Mini indicators - dangerous?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 12
From: Snowdonia, UK
Mini indicators - dangerous?
Had the rare (for round here) sighting of another VTR the other day, and was admiring its tidy tail mods - cut down fender, smallish but legal-looking plate and mini led turn signals, much like many other folks' rides. As I followed them, they turned off without indicating - then I realised they were indicating, but the feeble pale glow was barely visible, even on an overcast day. Now I'm all for a bit of form over function, but not when that function is keeping the cagers out of my personal space. What do you think?
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 805
From: Delmar NY
There are a variety of mini turnsignals available. Some much brighter than others. Cheap LEDs will have a narrow focus and won't be as bright. If you run mini's or the ones built into the undertail (like mine) adding an integral tail light such as the Clear Alternatives is a good idea. I went this route after friends told me they couldn't see mine very well.
pragmatic anarchist
Superstock
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 380
From: Philadelphia, PA
I have an integrated taillight and was concerned about the signals being too close together to convey my intentions at any great distance. Recently added a pair of license plate bolt LEDs to the back end of my rear peg brackets. Used clear ones I had on hand so they might be illegal but they make a big difference according to someone who followed me before and after. Easy install, just tapped holes and ran the wires into the tail fairing and tapped into the signal wires from the taillight. Don't even notice them unless they're blinking. Drilled a larger top hole in my plate and moved it up to cover my seat lock on the same day. Pics in my album someday.
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 987
From: San Diego, CA
Another benefit of the stock 3-wire blinkers is they stay on solid when not in use, so the drivers know where to look. I would not expect a cager to see the little flush mount blinkers, and that's a bad thing when they're bearing down on you in a hurry a pissed of that you're braking, because they don't realize you're turning up ahead.
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,548
From: MN
bigger, or at least brighter is better, for sure. having said that, other helpful things are:
in slower traffic settings use hand signals too. I have a friend who does this and I'm amazed at how much more noticeable it is.
ride faster - nobody should be anywhere near catching up to you or hitting you from behind at least.
where a white helmet, or other neon colored clothing - its dramatic how much more noticeable you are. If you have a dark helmet, put white, bright stickers all over it.
in slower traffic settings use hand signals too. I have a friend who does this and I'm amazed at how much more noticeable it is.
ride faster - nobody should be anywhere near catching up to you or hitting you from behind at least.
where a white helmet, or other neon colored clothing - its dramatic how much more noticeable you are. If you have a dark helmet, put white, bright stickers all over it.
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,631
From: Montreal
I had an undertail with relatively small rear turn signals. After being told by my gf who followed me in the car that they were less than perfectly visible, I added a LED taillight with integrated turn signals. I now have both working together, which should be significantly better than before.
Last edited by mikstr; Apr 2, 2010 at 10:48 AM.
Banned
MotoGP
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,942
From: Lake View Terrace, CA
Well in the happy Bay Area, aftermarket rear signals are one of the local "pet peeves" of the Sheriff & CHP.
If you have them, it's not if, but when will they pull you over for it.
So that is why I'm still running the shortened stock rear turn signals..... kind of the best I can do and not get written up for it.
If you have them, it's not if, but when will they pull you over for it.
So that is why I'm still running the shortened stock rear turn signals..... kind of the best I can do and not get written up for it.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 12
From: Snowdonia, UK
Another benefit of the stock 3-wire blinkers is they stay on solid when not in use, so the drivers know where to look. I would not expect a cager to see the little flush mount blinkers, and that's a bad thing when they're bearing down on you in a hurry a pissed of that you're braking, because they don't realize you're turning up ahead.
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 987
From: San Diego, CA
Well in the happy Bay Area, aftermarket rear signals are one of the local "pet peeves" of the Sheriff & CHP.
If you have them, it's not if, but when will they pull you over for it.
So that is why I'm still running the shortened stock rear turn signals..... kind of the best I can do and not get written up for it.
If you have them, it's not if, but when will they pull you over for it.
So that is why I'm still running the shortened stock rear turn signals..... kind of the best I can do and not get written up for it.
What can they possibly do? There are plenty of aftermarket units that meet the traffic laws on spacing and size, etc.
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 227
From: IL
Well in the happy Bay Area, aftermarket rear signals are one of the local "pet peeves" of the Sheriff & CHP.
If you have them, it's not if, but when will they pull you over for it.
So that is why I'm still running the shortened stock rear turn signals..... kind of the best I can do and not get written up for it.
If you have them, it's not if, but when will they pull you over for it.
So that is why I'm still running the shortened stock rear turn signals..... kind of the best I can do and not get written up for it.
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 348
From: Melbourne Australia
I'm all for bike modification, but i think safety should all ways be a priority over cosmetic looks. But some people will always choose looks over safety. They will probably learn the hard way.
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