Don't Get Stuck At Another Red Light

by derek on April 5, 2007 · 18 comments

For anyone that rides a motorcycle, you have no doubt experienced the frustration of sitting at a red light and not getting the light to change in your favor unless a car pulls up with you. Or how about being first in the left-turn lane yet never getting the green arrow?
When this happens to you on a motorcycle, you don’t have many options other than hoping another vehicle pulls up to the light along side you or you have to risk the law and blow through the light (which is not recommended). The reason this happens is because many traffic signals utilize an inductive loop sensor set in the pavement. When a car or truck pulls up to the intersection, the sensor detects the presence of the metal and recognizes that a vehicle is waiting at the intersection.
On a motorcycle, there is usually not enough metal to trigger the sensor controlling the traffic signal. This is the purpose behind The Green Light Trigger, which is intended to emit a strong magnetic field that will simulate the presence of a much larger vehicle meaning you will not have to wait for that green light.
As I enter the riding season, I’ll have to think about picking one of these up to give it a try. While it doesn’t happen too many times to me, waiting for a green light can be very frustrating – particularly late at night.
If anyone has tried The Green Light Trigger or something similar, I’d be interested in hearing your feedback. If I can get my hands on one, I will gladly provide a review for anyone that might be considering one.

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{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }

Leo April 6, 2007 at 2:51 am

Or you could just ride around with a big piece of turd, it might save your life 😉

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derek April 6, 2007 at 9:54 am

Hmm, I think I’ll take my chances!

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Everyday Weekender April 6, 2007 at 2:10 pm

I don’t ride bikes.. the scare me…

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derek April 6, 2007 at 5:12 pm

If they scare you then it is probably best that you don’t ride. But if you ever consider it, I highly recommend that you take the safety classes provided before getting your license.

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Natron April 6, 2007 at 3:21 pm

I actually had to run a few lights on my cycle in the day as they weren’t changing and there was no traffic coming along for help.

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derek April 6, 2007 at 5:13 pm

Yeah, I’m pretty sure most bikers have experienced that from time to time. You just gotta make sure there are no other cars coming and no cops hiding out somewhere.

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Nicholas Pruett April 7, 2007 at 11:22 am

that is a pretty cool invention, my brother has a GSXR 600 and would probably like to have shorter waits at red lights, if he “waits” at all at night!

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Lizzie (Rippin-Kitten) May 11, 2007 at 1:34 pm

That is a neat little piece of technology-have you gotten one yet? I’m curious to see if it really works as I have also had to run some red lights. I don’t like doing it but there isn’t much of a choice sometimes.
Great site!

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derek May 11, 2007 at 4:10 pm

Thanks Lizzie! No, I haven’t gotten one of these yet as I tried to contact the company a couple of times for some feedback on the product but they never responded.
Their lack of response made me a little apprehensive to trust their product. Like you said, sometimes there just isn’t a choice and any advantage helps.
BTW, I like your site and might have to ask you for some detailing tips. I need to get one of those powerball minis as I usually do a best effort with elbow grease and then give up to ride.
Also, from what I gather on your site my wife would be very jealous. She loves Salem and wants to move there, I’ll have to show her some of your pics.

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Lizzie (Rippin-Kitten) May 14, 2007 at 10:41 am

Oh, that’s too bad that they turned out to be unreliable. I’d be into trying it out if they were.
Hey, anytime you need some tips-whether it be about detailing or about Salem I’m always happy to share!

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derek May 14, 2007 at 11:00 am

Yeah, me too. I was basically just looking for some sort of response from them before buying their product and I didn’t even get an autoresponse email or call or anything.
As for detailing, any other recommended “must-have” products other than your powerball and nano polish?
BTW, I tried to register for your site so I could comment but never received the email. Normally I don’t register for sites just to comment but I like your site and thought it was worth registering to comment. But no email. 🙁

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Lizzie (Rippin-Kitten) May 16, 2007 at 9:36 am

Argh, sorry about that. I’ve been trying to disable the required registration off of my site for commenting and I think it’s a bit messed up at the moment. Thanks for letting me know.

Scott Kauffman June 11, 2007 at 11:56 pm

Derek:
I’m Scott Kauffman, the inventor of the Green Light Trigger and the owner of the company that makes it. I’m sorry you didn’t get a response from me earlier: I have Parkinson’s Disease, adn the recent months have been very difficult for me. That’s not an excuse, but just an explanation.
Now, what can I do for you? Would you please respond by email?
Thanks,
Scott

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derek June 12, 2007 at 12:06 am

Scott, first and foremost I’d like to thank you for stopping by my site and saying hello. I appreciate the explanation as it is nice to even hear that someone has just been too busy to respond.
I’ll send you an email.

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Mark Cook December 25, 2007 at 12:39 am

I purchased a Green Light Trigger for my Suzuki DL 650, attached it to my center stand, and it works great!

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Personal Finance March 13, 2008 at 12:35 pm

I don’t have a motorcycle yet(I am signing up for a class in a month or two). But I have heard that in North Carolina it is now legal for motorcycles to GO THROUGH RED LIGHTS because of what you just posted. I guess a lot of others have the same problem. It seems like it would be a little scary. I would check both ways real good b4 trying something like this, but you ride a motorcycle, obviously you have no fear!

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derek March 13, 2008 at 12:45 pm

I wouldn’t necessarily say there is no fear, as there is always a need to ride with an awareness/fear of what the “cages” might do. While that might not be fear in the truest sense of the word, I do think it is important.

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Motorcycle Spares UK September 9, 2011 at 3:41 am

are these available in the uk?

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