head light modulator

[nightcruiser]

I saw some had posted there are no headlight modulators. Kisan makes one and it has a special harness for the spyder. The number is the same as the TENERE (P115W-T4) but the harness is different and it's not listed on the websight. Call them for the special harness.. same price as the TENERE. I ordered one, I'll say how it works after install.

[SpyderConvert]

Watching :popcorn:

[bikerbillone]

Pro's and con's out there, but it's a personal preference. Mine is, it is a total distraction in my rear view mirror, but that's just me and it really doesn't matter in the big picture.

[Little Blue]

:coffee: Keep us in the loop....:thumbup:

[Grandpot]

I've been using a modulator on my Valkyrie for years. I can't say for sure if it has saved me from any wrecks, but I haven't had any. When I'm riding in a group and not leading, I turn the modulator off. I haven't put one on the Spyder simply because I just haven't got around to it.

[ozarkryder]

A few years ago where I live (SW Missouri/NW Arkansas) a car driver pulled out in front of a motorcycle. Luckily no injuries from the accident, but when asked, the driver said, "I saw him, but he flashed his lights for me to go." He mistook the headlight modulator as a signal, common in this area, that the rider was going to slow down to let the car go ahead of him.

Instead of the headlight modulator, we got the Spyderpops bumpskid with LED's and the remote control for the LED's. The remote lets us set the brightness, flashing mode, flashing speed and to turn the LED's on or off. During daytime normal driving we have it set to brighten and dim just like a headlight modulating. I set the lights to steady on and decrease the brightness to 25% at night.

[SpyderConvert]

I recall reading about a study that was done somewhere in the midwest in the early 80's. In this study, they had 300 motorists pull up to a stop sign, they were instructed to keep their eyes straight ahead, not to look either right or left. Two motorcycles approached the intersection, one from the right and one from the left. One of the motorcycles had a headlight modulator, the other had only his high beam on. The approach of each of the motorcycle was shifted at random. Each of the drivers looked in the direction of the motorcycle with the modulator every time. Since then, I have installed a modulator in every one of my two wheelers. I do remember going home from work one day and was approaching a side street when I noticed a driver stopped at a stop sign, he gave a cursory glance in the direction of the approaching traffic and started to pull out of the side street. I then saw him stop and look directly at me. He pulled up beside me at the next traffic light and said: "There's something wrong with your headlight and it made me stop and look at it". I told him that that was the intent of the modulator and that it had just payed for itself.

[Highwayman2013]

If you leave the headlights on an RT on low beam the bouncing shutters will make it appear the lights are modulating.

[Lew L]

Have LED headlights on my :spyder2: and am wondering how a headlight modulator will effect their longevity . I had modulators on my V-Max and Valkyrie---- they do get drivers attention.

Lew L

[RICZ]

I have used headlight modulators for decades, but I snip off the photocell and install a switch and place it on the left handle bar. That way, I can choose when it is going to be on. I have it off when group riding and at night. When confronted with a left lane bandit at night, I flick it on and they move over pronto.
There are different modulators for halogen and LED bulbs. If you have one for halogens and switch to LEDs, they will flash on and off, not 100% - 30% as intended.

[fatboy]

those things are just annoying

[Deanna777]

Question:

What does a headlight modulator?

Deanna

[RICZ]

Question:

What does a headlight modulator?

Deanna
It pulses the headlight from full bright (100%) to dim (30%) to garner the attention of cagers.

[ozarkryder]

those things are just annoying

And that's the point - to be noticed. When the laws first came out that motorcycles had always on headlights bikes stood out. More and more 4 wheelers now have always on headlights so the motorcycles get lost in the lights behind them. The modulators make the light stand out and draw attention that there is something to pay attention to there.

[ozarkryder]

Question:

What does a headlight modulator?

Deanna

Here is a short video for a headlight modulator. This video starts out with a brake modulator that flashes 5 times then goes steady when the brakes are applied. This draws awareness of following drivers that something is happening in front of them. The headlight modulator draws attention to the bike coming at them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbQcIGUy4CY

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

but I snip off the photocell and install a switch and place it on the left handle bar. That way, I can choose when it is going to be on. I have it off when group riding and at night. When confronted with a left lane bandit at night, I flick it on and they move over pronto.
You just better hope the car coming toward you isn't an LEO. You could end up paying a hefty fine, especially if he learns you have the photocell disabled.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

those things are just annoying
I would much rather have a driver see me and be pi**ed off than not see me and run into me. Most of the time it is best to turn it off while in a group ride.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

If you have one for halogens and switch to LEDs, they will flash on and off, not 100% - 30% as intended.
Kisan makes modulators for both LED and halogen. Others might make them for LEDs now also but a few years ago Kisan was the only one. The LEDs do kind of look like they flash. When I installed mine I was sure the lights went all the way off so I took a video of them. When I played it back frame by frame I could see they did drop to about 20 to 30% brightness and not all the way off.

[SpyderConvert]

You just better hope the car coming toward you isn't an LEO. You could end up paying a hefty fine, especially if he learns you have the photocell disabled.

Headlight modulators are DOT legal in all 50 states.

USA - Department of Transportation:

FMVSS 108 (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) (49 CFR Part 571.108 S7.9.4) allows motorcycle headlight modulation systems in all 50 states provided they comply with the standards set forth in Section S7.9.4.

Title 49 USC 30103(b1) (US Codes) prohibits any state from forbidding a system that conforms to FMVSS 108. No State or Local ordinance shall usurp the authority and enforcement of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards

S7.9.4 Motorcycle headlamp modulation system.
S7.9.4.1 A headlamp on a motorcycle may be wired to modulate either the
upper beam or the lower beam from its maximum intensity to a lesser
intensity, provided that:
(a) The rate of modulation shall be 240 [plusmn]40 cycles per minute.
(b) The headlamp shall be operated at maximum power for 50 to 70
percent of each cycle.
(c) The lowest intensity at any test point shall be not less than 17
percent of the maximum intensity measured at the same point.
(d) The modulator switch shall be wired in the power lead of the beam
filament being modulated and not in the ground side of the circuit.
(e) Means shall be provided so that both the lower beam and upper beam
remain operable in the event of a modulator failure.
(f) The system shall include a sensor mounted with the axis of its
sensing element perpendicular to a horizontal plane. Headlamp modulation
shall cease whenever the level of light emitted by a tungsten filament
light operating at 3000[deg] Kelvin is either less than 270 lux (25 footcandles) of direct light for upward pointing sensors or less than 60 lux
(5.6 foot-candles) of reflected light for downward pointing sensors. The
light is measured by a silicon cell type light meter that is located at
the sensor and pointing in the same direction as the sensor. A Kodak Gray
Card (Kodak R-27) is placed at ground level to simulate the road surface
in testing downward pointing sensors.
(g) When tested in accordance with the test profile shown in Figure 9,
the voltage drop across the modulator when the lamp is on at all test
conditions for 12 volt systems and 6 volt systems shall not be greater
than .45 volt. The modulator shall meet all the provisions of the standard
after completion of the test profile shown in Figure 9.
(h) Means shall be provided so that both the lower and upper beam
function at design voltage when the headlamp control switch is in either
the lower or upper beam position when the modulator is off.
S7.9.4.2(a) Each motorcycle headlamp modulator not intended as
original equipment, or its container, shall be labeled with the maximum
wattage, and the minimum wattage appropriate for its use. Additionally,
each such modulator shall comply with S7.9.4.1 (a) through (g) when
connected to a headlamp of the maximum rated power and a headlamp of the
minimum rated power, and shall provide means so that the modulated beam
functions at design voltage when the modulator is off.
Rules Regarding Motorcycles and Motor Driven Cycles
3
(b) Instructions, with a diagram, shall be provided for mounting the
light sensor including location on the motorcycle, distance above the road
surface, and orientation with respect to the light.

[RICZ]

You just better hope the car coming toward you isn't an LEO. You could end up paying a hefty fine, especially if he learns you have the photocell disabled.
I ran modulators that way (switched) since they hit the market in the late 70s. I also ran a device that turned the amber rear signals into running / brake / signals and never got cited and that is clearly illegal. My guess is cops are tolerant of riders trying to save their butts.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Headlight modulators are DOT legal in all 50 states.
Yes, I know that. I guess I should have made it more clear I was responding specifically to this part of RICZ's post:

but I snip off the photocell and install a switch and place it on the left handle bar...... at night. When confronted with a left lane bandit at night, I flick it on and they move over pronto.
The regulation, as you quote above, states:

(f) The system shall include a sensor mounted with the axis of its
sensing element perpendicular to a horizontal plane. Headlamp modulation
shall cease whenever the level of light....

As soon as you cut the photocell off of the modulator it no longer conforms to the rules regulating modulators. That means the modulator is no longer legal. Note that the regulation uses the word "shall". That means it is mandatory, not optional. Why? The sensor is required so that the modulator WILL NOT operate at night. By making the on/off operation dependent solely on a switch you have defeated that restriction. So, again, as soon as you turn your modulator on at night to get a crowding driver to move over, you have violated the regulation.

It's because of these violations of the regulations controlling the operation and configuration of the modulator that I said RICZ had better hope the oncoming driver isn't an LEO. Use it ONLY during daylight and you'll be OK.

BTW, you can add a switch into the photocell wire to turn the modulator off during the daytime. Just leave the photocell in the circuit so it'll turn the modulator off at night and you'll be OK.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

My guess is cops are tolerant of riders trying to save their butts.
Don't count on it. A year ago last fall an Idaho State Trooper gave me a ticket for flashing lights. https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?108147-This-officer-needs-some-learnin-!&highlight=idaho+state+police. The prosecuting attorney had the judge dismiss it. Last fall a local yokel stopped me and asked about it. After some discussion he went on his way. I told the chief about it and he did the research and found out I was correct. I asked him to make sure all his officers were made aware of modulators.

[RICZ]

To clarify; I only switch the modulator on briefly at night on urban freeways to shoo a slow poke out of the fast lane. Oncoming LEO would have to go to the next exit and come back on in my direction, so if any have seen me, they opted to pass on it. FYI; Traffic enforcement in Portland is as lax as enforcement on illegals and those concrete campers.

[Campkayakers717w]

Let us know how it works. I stopped at my dealer looking for a modulator for my rtl. He said he never put one on a Spyker and was a little worried to attempt it

[Deanna777]

It pulses the headlight from full bright (100%) to dim (30%) to garner the attention of cagers.Thanks for the answer. Deanna

[RICZ]

Let us know how it works. I stopped at my dealer looking for a modulator for my rtl. He said he never put one on a Spyker and was a little worried to attempt it
Many modulators are plug and play simple to install. Put it on the low beam.

[Deanna777]

Here is a short video for a headlight modulator. This video starts out with a brake modulator that flashes 5 times then goes steady when the brakes are applied. This draws awareness of following drivers that something is happening in front of them. The headlight modulator draws attention to the bike coming at them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbQcIGUy4CYThanks for the video. Deanna

[h0gr1der]

My $.02. I had Diamond Star headlight and Back Off brake light modulators installed on my last bike. They absolutely work, saved my life a few times. I finally taped the sensor on the headlight off as I was embarrassed by people thinking I was an emergency vehicle and pulling off. I think they work so effectively because of the change or movement of the lights, front or rear. In this day of cell phone distracted drivers, some of them see the light change or movement when they're on video induced autopilot. Kind of drills into their subconscious.

Technical guys out there, let's take a swag at these questions;
1. About 8900 miles after installing the modulator I lost my engine ECU. My bike had a halogen headlight, large amperage draw. I always wondered of the cycling of the headlight D/C amperage set up an undesirable A/C flicker in my D/C system, which can be bad for electronics. I did measure for that, and did see an increase of A/C present in the D/C circuit, just not technical enough to know. Though an appropriately sized capacitor would help.
2. Legal implications of turning it off. I had considered adding a switch, but in such a manner as it could only turn the unit off, but not on. This should ease the problem of manual switching of the function. Mount the sensor as prescribed by the manufacturer, and add the switch to one leg of the circuit. This is based on the assumption that the ambient light sensor either sends a voltage reference or closes a circuit (NO circuit). Never did finalize the research on mine though. Procrastination is a terrible thing!

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

1. About 8900 miles after installing the modulator I lost my engine ECU. My bike had a halogen headlight, large amperage draw. I always wondered of the cycling of the headlight D/C amperage set up an undesirable A/C flicker in my D/C system, which can be bad for electronics. I did measure for that, and did see an increase of A/C present in the D/C circuit, just not technical enough to know. Though an appropriately sized capacitor would help.
I would say possible, but not likely. I never had a problem on my Goldwing and have never heard of pulsing of the headlight causing damaging AC.



2. Legal implications of turning it off. I had considered adding a switch, but in such a manner as it could only turn the unit off, but not on. This should ease the problem of manual switching of the function. Mount the sensor as prescribed by the manufacturer, and add the switch to one leg of the circuit. This is based on the assumption that the ambient light sensor either sends a voltage reference or closes a circuit (NO circuit). Never did finalize the research on mine though.
Some modulators come with on/off capability to turn them off during daylight. None of them can be turned on in darkness, except if a street light is bright enough to activate it! That has happened to me a few times. The photocell works by closing the sensor circuit like a switch. The sensor circuit must be closed for the modulator to operate. You can add a switch to either leg of the sensor circuit so when you open it the sensor circuit stays open, or broken, and keeps the modulator from operating. That's what I did so I can turn it off when advisable to do so.

[Campkayakers717w]

RICZ the dealer was worried about the ecm picking up the modulation and throwing it off, he said the Spyker are too smart. He did look on this forum for guidance but didn't find anything definitive at the time

[ozarkryder]

Here is a clip of the Spyderpops LED Bumpskid with the remote control. This setting is my basic daytime running, at night I set the remote to have the LED's steady on and drop the brightness to 25%.

I asked at the police office and they said as it just going bright to dim, not turning on and off, (i.e. not flashing) it is the same as a headlight modulator.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlVqyLoG3h4