Headlight Modulator debate. Modulator or no modulator.

SicDuc

Member
Joined
Aug 19, 2018
Messages
33
Location
Minnesota
If you want to be seen forget about the modulator, you will just piss off everyone coming at you and they will freak out and try to run you off the road or injure themselves when they hit the ditch because you freaked them out. My best advice is amber auxiliary lights { not as obnoxious } being they are not a normal color that drivers are used to seeing they will notice.
 

Grumpy

Getting old is not for wimps
Joined
May 28, 2013
Messages
411
Location
Surbiton U.K.
Pulsing lights on vehicles are not allowed over here in UK/Europe. Many years ago a tail light modulater (the Cyberlite?) from the USA was banned, even though at the time police could see it's possible safety advantages from rear ending. I have recently fitted Yamahas' LED indicators with the static daylight running lights, white front, red rear, and I did notice a marked difference in cars leaving a gap during filtering (it's legal) on Londons' M25 ring road.
My concern with this obssesion of lights getting brighter, that in a few years time when new cars and bikes are full LED, we will once again just be part of the "noise"
 
Last edited:

OldRider

Well-Known Member
Vendor
Joined
Jun 7, 2013
Messages
2,110
Location
Western Kentucky
Amber running lights on the front will get the job done. I can see a bike or car with amber lights on the front coming a mile away and they aren't annoying or blinding. I won't sell or install modulators at the shop and won't ride with anyone using one.
 

Dennis

New Member
Joined
Feb 6, 2019
Messages
2
Location
Vidalia, LA USA
Haven’t read the entire post but wondering if Headlight Modulatir will work with the cyclops LED bulb upgrade?

Im a Fan of the modulators. Had one on an RT and it was like the parting of the seas.
I have bought a Modulator kit and plan to install it on my Super Tenere'.
Do you have any tips, instructions or any input at all on how to do this.
A video would be awesome. Thanks in advance.
 

CatBehemoth

Member
Joined
Aug 16, 2018
Messages
81
Amber running lights on the front will get the job done. I can see a bike or car with amber lights on the front coming a mile away and they aren't annoying or blinding. I won't sell or install modulators at the shop and won't ride with anyone using one.
Not amber, YELLOW.
 

Sierra1

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2016
Messages
14,812
Location
Joshua TX
I have bought a Modulator kit and plan to install it on my Super Tenere'.
Do you have any tips....

Tip #1: Confirm with your law enforcement (not your buddy) that the modulator will not get you stopped. They're not legal in Texas; don't know about other states or countries.
 

Tenman

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2013
Messages
2,102
Location
Natchez Ms USA
I have bought a Modulator kit and plan to install it on my Super Tenere'.
Does anyone have any tips, instructions or any input at all on how to do this.
A video would be awesome. Thanks in advance.
Send it back Dennis. It will piss everybody you ride with off and cause confusion to the cagers. I have a friend from Ferriday that got pulled over for a modulating tail light. . He put a head light modulator on his Cbr. I don't ride with him anymore.
 

OldRider

Well-Known Member
Vendor
Joined
Jun 7, 2013
Messages
2,110
Location
Western Kentucky
Tip #1: Confirm with your law enforcement (not your buddy) that the modulator will not get you stopped. They're not legal in Texas; don't know about other states or countries.
I think they're 50 state legal per federal law. Of course being legal don't make them right.
 

CatBehemoth

Member
Joined
Aug 16, 2018
Messages
81
No, sir. There is a lot of amber in traffic - running lights, turn signals etc. Yellow really stands out.
 

Sierra1

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2016
Messages
14,812
Location
Joshua TX
Texas Transportation Code section 547.305, paragraph (c). It specifically addresses "alternating light". Now, I don't know of anybody that has been stopped for the alternating/modulating headlight, but that doesn't mean they won't. Just trying to help.
 

EricV

Riding, farkling, riding...
2011 Site Supporter
2012 Site Supporter
2013 Site Supporter
2014 Site Supporter
Joined
May 22, 2011
Messages
8,227
Location
Tupelo, MS
Texas Transportation Code section 547.305, paragraph (c). It specifically addresses "alternating light". Now, I don't know of anybody that has been stopped for the alternating/modulating headlight, but that doesn't mean they won't. Just trying to help.
You're not wrong, there is just a specified difference between alternating and modulating based upon the frequency of the pulse. Alternating is more like the Police/Fire/EMT wig/wag. Modulating, to be legal per the federal law, has to fit a specific, narrow range of pulsing.

Of course, that doesn't mean TX can't pass a low against it! :) TX hasn't always ever believed that the Feds have any real jurisdiction over them. ;)
 

CatBehemoth

Member
Joined
Aug 16, 2018
Messages
81
So the question is - if you're travelling, and get fined in the middle of your trip, are you willing to go back to the middle of nowhere to defend that your lights are legal?
 

EricV

Riding, farkling, riding...
2011 Site Supporter
2012 Site Supporter
2013 Site Supporter
2014 Site Supporter
Joined
May 22, 2011
Messages
8,227
Location
Tupelo, MS
So the question is - if you're travelling, and get fined in the middle of your trip, are you willing to go back to the middle of nowhere to defend that your lights are legal?
Some of the best stories start in the middle of nowhere.

Some of the guys that I know with modulators carry a printed copy of the federal statute so they can defend their legality by the side of the road. At least one had used it in a road side chat. It caused the LEO to call in to confirm, and no citation was issued. Or that was the story at least.
 

Paqard

Member
Joined
Aug 10, 2016
Messages
53
Location
Washington State
As Eric mentioned a modulating HEADLIGHT is legal in all states per federal law. Some of the sellers of these lights have a link on their site to the law and you could print it out and carry it with you. It doesn't apply to any other forward or rear facing light. Various foward or rear facing colored lights are also illegal weather they are functional or not. I had a chat with two moto cops in my state about my https://www.skenelights.com/online-store/Photon-Blaster-p80153941 that Skene says are legal. They do not fit anywhere in the federal law referenced above. They both said they appeared to be illegal by the letter of the law but in white they would always not only "let it go" but they wanted a link to get it for their own personal bikes! I've had hard double takes and slow downs from cops in California but was never pulled over. Had a thumbs up and wave from one in Winnamucca, Nevada and was ignored in Oregon. I REALLY recommend these lights. They don't flash but flicker in just the slightly noticeable/irritating way. I've had lots of people that I could tell looked right past me as if I wasn't there; then look the other way and suddenly their head whips back and they stop! It's like if the brain doesn't see it a first but then says to you " I think I just saw something there!". I have them mounted on the Rumbux crash bars. Anyway long winded way to say I love the Skene lights in white but I HATE seeing modulating headlights on bikes. Just beyond irritating.....
 

Checkswrecks

Ungenear to broked stuff
Staff member
Global Moderator
2011 Site Supporter
Joined
Mar 7, 2011
Messages
11,489
Location
Damascus, MD
Some of the best stories start in the middle of nowhere.

Some of the guys that I know with modulators carry a printed copy of the federal statute so they can defend their legality by the side of the road. At least one had used it in a road side chat. It caused the LEO to call in to confirm, and no citation was issued. Or that was the story at least.
I had a modulator on a bike probably 20 years ago and got pulled over a couple of times. Having a copy of the regulation would have been a great idea because neither officer believed me and I got mechanical citations both times. What a hassle!

At this point I too won't ride in front of one.
 

Sierra1

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2016
Messages
14,812
Location
Joshua TX
Personal opinion: the difference between alternating and modulating light is negligible. Being ignored by law enforcement while driving/riding is greatness. More light, or brighter light, is just as effective as the flickering/alternating/modulating light. Fact: police impersonators are a growing/real problem. Texas has recently passed a law prohibiting LE agencies from selling/auctioning LE vehicles with ANY LE equipment, or graphics, on the vehicle. Even the adhesive used on with the graphics has to be removed. Even spotlights, and push bars, are to be removed; and neither of those are illegal by themselves. The law(s) regarding lighting are not intended to jack with the average person; just the jack asses.
 
Top