This officer needs some learnin'!

[kngfsh27]

I must be lucky

All of my motorcycle experiences with law enforcement have been positive. I have been stopped several times. Each time it was to talk about what I was riding (old Harley, Spyder, TriGlide). Having been a Military Policeman, I enjoy getting to talk to them about my rides. Going to court will save you a fine and also help educate this officer for he may not be aware of all the laws. When you go to court, take the time to interact with the officer. You may find that you have a new friend.

 

[ARtraveler]

I don't like modulators. So for me, the problem is already solved. Will watch the thread to see the legal outcome. :thumbup:

 

[ARtraveler]

I had high and low beams on my 14 RT.

Yes there are high/low beams. The bulb does not have separate filaments for the settings. The Spyder has a headlight "shutter" which drops down to obscure the "full" light from high beam position to "partial" light for low beam position. The "thunk" you hear when changing from high to low is the shutter kicking in.

 

[UtahPete]

Yes there are high/low beams. The bulb does not have separate filaments for the settings. The Spyder has a headlight "shutter" which drops down to obscure the "full" light from high beam position to "partial" light for low beam position. The "thunk" you hear when changing from high to low is the shutter kicking in.

Yes, there is only one headlight 'beam' which gets partially obscured by the shutter when the switch is in the 'low' beam position. Unlike standard halogen hi/low bulbs, which have two different filaments; one for low beam and both for high beam, as you said.

When modulating a halogen hi/lo bulb, the electronics are basically cycling the high beam filament on and off (as I understand it). With the RT's shutter and only one 'filament' in the LED headlight, to modulate it the shutter would have to keep cycling open and closed.

Maybe there is a special LED bulb for the RTs which allows modulation? I haven't heard of one but that doesn't mean they don't exist.

 

[ARtraveler]

Yes, I know that. There is only one headlight beam which gets partially obscured by the shutter when the switch is in the 'low' beam position. Unlike standard halogen hi/low bulbs, which have two different filaments; one for low beam and both for high beam, as you said.

When modulating a halogen hi/lo bulb, the electronics are basically cycling the high beam filament on and off (as I understand it). With the RT's shutter and only one 'filament' in the LED headlight, to modulate it the shutter would have to keep cycling open and closed.

Maybe there is a special LED bulb for the RTs which allows modulation? I haven't heard of one but that doesn't mean they don't exist.

RE: Shutter I was replying to Prairie Spyder sidebar. Sorry for the Hi-Jack. Thanks for the additional information. :yes:

 

[jcthorne]

I absolutely LOVE them. Sorry if it annoys you, but that tells me it served its purpose-you noticed me. While it's certainly not my intent to annoy anyone, it's legal, so suck it up and stop flashing your high beams. Doing that is a violation, not my headlight modulator.

Oh, and I already wear a bright white helmet and a bright yellow riding jacket. The intent here is to stay alive. You as a rider should appreciate that.

Well you have been told by a number of riders that the modulators really bother other drivers and yet you want do continue doing so. Seems you have little regard for the safety or comfort of others. YOU were not noticed, the other drivers are attempting to avoid the discomfort of your flashing lights averting their attention FROM YOU and often at the expense of actually seeing things they need to due to the distraction. Modulators make travel LESS safe for oncoming traffic. i truly hope this misplaced bit of tech is one day made illegal.

 

[classicvw]

Well you have been told by a number of riders that the modulators really bother other drivers and yet you want do continue doing so. Seems you have little regard for the safety or comfort of others. YOU were not noticed, the other drivers are attempting to avoid the discomfort of your flashing lights averting their attention FROM YOU and often at the expense of actually seeing things they need to due to the distraction. Modulators make travel LESS safe for oncoming traffic. i truly hope this misplaced bit of tech is one day made illegal.

A number? Really?
Like I said, they're legal and they get me noticed. If you're 'bothered' you saw me.
Any 'bother' is minor IMO. Stop fixating on them and you'll be fine.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Maybe there is a special LED bulb for the RTs which allows modulation? I haven't heard of one but that doesn't mean they don't exist.

Not special bulb, special modulator. The Kisan PW115W-H3 (LED) is designed specifically to modulate LED headlight bulbs.

A modulating light does not go from high beam to low beam. It actually varies the power to the high beam between 100% to 70% and then back to 100%. Because it works on only one filiment, it works fine on a Spyder. I have used one one my Valkyrie for 8 years with no problems.

Actually it varies from 100% to something like 20%. The code allowed minimum is 17%. Because incandescent bulbs have a filament that takes time to go dark and go bright you can actually shut the power down instantly, and then back on instantly, and you will see the light go bright to dark and back to bright gradually (a relative term in this case). Since an LED will go dark instantly as soon as power is cut off a modulator for an LED bulb has to taper the voltage down and back up gradually (again, a relative term in this case). You cannot use a modulator made for incandescent bulbs for LED bulbs.

 

[UtahPete]

Not special bulb, special modulator. The Kisan PW115W-H3 (LED) is designed specifically to modulate LED headlight bulbs. Actually it varies from 100% to something like 20%. The code allowed minimum is 17%. Because incandescent bulbs have a filament that takes time to go dark and go bright you can actually shut the power down instantly, and then back on instantly, and you will see the light go bright to dark and back to bright gradually (a relative term in this case). Since an LED will go dark instantly as soon as power is cut off a modulator for an LED bulb has to taper the voltage down and back up gradually (again, a relative term in this case). You cannot use a modulator made for incandescent bulbs for LED bulbs.

That's helpful info. Thanks.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

They tend to piss off other drivers getting exactly the wrong kind of attention from others. Including bikers. There are far better ways to be seen without the annoyance.

Modulators make travel LESS safe for oncoming traffic. i truly hope this misplaced bit of tech is one day made illegal.

The opposing comments for and against are quite common. The debate has been going on ever since modulators were introduced.

People's eyes work like a camera shutter, taking 'shots' every few milliseconds as you move your eyes around. Another driver can, and do, miss seeing a narrow object like a rider on a bike because of this shutter action. Also, the brain tends to block out, or lose focus on, stationary objects in the field of view. A headlight modulator provides movement that attracts attention by the brain. Sadly, "I didn't see him" is a legitimate and real excuse because of the neurological and physiological construction of human bodies! Read this really good article by an RAF fighter pilot. http://www.londoncyclist.co.uk/raf-p...each-cyclists/.

I have had several instances where cars started to enter the street in front of me from the right side only to stop when they see me coming. Preventing cars from pulling out in front of a motorcycle is probably the most effective use of modulators. Yes, other times they can be annoying.

My position is I would much rather have the other driver see me, be PO'd, and avoid me, than not see me, not be PO'd, and run into me.

 

[Bob Denman]

I had high and low beams on my 14 RT.

Hi Patti!
You actually had just one beam (High), and a shutter system that would cut off the top of the beam, so that it could also be used as "Low" :thumbup:

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

A "citizen's complaint" is for wrongdoing or malfeasance, it is not for a lack of a proper understand of obscure federal regulations that can be contradictory to state laws. And, then not being able to find it along side of the road while keeping himself and you from getting run over or whatever. Give the guy a break, he did what he did while seemingly being professional, courteous and polite. Besides, there are many federal regulations that are completely disregarded by states, and since the police enforce state laws and not federal regulations, that's what they do.

The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Code rules. States may not pass laws related to aspects of vehicle safety that are covered by the FMVSS other than to quote the Federal reg. There actually is no conflict of laws here. The state law he cited specifically prohibits flashing lights, for good reason - to make it illegal to create the appearance of being an official emergency services or law enforcement vehicle. The requirements for a modulator are specifically written to avoid a modulated headlight from copying an emergency light. When it comes to vehicle safety, especially over the road trucks, a competent police officer had better have a pretty good working knowledge of the Federal Regs because that is what he needs to be enforcing.

My intention, if I follow through, with filing a citizen's complaint is to make the entire Department more aware of this issue. I'm certain no police agency likes to have its officers enforcing laws inconsistently. Yes, this is a minor aspect of the entire motor vehicle law enforcement business, but there are many hundreds of us using modulators. We need to be properly recognized.

"False arrest"? Seriously? Are you kidding? It's a ticket, NOT an arrest. A ticket is a detention, NOT an arrest. :lecturef_smilie:

:agree:

I don't know what a "PA" is, but in most places tickets can not be "tossed out", they can only be dismissed by a judicial authority. Also, in most jurisdictions tickets are filed directly to the court, so they do not go through a local prosecuting authority, hence only the judge can dismiss it. Now, the officer in some cases can file an amendment to the ticket requesting dismissal citing some kind of legal grounds, but that is mostly the closet you're going to get.

Idaho has a somewhat streamlined system for handling traffic infractions. Fines are fixed by the legislature and are not subject to change, even by a judge. You either plead guilty and pay the fine when you send the ticket in to the court, or you mark the not guilty box. In that case the court sets a date. If you show up the judge makes a determination. If you send additional info in with the ticket the PA, Prosecuting Attorney or County Prosecutor, will then handle the ticket. He can choose to take it to the court or drop the charges. In Nez Perce County the Prosecutor's office has an assistant prosecutor who handles traffic infractions.

 

[Easy Rider]

I absolutely LOVE them. Sorry if it annoys you,

Meaning that you don't care what anybody else thinks.
Nice.

 

[Hypurone]

How is it even possible to modulate the headlights on a 2014RT? There is no hi / low beam on those.

The one from TrailBlazer actually does NOT cycle between High and Low beam, it modulates ("pulses") the low beam... If you switch to high beam the modulation is stopped and returns again when back on low beam. There is also a daylight sensor that stops modulation once dark. This is funny that I see this thread just now as I just found a dual TrailBlazer from one of my earlier bikes a few mins ago. Gonna put that bad boy up for sale on Ebay right now while I'm thinking about it....

 

[canamjhb]

I wonder how many Bicycles get stopped for their modulating headlights AND tail lights...... Try driving through Denver, Seattle, Portland. The little buggers are flashing all over the place. If you're bothered by flashing lights, be prepared to take an angry pill. You'll need it.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

The one from TrailBlazer actually does NOT cycle between High and Low beam, it modulates ("pulses") the low beam... If you switch to high beam the modulation is stopped and returns again when back on low beam. There is also a daylight sensor that stops modulation once dark.

I have mine wired in so that it pulses either high or low beam. I also put a switch into the daylight sensor circuit that will turn the modulator off anytime I want.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I wonder how many Bicycles get stopped for their modulating headlights AND tail lights...... Try driving through Denver, Seattle, Portland. The little buggers are flashing all over the place. If you're bothered by flashing lights, be prepared to take an angry pill. You'll need it.

Strobe lights are also allowed on bicycles, but don't try to use one on your Spyder! You will get nailed for that!

 

[classicvw]

Meaning that you don't care what anybody else thinks.
Nice.

Almost true. If it momentarily annoys you but measurably increases my chances of survival, I'll choose to keep using them. I was in a MC crash exactly 40 years ago with a 80,000 lb. registered dump truck towing a flatbed trailer with a bulldozer on it who turned in front of me because he didn't see me.

Similarly to what IdahoMtnSpyder said, I have seen vehicles on a cross street just begin to pull out and then very suddenly hit the brakes. At least here in the U.S., drivers don't see motorcycles and scooters on the road every three minutes. We are conditioned to notice cars, SUVs and trucks. When a small, narrow motorcycle is coming down the road, it doesn't always register to them that something is there.

 

[classicvw]

IF ONLY

 

[old Timer]

I am a big supporter of the LEO and the need for them BUT, most traffic tickets are rarely about safety. Most of the traffic tickets are used as a revenue tool for state and local governments.

Amen, I always go to court on a traffic ticket. I have only been stopped for speeding on a open clear no traffic roadway where the ticket clearly brought out the Barney Fife in the officer and his need to exercise his Megalomania.