Wilsons Sandbox

Posted: **Fri Jun 17, 2011 8:00 pm**

I have done nothing but run red lights here in rural Missouri since I got another KLR. Unless a car pulls up after or before me the lights with the magnetic sensors hardly ever turn for you. I'm just waiting for a clueless LEO to make my day. What's your experience been in your State? Joe in Missouri

Posted: **Fri Jun 17, 2011 10:48 pm**

My experience in Michigan is mixed. The town I live in has 2 lights, and the one by a freeway exit is switched by a magnetic sensor. One night I was stuck at the red for 10 minutes, in a parking lot across from me was our local cop waiting for me to go through it. Sure enough as soon as I went through, lights and siren. I got the ticket thrown out, luckily we have a county judge with brains. He told me to get a large magnet, some motorcycle web sites sell them specifically for this, and put it under my bike. Then next time if the light doesn't turn green for me move the bike directly over the wires line in the road.

On 06.17.2011 9:00 PM, Joe wrote: > I have done nothing but run red lights here in rural Missouri since I got another KLR. > > Unless a car pulls up after or before me the lights with the magnetic sensors hardly ever turn for you. > > I'm just waiting for a clueless LEO to make my day. > > What's your experience been in your State? > > Joe in Missouri > > > > ------------------------------------ > > List Sponsors - Dual Sport News: http://www.dualsportnews.com > Arrowhead Motorsports: http://www.arrowheadmotorsports.com > List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok: http://www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > Member Map: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DSN_KLR650/app/peoplemap/view/map > Group Apps: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DSN_KLR650/grouplets/subscriptionsYahoo! Groups Links > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Posted: **Fri Jun 17, 2011 11:41 pm**

I bought two of those little magnets and installed them both on my KZ650, then moved them to my A13. I would not say categorically that they are a scam, but I don't buy Snake Oil in the bargain sized bottle either. Just a thought DC D Critchley

On 17/06/2011 21:48, Darren Clark wrote: > My experience in Michigan is mixed. The town I live in has 2 lights, and > the one by a freeway exit is switched by a magnetic sensor. One night I > was stuck at the red for 10 minutes, in a parking lot across from me was > our local cop waiting for me to go through it. Sure enough as soon as I > went through, lights and siren. I got the ticket thrown out, luckily we > have a county judge with brains. He told me to get a large magnet, some > motorcycle web sites sell them specifically for this, and put it under > my bike. Then next time if the light doesn't turn green for me move the > bike directly over the wires line in the road. > > > > On 06.17.2011 9:00 PM, Joe wrote: >> I have done nothing but run red lights here in rural Missouri since I got another KLR. >> >> Unless a car pulls up after or before me the lights with the magnetic sensors hardly ever turn for you. >> >> I'm just waiting for a clueless LEO to make my day. >> >> What's your experience been in your State? >> >> Joe in Missouri >> >> >> >> ------------------------------------ >> >> List Sponsors - Dual Sport News: http://www.dualsportnews.com >> Arrowhead Motorsports: http://www.arrowheadmotorsports.com >> List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok: http://www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html >> Member Map: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DSN_KLR650/app/peoplemap/view/map >> Group Apps: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DSN_KLR650/grouplets/subscriptionsYahoo! Groups Links >> >> >> >> > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > ------------------------------------ > > List Sponsors - Dual Sport News: http://www.dualsportnews.com > Arrowhead Motorsports: http://www.arrowheadmotorsports.com > List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok: http://www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > Member Map: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DSN_KLR650/app/peoplemap/view/map > Group Apps: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DSN_KLR650/grouplets/subscriptionsYahoo! Groups Links > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Posted: **Sat Jun 18, 2011 12:27 am**

According to an attorney friend of mine, if the signal fails to detect your bike (factory stock without modifications), it is malfunctioning. If it is malfunctioning, basic "stop sign" rules apply (in most states). You are not under any onus to modify your vehicle from stock to improve its magnetic signature. If it is approved by DOT for sale in the US, you're good. Once notified, the city should adjust the sensitivity of the signal. If not, it's still malfunctioning. You've done your part by notifying the city of the malfunction. If the same cop keeps writing the same ticket - file a complaint for harassment with the local PD, citing multiple dismissed citations. If that doesn't work, make sure you bring it up with the judge. Quote the judge out of the drivers' handbook or the state vehicle code the section that deals with malfunctioning signals. The judge is bound by the law and can only make rulings based upon it, he cannot order you to make modifications to a street legal vehicle. -Jeff Khoury From: "Darren Clark" To: "Joe" Cc: "DSN KLR650" DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Friday, June 17, 2011 8:48:55 PM Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Running stop lights My experience in Michigan is mixed. The town I live in has 2 lights, and the one by a freeway exit is switched by a magnetic sensor. One night I was stuck at the red for 10 minutes, in a parking lot across from me was our local cop waiting for me to go through it. Sure enough as soon as I went through, lights and siren. I got the ticket thrown out, luckily we have a county judge with brains. He told me to get a large magnet, some motorcycle web sites sell them specifically for this, and put it under my bike. Then next time if the light doesn't turn green for me move the bike directly over the wires line in the road.

On 06.17.2011 9:00 PM, Joe wrote: > I have done nothing but run red lights here in rural Missouri since I got another KLR. > > Unless a car pulls up after or before me the lights with the magnetic sensors hardly ever turn for you. > > I'm just waiting for a clueless LEO to make my day. > > What's your experience been in your State? > > Joe in Missouri > > > > ------------------------------------ > > List Sponsors - Dual Sport News: http://www.dualsportnews.com > Arrowhead Motorsports: http://www.arrowheadmotorsports.com > List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok: http://www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > Member Map: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DSN_KLR650/app/peoplemap/view/map > Group Apps: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DSN_KLR650/grouplets/subscriptionsYahoo ! Groups Links > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Posted: **Sat Jun 18, 2011 7:20 am**

What a pain in the arse! The only time I miss the heavy Harley is while I'm waiting for a car to roll up behind me at a RED light. Thankfully the great state of North Carolina has a law that if you're waiting at a traffic signal for up to 3 min you can proceed through safely on a motorcycle. Check your State and Local laws, you may never have to see a Judge. Larry Fort Bragg

Posted: **Sat Jun 18, 2011 9:04 am**

I've found just dropping the kick stand down does the trick most of the time. If you're not close to a pick-up then it won't work.

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Joe" wrote: > > I have done nothing but run red lights here in rural Missouri since I got another KLR. > > Unless a car pulls up after or before me the lights with the magnetic sensors hardly ever turn for you. > > I'm just waiting for a clueless LEO to make my day. > > What's your experience been in your State? > > Joe in Missouri >

Posted: **Sat Jun 18, 2011 9:59 am**

Here in the Greensburg, Pa. area I have a few traffic signals that will not turn when the KLR is stopped. I have tried two different store bought magnets and I went to Radio Shack and got the components to make one myself and it did not work. A intersection where it comes to a 4 lane highway where the light does not work with the KLR is a bit dangerous to pull out into, I usually waited until another vehicle would come to make the light change. One night on the way to work I got tired of waiting and as soon as I committed myself I saw headlights coming around the corner behind me and the next thing I knew I had the RED & BLUE lights behind me. It was the Pennsylvania State Police in a unmarked car. I pulled over at the entrance where I used to work (State Prison) and told him my story about dealing with the borough and that stop light. When a bunch of my friends that were coming to work at the time stopped and kept telling the officer to give me a ticket he asked me what was up with that and I told him I worked there. I don't know if it was because I was a corrections officer that he did not give me a ticket. If the problem involves digging up the highway to fix the traffic signal I am sure the borough is not going to dig it up for my KLR. Some of the local borough police have motorcycles and they told me that the signal does not change for them also. Tom SW Pennsylvania

Posted: **Sat Jun 18, 2011 10:19 am**

Back when I had my first Transalp, I got stuck at a light for a street that crossed a busy four lane late one summer night. No cross traffic to help the light change in my favor, I sat through several cycles where the left turn arrow on my lane would come on but never the green/go straight light. Across the wide intersection were three patrol cars that had a car stopped for something bad. (trunk/doors open + driver in the back seat of a police car,etc...) My Honda started to get hot. So, I switched it off. A car came up from behind, I cranked my bike and the car.........turned left. Still no go straight signal. This repeated at least three times before one of the officers walked across the highway and sharply asked, "Why do you keep turning your headlight off?" I told him as sharply, "Because that light won't go green for me and my bike's getting hot!" Officer, " Why don't you just run it?" Me, "In front of a bunch of guys that can give me a ticket???" Just then, a car came up and stopped directly behing me (finally!!). The officer started back across the road and the light went green. I went on by him as I proceeded through the light - shaking my head. The car nearly ran him over. These days, I wait and give it a chance before cautiously going through any red light that doesn't get triggered by my bike. That's often the case with the KLR650 and every single time with the flea-sized CBR250R. LOL Never had a problem with the GL1800. Hmmmm, land yachts DO have their hidden qualities! If I ever get pulled over, my argument will be a valid one: "I'm NOT getting run over by an inattentive driver while stopped for a malfunctioning light. I came to a complete stop, waited an acceptable amount of time, observed the right of way and proceeded with caution." eddie

Posted: **Sat Jun 18, 2011 10:50 am**

Thanks for the heads up Jeff, Your advice seems sound. You also gave me the right search terms to find out that Missouri has a law that specifically address's this situation. http://mobikefed.org/2009/08/new-law-allows-bicyclists-to-proceed-throug\ h-malfunctioning-red-lights.php http://mobikefed.org/2009/08/new-law-allows-bicyclists-to-proceed-throu\ gh-malfunctioning-red-lights.php> Joe in Missouri

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Jeff Khoury wrote: > > According to an attorney friend of mine, if the signal fails to detect your bike (factory stock without modifications), it is malfunctioning. If it is malfunctioning, basic "stop sign" rules apply (in most states). > > You are not under any onus to modify your vehicle from stock to improve its magnetic signature. If it is approved by DOT for sale in the US, you're good. Once notified, the city should adjust the sensitivity of the signal. If not, it's still malfunctioning. You've done your part by notifying the city of the malfunction. > > If the same cop keeps writing the same ticket - file a complaint for harassment with the local PD, citing multiple dismissed citations. If that doesn't work, make sure you bring it up with the judge. Quote the judge out of the drivers' handbook or the state vehicle code the section that deals with malfunctioning signals. The judge is bound by the law and can only make rulings based upon it, he cannot order you to make modifications to a street legal vehicle. > > -Jeff Khoury > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Posted: **Sat Jun 18, 2011 7:34 pm**

I run lights too, but I have never had cops across the street. That had to be crazy. He was right, though. If it's obvious that the light is ignoring you, your choices are to turn right or run it. I've done both. I have also gone straight when the left turn won't cycle for me to turn left. Three rights make a left, you know! Robert P. Wichert P.Eng LEED AP +1 916 966 9060 FAX +1 916 966 9068 ===============================================

On 6/18/2011 8:18 AM, eddie wrote: > > > Back when I had my first Transalp, I got stuck at a light for a street > that > crossed a busy four lane late one summer night. > No cross traffic to help the light change in my favor, I sat through > several cycles where the left turn arrow on my lane would > come on but never the green/go straight light. Across the wide > intersection > were three patrol cars that had a car stopped for something bad. > (trunk/doors open + driver in the back seat of a police car,etc...) > My Honda started to get hot. So, I switched it off. A car came up from > behind, I cranked my bike and the car.........turned left. > Still no go straight signal. This repeated at least three times before one > of the officers walked across the highway and sharply asked, > "Why do you keep turning your headlight off?" I told him as sharply, > "Because that light won't go green for me and my bike's getting hot!" > Officer, " Why don't you just run it?" Me, "In front of a bunch of guys > that can give me a ticket???" > > Just then, a car came up and stopped directly behing me (finally!!). The > officer started back across the road and the light went green. > I went on by him as I proceeded through the light - shaking my head. The > car nearly ran him over. > > These days, I wait and give it a chance before cautiously going > through any > red light that doesn't get triggered by my bike. > That's often the case with the KLR650 and every single time with the > flea-sized CBR250R. LOL > Never had a problem with the GL1800. Hmmmm, land yachts DO have their > hidden qualities! > > If I ever get pulled over, my argument will be a valid one: "I'm NOT > getting run over by an inattentive driver while stopped for a > malfunctioning light. > I came to a complete stop, waited an acceptable amount of time, observed > the right of way and proceeded with caution." > eddie > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Wilsons Sandbox

(klr650) bent handle bar

running stop lights

running stop lights

running stop lights

running stop lights

running stop lights

running stop lights

running stop lights

running stop lights

running stop lights

running stop lights