Wizards from A Bike Thing

I'm an IAM observer, so often go out with people who need to look in their mirrors at my front indicators to know which way to go.

Almost without exception, since I got a 1250GS with the orange running lights, people who go out with me for the first time have complained that they find it hard to know at a quick glance if I'm indicating or not.

I view this as solid evidence that these orange running lights ARE confusing to other road users.
Should be a quick glance, it should be a look long enough to take in information.

Saying that most Nigels on the IAM are about 85 with glasses anyway.
 
I put the weiserlights on mine - most people I rode with told me how poor/confusing/dangerous my indicators were.

then I was pulling out of a junction in the car when a GS was coming towards me; looked saw an orange light and immediately thought that he was going to turn in. Thankfully I looked properly and realised it's the running lights. Not sure some other drivers would have noticed.
You see my point. Then you looked properly.

People are the problem not the lights
 
Whatever is said about what you should see, in life the roads seem to be heavy with dickheads with limited vision, not just for lights
I like the look of the 1250GS lights but I do feel the rear is too busy when indicating and braking in daylight
I'm not getting into what you should do and when you should indicate and/or brake
I am going to get the rear set of these wizards based on what's been said to me when out on some rides
Interesting comments on here about the German testing

 
Should be a quick glance, it should be a look long enough to take in information.

Saying that most Nigels on the IAM are about 85 with glasses anyway.

yep 95% of your view is forward 5% is rear and in that 5% you need to know 100% what is happening is what we were taught

I’d have thought with the easy and affordable availability of intercom there would be no need to be looking in mirrors for signal indications of directions; rather luddite of the "UK's leading road safety charity and advocate, helping to improve..... riding skills through courses and coaching".
 
Just ordered the set as find the lights not to my taste and did try to see if i could turn them off.
It was mentioned on my last Tour that the guys following found it odd as well , think this is a good call , pity Bm have not got a function to allow you to turn off.
For me worth the money.
 
Everyone to their own, but I fitted the full Weiser set up with their provided Indicators and am very happy with the set-up, especially having white front DRLs. and at the rear having bright and clear Amber only flashing Indicators.
The only comments that I've had, being a rider overtaking and making signs that he thought my Brake lights were stuck on due to their brightness.
 
Should be a quick glance, it should be a look long enough to take in information.

Saying that most Nigels on the IAM are about 85 with glasses anyway.

Sure. Do I want to rely on the entire UK motoring population that I encounter having a "look long enough to take in information" though ?

My point is that I have solid evidence that people are being confused by the front indicators, even in a situation where they know they need to be looking at them. Other road users who are doubtless even more casual in their observations will be having the same problem.

So it won't be a SMIDSY, it'll be a SMITYWTL.

You might want to feel smug while lying in the road that the other person should have looked for longer before pulling out on you, personally I would rather have an indicator setup that avoids the unnecessary risk.
 
Sure. Do I want to rely on the entire UK motoring population that I encounter having a "look long enough to take in information" though ?

My point is that I have solid evidence that people are being confused by the front indicators, even in a situation where they know they need to be looking at them. Other road users who are doubtless even more casual in their observations will be having the same problem.

So it won't be a SMIDSY, it'll be a SMITYWTL.

You might want to feel smug while lying in the road that the other person should have looked for longer before pulling out on you, personally I would rather have an indicator setup that avoids the unnecessary risk.
Fully agree with above. Alright saying what drivers / riders should or shouldn't do but it's what they actually do that matters
 
TBH if it was up to me I'd have everyone retake their driving test every 5 years to weed out the idiots, then I wouldn't have to spend money on aftermarket parts!
 
My point is that I have solid evidence that people are being confused by the front indicators,

You are really trying to say that riders in front of you can't see the indicators working, rather than they having not glanced longer enough backwards to see them working? Sorry, that's not credible, and certainly isn't solid evidence, even if there were a scenario in which looking at the turning intentions of a driver following caused you to have an accident.

Again, I'm prepared to accept that the front may indeed cause issues, but you have most certainly not provided any credible or indeed solid evidence, just as those those that profess the rear multi-clusters to be an issue cannot explain why they are a safety issue, other than merely stating that the indicators get washed out by the brake lights at distance.
 
I’ve been following this thread with interest, watched the video, and wondered if I need these, or just want these because I’m being sucked into another marketing ploy (I admit that I’m extremely susceptible to a nice bit of marketing brain washing).

I went into my garage last night to test my lights from the front and rear perspective. Whilst I can agree to some extent that the front amber DRL’s could be confusing, and the rear indicators do lose some intensity when braking, they were still bright enough for me to not look directly into them (I accept I’m in an enclosed space, close proximity and not driving and Snapchating at the same time).

I remain to be convinced from my limited testing, but at £300 ish can see why these look an attractive solution to improve safety, even if it’s only by a small degree, but any improvement in safety has got to be a good idea….
 
TW99..What evidence would you want, a motorcyclist/driver who 'confessed' that they didn't look, were confused by the indicators (front or rear) or maybe some Police accident reports that stated that the indicators were part of the issues or at least contributory factors .
 
I also have not been following this thread, but would like to SHOUT and make a complete arse of myself as I have a keyboard and am a warrior.
blah blah blah and all that
buy them dont buy them, whatever
oh and I bought them
 
Something to do this afternoon when the promised storm arrives......
 

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Just the rear kit
I get what people say about the fronts but I am keeping the DRL on the indicators......for now
 
Well that did't take long to put the rear set on
Rear tail light was a bit fiddly and tight for my sausage fingers but as the video I linked earlier, using 2 small flat blade screw drivers and wiggle it out
Indicators dead easy
Now got 3 rear / brake lights now and the indicators shut off the rear / braking light when indicating
Just had a look at the MOT inspection regs and it states one or 2 position lamps, no mention of additional, however you can have additional stop lamps

A solo motorcycle can have one or two front and rear position lamps.

These lamps must be:

  • mounted centrally - if there’s one lamp
  • mounted one above the other on the centre line - if there’s 2 lamps
  • mounted symmetrical about the centre line - if 2 are mounted side by side
Front and rear position lamps can be incorporated with the direction indicator lamps. The position lamp on the same side of the direction indicator may or may not switch off when the indicator is switched on.
and
Motorcycles, with or without a sidecar, can have one or two stop lamps.

Additional stop lamps, over and above the requirements, must be tested. However, if you are not certain that they are connected, you should give the benefit of this doubt.

I'll not tell the lads I ride out with an see if they comment....2 have GS's
 
Can you configure it so that the centre only comes on with braking? Just thinking that one of the benefits of the existing arrangement is not only the change in light intensity of the two outside rears but also the switching on of the centre light?
 
Can you configure it so that the centre only comes on with braking? Just thinking that one of the benefits of the existing arrangement is not only the change in light intensity of the two outside rears but also the switching on of the centre light?

If you don't fit the tail light "wizard" you would not alter the current behaviour of the tail light, so I think that's what you're looking for?

The only "issue" (it's probably not a real issue) is that in doing that, when operating the hazard lights, you'd have both indicators flashing and no visible rear marker/tail light.
 


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