It’s hard enough trying to get drivers to see motorcycles in the first place, let alone depend on them to notice when you’re decelerating in front of their car. Whether you downshift or just rely on engine braking, a motorcycle can slow rapidly, but the brake light only comes on when you actually apply the brakes, but not anymore. GearBrake flashes your brake light anytime you’re slowing rapidly, even if you never touch the brake lever.
GearBrake knows when you engine brake and flashes the brake light briefly to let drivers know you’re slowing. It uses an internal accelerometer that’s calibrated to only activate under rapid deceleration. When you use your brakes, GearBrake also flashes your brake light for 2 seconds and then goes to solid for as long as you hold the brake.
The unit is simple to install, you just find any good spot, under the seat usually works, apply the velcro tape to secure it then connect it to your wiring harness, it takes about 15 minutes and a pair of pliers. Then you just forget about it and ride as usual, but now the driver behind you gets an extra warning whenever you slow down.
This is a really nice use of technology, useful, unobtrusive and it just might save your life.
GearBrake is available now
todd says
Is this better than a $4 mercury switch? It does have a flasher chip in it so, probably.
http://www.amazon.com/Parts-Express-Mercury-Tilt-Switch/dp/B0002ZPBKM
Paul Crowe says
I would think a mercury switch would be triggering your brake all the time on even the slightest deceleration, your brake light would look like one of those you see where the driver unconsciously rides the brake pedal and you have no idea when he’s really slowing down, so to answer your question, yes, this is better.
todd says
You can adjust the angle of the mercury switch to illuminate the brake light at whatever deceleration rate you desire. It used to be done all the time, now we need a black box to achieve the same result. I do like that this flashes the light so, like I already said, this is better than a $4 mercury switch.
Vishnuisgod says
Something that’s quite common in Vietnam is a beeper/buzzer tied directly to your flasher relay ( or maybe it’s a part of it I’m not sure). Its annoying to hear even through a throng of 20+ scooters at a light. Every bit helps….
Gonzo says
My ’77 and ’78 Honda CB750’s had that from the factory.
Yeti2bikes says
I personally worry more about someone not seeing me while already stopped at a traffic light. Sometimes I’ll tap the brake handle while sitting at a light if I see someone coming up fast in the mirrors. I think it would make sense to have the brake light flash from the time you stop until the bike starts to move again.
Sebastian Wiers says
That’s a very good point… although in both cases, its also pretty damn simple to just keep one of the brakes on. If you need a free hand, put down your left foot and use the rear brake to trigger the light.
Or, tie your brake into your clutch switch (most bikes already have one for starting) via a relay. That would mean its on whenever your clutch is in (at stoplights, for example), and would at list flash when you downshift.
GenWaylaid says
Anybody else remember Vololights from a few years back? Similar concept, except in a license plate surround. Red lights above and below the plate flash when you slow down.
I have one of the Kickstarter edition Vololights, but I haven’t put it on my latest bike yet. On the last bike the calibration was off or something. It flashed when I was accelerating instead of decelerating. (Or so I’m told. It’s really hard to check that while riding.)
Jake Cady says
Will this work on a 2014 Harley FLHTP (FLHTCU) ?
Pirate Tom says
It’s designed to work with anything using a 12v, Negative ground system. So I’d say yes. Your brake light /Tail light circuit is about as complicated as that of your average trailer. They’ve got a wiring schematic on the Amazon page that Paul linked to for you to check.
Wave says
Actually it looks like the answer may be ‘no’, if it runs CANBUS.
“Module is not compatible with HD Breakout, HD Slim, 2014-2015 HD Street Glide and CANBUS vehicles such as newer BMW and Ducati bikes.”
It’s an interesting idea, personally I often touch the brake pedal when engine braking towards a red light, just to light up the brake lights.