Hey all,

I've been becoming more and more comfortable on my '02 GS-500, and have been riding out in traffic more often.

In fact, I just got back from my first trip on the freeway! (only from 1 exit to the next).

Anyway, my question to you... how should I deal with traffic lights? In my travels (for anyone from WA, I'm referring to Kirkland, near 124th and Willows, specifically) my experience has been that, unless there's a car directly in front of or behind me, traffic lights will not recognize me... period.

I've tried stopping at different places, moving around, but nothing works! It's becoming a big pain in the ass... trying to figure out how to get home around traffic lights that refuse to admit I exist! It's hard to plan a route taking all Rights!

Do you guys know of any serious tricks to convincing traffic lights I exist? You'd think the guys that program how the lights work would at least make sure any 1 particular light turns green ONCE in a while. After being skipped for 4 light rotations, I finally gave up

All the lights that are on sensors that I have encountered around here turn green on every third rotation for a brief period. If the designers in your area have overlooked making adaptations for motorcyclists I'd say write a letter, or several letters to your municipality or whomever could do something about it. I would think that it would only require a small adjustment in their program and it would make a lot of sense because I'm sure traffic piles up pretty extensively behind you. Until then you might have to pull over until you get a car or two infront of you then jump back in line.

There are a couple of things you can do:

1 - In this area, you can see in the asphalt where the wire loop is set in the road.  This is what triggers the light.  Try and get as much metal (and preferably the battery) directly over this wire in the road (keep your tires out of the oil).  If you don't trigger it, moving the bike a bit seems to help sometimes.

2 - Put the bike in neutral and take off your gloves to get something out of your zippered jacket pocket.  The traffic light will sense that you are not ready to go and turn green so you have to quickly put your gloves on and get going again.

(just kidding)

3 - You can place a good sized magnet on your centerstand (or somewhere on the lower regions of the bike).  This will also help trigger the lights.

When I was younger I had a girlfriend that liked to make out at no-trigger lights...  My how times have changed.

for me... theres lines in the road before the lights... like breaks in the concrete... i wait 2 cycles then I run that shaZam!.


pulled over once.. explained... look im on the bik,e the signal didnt pick me up....


he was like wtf ever let me follow you home....

Quote from: syphonDo you guys know of any serious tricks to convincing traffic lights I exist? You'd think the guys that program how the lights work would at least make sure any 1 particular light turns green ONCE in a while. After being skipped for 4 light rotations, I finally gave up

What won't work is flashing your lights or waving your arms.  They detect you by either gross weight or by a magnetic sensor, depending on design, but all should have a visible seam in the asphalt where they were put in.  Around here they're either circles on the pavement, or two rectangles side by side.  If you stop right in the middle of them and they don't trigger, then writing the letter or contacting your local government is the best advice.  People before me in California have done so, which is why I rarely have to deal with this problem.  Remember, you'll be helping out other MC'ists  by doing so.  

Good luck, and be very careful with the reds you do go against.

I know what you guys are talking about... with the lines in the road.

However, the couple lights right by my house don't seem to have these. I rocked my bike back and forth all over looking for them, and it did no good.

This only becomes an issue when I'm out riding at night, or any other time there's not much traffic. If a car comes up behind me, the sensor will catch the car, and I'm good to go. If I'm at the light by myself.... I may as well not exist.

There was a thread on this earlier. The most notable suggestions were to get your bike over the coil, rev your engine to above 4000rpm or to turn your bike off and then restart it.

Give it a shot.

There is probably a law that allows you to go (on red) if the signal has gone two cycles without giving you a green.  'Course that doesn't help if there isn't a break in traffic...but that's most likely not a problem at night.  Otherwise, make sure you're not in the middle of the lane, and try revving the engine like alpha says.

There have been a couple of times where I've just found a differnent track (i.e., turn right, then U-turn) when left-turn signals don't see me, but usually I can scoot through.

I've only stopped at a light that didn't change one time, I waited forever then a car came behind me and it changed, I guess I got lucky. the sensors in the bike lane were starting to look pretty good.

run it usually..if safe

if its day and there are too many cars to run it...then wait till a car comes up behind you...should be fine.

Quote from: AlphaFire X5rev your engine to above 4000rpm or to turn your bike off and then restart it. quote]

I was going to say this but wasn't sure if it only worked for me or not...  I've definitely noticed that a quick rev or two will help trigger the lights.  Maybe it increases the magnetic field you are making?

Quote from: V8Pinto

Quote from: AlphaFire X5rev your engine to above 4000rpm or to turn your bike off and then restart it.

I was going to say this but wasn't sure if it only worked for me or not...  I've definitely noticed that a quick rev or two will help trigger the lights.  Maybe it increases the magnetic field you are making?

I'm not sure wether it's magnetic field or electric field. Either way they behave in similar manners. It should work, though.

Most lights turning your engine off and then back on creates enough of a magnetic feild to cycle the light. I have also tried the rev to 4000 and it seems to work but is not as reliable as re-starting   That seems to work every time.

Everyone find your local (motorcycle hater intersection) on a slow Sunday w/ no cars and test out both options and report back  

Quote from: AlphaFire X5There was a thread on this earlier.

And another thread where I pointed to a recent WA bill.  And more.  Search...

I've tried revving the engine up to 5500rpm, and it doesn't seem to work for me... at least in the severa; ocassions I've tried it.
I usually wait for a car to pull behind me, but if not, then I usually end up running the light in the second cycle.

Back when I took the MSF, I was told to do exactly that, and if a cop were to stop me, explain and that they would understand.

One of my MRC BRC instructors was a sheriff. He said if you are sitting at a red light a long time to just go ahead and run it, if it is safe to do so.

He said no cop would ticket you if you had to run the light.

You can always get off your bike, go push the button, and then go get back on.

Quote from: orlan5...You can always get off your bike, go push the button, and then go get back on.

actually, is not as simple as it sounds... have you tried going to neutral after riding for at least 20 minutes? (or when the engine is very hot)... it's almost impossible!  :x

Well, revving my engine and even re-starting did nothing.

Sometimes it's hard for me to get into neutral, but not because the engine is hot, I rode today for 20 min or more and i got into neutral fine.

Quote from: orlan5One of my MRC BRC instructors was a sheriff. He said if you are sitting at a red light a long time to just go ahead and run it, if it is safe to do so.

He said no cop would ticket you if you had to run the light.

Can I have his number in case I do get a ticket!!!!   :mrgreen: