Whelen LIN3 + Programable flasher = Wow!!!

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DaJudge

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I've never been rear-ended while on a motorcycle stopped at a light or in the process of doing so. But, I know a few riders who have been injured this way and I've been hit when stopped at a light in my car. I could go into a rant about idiots texting, reading, etc., but I'll spare ya.

On my Tiger, I added one of those KnightRiderz LED flasher strips just below the license plate. It's an improvement, but not all that noticable on a sunny day. I wanted something more for the FJR. I found it.

If you want to get the attention of the drivers coming up behind you as you slow or stop, try this:

1) Get a single Whelen LIN3 lighthead (red). These are normally used in sets on emergency vehicles. Each one is stinkin' bright (3xGen3 LEDs) and draws very little current. They can be had on-line for about $50.

2) Buy a "3rdBrakeFlasher" unit for $20. This is a tiny, sealed 36-mode programable in-line flasher unit.

I set the Whelen (which has several strobe modes) to solid and programmed the flasher to do 5 flashes and then go solid (you need to set it for 4 flashes if you live in the People's Republic of Kalifornia).

I haven't done a video of it, but here's one from a guy who did the same setup on his bike. His flash mode is set a little too fast (you can set it slower), but it shows the effectiveness of this little light.



The hardest part of the install was fabricating and installing a bracket that fit up under my topcase mount, just above the stock brake lights. I'm now probably going to rig up an on-off switch (under the pillon) so I can turn it off during group rides. It's bright enough to potentially annoy the heck out of riders behind me. :rolleyes:

 
Excellent find!

...maybe one on each saddle bag? Anyone? ... anyone...? :D

 
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A Back-Off modulator can be had for $35, and will get someones attention pretty well. I've been using them on all of my bikes for quite some time.

 
A Back-Off modulator can be had for $35, and will get someones attention pretty well. I've been using them on all of my bikes for quite some time.
I thought about doing that and I can still wire my stock brake lights into the flasher unit if I want to. With all the texters driving around out there, or folks who are just simply DWHUA (driving with head up ***), I wanted something that would pump out a more noticeable light.

Instead of the $35 Back-Off, why not buy the $20 3rdBrake flasher unit that you can set up to do the exact same thing (with a wide selection of modes to choose from) and wire it into your stock brake lights? :rolleyes:

 
...and wire it into your stock brake lights?
It's this part that'll get folks to skip it for plug-and-play things like those from Kisan. Costs more, but takes minutes to install, requies no cutting & splicing, and works very well.

I like th eidea you posted though as add-on lights, maybe on the saddle bags - spread the light out wider and create a larger...(are you ready for this new phrase I'm about to coin???)....

Zone of Obviousness!

Spreading the lights out makes them more noticable to drivers behind you. Plus, anything I can do to make my bike look more like the local police departments gussied up ST1300's is welcome!

 
...and wire it into your stock brake lights?
It's this part that'll get folks to skip it for plug-and-play things like those from Kisan. Costs more, but takes minutes to install, requies no cutting & splicing, and works very well.

I use Posi-Tap connectors :yahoo: , so it's not an issue. Those neat little things allow you to tap into a power line in just a few seconds. It's really much easier than getting to and disconnecting/reconnecting the wiring plugs.

 
That is nice.

I have a similar one on mine, And the SFO peeps that have been behind me attest to it's effectiveness... ;)

Clicky




 
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Been using the Whalen set up for 5+ years. I'm retired from law enforcement and was turned on to these by the guy who did the emergency equipment on the PD cars etc.

Jack.

 
...and wire it into your stock brake lights?
It's this part that'll get folks to skip it for plug-and-play things like those from Kisan. Costs more, but takes minutes to install, requies no cutting & splicing, and works very well.

I use Posi-Tap connectors :yahoo: , so it's not an issue. Those neat little things allow you to tap into a power line in just a few seconds. It's really much easier than getting to and disconnecting/reconnecting the wiring plugs.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but you still needed to cut the power wire going to your brake lights correct? You just used the posi-tap connectors to connect every thing back instead of soldering or crimping, right?

 
Can you make it not as bright for night time? That is just as intense as mine, But i have a switch on the dash panel that dims the light at night.

 
I set the Whelen (which has several strobe modes) to solid and programmed the flasher to do 5 flashes and then go solid (you need to set it for 4 flashes if you live in the People's Republic of Kalifornia).

Or face it forward with the steady burn if you need to clear traffic. LOL no, only kidding....

 
I'm kinda partial to hyperlites:

3639659031_6a5d74ee7f.jpg


 
I'm kinda partial to hyperlites:
3639659031_6a5d74ee7f.jpg
I'd seen the Hyperlites on a friend's Feejer and I was seriously considering them until I stumbled onto the Whelen/flasher setup.

The Gen 3 LEDs used in the Whelen are much, much brighter, which I figure will help to grab the attention of inattentive drivers.

 
I'm kinda partial to hyperlites:
3639659031_6a5d74ee7f.jpg
I notice that all 4 of the stock tail lights are lit. Did you change the turn signals into combined brake and turn? I've been thinking of changing them into brake/running lights and moving the turn signals down and further out - I just haven't figured out how I want to mount them yet.

 
Correct me if I'm wrong, but you still needed to cut the power wire going to your brake lights correct? You just used the posi-tap connectors to connect every thing back instead of soldering or crimping, right?
No. You do not cut the power going to your stock brake light. You simply tap into that line to power the flasher. Power from the flasher goes to the Whelen. You have to ground each.

Happy wiring.

 
I'm kinda partial to hyperlites:
3639659031_6a5d74ee7f.jpg
I notice that all 4 of the stock tail lights are lit. Did you change the turn signals into combined brake and turn? I've been thinking of changing them into brake/running lights and moving the turn signals down and further out - I just haven't figured out how I want to mount them yet.
It just looks that way because the light from the LIN3 kind of overloads the sensor on the camera. I don't have my yellow signals wired into the brake circuit.

 

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