Hey bikers ... I'm on an FXDLI and even though the thing weighs 700 pounds, red light sensors do not seem to pick me up. Translation: I get stuck at red lights for 10-15 minutes!
What do you do in this situation? Wait it out until someone pulls up behind you, or proceed through the red light?
Thanks!
2006-07-16 11:43:50 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
I have several lights in my town that treat me the same way ... either there's a camera sensor or a magnetic sensor that is not sensitive enough to detect my bike. It catches me first thing in the morning and late at night.
These days (since traffic is not an issue at this time of day), I try to avoid these intersections when I know that the sensor is active and the timer is not operating. I do have that option most of the time.
Occasionally, though, I have forgotten and gotten caught at these lights. My solution is to come to a complete stop. Look around carefully, and then go through the intersection anyway. In other words, I run the light.
I have never yet gotten stopped, and if I did, I would be completely willing to argue the point with an officer or a judge ... just because the traffic engineers can't design the sensor properly is no reason for a law-abiding motorcyclist to be a slave to a ROBOT for a half-hour waiting for some CAR driver to run him down at 6 a.m. at a malfunctioning traffic signal! This isn't the "Matrix" yet, after all.
I would argue that, from a legal standpoint, this is no different than a light that has gone completely out due to a power failure or other mishap ... you approach the intersection carefully, stop, and then proceed as if the light was broken, which it is as far as detecting your legally registered vehicle.
So there.
2006-07-16 23:47:40 · answer #1 · answered by Grendle 6 · 9⤊ 1⤋
The Fuel Injection Lowrider is a great bike. My wife has the same sled. If a car is behind you, you can move up a bit and let the car trip the switch. What sets the cycle of the lights is the metal of the vehicle. Even though your Hog is heavy, it doesn't weigh as much as a car.
Let the lights go through 2 cycles. If the light has not tripped and there are no cars, proceed slowly and hopefully if a cop sees you, he/she should be understanding.
There are a few companies which sell a magnet that goes under the frame. The magnet trips the sensors. The unit sells for under 25 bucks. You can find it at http://www.whitehorsepress.com/product_info.php?products_id=5170
2006-07-16 14:29:43 · answer #2 · answered by a 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had this same problem at a particular set of lights when I used to ride my bike home from uni late at night.
Some peoplebeleive putting down your kick stand will trigger the sensor, this didn't work for me though.
I am in Christchurch, New Zealand, and I looked on the local city councils website and found the email address of the person that oversees the traffic signalling. I emailed him explaining the problem and he was actually very good at responding. I think it is a simple matter for a work crew to adjust the sensor sensitivity.
The also seem to take it pretty seriously as it is unsafe for you to have to run the red.
I hope this is able to help you wherever in the world you are.
2006-07-16 11:45:53 · answer #3 · answered by balans_99 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Stop over the sensor and put the kickstand down directly on the tarred-in part. Sometimes that works.
Sometimes I get off and push the Pedestrian button.
Sometimes I proceed through the red.
Sometimes I make a right turn, and then a U turn.
2006-07-16 12:10:41 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contrary to popular belief, light sensors are NOT based on weight. There's a little coil of metal running under the asphalt; it has an electric charge, and senses metal. When it senses it, it triggers the light.
Usually you can see a little patch that the wire is beneath. Try to get right on top of that, and then if you put the kickstand down it can trigger it.
Those magnet things that you can put on the bottom of the bike are supposed to work pretty well too, from what I've heard.
2006-07-16 11:54:40 · answer #5 · answered by Oracle at Delphi 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Hi, I just solved the very same issue. I'm used to ride a pretty light bike and I always had the same problem. I recently upgraded to a BMW 1150 = heavy. I was surprised to see I still had this problem. During a service at my local shop I saw a Signal Tripper on the shelf. I asked about it and they all ensured it was working. $20 later I'm a very happy camper. I never stay longer at a light than a car today. Check it out at http://www.signalsorcerer.com/. I hope you will be as happy as I am. Drive safe and have fun!
2006-07-16 12:30:31 · answer #6 · answered by micke 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know what state you live in but in NJ if that happens it is completely legal to "proceed with caution". If you have cars behind you, sometimes it's best to roll foward past the white line so the cars can move up and trigger the sensor.
2006-07-16 11:53:55 · answer #7 · answered by FangStu 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wait a reasonable amount of time and then go. (2 - 3 minutes) I got stuck one night at a light and a cop saw what was going on and waved me through so I'm sure they know about the problem.
2006-07-16 11:49:16 · answer #8 · answered by Beware the fury of a patient man 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have the same problem, you can also flash your lights up before you enter the intersection, before you stop. It has to be a distance away so the beam hits the lights sensor, sometimes that helps, but other than that. RUN IT!
2006-07-16 11:50:18 · answer #9 · answered by Mariah 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
THEY recommend putting the "Green Light" Trigger attachment FAR away from ANY "ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS" because they can mess-up the running of the bike..THEY suggest UNDER the bike !!! IT is a STRONG "MAGNET" They are either $24.99 or $15.99 in the J&P Cycles Catalog.Or I would buy a Heavy duty Magnet & tie-wrap it UNDER the bike & see what happens.[just an idea] Magnets can mess up Electronic Ignition systems.WWW.JPCYCLES.COM
2006-07-16 12:37:48 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋