Headlight modulator

Scoot · Post by **Scoot** » Wed Aug 25, 2010 2:08 am

I recently purchased a Headlight Modulator for my St. Tropez and my 125. I attempted to install the unit on the St. Tropez and it did not fit. There is insufficient clearance between the headlamp and the speedometer cable. So, I contacted Kissan about the problem. They sent me a different adapter for the headlamp, so the unit will fit in place and work properly. I installed the light sensor on one of the supporting posts for my windshield. So the unit did not require any type of modification to the scooter. I also installed at the same time the Sylvania High Intensity headlamp. By the way Walmart sells them cheaper in a two pack. I have not done the 125 yet, it is just been too hot to work in the garage.

Just thought I would pass this on if anyone is interested.

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Wed Aug 25, 2010 2:34 am

Scoot wrote:I recently purchased a Headlight Modulator for my St. Tropez and my 125. I attempted to install the unit on the St. Tropez and it did not fit. There is insufficient clearance between the headlamp and the speedometer cable. So, I contacted Kissan about the problem. They sent me a different adapter for the headlamp, so the unit will fit in place and work properly. I installed the light sensor on one of the supporting posts for my windshield. So the unit did not require any type of modification to the scooter. I also installed at the same time the Sylvania High Intensity headlamp. By the way Walmart sells them cheaper in a two pack. I have not done the 125 yet, it is just been too hot to work in the garage.

Just thought I would pass this on if anyone is interested.

I added one of these to the scoot several months back and am very happy with it. I'll also add that the Kisantech customer service is very good. Here are a couple of snips from emails when I was had similar concerns about the install clearance.

From Kisan:
P115W-AC is the correct unit for the Buddy. The H4 adapter that it comes with is a very tight fit. You can always remove the adapter and wire-in the hi-beam wire as input/output and not worry about the space constraint.

And a followup email once they had a adapter that would fit the Buddy:
It's ready now. Please type in that you need "2-piece adapter" in the comment section during checkout.

We will make sure you get the new adapter.

I don't remember his name, but someone posted basic Kisan brake light modulator install procedures in MB last fall or winter.

Rob

KABarash · Post by **KABarash** » Wed Aug 25, 2010 3:13 pm

Sure, YOU get noticed with one on your bike, the other nite, I HAD to pull over and let the bike behind me that had one pass, I was getting 'vertigo' from the light in my mirrors......

cheez37 · Post by **cheez37** » Wed Aug 25, 2010 3:23 pm

KABarash wrote:Sure, YOU get noticed with one on your bike, the other nite, I HAD to pull over and let the bike behind me that had one pass, I was getting 'vertigo' from the light in my mirrors......

I think they had a bad light sensor or installed it improperly. They aren't supposed to modulate when it is dark outside.

jijifer · Post by **jijifer** » Wed Aug 25, 2010 4:36 pm

KABarash wrote:Sure, YOU get noticed with one on your bike, the other nite, I HAD to pull over and let the bike behind me that had one pass, I was getting 'vertigo' from the light in my mirrors......

Yeah, I don't like riding with scoots with these modulators in them. Flashing your lights is the way can signal something is wrong and I should pull over. So when I keep seeing it in my rearview I am at first alarmed then annoyed.

**edit** but I suppose that's why they work - annoying as crap gets one's attention

KABarash · Post by **KABarash** » Thu Aug 26, 2010 3:08 pm

cheez37 wrote:
KABarash wrote:Sure, YOU get noticed with one on your bike, the other nite, I HAD to pull over and let the bike behind me that had one pass, I was getting 'vertigo' from the light in my mirrors......
I think they had a bad light sensor or installed it improperly. They aren't supposed to modulate when it is dark outside.

It wasn't 'dark-dark' it was just about dusk.....

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Fri Aug 27, 2010 2:25 am

jijifer wrote:Yeah, I don't like riding with scoots with these modulators in them. Flashing your lights is the way can signal something is wrong and I should pull over. So when I keep seeing it in my rearview I am at first alarmed then annoyed.
**edit** but I suppose that's why they work - annoying as crap gets one's attention

Well, at the risk of dating myself yet again, I'll borrow a comment from Gilda Radner's, Emily Litella character ..... Nevermind.

Somehow I just skimmed over the headlight portion of the modulator subject. All of my previous comments and email snips were for the Kisantech brake modulator. A very impressive little unit and I'll still recommend it as a nice safety device.

I'm quite often told that I have selective hearing ... looks like I suffer from selective reading as well.

Rob

Scoot · Post by **Scoot** » Sun Aug 29, 2010 3:37 am

Just thought I would add my two cents worth to this. Today I made an extended trip using the back roads primarily. It might just be me, but I thought I noticed some drivers who looked like they were not going to stop, bud did. What I also noticed is that they were looking in my direction. I just think that side streets and driveways are hazardous. That is just my opinion and possibly that of DOT folks since this device is legal in all states. Just some comments from an "old timer".

iMoses · Post by **iMoses** » Sun Aug 29, 2010 3:58 am

Even before I started scooting I thought that modulators were a great idea.

Definitely gets you notice by the cagers. Which in my opinion is worth having a fellow scooterist a little confused or upset with me.

pinthea · Post by **pinthea** » Thu Aug 09, 2012 1:28 am

Question for those who have installed the Kisan headlight modulator in a Genuine Buddy scooter --

The install instructions indicate that the unit is waterproof and suitable for external mounting, in fact it says to do so using velcro.

It seems that if one is to make a connection at the headlight with one end of the cable, it would be awkward to locate the heatsink end of it externally, though it sounds advantageous to do so given that the note is that the heatsink gets hot and not to let it touch plastic.

So I ask -- how did you mount it? Did you mount it externally, or inside the headlight housing, or did you snake it down into the area behind the front horn cover?

Modern Buddy