I have been considering the possibility of adding a strobe light to be used when you want cars to notice you.  This could be used when approaching an intersection and someone is likely to turn left in front of you, pull out in front of you, etc.   There is a wire in the harness that connects to the passing light that could be used as the power supply, and the light would only flash when you pulled the passing switch on the left handlebar control.

My initial thought was that I could drill a hole in my headlight reflector and install a stobe light - however most of those systems require a power supply that is pretty bulky and made to run several lights.  There are now LED lights that are self contained and do not require seperate power supplies.  Here is one possibility that could be mounted on the lower triple clamp just below the headlight.
http://www.strobes-r-us.com/closeup.asp?cid=14&pid=695&offset=0

Does anyone know of a more compact or better system for use on a motorcycle?

justin_o_guy2 wrote on 06/25/13 at 06:11:34:


I also do this......and most of the time it works fine.  I do worry however that in this part of Kentucky when you flash your headlight it is often done as "permission" to go ahead and pull out!  I don't think a white strobe would be confused....and it would be more noticeable if it was really bright.

Dave wrote on 06/25/13 at 06:23:15:



well,, when im runnin 40 mph at a car in a left turn lane id sure hate to make them think i was saqyin go for it, ill just pull back on the bars & go over you

Dave,
I bookmarked this page last year and never followed up. Looks interesting. For what it is worth.

Good hunting

http://screaming-banshee.com/

verslagen1 wrote on 06/25/13 at 14:18:55:

It's the flashing aspect that makes it eye-catching.

OK, you will have to explain that, please, Versey.

I am just about to make the order and begin the installation.

This is the most reasonable and compact design I have found after searcihing for a few months.  It is self contained and does not require any drive unit outside of the light itself.  I plan on mounting it to the bottom triple clamp just below the headlight, and hooking it up to the passing switch.  I will use it when I feel like I need to be seen.....like when approaching an intersection and you are not sure the other drivers see you.  I will probably order the one with the white and amber lights that alternate....as I could not make up my mind if a sinigle color of white or amber would be more visible.

http://www.strobes-r-us.com/closeup.asp?cid=13&pid=923&offset=0

Slightly off-topic,... but there is an effect called "urban blindness" or "urban camouflage" that occurs particularity with motorcycles... because we create such a vertical silhouette..

The vertical line of our oncoming view can blend with background poles, and trees, and lines in the road...
It has been recommended that you weave slightly (as in going from left car tire groove to right, and back),... to separate you from background objects... when entering busy intersections...
I try to do this, if I think someone might not see me...

There's a video on you-tube from the UK that explains it better, ... but I can't find it...