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The left turn light hates me

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 10:55 pm
by NMpdx13
So, what do you do when the left turn light doesn't feel like turning green for you? I waited, and waited, and waited, but obviously I stopped waiting because I'm typing this message :lol: I just moved over to the other lane and took a right instead...

But if you're in morning traffic or whatever, I'm assuming, if there's a car behind you, it'll trigger the light. But what if there isn't?

Re: The left turn light hates me

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 10:59 pm
by dkazzed
I would roll my scooter back and forth over the sensor hoping to find the more sensitive portion. On my bicycle sometimes I would lay it flat on the sensor lol but I'm not doing that with a motor bike. Sometimes I figure a car will come soon to trigger the light. But if all else fails, I'll put the scooter up on the centre stand and run to push the pedestrian button.

Re: The left turn light hates me

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 11:10 pm
by NMpdx13
Yeah, I was doing the rolling back and forth thing too, but that didn't do squat ...

Re: The left turn light hates me

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 11:24 pm
by RusticCharm
Check the laws in Oregon. Wisconsin allows you to go through red lights when your scooter doesn't trip the signal.

Re: The left turn light hates me

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 11:59 pm
by NMpdx13
Not legal in Oregon, but legal in Washington.

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-north ... now_a.html

Re: The left turn light hates me

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 1:10 am
by JohnL
My brain tells me that I can see more than a traffic light and hopefully I'm more intelligent. If there is no other traffic in sight (and no cop cars), I proceed with caution.

Re: The left turn light hates me

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 8:17 am
by kramnala58
I thought I saw a thread on here quite some time ago that talked about putting magnets somewhere near the bottom of the frame which causes the road sensor to trip. Does anyone else recall that?

Re: The left turn light hates me

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 8:55 am
by GeorgeSK
Indeed - I remember the discussion. In fact, I went so far as to find some magnets on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008AZDIY2/ref ... X1ZDNMYENA

I never pulled the trigger, but the wish list is a great function.

Re: The left turn light hates me

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 9:16 am
by SECoda
It depends on the system your state uses if these will work or a magnet.

http://www.thelightknight.com/traffic-light-changer.php

http://www.revzilla.com/product/amanet- ... ht-changer

Re: The left turn light hates me

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 9:35 am
by SECoda
We have one very old light and nothing seems to work on it. We just blow though it but it is somewhat rural.

In Missouri the law is we can blow it with this guideline:

The motorcycle or bicycle must come to a complete stop at the intersection, and the driver must deem he or she has been waiting for an unreasonable amount of time (they need to put a time in here). In that case, it must be recognized that the traffic signal was apparently malfunctioning or not recognizing the arrival of the vehicle.

Finally, no vehicle should be approaching the intersection when the driver attempts to go through the red light.

Re: The left turn light hates me

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 12:39 pm
by WhiteNoise
I just found this 2013 article online: http://advgrrl.com/2013/11/28/motorcycl ... se-states/
.....while trying to find info for my State. Still looking, found zip, so far.

Re: The left turn light hates me

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 12:55 pm
by WhiteNoise
Ouu....here's a neat website The AMA, with all kinds of legal goobily-gop :D
>>>> PICK YOUR STATE IN THE DROP-DOWN BOX FIRST <<<<

http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/rig ... stateid=32

Re: The left turn light hates me

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 4:25 pm
by homie
Here in Illinois, I get to wait three minutes which is a lifetime if you are sitting there knowing it will not turn green. Then I blow the light according to the drivers test manual I read... once... after I failed :lol: So yes read the law and maybe you can run the light in your state after a set time. Haven't been busted for this yet so maybe the police get it.

BTW Chief never waits more than 2 minutes

Re: The left turn light hates me

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 6:42 pm
by you you
NMpdx13 wrote:So, what do you do when the left turn light doesn't feel like turning green for you? I waited, and waited, and waited, but obviously I stopped waiting because I'm typing this message :lol: I just moved over to the other lane and took a right instead...

But if you're in morning traffic or whatever, I'm assuming, if there's a car behind you, it'll trigger the light. But what if there isn't?

Perhaps avoid it or just do what is sensible and safe? Other people probably have the same kind of issues on their daily drive/ride

Re: The left turn light hates me

Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 12:51 am
by OriginalRocket
homie wrote:Here in Illinois, I get to wait three minutes which is a lifetime if you are sitting there knowing it will not turn green. Then I blow the light according to the drivers test manual I read... once... after I failed :lol: So yes read the law and maybe you can run the light in your state after a set time. Haven't been busted for this yet so maybe the police get it.

BTW Chief never waits more than 2 minutes
The law is 120 seconds, then proceed when safe to do so. But this does not apply to municipalities (cities) that reside in a county with more than 2 million population... So basically anywhere except the giant patch of land called Cook County (Chicago). Luckily I live a few miles south of that cesspit!

I keep a printout and highlighted the section of the law in my scooter and motorcycle. In case a cop needs some education when the time comes.

Usually I can trigger the light, sometimes putting down the side stand on the sensor works, but just roll the wheels over and bingo, if you find a light not working, it is the failure of the city, and their responsibility to make it work for all legal road going vehicles.

Luckily I've never had to run a red that is monitored by a ATM. That day will be fun...

Re: The left turn light hates me

Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 12:26 pm
by Mel46
I put magnets on my center stand. It worked for an entire summer. Then i lost them. I am not sure how you can make sure that they don't fall off. It only takes a bump in the road or a pot hole.

Re: The left turn light hates me

Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 2:21 pm
by homie
Mel46 wrote:I put magnets on my center stand. It worked for an entire summer. Then i lost them. I am not sure how you can make sure that they don't fall off. It only takes a bump in the road or a pot hole.
You guys are serious about magnets aren't you? It might be worth a try this spring as I have two of these irritating left stop lights close to my house and if they don't outlaw the cameras in Illinois soon (as they are going to court now) I will need a good solution.