OK, what the heck is it with bikes that have the headlight flashing while they cruise down the road? Seriously I feel like tossing a rock out my window as they pass because it pisses me off. The light is bright as can be AND it's flashing? I suppose this is a safety feature to make them more visible? Are these things legal!?!?
Rant over!
I agree that they're annoying, but I also think that responsible bikers need any advantage they can find to save themselves from the cell phones.
It's a safety feature. Yes, you pay extra for it. But it does make you about 70% more visible to inattentive drivers.
something about shiny flashy things that grabs peoples attention.
I don't have that type of bulb in my bike, but I want one. Anything to be not-so-invisible on surface streets.
(not me, but hotlinked for you)
It's annoying as hell but you noticed them, didn't you?
They make me sick! I can't stand those things. It's my belieif that they do more harm then good yes on coming trafic sees the bike and fallows the light right in to it. They should be baned as should those dam projecter sysle lights with there narow ass beems that never seem to be pointed right.
44Dwarf wrote: They should be baned as should those dam projecter sysle lights with there narow ass beems that never seem to be pointed right.
Those projectors that never seem to be pointed right are the ones that have been retro-fitted to a car. It's a different shape bulb, and as such requires a different reflector to focus the beam correctly. That is why it technically is illegal in most of the US.
I agree it's annoying but it gets attention..... if it didn't look so dumb I would rock one on my F4i. Instead I just ride with my high beams on during the day/dusk.
Yeah, riding with high beams on would be better. The flashing is actually very distracting to me. I might have to put a pocket full of lug nuts in my car......
Another thing, I know that strobe lights can cause issues (read seizures) in epileptics. Could these have the same effect?
i thought they'd banned those things due to them causing epileptic seizures...
Sorry guys, but if you naysayers ever had someone pull out or turn right in front of you because they "didn't see you", you'd want one on your bike too. As far as tossing lugnuts at someone on a bike, you better be about 6 foot 6 and 300lbs of mean man meat because if that happens to me, you're going to get a caved in door from my size 12, at the very least. A bug @60mph feels like a bullet, a lugnut could kill someone.
I was kidding about the lugnut, but I'd stand behind someone that did it. And, (now we're talking harley riders here) what is there to fear from an investment banker or a Dentist?
[flame suit on]
minimac wrote: Sorry guys, but if you naysayers ever had someone pull out or turn right in front of you because they "didn't see you", you'd want one on your bike too. As far as tossing lugnuts at someone on a bike, you better be about 6 foot 6 and 300lbs of mean man meat because if that happens to me, you're going to get a caved in door from my size 12, at the very least. A bug @60mph feels like a bullet, a lugnut could kill someone.
This... +11tyBillion
minimac wrote: ... you're going to get a caved in door from my size 12, at the very least....
Sounds like a recipe for a closed casket funeral. If the dude's willing to throw lugnuts, I'm sure he'll have no qualms about putting you into the ditch/wall/oncoming traffic/whatever.
I've looked into a headlight modulator, but mainly ride with my high beam on instead. It would be nice to have one for the times that I'm on the DC Beltway though. Yes, they exist to make bikes more visible, and are legal, though I would suggest carrying a copy of the law, as some police are not aware of the law, and will pull you over and try to write a ticket. Oh, I would prefer one of those to the multiple flashing taillights that some people run. Counted 24 on a Goldwing one day. Being in stop and go traffic behind him sucked!
Headlight modulators are legal for day time use. Most kits include an ambient light sensor that shut them down when the sun sets.
They're annoying, but you saw them. I don't like 'em (ie: I wouldn't install one on my own bike), but I understand/appreciate the theory behind them.
Conspicuity is the name of the game.
minimac wrote: Sorry guys, but if you naysayers ever had someone pull out or turn right in front of you because they "didn't see you", you'd want one on your bike too.
I've had people pull right out in front of my car, can I get flashers for my headlights??
The first time I saw one years ago, I thought he was a cop. I pulled over and then realized it wasn't when he flew by before I was out of the lane. Oh yeah, one of the other reasons I thought it was a cop is that he came flying up behind me, well over the limit.
I guess he was all about safety 
I would love it if every Harley traded in their 199 decibel exhaust for these. It truly will save lives and it is pointed in the correct direction to get attention- unlike the open pipes.
No matter what you do CAR ARE OUT TO KILL US ALL.
I've been cross this country on my bike and theres a Ahole for every toilet seat. that with not see you no mater what.
I will not ride in front of those blinky lights migrains makers.
44
44Dwarf wrote: No matter what you do CAR ARE OUT TO KILL US ALL. I've been cross this country on my bike and theres a Ahole for every toilet seat. that with not see you no mater what. I will not ride in front of those blinky lights migrains makers. 44
So you like them???
I'm with the Dwarf. I like 'em, but I don't like 'em. If you catch my drift.
mistanfo wrote: Oh, I would prefer one of those to the multiple flashing taillights that some people run.
My taillight modulator flashes 5 times on initial braking then goes solid. A good compromise, I think.
Osterkraut wrote: My taillight modulator flashes 5 times on initial braking then goes solid. A good compromise, I think.
Heck, I've seen those in Miata 3rd brake lights - and for the same reason as a motorcycle. I also ran an LED tail light bulb in one of my old bikes that flashed the brake continuously during braking. And at times I'll run the high beam on a bright sunny day. But not a headlight flasher. I find them annoying.
i can appreciate the idea of the flashers. i got flashing lights on my bicycle after getting nearly hit for the fourth time. once by another bicyclist!
Check this out. Sad to say but No blinking light would have saved this Mom.
http://cbs2chicago.com/local/distracted.driving.nail.2.1680019.html
Anyone seen the guy who was posed on his bike at his wake? Shooting victim i belive. He loved to ride so family had his posed on his bike for the wake. Kinda neat me thinks. I've been riding solo since i was 5, but have supper 8 films of me at 6 months on a columba mini bike and a yamaha dt getting rides.
It amazes me how clear life becomes when on a bike.
Stay focused out there, ride safe
44
DrBoost wrote: I was kidding about the lugnut, but I'd stand behind someone that did it. And, (now we're talking harley riders here) what is there to fear from an investment banker or a Dentist? [flame suit on]
return fire
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