Wing Ding Schedule and Volunteers

Attention District Directors: We are in desperate need of volunteers for the Grand Parade and Light Show.
Please ask your Chapter Directors to inquire if anyone within their Chapter is attending Wing Ding this year. If, yes, could they please get their names and cell phone numbers if possible. Please compile the information and send us the list from your District.
Thank you for your cooperation. Lorraine & Earl

From the Regional Educator

Modulators – Use them but don’t Abuse them
(from a speech at the NY District Meeting)

One of the most important safety products for motorcyclists to come out in recent years is the headlight modulator. Designed to rapidly vary the intensity of either the high or low beam headlight during daytime operation, it has reduced the number of motor vehicle –motorcycle accidents that often prove fatal to the rider. Provided the modulator system meets federal standards, their use is legal in all 50 states and Canada as well. While the modulator rapidly varies the intensity of the headlight, it’s important to note that they do not flash the lights on and off and a photocell switch disables the modulators during nighttime use. Only emergency vehicle are allowed to actually flash the light on and off. The rapid change of light intensity is perceived by the mind as movement. Our brains are “wired” to detect movement because of a natural hunting instinct thus the attention of the motorist is immediately drawn to your motorcycle. Normally simply turning on the high beam lights during daytime turns on the modulators. Some riders insist on employing the modulators at all times while riding. This practice, I believe, is wrong and can result in tragic results.

The use of the modulators can be extremely annoying to motorists, especially in heavy traffic. In some people this annoyance can lead to anger and then even to road rage! This rage may be taken out on you or even the next unsuspecting rider encountered by the enraged motorist. Would an enraged driver deliberately try to harm or even kill a motorcyclist? Unfortunately the answer is yes! I’ve been verbally threatened by drivers and even had one driver try to force me off the road several times. I say deliberately because he was looking at me the entire time he was encroaching onto my lane. It seems to be a sport in Ohio. So why give them a reason to become enraged and injure or kill you? Their vehicle may out -weigh yours by 10 to 1. So please use some common sense and practice modulator etiquette. Don’t use them in heavy stop-and-go traffic. Another reason to avoid the constant use of modulators is that they can become a mental crutch. You soon start to believe that the modulators will save you and you don’t have to practice good, sound defensive riding skills such as “scan – anticipate – react”. The modulator does help but it is not a save – all. One of the closet calls I ever had was a classic “left turn in front of me” By anticipating that the driver was going to pull that stunt and applying maximum braking force, I was able to stop my Wing 10 inches before impact and the modulators were on!

Modulators or not, we must always ride as if we are fighter pilots. Constantly scan for any threats, anticipate the threat, and be prepared to react to the threat when, not just if, it occurs. Yes, modulators are a good safety investment. Practice etiquette in their use and do not use them as a crutch. They will help you but only you can save yourself!

Ride Smart – Ride Safe
Keith