Being that I live in Miami and people don't exactly follow the rules, I had this idea to install a couple of lights that could serve two purposes:
1.) Very noticeable hazard lights for those situations when I have to break hard and fast and there are still people behind me coming up very quickly...
2.) "Get off my ass" lights for people who seem intent on tailgating me.
I've installed the lights and plan on installing them on a strobe circuit (fast pulse on and off) and a separate switch right next to my horn. I haven't yet done this (although the lights are mounted).
I wanted to get some opinions:
Here's a picture of the lights installed (off):
(http://www.matosconsulting.com/gstwins/lightsoff.jpg)
And here they are ON (this was taken with no flash):
(http://www.matosconsulting.com/gstwins/lightson.jpg)
I've spoken with some buddies here and they loved the idea (forgetting about the legalities) for getting the tailgaters off - but they don't ride bikes. I wanted to get some honest opinions from you guys.
I guess I should note that although the lights are definitely visible from side angles, they are only uncomfortable to look at from directly head on (they are LEDs) so if I'm flashing a tailgater, they won't be disturbing the people in other lanes.
do not use a strobe with them, that can be considered impersonating a emergency vehicle and you dont want one of those fines... I dunno set a switch so when you press the break really hard they come on? just make it so it doesnt strobe. awesome idea though
I huge problem with that is, certain people have very sensitive eyes, or other problems when they see bright lights (my friend seizures). This can cause many problems. On the other hand, certain stupid drivers may deserve it.......
This is not a good idea. The last thing you want to do is blind a car that is tailgating you on a motorcycle. If the worst happens, then all you've done is given the driver a legitimate excuse for why they aren't liable for hitting you
Tailgaters suck, but there is little you can do to change the behavior of other drivers on the road. Just pull to the side and let them pass, or pull to the side and phone their tag number in to the local precinct
I've thoght about doing something simmilar and I probally will on my car, but on a bike I'm not so sure. If someone won't back off after you tap your brakelight a few times, then this will probally just piss them off and make them tailgate you more.
I always try to change lanes or if not possible, just pull over to let a tailgater by. Your life isn't worth it.
Cool idea but the risk of it backfiring is too great.
I thought about the seizure thing too, so if I DID do a strobe, it wouldn't be super fast. I guess maybe twice as fast as the blinkers.
I do understand the sensitivity to light though...that's kind of the point, they'd have to back off so it doesn't bother them. But you're right, that could make me liable for "blinding" them and then hitting me.
I'm thinking I could repaint the LEDs red (or yellow...or both and have them alternate flash yellow/red) which would make them less bright...and legal. Thoughts?
make the LED's RED. also its not a big for people with sensitive eyes. because HID lights in all the new high end cars are much worse than your little LED's so that excuse is out the window and if someones eyes are the sensitive well maybe they should not be driving at night? what about when they drive about cop cars? do they have seizures? so that excuse is out the widow too because there is always cops out and they have crazy bright stobing lights.
There are standards regarding how intense rear running lights and brakes lights can be. I don't know the candela ratings off the top of my head, and I can't find the numbers right now. Nice idea tho.
check with your state vehicle codes. they vary from state to state these are free to DL on the web from every state. if you cant find them call your local police depo. they can point you in the right direction of where to find these codes
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmcsrruletext.asp?rule_toc=777§ion=571.108§ion_toc=2075 (http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmcsrruletext.asp?rule_toc=777§ion=571.108§ion_toc=2075)
Everything you ever wanted to know about vehicle lighting. Vehicle standards are regulated nationaly. Nice idea, but it wont fly in the eyes of the law. Cops are very aware of lighting laws.
Great link Jarrett! Thank you.
I made a decision.
I'm going to make them red, and install this:
http://www.comagination.com/bflasher.htm
(Actually, I bought the combo headlight modulator and flasher together).
Thanks for the feedback!
With all the old folks driving around FL, this might not be such a bad idea, even if it is illegal. I've heard some horror stories. "Old man kills 6 people at a swap meet. Mixed up the gas and the brake." I say do whatever you think will keep you the most safe on the road. I usually go about 10-15mph faster than the average speed of traffic. I feel more comfortable overtaking than riding with. Most traffic laws were not made up with the motorcyclist in mind anyway. :cheers:
good deal show us a little video clip when its all done.
Yeah know that's not a bad idea, I can see your point of view...think we all can. I had a ladie in a suv, imagine that! Almost rearend me yesterday, the person infront of me stalled out at a light, I saw it and stopped, I guess the suv driver was to busy to pay attention and almost sandwhiched me. I used my God given "get of my azz" finger. But the lights, go for em if that's what you want! Post some pics when you get em on.
If someones tailgaiting me i either blast off into the distance till im a fair distance away then i slow down, alternativly i go dead slow and wait for them to overtake me, if they do, follow them and flash them then back off. If they don't overtake then you will have suceeded in pissing them off. Im not suggesting you try this, but my first motorcycle accident when i was 16 was a car seeing L plates on my motorcycle after tailgating me down a very twisty road where he cudn't over take. Soons as the road opend up to a junction he overtook me and basically forced me off the road because the road met a junction on a 90 degree corner and there was no where for me to go, he never stopped he sped off and left me in the road. BTW this wasn't some young kid in a suped up banger, this was an older guy 30's at least in a pretty expensive car.