Modern Vespa

So I'm behind a car at a red light noticing that the driver in front of me is frantically adjusting his rear view mirror and basically freaking out. My brain flashed "modulating headlight alert". I turned my wheel so that it wouldn't flash him. Then the light changed. I started to follow him at a safe distance doing about 20 mph when he stopped in the middle of his lane! He was frantically motioning me to pass so I waited for traffic and moved into the left lane to pass. He started yelling and screaming that the flashing light was "ridiculous and unnecessary". I stopped at his window and said "you noticed me, didn't you? ... sorry but being on a motorcycle is all about getting noticed.... and congratulations on being the only person to ever complain about it! " He went ballistic then decided to continue his journey. I could only fall behind and follow ('').... modulator flashing away. Could'a turned it off I guess... if he'd have been less of a swine.

Anyone else with a similar story?

Maybe SoCal drivers are a bit more relaxed than OR ones. I occasionally have another driver pointing or signaling me that my light is flashing and I usually just give them the thumbs up--and leave it on. No real complaints so far.

Only once, I was stopping next to a police car, did the officer ask me why my light is flashing. I told him, so he could see me. No more comments from him.

In Australia I'm sure you would be told to 'fix that headlight or you will get an unroadworthy sticker on it'
I must admit flashing headlights would be distracting they are reserved for the emergency services here.

cheers,
John

Okay, they don't flash, they modulate. They never really go off, just modulate between full and dimmed.

Here is a short video. The frame rate of the simple camera modified the modulation frequency, which is constant in reality.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=HjZZOIL5rZA

But they still are distracting--by design. They distract drivers from being inattentive.

As they're illegal in the UK I only tend to use mine in very heavy traffic when I'm filtering. Some guy in a white van started yelling some obscenities at me the other day but I couldn't hear exactly what over the noise of my PM

I've had several people tell me as a courtesy that my headlight is flashing (I have the Comagination modulator). I tell them that I know and then explain to them that it's a safety feature and makes me more visible to oncoming traffic especially if they are waiting to make a turn in front of me.

I've only had one person have fit when I was behind him in his convertible at a stop sign. He told me my headlight was flashing and I said "I know - it's so you don't hit me". He then asked me if it was legal and I told him it sure was in California. He then roared off.

Between my headlight modulator, break light modulator, supplemental LED break lights and beeping turn signals I'm basically a circus on 2 wheels - as my co-workers on this board will attest to.

I can't see how this is to be a safety feature. It is illegal where I come from, and to be honest I think it is quite ignorant to distract other drivers with flashing lights. You are risking other peoples saftey in an attempt to boost your own.

Are you serious or just flaming?

Please explain how this risks safety to anyone else exactly....

All the research proves that this IS a safety feature, which is precisely why it is legal in the States and IMHO should be legal the world over. The lights do NOT flash they modulate.

You could use your argument to say that your lights shouldn't be on in daylight, but now the EC insists that they are, and manufacturers like Piaggio don't even have a switch to let you turn them off.

QED

I dunno, I can see the points against them. I personally agree that they are annoying and distracting. I agree that being seen is a good thing, but doing it at the expense of of being annoying and distracting to everyone else on the road is highly questionable.

Modulate, flash much the same to me, can you imagine if everyone had them going! you'd think you were trippin' out.

I had a guy in an audi A3 go nutso the other day and he ended up stopped diagonally across the road shouting that my headlight was 'hurting' his eyes. My light was on full beam but since it was a sunny day, it was not that bright. I felt like telling him to f**k off and get some sunglasses but since he was a real nutter i decided just to suggest he carry on with his journey.

I think this is true. I wouldn't suggest for a moment that you should keep them on always. I ONLY use mine when I am doing a manoeuvre that potentially threatens my safety. For example if I think a cager hasn't seen me I turn it on briefly until I am sure they've noticed. Same idea as beeping the horn but potentially less road-rage inducing.

If everyone had them on all the time it would indeed be very distracting!

dougl65, that is a good use of them.

I see vehicles, especially motorcycles of the touring type, running with their high beams on constantly. I believe they are doing this to be more noticeable but number 1, its illegal, number 2, it pisses people off and number 3, it can be dangerous in that it hinders the sight and attention of the person its blinding.

I really like brake light modulators that flash the brake light like 3 times quickly when you grab the brakes before staying full on. My biggest fear is really being hit from behind.

I've had 2 vehicles pull over to the side of the road. One, oncoming and one ahead as I approached, from behind.
Not at the same time. This happened several months apart.
You are definitely noticed.
The headlight modulator has saved my bacon quite a few times, especially with oncoming left turns.

I must say I personally feel that these modulators (particularly the front one) would piss me off if I had one blasting in the rear view of my car.

I can also imagine they cause mild panic in the driver of a car too.

It seems quite arrogant to feel that flashing everyone is appropriate even if you are a bit less visible. Drive like you are invisible and then you should not have a problem. Expect the unexpected and if in doubt, stay out their way.

With regard to modulating your rear brake light, well if you do have a high propencity of blide drivers then perhaps these are a bit more neccessary.

Charles.

We'll send you a card if ever in hospital due to a motorist pulling out in front of you because they "...just didn't see him officer!". Kidding-be safe. The rider's safety is increased with a modulator (it does not flash).

Married, three kids and a mortgage-I'm using a modulator!

Arrogant? I don't think so. Arrogant is when the Germans scream up behind you on the Autobahn and FLASH the lights of their Mercedes demanding you get out of the way. "Appropriate" is having a slightly pulsing headlight on ones motorcycle.
I chose NOT to be "slightly less visible", thank you.

This is funny, since his A3 no doubt has halogen headlights (as my Audi does). The bright blue light is more noticeable, and, for some oncoming drivers, might "hurt their eyes"-- When they were less common (and before I had my TT) I used to find the blue halogen beam annoying... Things change!

--Deborah

Deborah,
You probably mean Xenon lights, and the A3 does not have them standard, neither here nor in Europe.

just be safe kids...always drive like you are invisible, modulator or not...

and if someone is pissed off enough to pull over, please be careful and maybe turn off the modulator while you are behind him or her...having someone turn left in front of you is dangerous...having someone pull a gun is dangerous too...don't be the first person killed for road rage on a vespa because of a modulator...it will never be as common as cars turing left in front of you, but it will happen someday...hopefully not to anyone here


i don't have a modulator, but i did replace my crappy headlight on my stella with a nice bright halogen light...when i'm behind cars at night i often see the people adjusting their rear view mirrors...i always try to turn my headlight away to the side when ever i see that...our headlights are higher than car lights and tend to shine right into the rear view mirrors of many cars

g

1. You should move over on the autobahn if faster traffic wants to pass out of courtesy. That flash he gave you is called 'flash to pass' and its a genuine feature. I dont know if you've heard, but if you are in the fast lane and a car behind you does that, you are required to move. Its now a law in the U.S. and I love it.

2. the modulating headlight is not slightly pulsing, its symantics wether it dims or goes off but it is most definatley flashing, annoying and distracting.

I'll be sure to use my high beams behind the next modulating bike I see so that they know I see them well.

Magneto headlight does the same thing when I constantly change speed.

Really I don't give a hoot if the person in front of me sees me. It's the folks coming up on my back door that need to notice me. And you would think they would have a clear view through that big window since they're facing that direction anyways.

I can see how the modulating light could alert someone planning to merge into my lane, or turn in after the car I'm following. Again, I can see them, so the ball is in my court to either accelerate out of their way, or slow to let them in.

Really it's about being aware of your surroundings and being defensive. Constantly modulating your headlight while riding serves to be attention grabbing rather then more visible. If they don't see a steady headlight, I don't see why they would see a modulating one.

Same as flashing a highbeam, modulating your light lets the person know you're about to pass them (or do something). Riding constantly with them on serves no purpose that I can see, other to annoy.

I have always used my high beams in the daylight and don't ever recall anyone being annoyed by them, adjusting their mirrors, or anything else.
(I don't have a modulator)

But the stock headlight on my ET4 is pretty crappy to be sure.

I am thinking of upgrading, not to a modulator, but to a brighter bulb or headlight so I may have to rethink my thinking.

I guess the best thing to do would be to have someone sit on my scooter with the high beams are on as I sit in my car in front of it to see how I like it.

But, no matter what you do, someone is going to be annoyed. It happened when brighter auto headlights were introduced, it happened when the "blue" headlights were introduced, too. Complaints were flying. But most people had no problem in either case and the rest eventually became used to it. I think some people have serious problems dealing with things that are just different or new. I'm betting that if headlight modulators become far more common, the complaints would become far more uncommon.
Until then though.....

In that, I think, lies the answer!

I find it interesting that when drivers react badly to things like modulating headlights, scooter riders seem to assume that the drivers are crazy (based on my reading on this board). If a number of people react negatively to a behavior, wouldn't it be a good idea to consider whether they have a point?

Of course, I'm coming from driving for a couple of decades in a low convertible--every SUV's headlights from behind blinded me!

Exactly. And that is why the Motorcycle Safety Foundation recommends it highly to use a headlight modulator always during daylight.

Ask them about it when you take your Basic Rider Course.

As I see it, no matter what we do to make ourselves more visable and safe, it all comes down to driver awareness. Road rage and dangerous/reckless driving are becoming more prevelant everywhere in the world due to congestion, overcrowding and lack of respect for anyone. I drive the freeways here in SoCal everyday, 50 miles rountrip. Some days I ride the Vespa, others I drive my Toyota. I actually have fewer confrontations when I am on the Vespa. I drive the speed limits, stay out of the fast lane and I am usually courtious to other drivers. But everyday I see at least a dozen maniacs who think they are on a mission to get home before everyone else, no matter what the cost. A co worker, who I dont know or have to work with directly, drives to and from work everyday like he's going for the Nascar series points lead told me to "f" off when I mentioned he almost caused an accident on the way to work yesterday. I just try and ignore these idiots and stay away from any confrontation if possible.

That is key = during daylight!

I would actually agree with using it during the day but at night it pisses me off like the guy who wants to do the speed limit in the fast lane

For comparison, Harley guys have been droning for years that "LOUD PIPES SAVE LIVES!" No-they just piss off the rest of the world and give them a bad taste for Harleys

I googled this topic a bit and it appears that using a modulator at night is not legal anyway?

I still think the modulator IS a good idea. It would drive me nuts if someone was sitting behind me though with the modulator going.

That's why I think it's important that we modulator users use a bit of common courtesy and use it only to attract attention when that attention is warranted!

For example it shouldn't be on when sitting behind someone at a red light. If I'm driving between two lanes of cars waiting I'll modulate. Likewise if I'm passing a lane of queing traffic I'll modulate. It prevents cars who can't be bothered to sit and wait from doing a U-turn and we all know what a killer that can be for all of us.

I think the loud pipes on Harleys aren't the only thing about Harleys that pisses people off!

WAIT!

Did we all just have a topic where people felt strongly, disagreed and yet produced positive results and with no personal attacks to boot? Who would have thought it posible around here lately


Laphroaig, really? I wonder if thats a state law. Ill google it too

Most of the points here are pretty well thought out, but let's not get too heated when discussing this topic, please.

I've only seen one motorcycle with the modulated headlight. As a rider, I understand the advantage to having one, and the added safety it affords. However, even as a rider, I really hated the thing. I sat straight across from it for about three minutes at a very long-lighted intersection. (Which is exactly the sort of intersection it is designed for) and it bothered me enough that I put my hand up blocking the flashing light. I found it more than distracting and noticeable. I found I was annoyed and bothered by it. Now if that's the reaction from a rider, no wonder drivers in cars who have no idea what it is get perturbed.

Here's what I just found on this site:
http://calhsta.org/ca_vc.htm

"The legality of headlight modulators comes into question occasionally, and both CHP officers and local constables tend to be unaware of the legal status of these devices. Put simply, they are legal throughout the United States and Canada. Section 108 of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards regulates modulated headlights. California Vehicle Code 25250-25251 specifically allows them. And Title 49 of United States Code 30103(b1) forbids any state from prohibiting them. Here are the specifics:

25251.2. Any motorcycle may be equipped with a means of modulating the upper beam of the headlamp between a high and a lower brightness at a rate of 200 to 280 flashes per minute. Such headlamps shall not be so modulated during darkness."

Perfect. Now If the gold wingers would stop using it at night the freeway would be nirvana

Smorris, this potentially heated topic has played out very nicely I thought. Nobody got rude and we even seem to have come to agreement. Or maybe Im way off base?

The modulator is to be rendered inoperable when the ambient light level falls below a specified limit.
Modulators at night in USA or Canada are illegal, except for police and emergency vehicles.

I use my comagination headlight modulator as my normal riding routine. At night, or when it is significantly overcast, it shuts itself off. Even though I believe that it has stopped drivers from turning in front of me (both oncoming cars turning left, and others entering the roadway turning right), I still feel a little self conscious as many people stare. Then I remind myself that it is doing exactly what I intend for it to do, to grab others' attention.

I try to be courteous when stopped behind other vehicles, and turn off the modulator (switch off my high beams) while sitting there. Once the light turns again, I just switch it on.

So far, no one has commented on it. I have only seen one other rider with one in London, and it definitely works! I noticed him in a long string of oncoming traffic (all with their lights on) from quite a distance away.

There seems to be a regional or cultural difference on the merits of this technology. I haven't read too many posts from European riders that this is a good idea. It will be interesting to see if the modulators become more common place on this side of the Atlantic over time. I remember routinely driving with my headlights on in the daytime long before cars came this way. I envision that one day all motorcycles/scooters (or what ever we have at in the future) will have standard headlight modulators.

Nope, you're correct. I thought it looked like it possibly could turn that way, but may have been too proactive with the warning. Think of it as a suggestion.

Thanks,
Steve

Its funny. Talking about this, I find myself sorta wishing I had one for daytime use in traffic. Im so easily swayed, heh

Modulators are legal in Virginia during daylight hours. (Lane splitting is not permitted, period.) I guess anything that make you more "visible" is worthwhile. However, I'm thinking of Friday while coming home from work on side streets in Old Town Alexandria I pull up to a 4 way stop. Guy to my left goes, no one else except a City Parking Enforcement car behind him. As I start to cross the intersection, Mr. Enforcement (who looked 80 years old) just darts out and turns left in front of me. Only thing he would have noticed is a bazooka. Didn't the French mount an anti-tank gun on a Vespa years ago? Might make traffic fighting more interesting than a modulator.