rls@ihu1g.UUCP (r.l. schieve) (09/09/85)
While driving to work (into the sun) Friday morning I was surprized to notice glare in my rear view mirror from the cycle behind me. It was very annoying and distracting and I was glad to be passed farther down the road. I followed the bike for several miles and determined from the reflection off the back of other cars and signs that the bikes low beam was on and the bright beam was flashing on and off at about a half second rate. I pulled next to the biker at a light and told him his light must have a problem (though I suspected otherwise). He responed that it was suposed to be that way. I told him my opinion of the system and that I hoped he got a ticket for driving with his brights on. I have been told by others that these circuits are available. Are these high beam flashers really legal? My bike riding experience has always been to keep a low profile an not annoy people in bigger vehicles. There are too many nuts out there that get a kick out of watching a biker have to slam on the brakes. Weaving though traffic and taking advantage of your small size when riding gets people mad. I saw other drivers adjusting mirrors to avoid the flashing high beam and I think they were as annoyed as I was and all it takes is one crazy driver. Any comments or similar experiences..... and are these flashers legal??? Rick Schieve ...ihnp4!ihu1g!rls
davidk@dartvax.UUCP (David C. Kovar) (09/10/85)
I've seen those type of flashers before, but for some reason I thought
it cycled between off and low, not low and high. In either case, it
certainly made the cyclist much more noticable, which is what I am usually
concerned with. If they notice me, there is a much lower chance that they're
going to pull out into traffic in front of me, thinking that I am not there.
Considering two of my friends ended up in the hospital because two different
cars pulled out in front of them and claimed "But I did not see him ...", I
think flashers might be a good idea. (I don't have them, in fact, I do not
even have a motorcycle any more. <sigh>)
--
David C. Kovar
USNET: {linus|decvax|cornell|astrovax}!dartvax!davidk%amber
ARPA: davidk%amber%dartmouth@csnet-relay
CSNET: davidk%amber@dartmouth
"I felt like a punk who'd gone out for a switchblade and come back
with a tactical nuke.
'Shit', I thought. 'Screwed again. What good's a tactical nuke in a
street fight?'"
"Burning Chrome" by William Gibsongadfly@ihuxn.UUCP (Gadfly) (09/11/85)
-- > While driving to work (into the sun) Friday morning I was > surprized to notice glare in my rear view mirror from the > cycle behind me. It was very annoying and distracting and > I was glad to be passed farther down the road... > > I have been told by others that these circuits are available. > Are these high beam flashers really legal? My bike riding > experience has always been to keep a low profile an not annoy > people in bigger vehicles. There are too many nuts out there > that get a kick out of watching a biker have to slam on the > brakes... > > Any comments or similar experiences..... and are these flashers > legal??? > > Rick Schieve I hope to God they are legal, Rick. They are life-savers! I, for one, often keep my high beam on when I ride, day or night. I apologize for your momentary discomfort, but that guy avoided the all-too-common biker's epitaph: "But I didn't see him, officer." The greatest danger a motorcyclist faces is NOT an angry driver, it's NOT BEING SEEN. There are actually very few nuts who play around with bikers--even a meek 5'7" squirt like me looks fairly imposing in full leathers--but there's a lot of car drivers who just can't see anything else on the road but cars. If it were up to me, I'd reverse the law, so that every car driver needed a cycle license first, and a year's experience on a bike to boot, before graduating to those multi-ton death machines. Maybe then they'd have some awareness that there are other types of vehicles on the road. Ah, but I'm dreaming. And so, because you too just might be dreaming--and driving at the same time--I have to shine my light in your eyes to be sure I've got your attention. I try to be a courteous driver. I don't like to be rude or obnoxious. So I do sincerely apologize for the discomfort--because I'm so glad I've lived to do so. -- *** *** JE MAINTIENDRAI ***** ***** ****** ****** 11 Sep 85 [25 Fructidor An CXCIII] ken perlow ***** ***** (312)979-7753 ** ** ** ** ..ihnp4!iwsl8!ken *** ***
darryl@ISM780.UUCP (09/11/85)
[] This month's AM (the magazine for members of the American Motorcyclist Association) has a little article on how the NTHSA has just approved the use of headlight modulators. They are now legal in all states. These devices flash your lights between 200 and 280 times a minute. They have been demonstarted to considerably increase a motorcyclists' visibility in traffic; they especially cut down on the number of people that will turn in front of a motorcyclist. --Darryl Richman, INTERACTIVE Systems Corp. ...!cca!ima!ism780!darryl The views expressed above are my opinions only.
chip@vaxwaller.UUCP (Chip Kozy) (09/11/85)
> Any comments or similar experiences..... and are these flashers > legal??? *** REPLACE THIS WITH YOUR *** Yes, indeed they are legal!! In fact, according to the latest AMA magazine, they are now legal throughout the country. The reason for these "flashers" is to be seen better by other vehicles. As you have found out, the bike was MUCH more noticeable with the headlight flashing (I wish I had one on when the driver of the car that pulled out in front of me looked at me before turning, and obviously didn't see me). They, however, are NOT legal after dark. (Perhaps the driver of the bike needed to adjust his headlight a bit better if, as you say, other drivers were re-adjusting their mirrors to compensate.) Anyway, the answer to your question is they most certainly legal...and hooray for that (my opinion). Happiness; Chip -- Chip Kozy (415) 939-2400 x-2048 Varian Inst. Grp. 2700 Mitchell Dr. Walnut Creek, Calif. 94598 {zehntel,amd,fortune,resonex,rtech}!varian!chip
jerem@tekgvs.UUCP (Jere Marrs) (09/12/85)
In article <692@ihu1g.UUCP> rls@ihu1g.UUCP (r.l. schieve) writes: >While driving to work (into the sun) Friday morning I was >surprized to notice glare in my rear view mirror from the >cycle behind me. ....determined from the reflection >off the back of other cars and signs that the bikes low beam >was on and the bright beam was flashing on and off at about >a half second rate. > >I have been told by others that these circuits are available. >Are these high beam flashers really legal? > There are headlight modulators available which modulate the intensity of the *LOW BEAM* of the motorcycle headlight. These most definitely make the machine more noticeable (more later). If the motorcycle you saw actually flashed the high and low beams alternately, that would be obnoxious. I know of no commercial device that does this. The legality of the *LOW BEAM* modulators has been an issue in several states, but I believe that has been resolved. It is legal here in Oregon. Now, regarding the issue of 'profile:' From my experience, the 'cyclist that chooses to take the 'low profile' will end up with the short end of the stick. If the drivers don't see you, you are vulnerable to the ineptitude of the automobilists. They tend to change lanes in a cavalier manner among other horrible things. Granted, certain drivers wish motorcyclists ill-will, but they are a small minority. Most people who *see* you will not wilfully do you harm. The chances of safe passage are greatest if you are seen. Jere M. Marrs Tektronix, Inc. ihnp4!tektronix!tekcrl!tekgvs!jerem
darryl@ISM780.UUCP (09/12/85)
[] One more note on headlight modulators: I believe that installing one (*any* one) on your late model BMW will void your warranty. Seems that they tend to interfere with the ignition system and cause problems with the diode board. (I don't claim to understand why). Sigh. --Darryl Richman, INTERACTIVE Systems Corp. ...!cca!ima!ism780!darryl The views expressed above are my opinions only.
pulver@allegra.UUCP (Mark Pulver) (09/12/85)
I saw an article in some cycle mag. (name unknown) a few years ago about these flashing units. These flasher slowly oscillate your high beam from full bightness to lower level, never off. Most units have a (daylight) brightness meter, so the brighter the day, the larger the amplitude to the oscillation. At night the unit would be off. The article said that in their tests at intersections, drivers could not avoid noticing the cycles with the pulsing head light. In many states (and provinces in Canada) these units are illegal, because headlight laws say that a headlights must have a constant brightness. -- Mark Pulver watmath!watvlsi!pulver (U of W VLSI Group, Waterloo, Ont, Canada) on loan to AT&T Bell Labs as pulver@allegra
hall@ittral.UUCP (Doug Hall) (09/13/85)
In article <692@ihu1g.UUCP> rls@ihu1g.UUCP (r.l. schieve) writes: >... >I have been told by others that these circuits are available. >Are these high beam flashers really legal? My bike riding >experience has always been to keep a low profile an not annoy >people in bigger vehicles. > >Any comments or similar experiences..... and are these flashers >legal??? > > Rick Schieve > ...ihnp4!ihu1g!rls They are legal, even if somewhat obnoxous, but the reason for them is quite good. You're much more likely to see a rider during the day if his headlight is on, and supposedly a blinking headlight is even more visible. I'm not convinced, but I've seen a lot of them lately... maybe that's the idea....? Anyway, I don't want one on my bike. If they can't see a quartz halogen headlight then blinking it from high to low beam probably won't help much. What do you think? Doug Hall ITT Telecom Raleigh NC ittatc!ittral!hall
langet@ecn-pc.UUCP (Timothy Lange) (09/13/85)
I seem to remember an issue of AMA that said a new federal
law/ordinance was passed that allowed headlight modulators to be
used during daylight in all states. Harley-Davison is equiping
their machines with modulators as standard equipment and was the
prime mover to make modulators legal. I use one, and it sure is
nice to see people look (I mean LOOK) at me from crossstreets
before they pull out. Like other posters said, it gets them out
of their dream state and back to matters at hand.
--
Tim Lange Engineering Business Offices
317-494-5338 Rm 120 Engineering Administration Bldg.
Purdue University West Lafayette, IN 47907
{decvax|harpo|ihnp4|inuxc|seismo|ucbvax}!pur-ee!langetayers@convexs.UUCP (09/13/85)
>I have been told by others that these circuits are available. >Are these high beam flashers really legal? In some states, yes -- in some states, no. And in some states they were pushed as "the answer" (to the question of being seen) by the authorities, and then made illegal because they pissed off so many motorists... blues, II (Sincerity -- I can fake that...)
turner@saber.UUCP (D'arc Angel @ The Houses of the Holy) (09/14/85)
> In article <692@ihu1g.UUCP> rls@ihu1g.UUCP (r.l. schieve) writes: > >While driving to work (into the sun) Friday morning I was > >surprized to notice glare in my rear view mirror from the > >cycle behind me. > ....determined from the reflection > >off the back of other cars and signs that the bikes low beam > >was on and the bright beam was flashing on and off at about > >a half second rate. > > > >I have been told by others that these circuits are available. > >Are these high beam flashers really legal? > > > that would be obnoxious. I know of no commercial device that does this. > > The legality of the *LOW BEAM* modulators has been an issue in > several states, but I believe that has been resolved. It is legal here > in Oregon. I recently took my motorcycle written test in CA and yes it is legal here during the day -- god bless Lily St. Cyr -Rocky Horror Picture Show Name: James Turner Mail: Saber Technology, 2381 Bering Drive, San Jose, California 95131 AT&T: (408) 945-9600 x75 UUCP: ...{decvax,ucbvax}!decwrl!saber!turner ...{amd,ihnp4,ittvax}!saber!turner
JOHN@NCSUVM.BITNET (09/16/85)
Hey Doug,
What about those 200 watt Quartz HELLA's that I've got on the
front of my bike.. I can't use them during the day, but if I blink
them at night you know I'm coming thru....
John DeBoskey ( That's ME! )
John@NCSUVM.BITNET
PS... How do you like your NEW? ( a few months old ) bike?..
!!??.. I'm not responsible for my words, only my mind ..??!!
.. Oh NO! your mode of life will be changed to EBCDIC!! ..shilo@t4test.UUCP (Shilo Jennings) (09/17/85)
> From: gadfly@ihuxn.UUCP (Gadfly) > Date: 11 Sep 85 14:28:10 GMT > > just can't see anything else on the road but cars. If it were > up to me, I'd reverse the law, so that every car driver needed > a cycle license first, and a year's experience on a bike to boot, > before graduating to those multi-ton death machines. Maybe then > they'd have some awareness that there are other types of vehicles > on the road. Ah, but I'm dreaming. Yes,but you are not alone! I've been trying to convince Someone of that for years!! Maybe we could start a petition!? Even a month it definitely would make those pinheads more aware of what is going on in the world outside their little cage! Inattention is the major cause of accidents, so wake up, little cage drivers!!!!!!!!! And now a word from our sponsers... -scj-
animal@ihlpa.UUCP (D. Starr) (09/17/85)
*do not polish your engine with your tongue. Excessive aluminum in the diet has been linked to Alzheimer's disease. * In a recent article, Rick Schieve desribed an unsettling experience: > While driving to work (into the sun) Friday morning I was > surprized to notice glare in my rear view mirror from the > cycle behind me. It was very annoying and distracting and > I was glad to be passed farther down the road. I followed > the bike for several miles and determined from the reflection > off the back of other cars and signs that the bikes low beam > was on and the bright beam was flashing on and off at about > a half second rate. I pulled next to the biker at a light > and told him his light must have a problem (though I suspected > otherwise). He responed that it was suposed to be that way. > I told him my opinion of the system and that I hoped he got > a ticket for driving with his brights on. > I have been told by others that these circuits are available. What you encountered was a headlight modulator. They are manufactured and sold by a number of companies. What they are supposed to do is flash the high beam at an attention-getting rate during daylight and thereby reduce the chance of front-end collisions. > Are these high beam flashers really legal? Thanks to a recent DOT ruling, they are now legal nationwide (assuming they meet the DOT standard). There is also a good chance that they will become standard equipment if statistics show they really do contribute to safety. > My bike riding > experience has always been to keep a low profile an not annoy > people in bigger vehicles. There are too many nuts out there > that get a kick out of watching a biker have to slam on the > brakes. The "low profile" theory of bike safety assumes that a significant number of the car pointers (I hesitate to call them drivers) are actively out to get you. This is a convenient operating assumption; however, the majority are really just oblivious to your presence. They don't deliberately set out to push you off the road; they're just half asleep or thinking about getting to work on time or who really shot J. R. The "conspicuity" theory, upon which the headlight modulator is based, says that it's best to make sure they see you, even if the method is a trifle annoying. > Weaving though traffic and taking advantage of your > small size when riding gets people mad. It sure does. It's also illegal in Illinois, regardless of whether your headlight is flashing. > I saw other drivers > adjusting mirrors to avoid the flashing high beam and I think > they were as annoyed as I was and all it takes is one crazy > driver. In the next ten million drivers you will encounter in the oncoming lane, there will be perhaps one homicidal maniac who will consider having a head-on with you because your light is flashing. There will also be about three million who will happily make a left turn right across your path because they didn't notice the motorcycle. > Any comments or similar experiences..... and are these flashers > legal??? > > Rick Schieve > ...ihnp4!ihu1g!rls I've seen them in traffic quite a bit, and haven't been particularly annoyed. Perhaps the one you saw had his headlight mis-aimed (up at traffic instead of at the road). This is remarkably common among bikes (which aren't ridden at night all that much), and can be *very* annoying, whether flashing or not. Additional information on headlight modulators: The idea isn't new at all. Most experienced bikers will flash the brights at oncoming traffic that seems to be a little to oblivious. The Illinois law that requires daylight use of headlights is based on the same idea of forcing the motorist to notice the bike. The same idea has given us reflectorized vests, side marker lights, front running lights and the new eye-level brake light required on cars. Several states legalized headlight modulators back in the 70's. The insurance industry opposed them, claiming that the flashing might trigger seizures in borderline epileptics, and that people might try to run them at night. The Feds kept out of the dispute for a long time, leaving the whole affair in limbo. This year, after length hearings and lobbying from the AMA (the bikers, not the doctors), the DOT ruled that headlight modulators would be legal, and put forth standards for flash rate (too fast to induce seizures) and daylight-only operation (a light sensor is required in the unit). Given the general gadget-frenzy of the American bike market, it is likely that the top-of-the-line touring bikes (the ones with digital instruments, direction finders, trip computers, etc.) will sprout headlight modulators as factory options for the '87 season. Whether the things actually help reduce accidents will not be known until a significant number of bikes equipped with them are out on the roads, of course. In the meantime I'm sticking with a loud horn and lots of caution. Dan Starr
mcgeer@ucbvax.ARPA (Rick McGeer) (09/18/85)
I'm considering buying a motorcycle for commuting in and around Berkeley, California. I don't think I'll ever have it out on the freeway. Now. I'm ignorant. My wife, family, and friends have all unanimously urged me not to do it. The claim is that it's dangerous. Is this really true? Statistically, are there more fatal or (worse) crippling injuries from motorcycles than automobiles? Can you reduce your chances by any or all of: headlight modulators, paranoia, helmets, leathers, boots and gloves? How would you rank these, and other factors, in terms of safety enhancement? (that is, critical to merely helpful?) Should I start off on a 250-450, or a larger bike? And are there any driving techniques, other than a general "be paranoid" that measurably improve your chances of survival? BTW, I'm going to take a Motorcycle Safety Federation course in either October or November. Stayin' Alive, Rick.
evincent@oberon.UUCP (Eric Vincent) (09/19/85)
In his article posted 18 Sept 1985, Rick McGeer raised some very good questions that many of those who are interested in starting to ride motorcycles ask. I thought I would offer my feelings on some of them: First, most new riders say they don't intend to ride on the freeways, but in time, you will. Your family, friends and associates who say that riding is dangerous are simply simply expressing a feeling that most non-riders have about motorcycles. To a certain extent, they are right. Therein lies a basic obstacle that all riders should confront. You really need to accept the fact that riding a motorcycle puts you in a more suseptible position for an accident or injury. What counters the argument against riding is the amount of freedom and plain fun you can get from it. Riding a motorcycle requires a few different techniques from those of driving a car, but primarily, riding a motorcycle demands that you concentrate on the same skills you use in driving a car. One of these is concentration in itself. Unlike a car driver who can blithely roll down the road, unaware of 90 percent of his/her surroundings, a motorcyclist must devote far more attention to his riding - part of which is watching out for the half dead car driver beside him. Finally, the last note about taking the Motorcycle Safety Foundation course is right on the mark. I have only praise for these programs, and so does everyone I have met who has taken them. This includes both the beginner rider course as well as the experienced rider course they offer. Take it easy, Eric Vincent Associate Editor, Free 2 Wheel Magazine Assistant, 'Centerstand', KPFK-FM Los Angeles (Opinions expressed are entirely my own)
ayers@convexs.UUCP (09/19/85)
> Now. I'm ignorant. My wife, family, and friends have all unanimously >urged me not to do it. The claim is that it's dangerous. Is this really true? > ...Can you reduce your chances by any or all of: >headlight modulators, paranoia, helmets, leathers, boots and gloves? How >would you rank these, and other factors, in terms of safety enhancement? (that >is, critical to merely helpful?) Qualifications to answer: I've been riding for 30 years (much of that time using a cycle as my _main_ means of transportation), and I'm not only still alive, but still love motorcycling. Answer (from most to least important): 1. Paranoia 2. boots 3. Paranoia 4. helmet 5. Paranoia 6. gloves 7. Paranoia 8. leathers 9. Paranoia 10. safety course 11. Paranoia 12. headlight modulators 13. Paranoia 14. Paranoia (get the drift?) Most of the above items will do you no good until (unless?) you have an accident. I have seen a few "dumb mistakes" on the part of bikers cause accidents (trying to do wheelies on ice comes to mind), but I've seen A LOT of accidents caused by people in their Belchfire 88's that "didn't see the bike." So you have to be ready, watchful, and still wear that protection (cause it's gonna happen -- it's just a matter of when). On second thought, move that safety course to #2... (And they said to me "You've lost your mind!" and I said "No I haven't, I just can't remember where I left it...") B~)B~)B~)B~)B~)B~)B~) B~) B~) B~)B~)B~)B~)B~) B~) B~) B~)B~)B~)B~)B~)B~)B~) B~) B~) B~) B~)B~)B~)B~) B~) B~) / B~) B~) B~) B~) B~)B~)B~)B~) B~) B~) / B~) B~) ;-)