Pippin, I am going to have to respectfully disgree wholeheartedly with you on this issue.


The whole point of the modulating headlight is for other drivers to NOTICE YOU. Even in Mexico. When you are noticed, the modulators have achieved their purpose. After they noticed your presence, Mexican drivers will respond in exactly the same way as U.S. drivers will. They will either ignore you, or they will acknowledge you. No more no less. Based on my experience, it will be the latter. But the important thing is that they now know that you are there. That is always a good thing.

I have used headlight modulators for over 10 years on all my motorcycles, and firmly believe in their safety value. They have saved me from many close calls and potential accidents along the years. Cars and trucks are now visibly hestitating when attempting to turn left as I approach. While I still ride as if I was invisible, it does bring some reassurance.

By saying to "Tape them up...", it seems to me that you are not familiar with how modulators function or with the safety value of having your headlights on, modultaing or not, in any culture and any country. Even in Mexico they are starting to encourage the "headlights on" driving along certain stretches of highway, for all vehicles. In addition, the NHTSA, with its experts (not politicians) is recommending installing modulating headlights for motorcycles. Heck, even aircraft are installing modulating "Pulse Lights" for recognition. The human eye picks up a moving (pulsing) light many times better than a steady state light.

Modulating headlights in motorcycles are automatically deactivated at dark. They have a light sensor for this. Thus the modulation only works during daylight hours.

In Mexico "conceda cambio de luces" does not mean "If someone flashes their lights at you, yield the right of way." as you say. It means to "Dim your lights for oncoming traffic", obviously this has meaning only at night, i.e. change your headlights from high beam to low beam so as not to blind an oncoming vehicle. It is a moot point during daylight hours.

While it is true that in Mexico, as in many Latin American countries, the native drivers are very aggressive and do not allow any special courtesies for motorcycles, it is still better if they are aware of your presence than if they are not.
In my recent trip to Mexico, I have noticed many times cars braking or holding off from cutting me off, thanks to my modulating headlights. I will also say that their general situational awareness of motorcycles all around them is higher than in the US, even while invading your lane to share your space. It is just in their culture. Their sense of "personal space" is very different from Americans'. This has nothing to do with headlihgt on/off, modulating or not. Everyone is expected to drive defensively because the traffic is chaotic, especially in the cities.

You say: "I placed a couple of strips of duct tape over the part of my lights that put out the brightest light on low beam and everyone elses driving improved dramatically." Why on earth would you want to LESSEN your visibility instead of increasing it? That makes no sense. How do you know their driving "improved dramatically"? After all they are different drivers. What does that have to do with them driving with their hazard flashers on? They would still do so whether your headlights were on or not. They are not doing it for you. Bad drivers will remain bad drivers, no matter what you do. Good drivers, the same.

I use my headlight modulators in Mexico the whole time I drive there, and there is never a "havoc in a culture such as this" caused by it, as you say. What kind of "havoc" are you talking about anyway?
I think that what you are advocating (to not use or to "tape up" our headlights) is very bad advice, bordering on the dangerous.


Modulators increase safety by increasing conspicuity, period. It's a proven fact (see the "Hurt" report).

Don't knock them until you have tried them.

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Ride On!

A.T.