Must make my rear more visible

[ralphlong]

Reading some recent threads in this forum have convinced me that I simply must make myself more visible to people behind me as I sit at lights or in traffic.

As soon as possible I will be getting a white or bright colored helmet, and a hi viz jacket.

But I also want to make the rear of my bike stand out. Looking for suggestions on brighter brake lights, light flashers, additional lights, etc.

Bike is a Honda 919.

Thanks.

Ralph

[z9nine]

Light modulators for when the brake is applied, LED bulbs are more visible during the day, move around a bit on the bike while stopped, movement get noticed.

I tap my rear brake at stops to flash the light until the lights turns or some one stops behind me.

[Eye_m_no_angel]

A Panacea LED light system is very good, especialy if you use the LED turn signals as well.

If you don't want to spend that kind of money, think about a run-turn-brake controller and LED's, or, one step down, a run-turn-brake controller with the OEM filiment bulbs. Badlands makes one for under 200 bucks.

To keep it on the cheap, you can re-wire your rear turn signals to stay on as red running lights and also work as either additoinal brake lights or still owrk as turn signals.

You can also add as many marker lights as you please too.

[ralphlong]

Wow! Fast responses! Less than 5 minutes. Thanks Z and Eye.

I am actually looking for some kind of easy to install kit. is the run-turn-brake thing eye mentions a kit?

I can google them, but more info would be appreciated.

Ralph

[sanford]

I was also just thinking of painting my helmet white or buying another white, plus a high vis clothe's also.. every little tip helps I guess...

[RobMoore]

Start eating fast food for lunch.

[sanford]

Originally Posted by RobMoore

Start eating fast food for lunch.

KAR DAK license plate would be appropriate


photo by c.millan

[ralphlong]

I think this is what I am looking for:

http://www.hyperlites.com/stdsf.html

Anyone have any experience with this product?

Ralph

[sanford]

Originally Posted by ralphlong

I think this is what I am looking for:

http://www.hyperlites.com/stdsf.html

Anyone have any experience with this product?

Ralph

I saw them on the local motorcycle cop bike..was pretty impressive and sure
gets your attention

[Dodsfall]

The price is reasonable on those lights.

[markk53]

Last I knew, less than 5% of motorcycle accidents are rear enders and mostly people that I wouldn't trust to see anything meant to catch their attention.

That is not to say don't do what you plan to do.

That is meant to say stop to the left or right side of whatever lane you are in, pay attention to what traffic is doing behind you in your rear view mirror and know where you're going if you have to get the heck out of there. No amount of conspicuity stuff will catch the attention of someone really oblivious or really drunk. Count on yourself first, the rest second.

[ralphlong]

Good points Mark.

I do all the things you mentioned, but want to do more. The LA traffic is more intense than any I have ever ridding or driven in. And I have been to most of the major cities.

I want every advantage I can get.

Ralph

[Eye_m_no_angel]

Originally Posted by ralphlong

I think this is what I am looking for:

http://www.hyperlites.com/stdsf.html

Anyone have any experience with this product?

Ralph

I've installed Hyperlights, but I don't remember any particulars about exactly what product. I've installed more Badlands units and more Panacea systems, but I don't recall having any issues with any of the three manufacturers.

From what I just saw on the HL website they do offer a run-turn-brake. The price looks about right as compared to a Badlands unit, and maybe a little less expensive.

They probably install about the same way too. You either solder a few wire connections or use the splice taps. Everyone I have ever installed came with some pretty clear instructions as to what wire goes to what, so as long as you know how to connect wires the right way there's no real danger of effing up the installation.

Getting more light, or flashing light, or brighter light, on the back of your bike will definately help. But it's no gaurantee, of course.

[Bede5man]

Eat more chocolate; works on my wife's ass.

[Dodsfall]

Originally Posted by Bede5man

Eat more chocolate; works on my wife's ass.

I hope for your sake she doesn't read this.

[Dodsfall]

A hi-vis vest or jacket will help as well. As far as I'm concerned, you can never have too much visibility.

Like Eye_m_no_angel says, it's not a replacement for the old Mark I Eyeball and leaving yourself an escape route.

[markk53]

I'm thinking a yellow vest (actually International Orange is what most DOTs use, looks kinda yellowish) with a big DO NOT HIT ME! on the back would be about the most attention grabbing you can get. Other than that I think the blinking brake light thing is a good deal. A few decades ago there was some taxi cab testing of this sort of deal where as the brakes get put on the lights flash, going faster and faster as pressure increases until it goes solid. Reduced rear end collisions by like 60% or something. Knowing this as a rider you could sit there with the brakes on just enough to make it flash at some level.

I personally will sit with my brake off when a car is right behind and stopped. If vehicles are approaching me from behind I will pull the brake lever a few times giving some flash to indicate I am at a stop.

[LWRider]

I use the Tailblazer from Kisan Tech on my bike. It is very simple. It fits right into a 1157 socket and contains all the electronics in the base. It has a very small plug in replaceable bulb (I always keep a spare bulb on board). Step on the brake and the light flashes fast, then slows until finally it is solid. I feel much better with it back there. If I see in my mirror that a car is approaching and I am stopped at a light where the bulb has gone steady, I just release and reapply so the car coming up behind sees the flashing red light. Not expensive and no installation other than plugging it in: https://www.kisantech.com/index.php?cat_id=3

Cheers,

Mike

[ralphlong]

Originally Posted by LWRider

I use the Tailblazer from Kisan Tech on my bike. It is very simple. It fits right into a 1157 socket and contains all the electronics in the base. It has a very small plug in replaceable bulb (I always keep a spare bulb on board). Step on the brake and the light flashes fast, then slows until finally it is solid. I feel much better with it back there. If I see in my mirror that a car is approaching and I am stopped at a light where the bulb has gone steady, I just release and reapply so the car coming up behind sees the flashing red light. Not expensive and no installation other than plugging it in: https://www.kisantech.com/index.php?cat_id=3

Cheers,

Mike

So I guess chocolate or fast food are not needed, as suggested by others in this thread?

Too bad. I like chocolate.

Ralph

[spacejunkiehsv]

Originally Posted by ralphlong

Reading some recent threads in this forum have convinced me that I simply must make myself more visible to people behind me as I sit at lights or in traffic.

As soon as possible I will be getting a white or bright colored helmet, and a hi viz jacket.

But I also want to make the rear of my bike stand out. Looking for suggestions on brighter brake lights, light flashers, additional lights, etc.

Bike is a Honda 919.

Thanks.

Ralph

If you want a white helmet with a built in set of rear LED's, check out the GMAX GM68 helmet. I even have installed the the kit that changes it to a wireless brake light, in addition to the steady or two flashing modes. That brake light kit does not come with the helmet. It costs $30 or so extra.

You can get it in solid colors or different designs.

Vendor Link
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...T.ac=SLIsearch

Video Link

You Tube

[chet8625]

Originally Posted by ralphlong

I think this is what I am looking for:

http://www.hyperlites.com/stdsf.html

Anyone have any experience with this product?

Ralph

I installed those lights on my 2006 Softail. Installation was easy except for cramming all the wire and connectors into the brake light housing.

The video and ads on the site are a little misleading since I think the camera apperature closes in the dark and it makes the flash a lot brighter. In real life they aren't as bright but they are pretty good.

I have the brake and turn signal set with the brakes set to the California flash (4 flashes then steady). Not sure it's legal but I've had two Mass State Police behind me and they didn't bother me.

[sanford]

Well usually snows a lot in Canada gets real safe then,,,my putt putt is usually hibernating

Maybe just me but wearing a helmet with lights..come on it's not a Christmas toy run yet If a cager can not notice your rear lights a few more
will not wake them to attention ? I don't recall who it was but a wise rider said just move to the rural life.

[crankbait]

[iamjustifyd]

What is this that Badlands makes?
I turned my signals into running lights and added some bolts that light up as brake lights for the plate.

[Eye_m_no_angel]

Originally Posted by iamjustifyd

What is this that Badlands makes?
I turned my signals into running lights and added some bolts that light up as brake lights for the plate.

I think the run-turn-brake module from Badlands is called the "Illuminator." I'm not sure what they are called from other makers.

Basicaly, it takes your rear stop/run light and your rear turn signals and links them all together so that all 3 operate as running lights, all 3 operate as brake lights when you hit the brakes, AND both turn signals still work as turn signals. All while still using the OEM 1156 (single filament) bulb in the turn signals. It's a pretty neat system.

You could probably also wire your license plate bolt lights that you installed into the system to work as running, brake, and maybe turn signals as well. (Depending on what kind of light they use and where they are on the bike, of course.) That would be pretty trickish!

My guess is that most other makers' run-turn-brake modules work about the same way, but I've installed more of the Badlands units so I'm more familair with them.

[sanford]

You could ride a skinny bike

[Tdubb]

Originally Posted by sanford

You could ride a skinny bike

LOL I was thinking wearing a thong, but nobody wants to see that.

[Jeff10236]

I'm surprised only a few people have the same twisted sense of humor I do:

Must make my rear more visible

Lots of fried chicken, more beer, more burgers... I had to...


Anyway, in serious answer to your question, I think we need to work to make ourselves more visible in general, not just from behind. Probably our biggest challenge is cars and trucks turning left that just don't notice us. I have started wearing a hi-vis mesh jacket and I no longer wear my black helmet very often.

It wasn't a scientific study, but in personal observation I have noticed it makes a big difference. About a month ago, I was in Gettysburg, PA. It seems that area just attracts motorcyclists, there were a ton. I made some observations when riding behind other riders.

Those who were wearing what seems to be the PA motorcycle uniform- dark t-shirt, jeans, no helmet, were almost invisible at times. Those who wore dark motorcycle clothing weren't much better. As for the brighter, more visible colors, go hi-vis! Hi-vis gear, especially helmets, really stood out. At one point I was behind two adventure bike riders wearing the full gear setup. One wore a gray jacket and white helmet, the other was wearing a gray jacket and a hi-vis helmet. The guy in gray and white was more noticeable than many of the other bikes around. However, at some angles his helmet blended in with the sky and he almost faded away. The guy with the hi-vis helmet and bright jacket just popped out at you, no matter the lighting and angle, you saw him. The guys wearing more "normal" gear but the hi-vis helmet were also pretty easy to see, even at night.

Personally, I'll stick with the hi-vis jacket and a gray, white or some other (non-black) colored helmet. I'm just not ready to go hi-vis on the helmet. However, the more you are willing to do to stand out, the better.

[sanford]

Originally Posted by Jeff10236

I'm surprised only a few people have the same twisted sense of humor I do:


Lots of fried chicken, more beer, more burgers... I had to...


Anyway, in serious answer to your question, I think we need to work to make ourselves more visible in general, not just from behind. Probably our biggest challenge is cars and trucks turning left that just don't notice us. I have started wearing a hi-vis mesh jacket and I no longer wear my black helmet very often.

It wasn't a scientific study, but in personal observation I have noticed it makes a big difference. About a month ago, I was in Gettysburg, PA. It seems that area just attracts motorcyclists, there were a ton. I made some observations when riding behind other riders.

Those who were wearing what seems to be the PA motorcycle uniform- dark t-shirt, jeans, no helmet, were almost invisible at times. Those who wore dark motorcycle clothing weren't much better. As for the brighter, more visible colors, go hi-vis! Hi-vis gear, especially helmets, really stood out. At one point I was behind two adventure bike riders wearing the full gear setup. One wore a gray jacket and white helmet, the other was wearing a gray jacket and a hi-vis helmet. The guy in gray and white was more noticeable than many of the other bikes around. However, at some angles his helmet blended in with the sky and he almost faded away. The guy with the hi-vis helmet and bright jacket just popped out at you, no matter the lighting and angle, you saw him. The guys wearing more "normal" gear but the hi-vis helmet were also pretty easy to see, even at night.

Personally, I'll stick with the hi-vis jacket and a gray, white or some other (non-black) colored helmet. I'm just not ready to go hi-vis on the helmet. However, the more you are willing to do to stand out, the better.

Interesting, thanks for posting.. more stuff on my shopping list...

[ralphlong]

I'm with you Jeff regarding all around visibility. I will be purchasing either these http://www.motolight.com/motorcycle-lights or something similar to help with the left turners. Had these on a previous bike and they seemed to make a big difference. Seems the triangle of light they create when combined with the normal headlight is something unusual that catches people's attention

This, in addition to better rear lights, and more visible helmet and clothing, just may keep me alive for a bit longer.

Ralph