Does This Concept Make Sense to You?

[newbert]

Like most of us here, I'm very concerned about safety while ryding and am interested in almost anything that will increase my safety. That said, I've come across this helmet light, not yet available but currently under development - https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/brakefree-the-smart-brake-light-for-motorcyclists-motorcycle#/

At first look, it seems promising to me, since I'm an "engine-braker" who tries to use the actual brake pedal sparingly. However, after thinking about it a bit, I'm no longer so sure whether what this product offers makes sense....... That's because I ride mostly country/rural roads, so I almost never use cruise control. Consequently, I am almost always changing speed, at least incrementally. So....

1. If the light comes on every time I slow down even 1 mph, won't that be a nuisance to anyone following me, and eventually be ignored by them? (ie - "The boy who cried wolf?").

2. I suppose that the problem in #1 above could be mitigated if one were able to program in a specific amount of speed decrease before the light activates. But then that begs the question - how many mph to program in to eliminate "false positives"?

I believe that Admore already offers a "smart" brake light that has similar capabilities, so perhaps these questions are moot. But I'd sure be interested in what you all think of the concept itself of signaling the driver behind you that you're slowing down without having to press on the brake pedal. Good idea or bad?

Thanks!

 

[DGoebel]

There's another thread on here listing multiple decelerate signaling systems that are used or in development for motor vehicles / cyclists. But Yes, if it's too twitchy (too many false signals) the following driver will start ignoring until they see a real brake light.

 

[ARtraveler]

I am still liking my trunk, brake light. High visibility and in about the same place as the helmet would be viewed from. They have been on all my RT's from the day they were purchased. I have also been known to flash the brake at drivers to let them know I am slowing down. :thumbup:

 

[wyliec]

The ad states they glow brightly only when you pull to a stop, syncing with the tail/brake light. To me that statement would make crying wolf a non-issue.

 

[jerpinoy]

Looks good, how much it weight?

 

[newbert]

The ad states they glow brightly only when you pull to a stop, syncing with the tail/brake light. To me that statement would make crying wolf a non-issue.

Hmmm.....I guess that I missed that point, Thanks!

EDIT: Just took a closer look and I don't see what you're stating (what I highlighted in bold above) anywhere. My take on it is that it glows brightly when you slow down by any means. I don't see where (or how) it differentiates between a full stop and just slowing down. (And that's the gist of the problem with this concept for me).

As for "syncing with the tail/brake light", how is that accomplished if it's wireless?

Not complaining here, just asking. I find it to be an interesting idea, but I think that the trick is in properly implementing it.

 

[cptjam]

Take a class

Use the brake. It lights the light. There are only three things you do on a motorcycle: adjust speed, adjust position, communicate. Use the brake to signal drivers behind you you are adjusting speed. You slow before a turn or stop; your Spyder has large tail lights to communicate. Add more lights: high mount is great, the police light is great, TRIC LED has additional brake lights, Spyderpops has 3rd and 4th brake lights, Lamont’s lights are great. Get some, and use them! Brake pads are much cheaper than clutches and transmissions. Use the brake!

 

[ThreeWheels]

Use the brake. It lights the light. There are only three things you do on a motorcycle: adjust speed, adjust position, communicate. Use the brake to signal drivers behind you you are adjusting speed. You slow before a turn or stop; your Spyder has large tail lights to communicate. Add more lights: high mount is great, the police light is great, TRIC LED has additional brake lights, Spyderpops has 3rd and 4th brake lights, Lamont’s lights are great. Get some, and use them! Brake pads are much cheaper than clutches and transmissions. Use the brake!

Those are surely righteous words to live by brother. AMEN

 

[joebryanjr]

I have a Gear Brake unit that flashes brakes when you slow down. It also flashes when you step on the brakes.

 

[george123]

I just added the "Admore Smart Brake Light" to my 2016 RTL. ( https://admorelighting.com/product/admore-light-bar-smart-brake-technology-deceleration-safety/ ) It comes on from deceleration, then when you press the brake pedal it comes on brighter and flashes a quick flashing white led in the center. Will also show sequential flashing with the turn signals or with the emergency lights. I mounted it high on the trunk for better visibility. Since there were no flat surfaces there, I mounted the bracket on some thick rubber spacers from Lowes. It is also programable, if you want to change the default settings.

 

[SPECTACUALR SPIDERMAN]

The only thing i would worry about could it be a distraction at night to other drivers who don't know what it is at a distance.

 

[newbert]

Looks good, how much it weight?

170 Grams / 6 ounces

 

[El Dorado]

I have a Gear Brake unit that flashes brakes when you slow down. It also flashes when you step on the brakes.

I use this also and feel it is a big safety feature.

 

[ruralgirl]

I only ride the back roads, but I've noticed something interesting ... and nice. I wear a white helmet, number one, which I consider more visible than black. And I have to tip my head a bit to look at my left rear view mirror because my little water bottle is a tiny bit in the way. I check that mirror frequently, and what I've noticed is, many drivers seem to be able to tell what I'm doing and they apparently interpret it as me worrying about them. Consequently, now, whenever I intend to turn or stop, I look 2-3 times at that mirror, bing, bing, bing, and by gosh, most drivers actually drop back as if to let me know that they understand and they're not going to run me down.

Or maybe they just think I'm a crazy lady and don't know what the hell I'm up to, so they back off to save their own skins. But either way, I get noticed!

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

It comes on from deceleration, then when you press the brake pedal it comes on brighter and flashes a quick flashing white led in the center.

If I were you I would turn off the center white LEDs. The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard specifically states a high mounted stop lamp will be red. In fact, you ought to contact Admore and ask them about it and see if they've gotten an interpretation from NHTSA allowing the strobe white LEDs for braking. I doubt they have. You risk getting stopped by a cop, and if you have no documentation, nor can cite such documentation, you'll have a problem to deal with.

Interestingly, Standard 108 does not address modulated or flashing brake lights at all, other than to state that stop lamps shall be steady burning. It does address modulated headlights.

 

[PanzerGriff]

I like that this one registers if you've had a crash and contacts emergency responders.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1215016782/cosmo-connected-the-first-connected-brake-light

 

[Bob Denman]

Use the brake. It lights the light. There are only three things you do on a motorcycle: adjust speed, adjust position, communicate. Use the brake to signal drivers behind you you are adjusting speed. You slow before a turn or stop; your Spyder has large tail lights to communicate. Add more lights: high mount is great, the police light is great, TRIC LED has additional brake lights, Spyderpops has 3rd and 4th brake lights, Lamont’s lights are great. Get some, and use them! Brake pads are much cheaper than clutches and transmissions. Use the brake!

Those are surely righteous words to live by brother. AMEN

nojoke I couldn't agree more!! :clap::2thumbs:

 

[burg650]

There has been wireless helmet brake light around for almost 20 years. I had one from the mid 90's when I use to ride 2 wheels bikes. This one does looks large and might not fit many of the new design helmets, but it does look much brighter than the ones I use to own.