Headlight Modulator ???

[Anonymous]

I would like to install a headlight modulator on my 1980 GS850GT. Has anyone done this already? How did it work out? I am planning on using a Kisan plug in modulator.

Let me know how it works for you.

Thanks,
Terry

[Redman]

I had one years ago (not brand/model you mentioned). It had a main box and a handle bar mounted unit with the switch to select the mode and a push button.
I didnt leave it in the continous mode, but would use it in the mode where it operated for a few seconds when I hit the button, say, when approaching an interection with other traffic. I thought it was usefull.

Maybe its not a good idea to wire it in where it effects both hi & low beam. Mine would sometimes start flashing on its own sometimes (like when shifting - changing rpm, maybe due to voltage change). But maybe they are differernt and better these days and dont do that. That was real annoying at night, had to switch to the other beam weiter I wanted to or not, would not have that option if wired in before the hi-lo switch. You mentioned "plug in" so maybe this isnt a concern.

I crashed up the handlebar mounted unit, then took the whole thing off the bike before I sold the bike. Did not put it on my current bike, other reason I didnt is its hard to mount the thing on an naked bike like mine. The main box is about 3.5-4 inches by 2- 2.5 inches. Maybe new ones are smaller these days. Hey, like a "plug in" unit . . . .

Overall, I thought it was usefull, I know a lot of drivers at intersections stared at me rather than just a short glance in my direction. Maybe I would get another one if it was easier to install . . like, maybe, a "plug in" unit . . .

So I am saying that the modulator was efective, but I cant say anything about the particulars of the specific brand/model you mentioned.

[Anonymous]

I have the Kisan plug-in unit on my wife's Kawasaki ZR-7S. It works just as advertised. It only operates on high-beam, and only when the sensor sees enough daylight. It has been entirely reliable. I'm running a competitors product (Visipath) on my GS1100EX. It operates in the same fashion, but takes an extra five minutes to install because it doesn't simply plug in. No cutting of wires or soldering required. On the GS, I notice that my taillamp and front running lights modulate very slightly, too. I'd ascribe that to the dodgy electrical systems on the old Suzukis: There's more juice available when the headlamp modulates off, so the other GS lamps brighten. I bought both modulators on Ebay, for 50-60% of MSRP including shipping.

Several people over the past two years (my direction or opposing) have pulled to the curb as I approached. Many of those people had aggressively pulled out from driveways or sidestreets without properly assessing what was coming down the road, and clearly feared they had jetted out into the path of an emergency vehicle. Mostly, I notice people noticing me more. Traffic all around me seems to slow down about 10kmh. This is not a bad thing, because most traffic would otherwise be zooming past at 30kmh over the limit (causing me to constantly be in someone's blind spot in a city where signalling your intention to aggressively change lanes is not considered necessary). I am especially comforted in two situations: Approaching intersections or riding undivided single-lane highways where folks pull out to pass without checking for oncoming two-wheelers.

I've considered the value of various brakelamp modulators, but they're not legal here. So far, I've installed a red LED panel as an auxillary brakelamp on my wife's 7S. In this way, a lamp lights instead of simply getting brighter when braking. I retained the stock tail/brakelamp, of course. If you're interested, this post shows that installation with photos. http://www.riderforums.com/showthrea...led+brake+lamp I'll likely repeat that process on the GS by mounting a similar LED panel on the rear of my luggage rack.

[mcycle-nut]

I've considered the value of various brakelamp modulators, but they're not legal here.

Really? I know a women with one on her BMW. I wonder if she knows? It sure grabs your attention! 8O