Motorcycles have a major flaw

[anytwowilldo]

Now that I have your attention lets talk about visibility and lets focus on the headlamp or lighting on the front. I just spent hours on the road driving from Los Gatos to Sonoma County and while I didn't see many people splitting I was constantly looking for them through wet mirrors and windows with rain drops on them.

The problem with motorcycles is that at a quick glance they disappear into the sea of headlamps behind you. What quickly looks like pair of headlamps can actually be a headlamp from a motorcycle and the one visible headlamp from the car behind it.

Image if motorcycles were equipped with headlamps that were a different color or pattern? Imagine if all new motorcycle had one headlamp flanked closely on either side by a light that had a unique color, a color that could only be used by motorcycles and they all used the same pattern. Motorcycles would be more visible at night specially in tough to see conditions.

How do you think we can increase driver awareness of motorcycles -specially at night when so many accidents take place?

 

[adar]

Hey, that would be a good idea. Probably it would have to be a different color as patterns in the night with rain would not be discernible.

 

[ZCOFWM]

Love the idea. Possibly an upside down triangle arrangement? Many design possibilities, but in the end it'd have to be a concrete design. So when people see it they think "MOTORCYCLE."

 

[motomania2007]

Headlight modulators work.

Your idea about a specific pattern and/or color might work.

A combination of modulation and pattern and color...

Maybe we should patent it? I know a patent attorney!

 

[1962siia]

Tom this is brilliant. :thumbup Maybe the second different bulb is hooked to the modulator so it could run day or night without issue. Dr. J to the rescue again!

 

[davidji]

Headlight modulators work.

Those are illegal at night aren't they? I think the issue he raised is worse at night then in the day.

Lots of solutions have been discussed here before.

* Modulators (for the day)
* Aux lighting to form a triangle of light.
* Changing turn signals to normal on, flash off (if they didn't come that way).
* for bikes with side by side headlamps but only one low beam, converting the other to low beam.
*and the controversial splitting with the 4-way flashers on.

My favorite lighting to increase visibility is the amber photon blaster:
http://www.skenedesign.com/lights/PB_Features.shtml
Attention grabbing without blinding or dazzling motorists.

A new standard for motorcycle lighting has some appeal. But there are solutions available now for those who want them.

 

[ariacode]

Amber/orange covered fog lights work really well. Mine aren't working right now and I feel like I'm driving naked, especially at night.

These are probably great too.

 

[anytwowilldo]

Love the idea. Possibly an upside down triangle arrangement? Many design possibilities, but in the end it'd have to be a concrete design. So when people see it they think "MOTORCYCLE."

Exactly, It does not require thought. You see that pattern and you think motorcycle.

 

[Spartan925]

One of the reasons I love my switchback turn signals. The added white light below the headlight is not only brighter than the standard amber but just looks different than any kind of car would.

 

[splat]

This was my VFR. Seemed to work well at night. I'm back to a single headlight, so I don't think it'll do much, but will be getting a modulator sooner or later.

 

[Whammy]

yes i have the solution

4 way flashers for everyone!:thumbuparty
But... with a twist. have them slow flashing.

 

[Honey Badger]

I like the idea of a stock lighting for night time. Even as a splitter I often have a really hard time distinguishing a moto headlight from the sea of cars unless it's a unique light or color...but a lot of the typical OEM lights just become another bright light in the sea of headlights behind me.

 

[aminalmutha]

Pink strobe lights with a minimum of six glow in the dark, 18" dildos MANDATORY for all motorcycles.

Also, training wheels, a bubble and a flagman 100 yards ahead warning of impending motorcycle.

:rolleyes

 

[Pking]

Cool concept. I wonder if there actually was a new type of design, would CHP be the first to implement it on their bikes, then perhaps deem it safe/unsafe for public use?

 

[dravnx]

From my perspective, while riding and caging, 4 way flashers do nothing. I can't see them from the sea of lights behind me. The only thing I ever notice is if someone has LED aux lights mounted low forming a triangle with their headlight. That's why I went with this configuration on both my bikes. I see more and more riders using their 4 way flashers and I think they look stupid because the only time you see them is when they are past me.

 

[HeatXfer]

Image if motorcycles were equipped with headlamps that were a different color or pattern? Imagine if all new motorcycle had one headlamp flanked closely on either side by a light that had a unique color, a color that could only be used by motorcycles and they all used the same pattern. Motorcycles would be more visible at night specially in tough to see conditions.

How do you think we can increase driver awareness of motorcycles -specially at night when so many accidents take place?

It's already in practice and has been in the United States since 1838, but not for land-based vehicles: all sea-going and other watercraft. They're called navigation lights:

Of course there are already CVC rules limiting the use of forward facing colored lights on vehicles, but I think it's a really good idea and would allow drivers to easily distinguish a moto rider from the background.

Amber fog lights draw attention, but two different colors would truly be distinctive.

⬇︎⬇︎Pretty bad job, I know.⬇︎⬇︎

 

[aminalmutha]

Yay, more regulations! :rolleyes

 

[CDONA]

To insure that one is on a bike, let's have helmet lights as seen as marine nav. lights.
That way those in Ca. will have lights and no one will have to screw up an older bike with marginal electrical systems.

 

[anytwowilldo]

Yay, more regulations! :rolleyes

This could be a life saving regulation like wearing seat belts. I'm not saying that all motorcycles would be forced to retrofit, just that a pattern would be developed and that after a specific year manufactures would have to built that into their design. Kind of like when they made headlamps always on on motorcycles in the early 80s. It could also be only on motorcycles above 501 CCs or whatever other criterial is considered good for the cause.

I vote for two solid blue lights in conjunction with a headlamp. That would catch peoples eye! The vehicle code would need to be changed. Law enforcement could keep flashing blue or with LED lights these days they could get just about any combination of colors they want.

 

[aminalmutha]

This could be a life saving regulation like wearing seat belts.

I firmly disagree. Not even close to the same thing as seatbelts. Sounds like bureaucratic bullshit to me.

Also, blue lights are reserved for police.