[57990]

Re: Traffic lights! ARG

Read on a BMW bike site where the guy put a big magnet on his oil filter to help catch metal filings. The filter happens to be on the bottom of the bike on a BMW. He said it also tripped the sensor for traffic lights. Haven't tried it myself but might because I have the same problem as you.

 

[conchscooter]

Re: Traffic lights! ARG

When I lived in California I tried three things at unresponsive lights. First I tried rolling down the marks in the road that show the sensor wires. they sense limps of metal in motion and they rarely notice motorcycles even dead overhead. the second thing i tried was to roll back an dforth over the sport where several wires come together, at the corner of the "box" laid out in the asphalt. That works sometimes. the third thing i'd do is

lean over to the traffic pole and press the pedestrian crossing button in my direction of travel. not always possible from the seat of the motorcycle. the last possibility is to look for sensors for bicycles in the bike path. they do work. good luck

 

[demanufacture]

Re: Traffic lights! ARG

Here's what I do in this situation: Get in the right-most lane, turn right, then flip a ***** and go straight through the green light.

 

[BillyO]

Re: Traffic lights! ARG

Yuh mean that I`m supposed to stop at those

lights when they are red ?

 

[55024]

Re: Traffic lights! ARG

Flash you high-beams on and off. That works on many of them.

 

[55418]

Optical (video) VS. Magnetic

In my town (Corpus Christi, TX) they have gone almost exclusively to optical sensors. They look like little cameras on top of the lights. I've seen ads for little reflective patches that are supposed to make you more visible to the sensors....

From what I understand, they are cheaper than the magnetic kind, and are the way most municipalities will be going in the future.

I haven't had a problem with them seeing me, but I think that's because of my Fat A$$!

Rob

 

[52425]

Re: Optical (video) VS. Magnetic

I'm from California and have never heard of optical sensors to control signal lights for cars. I do know CA has sensors on the light poles to pick up the strobe lights of emergency vehicles to change the lights green for the vehicle.

 

[seruzawa]

Re: Traffic lights! ARG

Check local laws. Many places allow you to go through the light under those conditions. I doubt that if worst came to worst and you got a ticket that a judge would require you to sit at a signal until you died of thirst.

Sounds like a Darwin thing.

 

[seruzawa]

Re: Optical (video) VS. Magnetic

Utah is using motion detectors now. They work pretty well. The intersection sensors near my house always pick me up when I'm on my bike.

 

[34P]

Re: Optical (video) VS. Magnetic

I live in California and I put a couple of "rare earth" magnets on the bottom of my frame. That seems to solve the problem except where they have repaved the intersection (a very rare thing in California these days) and left the wires where they were originally (under a bunch more asphalt). In those cases I just wait until there is a break in the traffic and then go for it. Left turns can be interesting at times. I think JC Whitney carries the magnets. They arn't cheap, but they seem to work.

 

[Buzglyd]

Re: Traffic lights! ARG

You could take a car with you. That seems to help.

 

[jbbishop2]

Re: Traffic lights! ARG

I live and ride in California, and I've always figured that a signal that doesn't recognize your presence IS a non-functioning signal, and treat it like a stop sign just like when the power goes out and the signal's dead. After the light goes through a cycle and I'm sure the thing hasn'r "seen" me, I go as soon as it's safe. Do you know of some specific rule in California that says you can't?

 

[Buzglyd]

Re: Optical (video) VS. Magnetic

That boat anchor could be picked up from outer space.

 

[54778]

Re: Traffic lights! ARG

Believe it or not, I've had success with putting the bike in neutral (so the ignition isn't cut) and resting my bike on its sidestand right on top of the groove containing the sensor wire.

My '01 SV650 is pretty light, but it works for me most of the time...

 

[SeanAlexander]

Re: Traffic lights! ARG

No it doesn't. They are NOT light sensitive. When you flash and they change, it is because of one of two things. 1. Coincidence, 2. The ferrous metals in your motorcycle tripped the sensor.

 

[866]

Re: Traffic lights! ARG

I've done all of the things (except the magnet) that others have mentioned. Usually putting my Concours' engine over the corner of the wiring in the street works. At a couple of intersections in our town, it didn't.

I called the city and they told me that both intersections were "state highways" and that the Colorado Department of Transport was in charge of them. So, I called CDOT and reported them.

One was fixed right away. The other still ignores me about half the time. Usually when it ignores me, there is no other traffic, so after it cycles once, I check carefully and go on through the light.

The last time I did, there was one car about three blocks back. Just as I cleared the intersection, I realized that car was law enforcement. He flipped on his lights when he cleared the intersection and stopped me. I told him that I had sat through a light cycle and that I had reported the light to CDOT and that if he wanted he could write me up and we'd see each other in court. He declined my cordial offer.

I do know that some states (not Colorado!) have passed laws that make proceeding permissable when the light doesn't recognize your vehicle. Seems like Idaho was the most recent.

Phil Tarman

Ft. Morgan, CO

1999 Kawasaki Concours "Tumbleweed"

COG, CDA, IBA

 

[34720]

Re: Traffic lights! ARG

I just wait thru one cycle and go when it is safe. The reasonable man theory of law. This country needs to get with round-abouts. I have just been riding in Europe and in most places I did not have to stop at all. Very, very nice on a motorcycle (car too). Lane splitting and cars moving over is also dialed there.

 

[PeterH]

Re: Traffic lights! ARG

Try www.greenlightstuff.com They make several products including a heavy capacity magnet that attaches to your kickstand, and in MHO it works.

 

[Buzglyd]

I just want to celebrate

yeah yeah

That song rocks.

 

[mscuddy]

Re: Tlaffic Rights! ARG

I usually put the kickstand down, run over to the light pole and hit the crosswalk button.

If that doesn't work I hang a quick right followed by a u-turn & wheelie through the offending intersection.