I'm so tired of idiots of not seeing me and turning in front of me..

[AZ Spyder]

:yikes:My 2008 ST SM5 only has the stock headlights and fender lights on it. I've been reading the postings on this sight for the last two years and want to "light it up".

I'm going to rely upon those of you more adventurous types to give me some direction on what types of lighting you have added to your rides and if they were effective in adding to the visibility of your ride and then, how hard is it to install? I'm not the handiest type of guy....:banghead:

I have been looking at Farkles for so long I threatened to name my next dog "Farkles". Dog was picked up on Christmas Eve. My lovely wife and son won out. The dog's name is now Holly. LOL

 

[cuznjohn]

get a very loud air horn, easy to install and makes the look when you blow it

 

[Bob Denman]

How about one of Spyderpop's lighted bumpskids? :dontknow:

AND a Stebel Nautilus under the Tupperware! :thumbup:

 

[Mazo EMS2]

Brighter fender tip bulbs are nice add-ons, fog lights are nice, but it doesn't sound like you have them. You can certainly add on some LED aux driving lights. Many add the lighted bumpskid, but it's pricey. Many also add LED strips to the lower a-arms. Maybe a headlight bulb upgrade to LED would help. You should always ride with your lights on bright during the day too. Another possibility might be the gear you wear. Maybe go with some high viz gear. (helmet and coat) It's tough....a lot of people think we add lights to see...Heck no, I add lights to be seen. Good luck. Take some time and do some "searches" here on the site for various lighting upgrades and you'll find lots of ideas. Careful, some bring sticker shock too.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

FIXING STUPID

...As stated above ....it can't be done.....People who are not noticing your Spyder now are not likely to notice it no matter how many lights you have on it because .......their heads are so far up their AS*ES they can't see it any way........I have plenty of lights and still encounter IDIOTS......Driving Defensively is the better less expensive option......JMHO.....Mike :thumbup::thumbup:

 

[Bob Denman]

....Driving Defensively is the better less expensive option......JMHO.....Mike :thumbup::thumbup:

No doubt; situational awareness is your best friend... ALWAYS! :2thumbs:

 

[PatriotRider]

I run all the lights I have up front all the time...I did go with a lighted bumpskid and am impressed...I also wear hi-viz armored jacket and helmet and installed a stebel air horn

I'm not a fan of headlight modulators, but many others are

I agree with Mike da Blueknight911:
distracted drivers are at an all time high with cell phones the major culprit, but there are drivers eating, playing with gps & sterio, putting on makeup, reading while speeding down the road

 

[SpyderAnn01]

The lighted bumpskid or Tric-LED daytime running lights and of course ride with your bright lights on too.

 

[GOZFST]

Headlight modulators have worked the best for me.

 

[Devious56]

...As stated above ....it can't be done.....People who are not noticing your Spyder now are not likely to notice it no matter how many lights you have on it because .......their heads are so far up their AS*ES they can't see it any way........I have plenty of lights and still encounter IDIOTS......Driving Defensively is the better less expensive option......JMHO.....Mike :thumbup::thumbup:

I have to agree with Mike, I was taught to look for the idiots when I started riding some 43 years ago. As I got older, it became the thing to add more lights, make them blink, and finally, wear the brightest clothes you can fine. But what I decided was, if an idiot is going to run into the side of a train at a crossing, or run into a semi-truck, he's not going to see you no matter what you do. The same with "loud pipes save lives" .... not with the sound proofing in todays cars. If you are in traffic, don't go sight seeing, or cruising with your ear buds, pay attention, look for doors opening, don't look at a car in a driveway, look at it's wheels. If the wheels are moving the car is moving. Just be aware.

I will admit, one of the first things I did to my Spyder was put more lights on the rear end, and if I'm sitting at a light, I look more in my rear view mirror than I do forward. If there is traffic behind me, I flash my brake lights. I keep it in gear ready to go just in case, and ALWAYS leave yourself an escape route in case you need to get out of someones way. I also added white LED's in the front around the bottom of of the front, and the A arms going to the front wheels, sort of like the new fad of having LED lights around the headlights of todays cars, trying to get attention.

And I have a Bad Boy air horn, but usually I don't have time to honk it, as I'm more interested in getting out of the way.

It's nice to have the equipment to be seen, be heard, but most important, is to be aware. And please, turn off your phone when you start your engine. there are enough vegetables driving on the roads without adding another one.

David

 

[DrewNJ]

You really do have to ride with the mindset that everyone around you is an idiot that is trying to kill you.
My son and I talk about situational as well as positional awareness all the time.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

 

[bmccaffrey]

Always ride like everyone is out to KILL you.

Be prepared to act :yikes:

 

[MisterP]

I disagree with the statement that defensive driving is a better option. We all have a lot of tools to choose from: defensive driving, lights, louder horns, modulators, etc. We each have to choose which tools work best for us, which for me is add everything I can afford. I did it on my Suzuki and I am doing it now. Lights give you more time to check for traffic and set up a way out if you see someone waiting to pull out. Lights won't help in blind spot issues, when a horn will.

One one thing I learned long ago is to watch the front wheel on a car waiting at a driveway or side street. Never look at the driver, because you can't tell if they are looking at you. If the wheel moves assume the driver doesn't see you and take action.

 

[trikermutha]

as other have stated be aware and anticipate for anything. way to many morons driving like they don't care out there..
Extra lighting helps but not always and your defenses have to take over. :yikes:

 

[JerryB]

Hi Ann,

Re: ride with your bright lights on too.

I've mentioned this before, this is illegal in Oregon. It may be different in other states.

Jerry Baumchen

 

[Bfromla]

No doubt; situational awareness is your best friend... ALWAYS! :2thumbs:

Round here the idiots are in such a rush it dont matter will turn in front of me, a simi, a TRAIN! Just so they can get back to what ever they cant do driving. & then there are the ones that simply own the road & everyone else is in the way..... No shortage of stupids, so slow down & play defencely point is to ENJOY your ride every trip, errand, not just get there.


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[Dubliner]

I've found a flashing red light really works. It's difficult though to explain to some people why I have a Christmas tree mounted on the bike in day light but it comes into its own at night! [emoji6]


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[Devious56]

Hi Ann,

Re: ride with your bright lights on too.

I've mentioned this before, this is illegal in Oregon. It may be different in other states.

Jerry Baumchen

I hate to say this, but one of the things that really ticks me off, if some idiot, in the day time, comes up behind me with his bright light on, especially when his lights are aimed on the high side. There is a reason that some states outlaw riding with your high beams. Obey the law, part of todays problems are because too many people think they are about the law, and don't have to obey them.

David

 

[MRH]

My experience:

Brights on during the day (in CA, that's suggested by CHP as far as I know).

All of my reflectors have been replaced with LEDs (I prefer the designs from Custom Dynamics, but there are other great options as well).

My Spyder is Yellow.

No, I don't think these differences will make everybody see me, but I do believe that being as bright and lit-up as much as possible (without lighting that feels like lighting effects) has made me safer.

I have no idea if I've avoided an accident or not because of the extra visibility, but my take is to do as much as possible to decrease the percentage of people who don't see you because you don't stand out and aren't expected.

 

[Devious56]

My experience:

Brights on during the day (in CA, that's suggested by CHP as far as I know).

All of my reflectors have been replaced with LEDs (I prefer the designs from Custom Dynamics, but there are other great options as well).

My Spyder is Yellow.

No, I don't think these differences will make everybody see me, but I do believe that being as bright and lit-up as much as possible (without lighting that feels like lighting effects) has made me safer.

I have no idea if I've avoided an accident or not because of the extra visibility, but my take is to do as much as possible to decrease the percentage of people who don't see you because you don't stand out and aren't expected.

Let me clarify my statements about driving with high beams on, todays lights are designed to not shine in an oncoming drivers eyes IF they are properly aimed. But, so that they are seen, many adjust their high beams so they are too high. I'm not against anyone wearing bright colored clothes, have their vehicles adorned with many colored lights (which are illegal in some places so be careful where you go) and have very loud horns (which also can be illegal in places) as long as they drive safely. I would rather depend on my skills, and abilities than depend on someone I don't know.

David