Tour Pak Spoiler/Brake Light Motorcycle Safety Discuss Tour Pak Spoiler/Brake Light in the Other Topics forums; I figured since I ride a big ole Electra Glide motorist would spot me easily, especially sitting at a light or in traffic. This past summer I nearly got rearended ...

I figured since I ride a big ole Electra Glide motorist would spot me easily, especially sitting at a light or in traffic. This past summer I nearly got rearended three times. I figured I'd install the H-D Tour Pak spoiler with integrated brake light. The install and electrical connection was easy and straight forward. It took less than an hour. Afterwards I had my wife sit on the bike and apply the brake while I sat behind her in our car. It should get a drivers attention better as the light sits about eye level with most cars. Hopefully this will help me from getting run over from the rear as it increases rear visibility and the standard brake light on an Electra Glide may not be bright enuf. Cagers ain't paying attention out there so anything I can do to increase our safety I'm tryin. I'm pretty pleased with the setup. It looks good but it is a little pricey. Ride safe. Clif

[shovelmike]

Hey, Cliff. That sounds like it ought to be a good upgrade for safety. Is that from H-D or after market?

It's from Harley. It's a sharp looking unit that fits the bike well. Excellent workmanship. It comes with everything you need including a template that allows you to mount it in three different locations, one without a luggage rack, one with a small luggage rack or with a big luggage rack. It took about 6 weeks to get from the dealer and can be ordered with paint to match your dominant color on your bike. I ordered mine in vivid black. Like I said, a little pricey as mine totaled $269.00 with tax. It will be worth every penny though if it keeps me from getting run over from behind. Be safe. Clif

[shovelmike]

Thanks for the quick reply, Cliff. You can't put a price on your life, I consider it a bargain.

[HotRodad1]

One of my greatest fears. Sitting stopped and having someone plow into the back end.

I always leave about 3 or 4 bike lengths in front of me to the vehicle stopped incase I need to get out of the way. Then I watch the car behind me to make sure he sees me and is going to stop. I'll even tap the brakes to make the light pulse, hoping to get their attention. Once that car (or truck) stops I relax a bit but squeeling tires always keeps me alert.

One harmless close call is what set me up to be cautious and on the look out.

cheers!

[Trigger87]

When I bought my dresser, I got an Ultra style tour pak. I like the extra lights in the back end, and like Hotrodad, I too, tap the brakes when I see a car approaching from the back. I also tap the brakes when I decellerate, especially if I am engine braking to slow. I've had a couple of close calls in the past, and willl take all the help I can get.

I always leave space to wiggle out if it goes bad while sitting there, and always tap the brakes to catch a cagers attention. With all that I still almost got creamed. Seemed the cell phone had her full attention. I think the Tour Pak spoiler will help. Ride safe folks. Clif

[shovelmike]

Yeah, the risk of getting hit from behind is enough to make me keep the bike in gear most of the time at lights. There was a case in American Motorcyclist(AMA), a year or two back about a rider killed when the large truck behind him ran over him when the light turned green. Maybe the driver forgot he was there and couldn't see him over the hood that close. Witnesses said he put his left foot on the peg shortly before impact, perhaps a frantic effort to get it into gear and move, seconds which made the difference in life and death.
I reference to rear enders while braking, many years ago there was a product called Cyberlite which contained a decellerometer which would flash the light faster the harder you were braking. Tests at the time seemed to show that brains are hard wired to really go for the brake given such input. I don't know if such a product is still made but I think it would save some lives.
Sincerely: Shovelmike.

[ssc89]

Hey S-Mike, the product is called "Back Off" by SignalDynamics. I like the Auxiliary Brake Light/Running Light/Turn Signal Conversion kit HD has. Put one on every bike we have ever owned.

[shovelmike]

Thanks, ssc89. Bound to add a great degree of safety.