I have a question. What do you do when the sensors at a stoplight don't recognize that you are there? There are two main ones on my daily commute that do not sense me, and I'm wondering what you do, and what is legal.
The first is the freeway on-ramp. It's 2 lanes, alternating which gets the green light. If I am in the front of the line and scoot as far forward as possible and there's another car behind me, I will usually get the green. But if I'm solo or it is being a Buddha Loves You (like this morning) it won't give me the green. So the car next to me got the green first, then I'm ready to go, but the left lane gets it again and I got skipped. So I just hit it as if it was my turn. The car next to me seemed to know what was up because she didn't go. But what is the right thing to do there? The first time it happened, I sat there for 5 cycles not knowing what to do. I finally just went.
The other one is on the way home from AutoZone. I need to take a left at a light onto the busy street. The light on the side street never changes unless there is a car there. So I have sat there for what felt like 30 minutes, just waiting for my green. Finally I said "eff it" and backed up (no cars behind me), moved over and took a right. So I had to go around a bunch of blocks just to get home. It was stupid.
So what is the correct way to handle this? Besides running reds and jumping up and down on the sensor until it recognizes your presence. :x :roll:
Dave :cheers:
Those sennsors work on a metal detection basis. This has happened to me before at times, but my father told me about it happening before I started riding. I run them only if it's safe, otherwise I'll take the long way around. Nothing wrong with the long way, either. It's just more time to ride!
Basically you can't do anything, unless you want to laden your bike down with a hundred pounds or so worth of metal. (Maybe that's why the Harley guys get the green more often than I do...)
accordign to ODOT it is faulty equipment. after enough cycles that you have determined that it isn't functioning correctly treat it as a 4 way stop and proceed. also it is important to file a report that the light is faulty so that you CYA incase one of those carnie SP fags tries to ticket you. when did they start putting lights on on ramps? :mrgreen: just split up them and go.
Quote from: AlphaFire X5
Basically you can't do anything, unless you want to laden your bike down with a hundred pounds or so worth of metal. (Maybe that's why the Harley guys get the green more often than I do...)
Or I could just date a fat chi...never mind.
Dave :cheers:
no you have to get one with lots of piercings...
Or one who has been in a lot of accidents. A little titanium plate here, some pins there, throw in some steel rods for good measure...she's resilient AND will trip the sensors for me.
Dave :cheers:
Several other ways to deal with this, and there are pressure sensitive plates that are triggers as well.
1. Stop the bike over the foremost left corner of the loop (the octagon cut in the pavement).
2. Rev the motor so the alternator generates a larger magentic anomoly (about 4000 rpm on most bikes).
3. Lower the sidestand (gear in neutral) over the foremost left corner of the loop.
4. If you're not in a rush, and it's a busy time of the day, I'll wait for a car to pull in behind me to trigger the light.
5. If the lights cycle twice, it can then be treated as a four-way stop, proceed when safe (I prefer to do this when there is no cars near at all...in any direction).
6. Dismount, run over and push the pedestrian button.
7. Find a different route.
For on ramps, just time it like you did. I just recently read in the Friction Zone magazine (free) that it is illegal to split the light (but it doesn't say you can't split up to the light :mrgreen: , I'd even be tempted to split and then piggyback a car that gets the light :mrgreen: ).
There's one on my onramp that doesn't change for me and after a few days of waiting, I just go now. I don't even bother slowing down anymore. I think they finally turn off the light at 8 pm or so. But I should file a complaint because a blatent disregard for it is asking for a ticket. :( I'm not even sure why they put on there, there's rarely ever a wait, maybe between the hours of 4:00 - 6:00 and that's pushing it. The most cars ever there in line have been 5. :dunno: It also doesn't even lead into the actual freeway. I don't know what it's called, but the actual freeway is about a mile down.
Never tried this I wonder if it would work? :dunno:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Traffic-Red-Stop-Light-CHANGER-ALL-MAKES-Motorcycles_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ34284QQitemZ4577150098QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW
Anyone ever try one?
For those in WA:
http://www.leg.wa.gov/pub/billinfo/2005-06/Htm/Bill%20Reports/Senate/1466.SBR.htm
Did it die in Committee?
The report says it was signed, and took effect on Sep. 1st. :dunno:
Well, that's good since I do it anyway...
Now we need lane sharing and I'll stop worrying about getting pulled over for things other than speeding. :mrgreen:
QuoteIf a motorcyclist approaches a left turn intersection controlled by a triggered traffic control signal using a vehicle detection device, and that signal is inoperative due to the size of the motorcycle, the motorcyclist must come to a complete stop. If the turn signal fails to operate after one cycle, the motorcyclist may proceed to turn left after exercising due care.
OK, so what qualifies as "one cycle". What if you sit and sit and sit, with the lights around you never changing (as in the example I gave earlier of the side street I take and turn onto a busy road)
I am guessing one cycle would mean at an intersection, every light but yours changes. But at a busy light, you would never have a chance to go because even if you waited one cycle, cars would always either be going straight or turning in front of you. Oh boy, this is tricky :?
Dave :cheers:
Quote from: RoadstergalFor those in WA:
Lots of other cool stuff going on too... :?
http://www.leg.wa.gov/wsladm/billinfo1/billsearch.cfm?Searchterm=Motorcycle
Quote from: leoThere's one on my onramp that doesn't change for me and after a few days of waiting, I just go now.
A few days? That's some commitment...I would have given up after a couple of minutes, tops. ;)
Quote from: BadgerQuote from: leoThere's one on my onramp that doesn't change for me and after a few days of waiting, I just go now.
A few days? That's some commitment...I would have given up after a couple of minutes, tops. ;)
:lol: :lol:
I once lived in a complex with a vehicle-sensing exit gate, there was a flyer that was sent around to residents that explained the 'procedure' if you had a motorcycle that didn't open the gate. It recommended that you grab the metal trash can lid off the can conveniently located next to the exit and drop it on the sensor to activate the gate. It included a "please return the lid to it's proper location" reminder. I'm fairly certain that this was the only purpose for the trash can.
Quote from: BadgerQuote from: leoThere's one on my onramp that doesn't change for me and after a few days of waiting, I just go now.
A few days? That's some commitment...I would have given up after a couple of minutes, tops. ;)
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: I was trying to be like Forest Gump, but I got really hungry.
Quote from: BadgerQuote from: leoThere's one on my onramp that doesn't change for me and after a few days of waiting, I just go now.
A few days? That's some commitment...I would have given up after a couple of minutes, tops. ;)
"I haven't slept for ten days... because that would be too long. " :lol:
The sensors are not PRESSURE SENSATIVE... They work by magnetic feilds generated by your engine.
There are devices they sell to generate enough signal for a bike
Most times if I shut my bike off and re-start it, that works.
Scott, do an experiment and rev up to 4000rpms to see if the light will change for you, please? Just for a second.
A friend of mine told me to drop kick-stand and lean it over...
Nothing works for a few lights in Georgetown... That place is just broken.
So, I think a good way would be to get a nice sized speaker magnet (5-8" maybe), and stick that somewhere on the bottom of your bike. They seem to have a large field. I have to walk way around my computer (like 5 feet) when I pass by, or the screen will go buzzy. <-- BAD
I don't think it needs to be strong, just big. I have some harddrive magnets, and they hold up almost 10lbs, but outside of 2 inches, theres no pull.
Less then a foot from the ground, it would seem to me, that this would be a sure way (if it works) to avoid that problem. I wonder (not haveing a bike yet) if theres a good spot to stick one.
Quote from: NightRyderSo, I think a good way would be to get a nice sized speaker magnet (5-8" maybe), and stick that somewhere on the bottom of your bike. They seem to have a large field. I have to walk way around my computer (like 5 feet) when I pass by, or the screen will go buzzy. <-- BAD
I don't think it needs to be strong, just big. I have some harddrive magnets, and they hold up almost 10lbs, but outside of 2 inches, theres no pull.
Less then a foot from the ground, it would seem to me, that this would be a sure way (if it works) to avoid that problem. I wonder (not haveing a bike yet) if theres a good spot to stick one.
Hmmm...I work for a speaker manufacturer, and we have these magnets all over the warehouse from defective returns...
Anyone know about this? If that would work, I can try and get these mailed out to anyone who wanted one.
Dave :cheers:
You could try it out I guess... Find a light and try to trip it on foot by placing the magnets about 6" from the ground.
Yeah, someone try. If not, whenever/if ever, I get a bike, I'll be sure to try that.
I got one. It is 5" across and 1.5" tall. How and where should I mount it? Will it just stick to the frame?
It might stick, but you REALLY don't want it falling off and mussing with your rear-type-stuff.
Are there any holes in it?
Can you make holes in it?
Metal hose clams or wire it on.
Something tells me that it's a little HUGE though... :dunno:
There's a hole through the center. If it's too big, we have smaller ones. I'll staple it on the frame ;)
dave :cheers:
I dunno man...
I'd try it without the bike first... You really don't want that thing flying off while you're riding down the highway.
Some sort of electromagnet on the bottom of the bike might be cool.
http://my.execpc.com/~rhoadley/magdcem.htm
If you could get the right set up to trip a light, wire it up to a button on the bars and when your stuck just push it.
Quote from: kvgsSome sort of electromagnet on the bottom of the bike might be cool.
http://my.execpc.com/~rhoadley/magdcem.htm
If you could get the right set up to trip a light, wire it up to a button on the bars and when your stuck just push it.
Damn, you're a super-genius.
Assuming a magnet will actually work as expected.
Here's my question... Same weight and size of a normal magnet VS electromagnet... Which picks up more? Does it depend on the amount of power from the battery?
How long could you leave it on before it got too hot and died?
I have no idea on the detail of how it would work, someone would have to do some experimenting. Maybee coil a ton of wire around part of the lower frame and hook the up to the battery and see what happens, my bike currently isnt here or else id try. Next time im home......
Quote from: 2005-GS500-PDXThere's a hole through the center. If it's too big, we have smaller ones. I'll staple it on the frame
It should stick to the steel frame, but you could zip tie it to keep it in place.
Quote from: RVertigoAssuming a magnet will actually work as expected.
Here's my question... Same weight and size of a normal magnet VS electromagnet... Which picks up more? Does it depend on the amount of power from the battery?
How long could you leave it on before it got too hot and died?
shaZam!, don't ask me.
Quote from: scratchQuote from: 2005-GS500-PDXThere's a hole through the center. If it's too big, we have smaller ones. I'll staple it on the frame
It should stick to the steel frame, but you could zip tie it to keep it in place.
You could always sew it into a fabric sleeve or something, and leave holes in the sleeve to zip tie it on with.
Quote from: scratchzip tie
Zip Tie == Plastic... Melting bad.
aren't there some of those earth magnets that you can place on the bottom of the bike that'll trip the sensors? I remember reading about those somewhere, and I've heard they work. Plus they're supposed to stay put, even at high speeds. :dunno: But yeah, that happened to me once at an intersection, and after the light cycled twice without letting me go, I just made a right turn =P
Quote from: scratchScott, do an experiment and rev up to 4000rpms to see if the light will change for you, please? Just for a second.
Why? Have you tried that?
I have tried to rev the motor (mainly out of frustation waiting for the light :) .. havent noticed a diff. Not sure if I made it all the way to 4000 on the rev. But when I shut it off and restart... bingo, light changes :thumb:
My MSF Instructor told me about that :cheers:
Yes, and it worked for a couple of lights.