Finally got around to installing my Denali lights that I ordered quite some time ago. I’ve been busy with renovation stuff, and work and general life – so spending the time to take the bike apart and figure out wiring just seemed out of reach. I ended up finishing across what was mostly 3 hours or so of work which took about 2 days in total. This is not counting the 4 weekdays or so where I had to wait for a left switchback controller to show up. It was probably damaged before already, but I think moving the mirror around I yanked out a ribbon cable, and trying to put it in a pin was bent, and then noticed that the ribbon solder joints were destroyed so – it started to get to the point where a lot of work would be done to try and rescue what seemed to be in poor condition.

What I finally installed were a pair of DL4 driving lights in yellow, I had been thinking of Amber for a long while but yellow seemed to be the most popular and after thinking about it for awhile I agreed that it would get your attention just a little bit more. These are 8 watts each for a total of 6800 lumens, I am running them about 45-60% on average and this absolutely has made a difference. Since the Superduke 1290R is already a tall bike and I am in high-vis gear, people generally notice me already but I have noticed a big difference already in how soon people spot me. I can see the yellow myself bouncing off signage and such. I am using a DialDim controller so I can tweak the output on the fly. I have a B6 tail light as well, this has no special function with the DialDim controller so it is either half or full on – just like a standard brake light. This is 6w for 870 lumens, with the stock tail indicators being angled a bit I figure this was a nice add-on. I am less worried about being rear ended, but that doesn’t for a moment mean it isn’t a possibility.

Motorcycles are small and drivers are competitive on the freeways. I think being a slightly larger and more upright motorcycle, and me in high vis gear indicate to people I am a commuter – not a racer. That seems to have garnered a little more leniency in people letting me pass without a fight, as for the most part my commuting recently has not had a lot of close calls – but I do have some. The brakes are also pretty amazing (Brembo) on this motorcycle, and that I think makes a difference. I try not to ride faster than I can stop or evade, while we should expect to be seen to a degree whether you are in a car or on a motorcycle it is still ultimately each drivers responsibility that we own as much of our own safety as possible.

So, this being the first week I am riding with the new lights is also a bit timely. Unfortunately on September 21st (2026) a young man was killed on Highway 4 just after 3PM, not too far away from my normal travels. This has me wondering if it was someone who I had perhaps seen from time to time on my commutes, but I’m not certain. I had read this person had on cowboy boots, and I don’t think I’ve seen anyone riding with those – I assume they were good quality boots because anything I had ever worn just didn’t allow for great mobility. Outside of the news in some private groups, it was stated that this person was beheaded in the accident… passing away is passing away, but that detail kind of makes this feel even worse. Thousands of things go through my mind about what may have happened and what may have been done differently, but details are sparse and I wasn’t there. I want to keep riding, for the enjoyment and the incredible time savings – but I know that I have to balance how much time I try to save and how careful I have to be in allowing for time and space to evade those who just may not see me. With the great brakes, high vis gear, and now additional eye catching lights – I have ultimately been able to avoid any nonsense for the last 12,000 miles or so. After I pass someone who nearly occupied the same space as me at the same time, I don’t give the finger or anything like that – I just give a wave. I don’t want to stir anger in them, I don’t want them to get mad and then somehow try to blame me or say “fck bikers,” I’d rather we collectively just live in peace and recognize that one or both of us could have done better in that scenario. I’m not out to compete with any cars or other bikers for that matter, I just want to get to where I’m going, without a lot of stress or worry. I have people to come home to, and I want to ride another day – so I try to stay visible and ride within the limits of my comfort and judgement as to what is safe.

The Mercury News also reported that this person was run over while on the ground, presumably after colliding with one of the two other vehicles involved. I was hit in 2016 by a 19 year old, riding immediately to the left of their drivers side front fender – making it impossible not to see me. He made an abrupt left lane change directly into me, denting his drivers side fender. I tumbled and came to a stop deeply denting the trunk and bumper of a white car that was in front of me. I don’t know if I blacked out for a half second or if I was just scrambled for about that length of time – but I snapped to attention and remembered there was traffic behind me, I need to get up quickly. Fortunately I think we were doing about 35 MPH or so as it was commute traffic time. I was just about a dozen minutes from being home, and one person not looking left yet lane changing left (quickly I might add) snapped me off my motorcycle and sent me into traffic. This one momentary lack of awareness for this person, could have killed me. For myself, all I can say is I saw a flash of black out of the right side of my eye but it was such a fast abrupt lane change that by the time I saw it I could not have leaned out of the way. I really do wish I had a camera to back up better what happened, because it was a viciously fast lane change as best I could tell. I was not lane splitting quickly, I was almost home and felt relaxed with my speed and environment – which is not to say complacent but relaxed. I was in no rush, it was broad daylight, and I was well within view – yet I was still hit with significant force and ripped off of the bike. Not tapped, ripped, or thrown to be frank I was just thrown. So – high vis riding gear, high vis lights, and a bike that is a little taller/bigger plus now being another 10 years older since that time – all seem to have helped. But I also ride a little different I’m sure, take less risks and try to have space where I have distance and time to respond and evade if needed.

Anyhow, this is not well thought out and is kind of a ramble – I know. I feel for the guy and his family, it sounded like he was 25-35, very very young to have to go through something so awful. We can’t take our own safety for granted, cars hit each other plenty which is warning enough to anyone riding as we are not made of metal. We don’t bend and become dented, we tend to brake. While I survived and was “lucky,” my neck will still never be quite the same and that incident of course means at home the level of concern is a little bit higher – because the next time may not be as fortunate. Be visible, allow for room, and riding just a little slower and a little safer makes almost no time difference in my experience. Plus the stress levels go way way down by just riding a little more conservatively. I pass riders who are playing the super safe and/or nervous (newer riders) game, just as I let some riders by who seem to be comfortable with a faster pace. Be careful, be mindful, be aware and the level of safety goes up.