Originally Posted by son of the hounds

They are obnoxious and are legal due to the efforts of a few who lobbied to get them Federally approved thinking they would become mandatory. They were allowed before even Halogen headlights were common, long before LEDs. They were a band-aid then for an incandescent bulb headlight. How far we have come since then, yet how some hang on to old ideas.

There are no statistics which show they are effective approaching other vehicles. They are useful for getting cars to pull over when you are following them. In some areas, they have been interpreted as a signal that it is alright to pull out ahead of you.

I don't have a dog in this fight, so do what you must. We have ridden this summer in every state West of the continental divide. In one month of travel we never saw a modulated headlight, though we saw plenty of flash and stop tail lights. I believe the benefits of a modulated headlight are slim to none and would not allow one to be installed on my motorcycle, but the argument can be made for: 1) New riders, 2) Certain urban, commute style stop and go traffic situations but I would prefer flashing hazard lights, 3) Yuppie's who need to show that they are the most techy of the high tech, 4) Riders who scare themselves, 5) Loners, who don't care to ride with others, and 6) former and current bicycle commuters who got tied of pedaling. Now I know this will get some of your shorts all in a bunch, but this is my experience. I even once considered them until I did research into the negatives as well as the promised positives. Then I rode with two different people that had them. That convinced me they were not a safety feature. It offered me and my riding no increased safety. But I do understand that a modulating headlight may offer you comfort. I admit freely that you are different from me and actually, I'm happy about that.

Originally Posted by lionsm13

Then why the long discourse?

What were the negatives?

What convinced you?

You talk more **** than does a 2 dollar radio.