BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

Any thoughts on headlight modulators? Name brands, which to use. I have a r1150r and want to install one. Appreciate any input.........thanks.........rt

I have been thinking about a modulator too and would be very interested in everyone's input. My only concern is that with the modulating lights, do any drivers mistakenly take that as a flashing headlights signalling them to go? That may sound stupid, but that is what has been holding me back from getting one.

Thanks, that was a concern of mine also, but with the Diamond Star modulator, you can disable the modulation manually whenever you want too. Still think it's a good idea to be "seen" as there are so many vehicles burning daytime lights now..................rt

It's one thing to be seen...it's another to annoy other drivers and riders.

They are banned down under...and maybe that's a good thing.

DJ

I have the diamond star headlight modulator but have not installed it yet because the instructions were beyond my "know how". If you do get one and install it, please post step by step pics if possible. Thanks.

I got one for my R1150R from Kisan Technologies. It is 'plug and play' for our bike, is real easy to install, and you can disable it easy enough. During the day, it's only on when your brights are on, put dims on and its disabled. It has a sensor that will automatically disable the modulator function altogether at night, so your brights work like they used to.

Regarding the functionality...I don't always use them. If I'm riding with a bunch of other bikes and I'm not lead, I'll turn them off, as they can be annoying to see by other bikers in the mirrors. Also, on the highway I turn them off as they're not much use there either. I have had some interesting experiences with them. I've had people stop at traffic lights, get out of their car, come back to me and ask me if I knew that my headlights were flashing. Duhh.... Also, I've noticed that if I *do* leave them on whilst on the freeway, many cars that I come up on will think I'm the law when they see me in their rear view mirrors, and hit their brakes suddenly, another reason not to use them on the freeway. But, by and large, I suppose that they do make you more visible, and being seen is the name of the game! (spoken from a guy who was hit head on by a pickup truck who swore he never saw me coming...)

Mark
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member #3

mcooperstein wrote:I got one for my R1150R from Kisan Technologies. It is 'plug and play' for our bike, is real easy to install, and you can disable it easy enough. During the day, it's only on when your brights are on, put dims on and its disabled. It has a sensor that will automatically disable the modulator function altogether at night, so your brights work like they used to.

Regarding the functionality...I don't always use them. If I'm riding with a bunch of other bikes and I'm not lead, I'll turn them off, as they can be annoying to see by other bikers in the mirrors. Also, on the highway I turn them off as they're not much use there either. I have had some interesting experiences with them. I've had people stop at traffic lights, get out of their car, come back to me and ask me if I knew that my headlights were flashing. Duhh.... Also, I've noticed that if I *do* leave them on whilst on the freeway, many cars that I come up on will think I'm the law when they see me in their rear view mirrors, and hit their brakes suddenly, another reason not to use them on the freeway. But, by and large, I suppose that they do make you more visible, and being seen is the name of the game! (spoken from a guy who was hit head on by a pickup truck who swore he never saw me coming...)

Mark
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member #3

Excellent post mcooperstein!

Very good point about turning it on and off at the rider's discretion depending on the circumstances. Like DJ said, it can be annoying to other drivers on the road so I like the feature on the Kisan that enables one to turn it on and off. Also like the incredible ease of "installation".

As for my original worry about someone mistaking the modulator for a flashing, I read a post on a CBR600RR forum that stated everyone can tell the difference between a flashing(on and off) and modulation(change in the intensity) & he never experienced anyone confusing the two.

I am going to order the Kisan modulator for my Roadster. If I like it, I will order it for my other bikes too.

will be interested in how the kissen does..........thanks.........rt

Personally, I would not use one. In addition to annoying drivers, they may obscure your turn signals because people are more fixated on the flashing headlight. Just a thought ...

I have used one of these for the past year and I am very happy with it.

http://www.comagination.com

I have also used their taillight flasher with equally good results.

I plan on putting one on my new (er... nearly new - demo) R1150R after I pick it up Saturday.

Its a small solid state module that plugs into the main headlight circuit inside the light housing. A photosensor is routed "outside" so it can do its thing - turning off the modulation at dusk. High beam during daytime turns ON the modulator, low beam turns it OFF.

bit off the point and pretty helpless, but on that kisen site on the pathblazer page, when you read the writing next to the flashing bike, does anyone else get an optical illusion of the bike tilting towards the words as it flashes?

Maybe it's just my eyes playing up!

I use the Kisan device and agree with everything mentioned in this thread. The Kisan was on the bike when I bought it used (along with the extra little flashing brakelight LEDS). At first, I thought it annoyed too many people but when my motorcycle safety instructor told us he used one, I turned mine on and left it on. As previously written, it works only in the day and I do seem to get more "looks" from the cage drivers but it really makes you visible. You can see your lights flash back at you off the highway signs . . . its that noticeable!!

For me, mine is turned on.

Rick
04 R1150RT
04 Suzuki GS500F

I'm with Rick and other pro-modulators. Kisan Pathblazer will always be part of my standard kit. Makes you stick out like a sore thumb even amidst a huge sea of sleeping cagers with their daytime running lights on. The "looks like a LEO" factor is just a bonus. In three years of using one, I've been flashed by oncoming traffic exactly four times.

I also have switched to a very bright, yellow headlight bulb on its own harness... and Vectra turn signals overcome any chance of the signals being overshadowed by the headlight.


http://www.mcpatents.com/Family/R1150Rpage.html
http://www.mcpatents.com/Family/R1150Rpage2.html

Somone pulled out in front of me today with no excuse at all. She was looking right at me and there wasn't much traffic or distractions. She got halfway out into my lane before she realized it was a bad idea. Close call.

I'm buying my modulator tonight.

I've been looking for a local dealer for a modulator, I support the "better be seen annoying or not" group

BTW another good way to be seen is to install one or two high power blue leds where they can be seen... They use very little power and are not illegal...

rbmitchel wrote:Any thoughts on headlight modulators? Name brands, which to use. I have a r1150r and want to install one. Appreciate any input.........thanks.........rt

and noone has pulled out on me. I have the trailblaser and like that one above the others as I can turn it on and off as well as high or low beam. But the flash that occurs with the horn is my favorite function. I always turn it off when not in the lead, as I hate to see one behind me.

mcollect wrote:and noone has pulled out on me. I have the trailblaser and like that one above the others as I can turn it on and off as well as high or low beam. But the flash that occurs with the horn is my favorite function. I always turn it off when not in the lead, as I hate to see one behind me.

That sounds great! That overcomes the only thing I don't like about the Kisan Pathblazer, that you cannot turn off the modulation with high beams on during the day. Do you have a link to it?

The modulator I use is a Daimond star with this linl <http://www.signaldynamics.com/products/ ... r/dshm.asp>

Easiest way to shut off any modulator with a light sensor is to simply put a small black rubber cap over the sensor, that turns it off and gives you back normal bright light functioning. A medicine dropper cap works well.