Kisan Headlight Modulator May Have Saved My Bacon

[Chilly Willy]

and my dog food too.  I live in a fairly small town about 20 miles from a strip mall / big box store town.  Was out of dog food, so I hopped on the bike and rode over to Petsmart.  On the way back home, I was cruising through an intersection following a stream of cars (light was still green) when an older gent began to turn left in front of me.  I flipped on the modulator, his wife grabbed his arm, and they screeched to a halt.  I then zipped around them and headed on home.

I know that some people think that the headlight modulators are annoying, over-priced pieces of crud, but I do believe that it helped me avoid a potentially nasty accident yesterday.  I think I will make riding with it on a habit--and continue to use my defensive driving skills.

Chilly Willy

[jpmire]

I had that same situation happen to me the other day. Unfortunately the old man didn't stop and cut out in front of me while looking in his rearview mirror to see if I was going to hit him. Thank goodness a smart man once invented the BRAKE. I found it funny that he was looking at me. Anyway that modulator sounds like it worked. Is it the one that flashes nonstop?

[Chilly Willy]

Pretty much.  It has a daylight sensor on it so that you can ride with steady high beams during the night.  I'm beginning to see what other posters have meant when they say "assume you're invisible." 

[pandy]

Yeah.....ya' absolutely gotta ride like no one sees you...cuz they can be looking right at you and not see you. 

[starwalt]

This just reinforces my idea that everyone -- EVERYONE capable -- should have to have motorcycle training before getting a conventional driver's license.

Start in high school... that's where the greatest risk is.

What about currently licensed drivers?  Make them take a two hour ride with a m/c Highway Patrolman or m/c City Policeman.

Hey, it couldn't hurt and just might help increase awareness.

Otherwise we have to assume we are invisible. This is just because a cager's visual clues of the surroundings are tuned to big objects. They see what they expect to see. You headlight modulator was unexpected. Sounds like a testimonial to me! Maybe you can get 15 minutes of fame from the maker?