Has anyone tried to modulate the head light on their bike? If so, how long will the lamps last and do you use4 high beam or low for the modulation?
Thinking about installing to give the cagers a better chance to stay out of my way.

I use high-beam modulation. Got it on eBay for $45.

I don't use it on the highway - it is mucho annoying to the car you are following.

I do use it in city traffic most of the time, and when highway traffic gets wierd.

Sine the light does not go completely off( no less than 17% power by federal law) the bulb is not "shocked" by going on and off, so the bulb lasts longer. I've been using one for a year now and have not had a bulb burn out.

Plus, since I am using my high beam more, it is spreading the wer-and-tear to both elements. Otherwise I'd be using the low beam 95% of the time.

I have had my modulator for about 9 months now and I love it. I had to ride for about two weeks without it due to an my voltage regulator going out on the high side and burning it, and few other electrical items, up and I could really tell a difference in how people saw me coming at them. With the modulator working people getting ready to pull out in front of you do a double take, you can see their heads move twice. It may be that second look that keeps you alive. Without it I did not see that second look and was definelty on a state of heightened awareness. If you ever look at a sporty coming down the road at you we are very thin targets and easy to miss.
I got mine from www.comagination.com. They offer a combo deal with the headlight modulator and brake light modulator for I think 89 bucks or smething close to that. I really can't understand why I don't see more bikes running them. I have had two people get out of their cars and come back to me and ask where I got it as they were bikers as well and could not believe how well it drew there attention to my bike as I approached them and they wanted one for their bikes. I really think a insurance discount is in order for bikes with a headlight modulator.
Bad thing about them is that when ever I ride with my buddies the make me lead so I can warn others of our approach with my modulator. I get to be the bug sheild for them. X-mas time is coming and if they are too cheap to get their own I will get one for them. Let them eat some of the bugs for the rest of me for a while. Try one, I think you too, will feel it is well worth the money.

Sam in IN
'86 883/1240

I've seen more than one car pull over for bikes using these, and it caused a lot of confusion to the cars around them. After seeing that I decided I'd never get one. It's bad enough when the cagers don't see you, it's even worse when they almost cause crashes because of you.

I wouldn't own one and personally think they are both a waste of money and a major distraction to other drivers.

I reckon it's a waste of money myself. It seems like just the inheren nature of a bike rolling over the surface of the road is enough to produce a slight "modulation effect" by the headlight/ fork movement.

I added one to my bike a month or so ago. One problem I've noticed... while its modulating it causes my LED brake/running light to slightly flash as well (as its drawing current away).

Does anyone know if head light modulators are legal in California? I added an extra light under the main headlight. I wired it independently from the main headlight and was thinking about putting the modulator on it. I saw an oncoming bike with the modulator today, it was an attention getter and a bit confusing.

Healight modulators are legal in all 50 states. (Federal law).

It doesn't mention auxillary lights, so I wouldn't do it. Could get you a ticket.
Also, use a modulator (legal) and not a flasher (illegal)

I reckon it's a waste of money myself. It seems like just the inheren nature of a bike rolling over the surface of the road is enough to produce a slight "modulation effect" by the headlight/ fork movement.

let me say right off , i don't have one of these on my bike but i am going to get one because i know they work. every time i am confronted with one it pisses me off, can't miss it , can't avoid it. maybe if enough of them went by at one time , the flickering would make me black out, but then again maybe i should have to pass a Breathalyzer in order to post.

I think its a good idea, they make you more noticable, which we all know how important that is...

I have had one on my R100GS for about a year. I have had a few cars pull over to let me by - I wasn't tailgating or anything - they just thought the big black BMW was a cop bike I guess. So now if I am behind someone I turn it off. They *do* get attention though. Great for the open road and in town when you aren't sure if the woman talking on her cellphone in the Escalade sees you (by the way there is no guarantee she will even with a flashing headlight....) Everything helps. Worth the $65 and it was really easy to install.

Had one for 2 years or so. I notice a difference when it is on versus off. The idiots on the cell phones do see you or at least notice you better. I can see them start to pull out then turn their heads like a dog trying to understand physics and then they stop.

SEMJPM

Yes. They are legal in CA. We had them on all of our police motors and they do work well. I'd rather alert one driver than confuse ten.
Putting one on mine asap.

Yes. They are legal in CA. We had them on all of our police motors and they do work well. I'd rather alert one driver than confuse ten.
Putting one on mine asap.

If I'm not mistaken they are legal nationwide.

I got mine from www.comagination.com. They offer a combo deal with the headlight modulator and brake light modulator for I think 89 bucks or smething close to that. I really can't understand why I don't see more bikes running them.

this is the kit i bought. it definitely gets you noticed. the rear flashes when you hit the brakes. all in all, i'm happy with the purchase.

I'm using the Kisan headlight modulator and the tail-light modulator. I split lanes on the 91 everyday coming home from work, and I've noticed that significantly more drivers will see me approaching, and move over to make room for me to pass by. I would not ride on the CA freeways without these.

When I'm in my cage, I notice bikes with them...but it's not like they distract...any more than I already would scoping out their bike. lol

I have a visipath modulator on mine, and I think it produces mixed results. I know people notice it, don't know if it has stopped someone from cutting me off. I have had a few people pull over, and I felt bad about that. Also, I had an old lady cut me off in a parking lot, and a guy on a BT w/passenger almost cut me off, then brake hard. Both these folks thought I was flashing them to take the left turn in front of me. Around these parts, it is common practice to blink your high beams when you are letting someone take their turn in front of you, at say, a stop sign, or light, where they are waiting to turn. So, I'm still not sure about it's worth, but like I said, I know people are noticing it. Oh yeah, also had one lady freaking out in front of me at a stop sign. I guess she thought I was blinking my light on and off to harass her! She was yelling and gesticulating, hands and arms flailing at me! Of course, with my full face helmet and sweet sounding Screamin' Eagle II's, I didn't hear what she was saying, but boy did it she look angry!

anyone know the Kisan part #?? have one on my other bike and love it!!

anyone know the Kisan part #?? have one on my other bike and love it!!

The P115W fits fine in my head light bucket.

The P115W fits fine in my head light bucket.

thanks man. i see the diff this makes riding everyday and want one on all my bikes. also got to do something on the rear to make more visible

I put hyperlights around my rear plate as aux brake lights - they are the bee's Knees.....