Deceleration warning device

[lynnboyd]

Just moving this to its own thread from the booster plug discussion:

I lost one side bag due to a rider running in the back of me, and a few people who follow me have commented that I never seem to use the brakes. So.. I've also gotten in the habit of flashing the brake light when I'm about to slow down setting up for a turn, or coming to a stop. I can almost come to a complete stop brakeless.. just need to use the brake to knock the last 5mph off..

I've had the same problem with people running up on me. I just saw a product in the Whitehorse Gear catalog that sounds like it would take care of that problem - the Stobewise Deceleration Warning Device (http://www.whitehorsegear.com/strobewis ... ing-device). To quote their description, "Strobewise™ uses a small but sophisticated microprocessor to monitor your rate of acceleration 1,000 times per second. If you are slowing down at all, Strobewise™ illuminates its rear-facing high-powered amber LED lamp with flash patterns that are appropriate for your rate of deceleration. For example if you are lazily rolling off the throttle using light engine braking, Strobewise™ will provide a few gentle flashes. If you are braking moderately, the lamp warns other road users to your rear more firmly. Should you be in a full-on quick stop, Strobewise™ will respond with a machine gun stacatto of blazing high-intensity LED flashes."

I think that might be my next farkle. If I didn't need tires in the next month I'd buy one now. Just in case you're wondering, I'm not affiliated with WHG or whoever makes the Strobewise, although I kind of wish I was.

Or spend that money on something else and just ride with people who know how to ride. If someone rides close enough to my ass that they're all up in my business every time I slow down because they're focusing on my brake light, I wouldn't ride with them for long. On the other hand, no one can keep up with me anyway.

That doesn't work for those of us who ride on public roads where random strangers are allowed?
And about the canbus...can't one just use a fuseblock and hook it directly to the battery?

That's what I'm worried about - not my riding buddies but the general public.

The description for the Strobewise says its compatible with CANBUS systems and specifically with BMWs but it does require connection to the speed signal generator wire.

Has anyone tried one of these things?

[deilenberger]

Wonder that they mean by the "speed signal generator"? Our bikes measure the speed via the rear wheel ABS sensor, which AFAIK feeds to the ABS computer, thence to the instrument panel. It's analog going to the ABS computer and digital via CANBUS to the instrument panel. I would be hesitant about hacking into the wire since it's a small signal voltage, and you don't want the ABS to get confused by noise on the signal.

Other then that - it sounds like a wonderful thing. Someone who was very clever could come up with one using the solid-state gyro sensors that are used in cell phones.. (no more spinning mass, these use an electronic circuit to measure acceleration and direction.)