Modern Vespa

Only when the scooter is moving or standing still. At other times no helmet is needed.

Okay, okay! You "guys" finally got me off my rear end and I just placed my order for a Kisan P115W-S headlight modulator for my 300 Super. Other than eBay, best price/shipping seem to be from RideSafer Safety Gear out of Colorado Springs. $104.00 to my front door.

Never had a problem with people pulling out in front of me, but with the way I ride (aggressively), it is only a matter of time. Thanks for spurring me to action.

Going back to the original post's issue, of the possible dazzling effect of high-beams perhaps exacerbated by modern-era lighting equipment:

Paine et al. Daytime running lights for motorcycles. Proceedings of the 19th International Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (2005) - Washington DC, 19, 1-8.

Paine actually suggests that low beams are inadequate in the setting of automobiles for use as DRLs as they are overwhelmed by background illumination. For motorcycles there's the triangulation effect, discussed here and elsewhere and the reason for auxiliary lights (amber, even) like the Photon Blaster: http://www.skenedesign.com/lights/PB_Features.shtml For motorcycles, Paine notes that their headlamps are often quite a bit below the permitted maximums, implying that if automobile low-beams are inadequate DRLs then motorcycle low-beams would be doubly inadequate as DRLs: Based on this data I will continue using high beams during the day, and will add a set of Photon Blasters as finances permit.

TOSHI i have hi-viz lights in my headlamp and both turn signal lamps. Gives me the triangulation effect. I switched to euro lights and have a 2-way hi viz bulb in each of the signal lights. White running and amber turning. Don't know if it makes that much of a difference during the day but at night you can't miss me. I figure it can't hurt but that still doesn't mean i'm complacent. I ride like every bodies out to kill me

Excellent sleuthing, Toshi!

I had a pair of Moto Lights on my BMW R1150. They create an excellent triangulation pattern when mounted near the front axle on each side. Sold the lights with the bike. I was going to mount a set on a Vespa but after researching it, discovered that the charging system couldn't handle them. I wanted to put the Moto Lights on my 1981 BMW but the charging system on that bike is also not robust enough to handle the power draw without running down the battery. Due to these limitations, I settled on the Kisan headlight modulator for both of our scooters and the old BMW. I was pleasantly surprised at the results (as I mentioned in previous posts in this thread). Both methods (triangulation with a good pair of driving lights or the modulator) are worth the money.

You might want to check out the new-ish Denali LED lights. Much lower power draw than typical MC driving lights. Still not sure the GTS could handle it, but it might be an alternative for the beemer.

Has anybody tried these on a Vespa?

(Toshi) For motorcycles there's the triangulation effect, discussed here and elsewhere and the reason for auxiliary lights (amber, even) like the Photon Blaster: http://www.skenedesign.com/lights/PB_Features.shtml

I have my headlight/tailight modulators and a stebel. I'm waiting until Bagel returns from Cannonball, and then he and I were planning a mutual 'mod day' for our respective GTS.[/url]

I use Motolights on My Harley and vizlights on the vespa

http://www.bikevis.com/motorcycle-led-running-lights.html

i once rode a bike about 3 miles to a parade i was going to be in.

part of the schtick involved me wearing this police light thing on my head. it was a helmet that had the bar sticking out of it, the flashing light, the whole 9 yards.

for those 3 miles, everyone slowed down to look at me.

it was probably illegal, but as i was riding a silver pigeon going 15 mph, no cops pulled me over.

I think that the LED lights to form the base of the triangle might be the way forward - even with high-beams or modulators, they may see you but still might not be able to judge your distance.

Modulators and LEDs (where legal)? Hmm