Harley HD headlight/modulator

[flatfrog]

Does anyone know if there is a modulator available that will work with the Harley HD headlight?
Thanks

[lboos]

I have seen a few, don't like them, they are to distracting to other drivers when coming at you, and driving behind you.
It reminds of those who turn their emer. flashers on their cars every time it rains.
I hope they do out law the modulator for the headlight on motorcycles .

But I do like the little biker on your profile, that is so cute [and tough looking] LOL.

[screwball]

I'm 100% with Iboos.!! I told a friend that had a modulator on his headlignt, flashers on his breaks that he needed a bubble gum machine on his helmet, and a daglo vest.

[Papa Ed]

Does anyone know if there is a modulator available that will work with the Harley HD headlight?
Thanks

H-D has their own for about $100.00; easy install, option to switch it off if you choose. Personally, I'm all for anything that increases visibility, including the modulator and the "Brightass tail lights" options.

[Dennis Murawski]

I have seen a few, don't like them, they are to distracting to other drivers when coming at you, and driving behind you.

I hope they do out law the modulator for the headlight on motorcycles :gah

I've been running a headlight modulator for a couple of years now. I think it may have saved my butt a couple of times. Being "distracting to other drivers" is exactly what it is intended to be. If the cager is unhappy with the flicker, it means he has seen you and it registered in his noggin.

A couple years ago I was riding on a flat, wide-open rural Colorado highway on a clear and bright morning. There were only two vehicles in twenty miles of each other. The pickup truck pulled up to the stop sign and stopped. I continued and just when I got to the intersection, the pickup pulled out and damn near hit me. When I spun around to "chat" with him, he swore he never saw me. I was the only moving thing on the road and my non-modulated headlight was on. Being "seen" means your presence affects the cager's decision. Too many scoots are being seen but not really seen. I think modulators catch their attention. I'd rather piss 'em off than have to exchange insurance information with them. Oh, and I don't care what other riders think of how I look going down the road.

[87Trike1200]

I've been running a headlight modulator for a couple of years now. I think it may have saved my butt a couple of times. Being "distracting to other drivers" is exactly what it is intended to be. If the cager is unhappy with the flicker, it means he has seen you and it registered in his noggin.

A couple years ago I was riding on a flat, wide-open rural Colorado highway on a clear and bright morning. There were only two vehicles in twenty miles of each other. The pickup truck pulled up to the stop sign and stopped. I continued and just when I got to the intersection, the pickup pulled out and damn near hit me. When I spun around to "chat" with him, he swore he never saw me. I was the only moving thing on the road and my non-modulated headlight was on. Being "seen" means your presence affects the cager's decision. Too many scoots are being seen but not really seen. I think modulators catch their attention. I'd rather piss 'em off than have to exchange insurance information with them. Oh, and I don't care what other riders think of how I look going down the road.

Thank you, Dennis!

[lboos]

I've been running a headlight modulator for a couple of years now. I think it may have saved my butt a couple of times. Being "distracting to other drivers" is exactly what it is intended to be. If the cager is unhappy with the flicker, it means he has seen you and it registered in his noggin.

A couple years ago I was riding on a flat, wide-open rural Colorado highway on a clear and bright morning. There were only two vehicles in twenty miles of each other. The pickup truck pulled up to the stop sign and stopped. I continued and just when I got to the intersection, the pickup pulled out and damn near hit me. When I spun around to "chat" with him, he swore he never saw me. I was the only moving thing on the road and my non-modulated headlight was on. Being "seen" means your presence affects the cager's decision. Too many scoots are being seen but not really seen. I think modulators catch their attention. I'd rather piss 'em off than have to exchange insurance information with them. Oh, and I don't care what other riders think of how I look going down the road.

Mr. Murawski,
Outlaw the modulated head lights IMO, what's next....a backfire sw. on top of the parking brake handle, or install a clarabell squeeze horn,
All in fun .

[jimgpayne]

...they are to distracting to other drivers when coming at you, and driving behind you....

Then they are doing exactly what they are intended to do.

On this board alone, there are literally hundreds of posts from trike drivers talking about how they have been hit by cagers who say "I didn't see you."

Everyone of them would have rather been a distraction to that driver than being a victim.

[jimgpayne]

I hope they do out law the modulator for the headlight on motorcycles

For some strange reason that I do not understand; they are defined and expressly allowed under Title 49 of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

Unlike things like speed limits; the states do not have the legal authority to override this law.

That being said; there are more than a few cops out there who think they know better. So it's probably not a bad idea to print the law out and carry a copy with you if you use a modulator. With luck, the cop will learn something and let you go.

The worse that can happen is you will have to show the law to the Judge; who will then instruct the Officer in question on the law and dismiss any charges related to the use of the modulator.

[Dennis Murawski]

Mr. Murawski,
Outlaw the modulated head lights IMO, what's next...the .

I don't mean to sound preachy, but when someone wants to take away my choice to use or not use a modulator, I get a little testy. Remember, there are a lot of people out there who if given the chance would ban all two and three wheeled vehicles from public roads. In the words of the late Rodney King, "Can't we all just get along."

[Dennis Murawski]

For some strange reason that I do not understand; they are defined and expressly allowed under Title 49 of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

Unlike things like speed limits; the states do not have the legal authority to override this law.

If states could set vehicle lighting requirements, car and bike manufacturers would end up having to build state-specific models. They had effective lobbyists in D. C.

[Lizard]

IMO, they are ineffective. People pull out right in front of Firetrucks with lights and sirens going, modulators are puny by comparison. Not to mention they are quite annoying.

[Dennis Murawski]

I take no position on whether modulators are effective or ineffective. I chose to continue to use one because of my firsthand experience with it. I take exception when someone proposes to outlaw them, thereby taking away my choice in the matter. A friend has a bell attached to his scoot to ward off bad JuJu. Is the bell really making him safer? Who knows, but it's his choice to use it. But wouldn't it be silly to propose that biker bells be "outlawed" because they've not been shown to be effective?

When modulators are outlawed, only outlaws will have modulators. :-)

[GARYD]

WOW!! bikers wanting to outlaw certain motorcycle safety devices - I've seen everything now.

If I could get one for my bike, I have the H-D LED headlight and running lights, I'd get one.
I contacted the 2 biggest mfg's of modulators - one said they don't have one and the other said they have one but won't say if it fits a H-D LED headlight.

I know the bug me when I'm in front of one so I know they work - will they work 100% of the time - probably not - but it's better then NOTHING. I do have the Hyper-Lite brake lights and they work great.
We need all the help we can get.
At first we had headlight on laws, then the morons in government decided that works so well let's make all cars have it - as if drivers can't see A BIG F^%$# CAR!!!

[lboos]

I take no position on whether modulators are effective or ineffective. I chose to continue to use one because of my firsthand experience with it. I take exception when someone proposes to outlaw them, thereby taking away my choice in the matter. A friend has a bell attached to his scoot to ward off bad JuJu. Is the bell really making him safer? Who knows, but it's his choice to use it. But wouldn't it be silly to propose that biker bells be "outlawed" because they've not been shown to be effective?

When modulators are outlawed, only outlaws will have modulators. :-)

"OK" Dennis,....."I" am not going to outlaw modulator head lights or bells on motorcycles at this time,.....BUT! come 1 JAN 2014 'I am' going to outlaw both ......That way Bikers or outlaws will not have them .
It will be a better world with out them .

[Dennis Murawski]

BUT! come 1 JAN 2014 'I am' going to outlaw both

Okay I'll stand down. But come New Years Day, the dog fight continues. "Curse you Red Baron."xgz

[screwball]

Dennis, no personal attacks against you or anyone else that uses them. My problem is the guy riding behind you. We HAD a guy that rode with us that insisted on riding sweeper. All you could see in your mirrors was his headlight blinking. Huge distraction to those in front of him. His light wasn't any deterrent to the bikes in front of him, just a huge distraction.... AND he wouldn't turn it off, or ride in front. He paid $135 for it, and By GOD he was going to use it. Hope his new riding buddies are more tolerant than us. We also had a couple that insisted in wearing full leathers... in July... in Southern California... in 110* heat "to be safe". Had to stop every 20 miles so they could get a drink. But they sure looked COOL in their Harley Leathers.

[Bill Reber]

I've been running a headlight modulator for a couple of years now. I think it may have saved my butt a couple of times. Being "distracting to other drivers" is exactly what it is intended to be. If the cager is unhappy with the flicker, it means he has seen you and it registered in his noggin.

A couple years ago I was riding on a flat, wide-open rural Colorado highway on a clear and bright morning. There were only two vehicles in twenty miles of each other. The pickup truck pulled up to the stop sign and stopped. I continued and just when I got to the intersection, the pickup pulled out and damn near hit me. When I spun around to "chat" with him, he swore he never saw me. I was the only moving thing on the road and my non-modulated headlight was on. Being "seen" means your presence affects the cager's decision. Too many scoots are being seen but not really seen. I think modulators catch their attention. I'd rather piss 'em off than have to exchange insurance information with them. Oh, and I don't care what other riders think of how I look going down the road.

I agree and that is why I am having one installed this weekend.

[Dennis Murawski]

Screwball, I agree with you. Any considerate rider would have turned it off since there would be sufficient conspicuity when riding in a group. Most of my riding is done solo, so getting noticed by cagers is a big concern of mine.