ref : seafoam

[Tony Wood]

Thanks for all the input. The ocillating and headlight modulator sound like good tips. Tony

[Kimosabe]

Yeah, in my experience, I can see their attention snap to me in response to the light and I can see that extra bob of the car when they step on the brakes instead of the accelerator. No one has pulled out after I've flashed them and I can see their faces directed my way. One or two brief flashes is all it takes. In heavy traffic at night with lots of lights, it is sometimes difficult to realize the distance and speed of a single headlight that is approaching. At dusk and at night when you see the light but not the motorcycle, it is often hard to separate the approaching street racer from the numerous car lights behind it. Daytime driving is not quite as bad, but drivers are distracted and give only the briefest glances before moving. They don't see cars and trucks, much less cycles and pedestrians. I myself have almost turned in front of motorcycles that started from stoplights at full throttle, leaving the cars well behind. The incidents occured in 35 to 45 mph zones with cycles probably traveling in excess of 70 to 80 mph. Both times were at night in heavy traffic. They were stupid, but I still don't want to hit them. Since I know how easy it is to miss seeing a cycle, I flash my lights when I'm on mine or even when I'm driving my car. I generally flash when I think someone hasn't seen me or appears to be starting an unwise move that threatens me. One of my bikes has a modulator but is only used in the daytime, of course. The other doesn't have one but probably will soon. Manually flashing the light is cheap and easy and it's saved me from numerous emergency maneuvers and potential wrecks. Steve in Niceville In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Ed Chait" wrote:

> > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Ronald Criswell" > To: "LD" > Cc: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> > Sent: Wednesday, February 14, 2007 9:10 AM > Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Hi/Low Beam > > > >I wouldn't do that. Most dips would think you are signaling for

them

> > to go ahead a pullout. > > > > Criswell > > > > On Feb 13, 2007, at 4:31 PM, LD wrote: > > > >> When I see a car that I'm concerned might pull out in front of

me,

> >> I toggle the high and low beam to provide modulation. > >> Moving forward, I'll add the oscillation move that Jeff

suggested.

> >> I'm hoping I'll be able to toggle the headlight, ocillate and

chew

> >> gum at the same time... > >> > >> > > > I don't agree. I think the great majority of people would think

that you

> are trying to get their attention that you exist. > > I have never had anyone pull out on me as a result of flashing my

high beam.

> On the other hand, I have seen plenty of people hit their brakes

and stop

> rolling. > > ed > A17 >

[Kimosabe]

The deer comparison struck me as quite profound and insightful. Thank you for the enlightenment! Steve in Niceville. --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Blake Sobiloff" wrote:

> > On 2/14/07, Ed Chait wrote: > > I don't agree. I think the great majority of people would think

that you

> > are trying to get their attention that you exist. > > People in cars are like deer on the side of the road: You can never be > certain how they'll react to a given stimulus. > -- > Blake Sobiloff > http://sobiloff.typepad.com/> > http://sobiloff.typepad.com/klr_adventure/> > San Jose, CA (USA) >

[Ronald Criswell]

Difference on opinions on flashing your headlight to let them know you are coming. Most are so stupid and such crappy drivers, you will only confuse them. Criswell

On Feb 14, 2007, at 12:56 PM, Kimosabe wrote: > Yeah, in my experience, I can see their attention snap to me in > response to the light and I can see that extra bob of the car when > they step on the brakes instead of the accelerator. No one has > pulled out after I've flashed them and I can see their faces directed > my way. One or two brief flashes is all it takes. > > In heavy traffic at night with lots of lights, it is sometimes > difficult to realize the distance and speed of a single headlight > that is approaching. At dusk and at night when you see the light but > not the motorcycle, it is often hard to separate the approaching > street racer from the numerous car lights behind it. > > Daytime driving is not quite as bad, but drivers are distracted and > give only the briefest glances before moving. They don't see cars > and trucks, much less cycles and pedestrians. > > I myself have almost turned in front of motorcycles that started from > stoplights at full throttle, leaving the cars well behind. The > incidents occured in 35 to 45 mph zones with cycles probably > traveling in excess of 70 to 80 mph. Both times were at night in > heavy traffic. They were stupid, but I still don't want to hit them. > > Since I know how easy it is to miss seeing a cycle, I flash my lights > when I'm on mine or even when I'm driving my car. I generally flash > when I think someone hasn't seen me or appears to be starting an > unwise move that threatens me. > > One of my bikes has a modulator but is only used in the daytime, of > course. The other doesn't have one but probably will soon. Manually > flashing the light is cheap and easy and it's saved me from numerous > emergency maneuvers and potential wrecks. > > Steve in Niceville > > In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Ed Chait" wrote: > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "Ronald Criswell" > > To: "LD" > > Cc: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> > > Sent: Wednesday, February 14, 2007 9:10 AM > > Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Hi/Low Beam > > > > > > >I wouldn't do that. Most dips would think you are signaling for > them > > > to go ahead a pullout. > > > > > > Criswell > > > > > > On Feb 13, 2007, at 4:31 PM, LD wrote: > > > > > >> When I see a car that I'm concerned might pull out in front of > me, > > >> I toggle the high and low beam to provide modulation. > > >> Moving forward, I'll add the oscillation move that Jeff > suggested. > > >> I'm hoping I'll be able to toggle the headlight, ocillate and > chew > > >> gum at the same time... > > >> > > >> > > > > > > I don't agree. I think the great majority of people would think > that you > > are trying to get their attention that you exist. > > > > I have never had anyone pull out on me as a result of flashing my > high beam. > > On the other hand, I have seen plenty of people hit their brakes > and stop > > rolling. > > > > ed > > A17 > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Ed Chait]

----- Original Message ----- From: "Blake Sobiloff" To: "DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups. com" DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Wednesday, February 14, 2007 9:44 AM Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Hi/Low Beam > On 2/14/07, Ed Chait wrote: >> I don't agree. I think the great majority of people would think that you >> are trying to get their attention that you exist. > > People in cars are like deer on the side of the road: You can never be > certain how they'll react to a given stimulus. > -- > Blake Sobiloff > http://sobiloff.typepad.com/> > http://sobiloff.typepad.com/klr_adventure/> > San Jose, CA (USA) That's true, but I can also comment on what my experience has been and how the overwhelming majority of them have reacted to having me flash my high beam. ed A17

[Ed Chait]

----- Original Message ----- From: "Ronald Criswell" To: "Kimosabe" Cc: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Wednesday, February 14, 2007 11:06 AM Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Hi/Low Beam > Difference on opinions on flashing your headlight to let them know > you are coming. Most are so stupid and such crappy drivers, you will > only confuse them. > > Criswell The only thing certain in this world is that none of us gets out alive. I like to play the best odds based on what my personal experience has been. My personal experience in over 30 years of riding is that the *great majority* of motorists will not pull out on me when I flash my high beams. In fact, as I mentioned previously, I have never had that happen even once in those 30 years. ed A17

[Ronald Criswell]

I base everything on personal experience myself. 48 years riding experience here. Criswell

On Feb 14, 2007, at 2:40 PM, Ed Chait wrote: > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Ronald Criswell" > To: "Kimosabe" > Cc: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> > Sent: Wednesday, February 14, 2007 11:06 AM > Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Hi/Low Beam > > > Difference on opinions on flashing your headlight to let them know > > you are coming. Most are so stupid and such crappy drivers, you will > > only confuse them. > > > > Criswell > > The only thing certain in this world is that none of us gets out > alive. > > I like to play the best odds based on what my personal experience > has been. > My personal experience in over 30 years of riding is that the *great > majority* of motorists will not pull out on me when I flash my high > beams. > > In fact, as I mentioned previously, I have never had that happen > even once > in those 30 years. > > ed > A17 > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Douglas Bouley]

Well, only 40 years here (but 350,000+ all-weather/heavy traffic) miles sez yer both right! Sometimes, people (like at 4 way stops) have taken a flash to mean "you go ahead", sometimes they have taken it to mean "hit me, baby". Context counts, as does luck, I fear. doug in dc - who agrees that riding like the Invisible Man is the best thing we can do, technology answers aside. Ronald Criswell wrote:

> I base everything on personal experience myself. > > 48 years riding experience here. > > Criswell > > On Feb 14, 2007, at 2:40 PM, Ed Chait wrote: > > >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "Ronald Criswell" >> To: "Kimosabe" >> Cc: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> >> Sent: Wednesday, February 14, 2007 11:06 AM >> Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Hi/Low Beam >> >> >>> Difference on opinions on flashing your headlight to let them know >>> you are coming. Most are so stupid and such crappy drivers, you will >>> only confuse them. >>> >>> Criswell >>> >> The only thing certain in this world is that none of us gets out >> alive. >> >> I like to play the best odds based on what my personal experience >> has been. >> My personal experience in over 30 years of riding is that the *great >> majority* of motorists will not pull out on me when I flash my high >> beams. >> >> In fact, as I mentioned previously, I have never had that happen >> even once >> in those 30 years. >> >> ed >> A17 >> >> >> >> > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com > List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > Member Map at: http://www.frappr.com/dsnklr650 > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > >

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[Ed Chait]

----- Original Message ----- From: "Douglas Bouley" To: "Ronald Criswell" Cc: "Ed Chait" ; "Kimosabe" ; DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Wednesday, February 14, 2007 2:23 PM Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Hi/Low Beam > Well, only 40 years here (but 350,000+ all-weather/heavy traffic) miles > sez yer both right! > > Sometimes, people (like at 4 way stops) have taken a flash to mean "you > go ahead", sometimes they have taken it to mean "hit me, baby". Context > counts, as does luck, I fear. > > doug in dc - who agrees that riding like the Invisible Man is the best > thing we can do, technology answers aside. I can see how at a 4-way stop it could be interpreted as "you go ahead" and that's why I never do it at 4-way stops. 4-way stops aren't usually dangerous intersections anyways, unless someone runs the stop sign, in which case nothing is going to help much, except for maybe extreme vigilance and a highly developed sense of situational awareness, both of which I strive for. ed A17

[Norm Keller]

IMO deer may resent the comparison. (VBG) Norm Chilliwack, where we have rain but riding is still a go.

>The deer comparison struck me as quite >profound and insightful. Thank >you for the enlightenment! >Steve in Niceville.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]