[Captain Nemo 1]

Good Day: One of my friends wants to by a headlight modulator for his 03 Burgman 650.
Does anyone know if they are legal in New Brunswick Canada? If they are ,where is the best place to purchase one.
Are there different models for different bikes and if so which one would be right for the 03 Burgman 650. Thanks for any
help.... Captain Nemo 1 ........... :thumbup:

 

[Leo38]

They are legal in all Provinces of Canada.

Plug 'n Play models are easiest to install. Kisan Technologies & Kriss are popular manufacturers.
Just Google 'motorcycle headlight modulators' and search for the deals. Cheaper to buy from U.S. vs. Canada.
Look for USPS shipping & not UPS.
Also check eBay.

https://www.kisantech.com/

http://www.kriss.com/

 

[Chérie]

They are legal in all Provinces of Canada.

Plug 'n Play models are easiest to install. Kisan Technologies & Kriss are popular manufacturers.
Just Google 'motorcycle headlight modulators' and search for the deals. Cheaper to buy from U.S. vs. Canada.
Look for USPS shipping & not UPS.
Also check eBay.

https://www.kisantech.com/

http://www.kriss.com/

Absolutely not legal in Quebec, not 100% sure but me think not legal in N-B also.

In Quebec provincial police stop you if you have this, not allowed to have such flashing light on private vehicle. All flashing light of such type only for emergency & rescu vehicle.

Quebec motorcycle federation make presentation to gouvernement for have this accepted, this under study only for now, but all different police in province not for such gizmo.

 

[Captain Nemo 1]

Good Day: Thanks to Leo 38 for places to locate them and also your vote of yes they are legal.
Thanks to Cherie for the no vote on legality. Maby the best way of being sure, is for him to check with our M V I and if they say
their OK, then he should get a paper from them to show a policeman if he should ever be stopped. Thanks again.
Captain Nemo 1............ :thumbup:

 

[Leo38]

A headlight modulator is not a flashing light.
A modulator cycles the head light from maximum intensity to a lower intensity at a pre set rate (cycle).

A flashing light cycles on to off, or in the case of a rotation beacon... visible to not visible
Flashing lights are only legal on police, emergency, ambulance, and other vehicles which may be approved by Transport Canada.

Transport Canada (Federal) regulations are applicable to all provinces.
Here's the regulation from Webbikeworld that also has a link for the 'Version Francaise'.
http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle- ... canada.htm
And here's a link to Transport Canada official regulation, Section S7.9 Motorcycles, sub section S7.9.4.1 Motorcycle Headlamp Modulation System.
http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/roadsafety/safe ... Toc%20S7.9

Federal Regulations apply to all Provinces, and (as I understand it) cannot be superseded by Provincial or Municipal regulations unless such regulations are notated within the Federal Regulations as exceptions.

Edit: Wig Wag headlights are not considered to be Modulating Headlights. Their use is limited to police and emergency vehicles only.

 

[Leo38]

Maby the best way of being sure, is for him to check with our M V I and if they say
their OK, then he should get a paper from them to show a policeman if he should ever be stopped. Thanks again.
Captain Nemo 1............ :thumbup:

Just print out the related Transport Canada regulation and carry it with you.

Our friends in the U.S. have a similar regulation published by the U.S. Government approving. headlight modulators.
Over the years I have read many posts on different forums where riders in the U.S. have been pulled over by local cops that don't know the difference between a flashing light and modulator, and the relevant regulation.
As in Canada, Federal law trumps any regional or local regulation in this regard.
If travelling across the border, carry a copy of the U.S. reg's.
http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle- ... r-regs.htm

 

[MJR]

Over the years I have read many posts on different forums where riders in the U.S. have been pulled over by local cops that don't know the difference between a flashing light and modulator, and the relevant regulation.
As in Canada, Federal law trumps any regional or local regulation in this regard.

Most Police aren't aware of what the laws actually mean, that's what we have courts for. States can make their own regulations and inforce them independant of Federal laws. California has various vehicle regulations. http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/vc/vc.htm

 

[Leo38]

States can make their own regulations and inforce them independant of Federal laws. California has various vehicle regulations. http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/vc/vc.htm

Excerpts from link in my previous post.

This Federal law supersedes all state laws and makes motorcycle headlight modulators legal in all 50 states. FMVSS 108 (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) (49 CFR Part 571.108 S7.9.4) allows motorcycle headlight modulation systems all 50 states provided they comply with the standards set forth in this section.

Title 49 USC 30103 (b1) (US Codes) prohibits any state from forbidding a system that conforms to FMVSS 108

Title 49, United States Code, Chapter 301 Motor Vehicle Safety. This law prohibits states from forbidding a system that complies with FMVSS 108.

PREEMPTION

When a motor vehicle safety standard is in effect under this chapter, a State or a political subdivision of a State may prescribe or continue in effect a standard applicable to the same aspect of performance of a motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment only if the standard is identical to the standard prescribed under this chapter. However, the United States Government, a State, or a political subdivision of a State may prescribe a standard for a motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment obtained for its own use that imposes a higher performance requirement than that required by the otherwise applicable standard under this chapter.

A State may enforce a standard that is identical to a standard prescribed under this chapter.

 

[MJR]

States can make their own regulations and inforce them independant of Federal laws. California has various vehicle regulations. http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/vc/vc.htm

Excerpts from link in my previous post.

This Federal law supersedes all state laws and makes motorcycle headlight modulators legal in all 50 states. FMVSS 108 (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) (49 CFR Part 571.108 S7.9.4) allows motorcycle headlight modulation systems all 50 states provided they comply with the standards set forth in this section.

Title 49 USC 30103 (b1) (US Codes) prohibits any state from forbidding a system that conforms to FMVSS 108

Title 49, United States Code, Chapter 301 Motor Vehicle Safety. This law prohibits states from forbidding a system that complies with FMVSS 108.

PREEMPTION

When a motor vehicle safety standard is in effect under this chapter, a State or a political subdivision of a State may prescribe or continue in effect a standard applicable to the same aspect of performance of a motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment only if the standard is identical to the standard prescribed under this chapter. However, the United States Government, a State, or a political subdivision of a State may prescribe a standard for a motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment obtained for its own use that imposes a higher performance requirement than that required by the otherwise applicable standard under this chapter.

A State may enforce a standard that is identical to a standard prescribed under this chapter.

Good to know with regard to modulators but I wasn't simply reffering to modulators. California and other states have various laws specific to each state for various vehicle equipment. In California we have regulations on the number/color/height of various lighting and such that other states may not. While it's most likely if there is a Federal Standard it may be applied to all or states may have additional laws. A perfect example would be the Federal exemption for California to create it's own stricker emissions standards which other states may choose either one to apply in thier own states.

 

[knucklehead]

One very good way to gain visibility is to use amber lights. They are very visible in low light and in foggy conditions.

 

[Captain Nemo 1]

Good Day: Thanks to, Leo 38--- MJR --- and Knucklehead -- I shall pass this info on to my friend, this should give him the answer he was looking for.... Thanks. Captain Nemo `1--------- :thumbup:

 

[Chérie]

Me check with Federation of Motorcyclist here, it represent 144,000 motorcyclist, here Highway Safety Act not change for permit modulator, presently still not legal, this coming but transport ministry want special condition for such modulator so be different from emergency vehicle, also want motorcycle have 3 point light in triangle pattern if possible.

 

[MJR]

Me check with Federation of Motorcyclist here, it represent 144,000 motorcyclist, here Highway Safety Act not change for permit modulator, presently still not legal, this coming but transport ministry want special condition for such modulator so be different from emergency vehicle, also want motorcycle have 3 point light in triangle pattern if possible.

A headlight modulator is not a flashing light.
A modulator cycles the head light from maximum intensity to a lower intensity at a pre set rate (cycle).

A flashing light cycles on to off, or in the case of a rotation beacon... visible to not visible
Flashing lights are only legal on police, emergency, ambulance, and other vehicles which may be approved by Transport Canada.

Transport Canada (Federal) regulations are applicable to all provinces.
Here's the regulation from Webbikeworld that also has a link for the 'Version Francaise'.
http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle- ... canada.htm
And here's a link to Transport Canada official regulation, Section S7.9 Motorcycles, sub section S7.9.4.1 Motorcycle Headlamp Modulation System.
http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/roadsafety/safe ... Toc%20S7.9

Federal Regulations apply to all Provinces, and (as I understand it) cannot be superseded by Provincial or Municipal regulations unless such regulations are notated within the Federal Regulations as exceptions.

Edit: Wig Wag headlights are not considered to be Modulating Headlights. Their use is limited to police and emergency vehicles only.

Looks like Leo covered it pretty well and as he said provinces can't make illegal something allowed under federal law. Here's some google related searches. I would not be surprised that the Police in some areas are not wre of it or the difference between flashing and modulating headlamps. Now this might not stop some uniformed officer from ticketing you anyway but them all you have to do is show to the court that your device is a modulator that meet federal law and it should be dismissed. I have had to do this on my Jeep here in California on the extra lights on the front of my vehicle. Once I had proven that the my lights met the standards for Passing Lamps (up to 41" from the ground and lit with either low or high beam) and not Off-Road lights (over 41" from the ground and to be covered at all times on the road) the court dismissed the ticket.

http://www.kriss.com/modrules.htm
http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle- ... r-regs.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorcycle ... _modulator

 

[Dave_J]

Basically IF the low beams stay lit at all times and the high beams modulate then in USA they are legal at times of daylight. They are NOT flashing. Modulators should have a sensor that shuts them off at night.

One very good way to gain visibility is to use amber lights. They are very visible in low light and in foggy conditions.

This is what I have done by wiring my turnsignals up with "Magic Blinkers" and bright LED bulbs. It glows amber to the sides so the cars next to me can see it. And at night it also illuminates the side of the road slightly. But in the driving snow they are too high up and that amber glow is reflected back some, not bad but some. I will try to park my Burgman next to the wifes Buick like if we were side by side on the freeway and post a picture. I'd post a Vid if I knew how.

 

[Leo38]

You heard it here first !!!
Cherie was correct about modulators not approved in Quebec - but that is about to change as of yesterday.

Emails between myself, Transport Canada, and Quebec SAAQ.


Sent: Tuesday, March 26, 2013 12:29 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Motorcycle Headlight Modulators.

Headlight Modulators are approved under Transport Canada Technical Standard S7.9, sub para. S7.9.4.
http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/roadsafety/safe ... Toc%20S7.9
It has been my understanding that this standard applies to, and is legal in, all Provinces.
Recent reports from Quebec motorcyclists indicate that modulators have been declared illegal in that Province.
After an exhaustive search of Gov. of Quebec web sites, and many other sources I can find no definitive regulation on this subject.
My question ..... does Transport Canada Standard S7.9 apply in Quebec, or can any Province change / over rule this standard?

From: Zongora, Peter
Sent: Monday, April 08, 2013 12:28 PM
Subject: RE: Motorcycle Headlight Modulators. attn. Peter Zongora

Your attached email has been passed to me for a response.
The federal regulations under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act apply to manufacturers of new vehicles. In-use standards such as tire wear and lamp are functioning are within the jurisdiction of the provinces. There are some rare cases however, where a province does not allow a vehicle or vehicle feature that is in compliance with federal legislation to be used in that province. We have not heard that motorcycle headlamp modulation is prohibited in Quebec. We have a contact at the provincial transportation level that you can try asking, Mr. Mark Baril ([email protected]).
Sincerely,
Peter Zongora
Senior Regulation Enforcement Officer / Agent principal de l'application des règlementation
fax/ télécopieur (613) 998-8541 | [email protected]
Transport Canada 275 Slater (ASFABA) Ottawa (Ontario) K1A 0N5
Transports Canada 275 Slater (ASFABA) Ottawa (Ontario) K1A 0N5
Government of Canada Gouvernement du Canada

Envoyé : 8 avril 2013 14:06
À : Baril, Mark
Objet : Fw: Motorcycle Headlight Modulators.
Mr. Baril.
Please refer to my previous correspondence with Transport Canada re. use of motorcycle headlight modulators.
Could you please clarify / confirm the policy regarding the use or prohibition of motorcycle headlight modulators in the Province of Quebec?
If you have any links to publications or regulations pertaining to this matter, it would be much appreciated.



Mr Walters,
The modulator is freshly accepted in Quebec and the SAAQ will even recommend its use !!
Yesterday, the SAAQ released a report made by a Quebec’s motorcycle safety committee. The recommendation number 2 of that committee deals with the modulator.
You can access the report by following this link. Unfortunately the report is currently available in the French language only.
http://www.saaq.gouv.qc.ca/documents/do ... e_moto.php
Have a nice day,
Mark Baril, ing. | Service de la sécurité des véhicules et du transport | Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec | 333 boul. Jean-Lesage, C-4-21 | Québec (QC) | G1K 8J6 | Tél.: 418 528-3503