Background: The other day, I read an article about why drivers don’t “see” motorcyles/motorcyclists. It explained that research has shown that the brain filters out information from the eyes; and that prior experience and an evolutionary adaptation (of sorts) causes the brain to disregard or downplay the visual data the motorcyclist provides to a percieved status of “ non-threatening”. Indeed, not very threatening to the driver of the SUV, but very much so to the motorcyclist.



Musings:  Perhaps the brain of the motorist could be tricked into seeing a motorcyclist as a threat. What would it take to do this? Maybe, headlights could be equipped to project a holographic image of a T-Rex or Mac truck. Perhaps, certain wavelengths or subliminal messages could awaken fear for the other person on the motorcycle. I assume, in the past such efforts to make motorcyclists safer have focused on the eyes, when the problem is really in the brain. Thoughts, suggestions, ....anyone? 

I'm not sure what could be perceived as "threatening" except running in large groups of bikes.

As a lone rider, I suspect there's little one can do to project a "threat". Any electronic aid would, after repeat exposure much like a deer whistle, lose it's effectiveness, I would think.

I find myself thinking that humans detect odd motions as "threatening". Driving lights do help with depth perception. I wonder if some driving lights that move erratically might register? 

So are you thinking like the lights on a train that sweep back and forth? I know lots of riders swear by the modulators that flash headlights.
On another bike I had a set of LED's that would flash three times, then stay on, and I had a lot of riders say that caught their attention.

In theory, things that flash irregularly or "move" or do something to stand out from the background of just straight steady lighting, *should* help with visibility...

I installed a Kisan Electronics P75W light modulator in the positive feed to the LED auxiliary lights on my R1200GS. $59.26 with shipping. Easy install, works as hoped. Note: the bike is off in the video, lights are running on CanBus 1-minute delayed shutoff.


Link to short video: 

Yea, I'm afraid uploading videos to the site doesn't work. Only still photos. Upload to youtube then paste a link to the video here.

An unintended, but not unwelcome, consequence of using the light modulator is a big increase in the number of cars and trucks that pull off to the shoulder to let me pass. Today, there were so many that I felt a little guilty (pleasure) about it, and turned them off, for a little while.

Oh that's cool. I wonder if they mistook you for law enforcement?

I like that accessory light modulator more than the headlight modulators that I've seen.  In general, blinky lights annoy me, so I appreciate that those are not no the primary light.  I could see how people might be confused and think they should pull to the side to let you pass.  If it's legal, then enjoy and rock on!

I swear by my yellow helmet.  It's up high and central, and it doesn't blend into a cloudy sky like a white helmet.  Wearing a hi-viz jacket would help even more, but I like my old cowhide jacket too much to give it up just yet.