BLINKIN’ WINKERS
Flashing turn signals can be a boon on busy roads, but they can also be tricky to fit to ancient motorcycles. Dave Simmons explores a quick-fit alternative…
Flashing turn signals can be a boon on busy roads, but they can also be tricky to fit to ancient motorcycles. Dave Simmons explores a quick-fit alternative…
The Dragon’s Den-sponsored product known as Winglights are indicators made for bicycles, but they looked like they might be useful so I bought a pair to give them a go. The attraction was their inconspicuousness on a motorbike that was not originally fitted with and didn’t really suit conventional indicators.
Handling them, they’re a nice object, good quality, made mostly from aluminium. They’re battery powered so no fiddly wiring, but eventually you’ll need to change the batteries, which are supposed to last six months. You could also fit rechargeable batteries to save on waste.
Fitting is a 10-minute job using the expanding rubber sleeve. They suit a range of handlebars that encompass most motorcycles, and are described as waterproof. Once in place they feel solidly secured, but could be easily nicked. If this is a concern then magnetic, removable ones are an option.
Out on the road they are not as easy to use as normal motorcycle switched indicators. You tap the ends on / off, and they will also self-cancel after 45 seconds. It’s not just a flick of the thumb, you need to take your hand off the bars. For right-hand turns a stiff throttle is a must, otherwise it will snap closed when you take your hand off the bars and you’ll slow down. The left-hand side is easier. The Triumph I put these on has an adjustable throttle, so once set up to be quite stiff it made life much easier. What worked best was to tap the indicator ‘on’ quite early, then leave them to self-cancel while you pull away, change up and so on.
The indicator lens is very small but the LEDS are bright. They face forward and backwards, and with their tapered shape they also emit some light to one side. Intended as a supplement to (not a replacement for) hand signals, they are not E-marked, so I guess would not pass an MOT – which means they’re only good for motorcycles which were originally made without indicators.
They are probably not as visible as a proper set of motorcycle indicators, either. It’s also worth considering your torso to bar-width ratio. The Triumph I was riding has wide bars and a narrow rider so not a problem, but narrow bars and a wide rider could block the view to the rear and halve their effectiveness.
Overall, for £32 they’re a welcome addition. Without doubt, turning intentions are clearer and the inconspicuous Winglights help keep the bike looking the way I want it. Fitting is so easy – no wiring to worry about if you have nightmares about old bike electrics. And if you’ve more than one ancient bike then it only takes minutes to swap the indicators from one machine to the other. Of course I’ve had to move my bar end mirror and replace with an ugly, conspicuous bar mounted item but you can’t win ’em all, eh?
Available from www.cycl.co.uk