-1012. Headlights, auxiliary headlights, tail lights, brake lights, and illumination of license plates on motorcycles.
Every motorcycle shall be equipped with at least one headlight which shall be of a type that has been approved by the Superintendent and shall be capable of projecting sufficient light to the front of such motorcycle to render discernible a person or object at a distance of 200 feet. However, the lights shall not project a glaring or dazzling light to persons approaching such motorcycles. In addition, each motorcycle may be equipped with not more than two auxiliary headlights of a type approved by the Superintendent.
Motorcycles may be equipped with means of modulating the high beam of their headlights between high and low beam at a rate of 200 to 280 flashes per minute. Such headlights shall not be so modulated during periods when headlights would ordinarily be required to be lighted under ? 46.2-1030.
Every motorcycle registered in the Commonwealth and operated on the highways of the Commonwealth shall be equipped with at least one brake light of a type approved by the Superintendent. Motorcycles may be equipped with one or more auxiliary brake lights of a type approved by the Superintendent. The Superintendent may by regulation prescribe or limit the size, number, location, and configuration of such auxiliary brake lights.
Every motorcycle shall carry at the rear at least one or more red lights plainly visible in clear weather from a distance of 500 feet to the rear of such vehicle. Such tail lights shall be constructed and so mounted in their relation to the rear license plate as to illuminate the license plate with a white light so that the same may be read from a distance of 50 feet to the rear of such vehicle. Alternatively, a separate white light shall be so mounted as to illuminate the rear license plate from a distance of 50 feet to the rear of such vehicle. Any such tail lights or special white light shall be of a type approved by the Superintendent.
Motorcycles may be equipped with a means of varying the brightness of the vehicle's brake light for a duration of not more than five seconds upon application of the vehicle's brakes.
(Code 1950, ? 46-266; 1958, c. 541, ? 46.1-261; 1983, c. 132; 1989, c. 727; 1991, c. 165; 2003, c. 964; 2009, c. 79.)
Silly me.......
Edited by varyder 2010-01-14 9:03 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| varyder, yes I understand that some states as well as local municipalities have adopted standards which allow for a variation of lite intensity for brake lights, and I mentioned that earlier. I also mentioned that state and local laws do not supercede the federal requirements. As I also said rider beware. If you only ever ride within your own state borders you probably won't ever have an issue, but that may not b the case if you ride out of state.
My "personal" opinion is that ANYTHING that will make you more visible is a good thing. With that said it can get quite costly if you get a cop with an attitude pulling you over. I know guys who have run brake lite modulators for decades without hassle. Also know guys who have been tagged for them. So just be aware of what the law states and go with your gut. Hope it works out whichever way you go. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | personnally I don't care for them or see the need, I was sharing what the cova stance was. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| varyder, I understand completely. This conversation comes up on internet forums almost yearly and there are many states or local regulations such as you posted. I always find it interesting that a state will come up with a law which clearly violates the federal codes and nobody seems to be aware of the descrepency.
I bought a bike many years ago and the previous owner had installed a "cats eye" in the tail lite. I didn't notice it when I looked the bike over and since it had a new state inspection sticker on it, figured it was good to go. Made it exactly 8 miles from the dealer before a state trooper pulled me over for it, lol... I didn't get a ticket but he did give me a warning ticket to have it fixed within 30 days so I could force the dealer to replace the tail lite lense. He could have been a jerk, but alas most are pretty good guys. Oh and I ride with this same state trooper quite often these days. He has some great biker stories, lol. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | Today, followed a Harris county (Houston) motorcycle policeman for 10 miles...he had a modulating taillight on his Goldwing. |
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Tourer
Posts: 354
20 miles west of Chicago. | So, pumping the brake, thus causing the brake light to flash, is illegal? Makes sense.......Oh, wait, it doesn't. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | dang, I've got to go back to hand and arm signals because my turn signal flash... |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| Mudge, no if you apply the brakes and the light comes on it is working as advertised and in compliance with the law.... no matter how many times you apply the brake before stopping. Now if you tap on the brake and it "flashes" instead of coming on steady, it is illegal.
Nobody ever claimed the "government" regulations make sense. Feel free to tap away, but if you install a modulator and get a ticket there isn't but one person who will be paying the fine. Makes sense...... Oh, wait, it doesn't. LOL......
Varyder, actually the law is pretty consistant in what turn signals are suppose to do. I posted the links for your reading pleasure |
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Cruiser
Posts: 256
| I'll pay the ticket if I get one. Don't think it will happen though. I installed some flashing bulbs are they are so much more noticeable. I replaced all the back on my vision with led's and am very pleased. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| Prime, and you should do what you feel is right for you. I'm sure someone is thinking I'm advocating for the government regulation. Thats not the case at all. I'd just feel remiss if I didn't point out what the regulations are. Knowledge is power to be used as one sees appropriate. |
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Modulator Lights