I’m a firm believer that one of the easiest ways to prevent a crash involving another vehicle (or pedestrian) is to be better seen. A single headlight is just a bad idea, and most stock tail lights are like an afterthought, not exactly helping you to get noticed. Yet, several additional points of light will almost universally allow others to better see you. And to one-up that, make those points of lights super bright and everyone but an oblivious texting fool is going to spot your motorcycle, no excuses.

Aside from the brightness, I believe the reason this works is that multiple lights help to create 3D visibility, whereas a single point makes an object appear to be flat, blended in with the scenery, and subsequently a lot less visible.

Think of a smarter lighting scheme as protection against invisibility. I’d already had previous experience with Hyper-Lite’s Flashing Brake Lights, and after their installation I couldn’t help but notice the sudden lack of tailgating and other generally unsafe behaviors by the vehicles behind me.

When I started work on another project bike, it turned out that the folks at Hyper-Lite were about to begin beta-testing a pre-release version of their new HyperWhites—front- or rear-mounted super bright LEDs—which they asked me to try out.

HyperWhites are almost indestructible and draw only a tiny amount of power—so they’re perfect for almost any bike, including older models. Installation is easy, too. You only need to tap into your existing headlight or taillight wiring with a couple of provided wire connectors, and use the included adhesive strips to attach them wherever you see fit. That’s it! There’s also an optional mounting bracket if you want to attach the lights to the forks (as I did).

The kit also comes with a switch that can be mounted wherever is convenient, and which turns the lights on or off, or to emergency flashing mode. All in all, the installation is extremely simple and easy to do. And depending on how neat and tidy you want the wiring to be, it should take no more than an hour to complete even if you’ve never done anything like that before.

For the rear, we also installed the tried ’n’ true Hyper-Lite Flashing LED Brake Lights. Also an easy installation. Tap on the brakes and they flash in an attention-getting manner. Press the brakes, and their brightness is boosted about 3X. But for just running around, they’re on all the time, providing a beacon that following cars can’t miss.

The project bike is a “vintage” R1150GS, which already had a set of aging PIAA halogen winglights. Riding any bike around Los Angeles is always an “interesting” experience, something I’m all too familiar with, having lived there since the early ’70s. So, I’m more than familiar with some of the crazy things that happen when motorcycles and cars share the same roads. Running with the HyperWhites there’s an absolutely unmistakable difference in how cars behave around the bike. Not that you ever want to let your guard down, but knowing your bike is being better seen by those ahead or behind you, or coming at you, provides a serious dose of added safety.

Hyper-Lite makes both light sets available in kit form, which we recommend as a wise investment in your safety. Options include:

HyperWhites—White LED Running Lights
• Front or rear mounting
• Modulating (used as emergency flashers)

Flashing LED Brake Lights
• Flashing
• Modulating
• California flashing, or
• Non-flashing

MSRP: HyperWhites—$119.95 + $14.95 for fork brackets | Brake Lights—$55.95–$93.95 + $10.50 for license bracket | Combo Kit—$98.95

HyperLites.com