Orange/Yellow Headlights and Modulators

Hi all,

have been reading up on the above topic and must admit that Orange/Yellow lights are definately more noticable....

refer to the article below...

http://www.webbikeworld.com/t2/motorcycle-light-bulbs/yellow-light-bulbs.htm

Kisan Pathblazer Headlight Modulator

Mounting a motorcycle headlight modulator is an easy procedure that will help increase the visibility of your motorcycle to oncoming traffic. Motorcycle headlight modulators rapidly flash the motorcycle’s headlight at 240 (plus or minus 40) cycles per minute, which attracts the attention of oncoming drivers. Headlight modulators for motorcycles are completely legal in all 50 states 1.

NOTE: Motorcycle headlight modulators are now legal in Canada; see the wBW technical article page describing the Canadian regulations in English or French.

Motorcycle headlight modulators are designed to increase the visibility of the motorcycle in the most critical area, the left front, to help grab the attention of oncoming traffic. The Hurt study 2 found that "the failure of motorists to detect and recognize motorcycles in traffic is the predominating cause of motorcycle accidents".

The study also found that:

Intersections are the most likely place for accidents;

That the view of the motorcycle in the accident is limited;

That conspicuity of the motorcycle is a critical factor, and accident involvement is significantly reduced by the use of motorcycle headlamps (on in daylight) and the wearing of high visibility yellow, orange or bright red jackets; that conspicuity of the motorcycle is most critical for the frontal surfaces of the motorcycle and rider

Headlight modulators are designed to help address these critical factors.

Interesting. Do you know whether this have any effect on the expected lifetime of the globes, especially Xenon headlights? If so, maybe it might be a good idea to fit extra spots like the GS Adventure and rather get them to flash?

If it had to be legalised in the USA & Canada, I guess it would be advisable to find out if it is legal here. We don't want it to be another passtime & moneyspinner for smokey

As far as I understand strobe lights is still elegal here. Could be wrong, as many laws has chaned in the last few years

Well, I think it is a good idea to go for the yellow head lights in the mean time.

How bright is this yellow lights at night. I do some driving early mornings and Im very happy with my lights as is. But better safety and better lights is always an option

I will never replace the current headlights on the bike with yellow ones, the Xenon are just too good. However, if necessary I will look at yellow spot lights or a yellow sticker over the light that I can remove at night.

Just a question, does anybody know what think bike's opinion on this is ??

Bear wrote:Just a question, does anybody know what think bike's opinion on this is ??

Hi, Ping Strager on TB, he had a modulator on his S

I have heard comments that the Xenon headlights are not really that visible in the day time.
The yellow lights are more visible in the day than the normal lights as I have seen on the GS.
Then I must say that the yellow jackets are really effective as well.

I have been on many club rides and weekends away.
The yellow light is very visible especially when it is the sweep's bike.
I honestly try to be as visible as possible with headlight,fog lights,reflective jacket , but still manage to get cut-off on a regular basis by the "sorry,I didn't see you " crowd.

You can try and make yourself as visible as possible but you still have to ride, drive and plan for the cage drivers that will not see you. That is a given.

It happens daily. At least the beemers kan handle this type of re-active riding. And with that i am not syaing other bikes cannot do the same.

In France, ALL headlights are yellow from pre-EU days. Better visibilty in mist, low light conditions and less eye strain to oncoming motorists.
Wouldn't help us bikers at all as EVERYBODY has yellow lights...!

I have elsewhere that weaving gently from side to side as you ride with lights on does best for attracting the attention of the 'cager' in front of you. The horizontal displacement of the headlight and the varying intensity of the beam as it waves from side to side does it all, apparently.

As everyone I've ridden with knows, I believe in 'hi-visibility" green vests. If I could find one with matching sleeves and over-gloves or such in the same material, I would wear them also...

PS: If you want to see if you and your bike are REALLY visible, try looking at your avatar...are you out of the ordinary?
If not, do you really think you will be noticed at all...!??