Auxillary Lighting

[papafoxtrot]

I've got a set of PIAA 910's that I want to mount to my 07' R1200R. I've been looking around for a light bar to use for mounting, but haven't been able to find anything. Does anybody know if anyone is making an accessory light bar for the 12R or maybe how close an R1150R frame is to the 12R so that I might use one of those (RCU makes one for the R1150R that looks might close from the pictures).

[lostandwandering]

Paul,

Try www.lumalink.com nice looking product, a bit pricy but may fit your needs.

[deilenberger]

As Paul mentioned - the Lumalink brackets work nicely on the Roadster..

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l100/deilenberger/hella%20lights/sideview.jpg

Shown with my favorite Hella lights..

See: http://www.eilenberger.net/R1200R_Roadster/R1200Rindex.htm, and more specifically: http://www.eilenberger.net/R1200R_Roadster/hella_auxilary_lights.htm

These brackets will work fine with the PIAA lights.

[papafoxtrot]

Paul,

Try www.lumalink.com nice looking product, a bit pricy but may fit your needs.

I've found that none of the light bars I've looked at have been cheap. The fact that it will work is important. I don't mind spending funds if I have to, but I really hate wasting it.
The question now is what are your thoughts about mounting to the forks? I was looking originally for a chassis mount, so as not to affect steering and handling which I find superb on the 12R. There's not much to attach to, I know. I wondered how they were doing it on the 1150R because they "look" to be close in that department.

[deilenberger]

The question now is what are your thoughts about mounting to the forks? I was looking originally for a chassis mount, so as not to affect steering and handling which I find superb on the 12R. There's not much to attach to, I know.That's the real problem there really isn't anywhere else to mount lights to that I could think of.

They do add unsprung weight to the front forks - it's not a lot - but any is undesireable - it can make the ride a bit harsher (haven't noticed a problem, but my front suspension isn't stock, and is tuneable.. ) It might add some inertia to the forks - which one might think is a problem for cornering, but in reality - it's not noticeable since you really don't move the forks much when cornering, and when you do - it's countersteering them.

Did I notice a difference before/after - in ride quality/handling? - Nope. In conspicuity and night safety? - Yes. Having the lights up that high (the advantage over lights mounted down by the calipers) is - it gives better angle to the lights for night use - and they are very conspicuous for oncoming traffic during the day.

The ones I got from Gordy Manufacturing (Lumalink) were made for the GS fork legs - which have a slightly different shape then the Roadster fork legs. Mounting them required adding a layer of thin foam tape to the inside. IMHO - this is a good thing since it not only provides a secure way of mounting them - it keeps them from marring the rough finish of the Roadster fork legs. If you order a set - James Gordy has the dimensions for the Roadster legs at that point (I sent them to him) - so he may have ones made to fit exactly, but I'd still suggest the layer of foam. If he isn't providing that - PM me with your address and I'll mail you enough to do a set.

HTH,

[papafoxtrot]

Well if you can't find what you need in the marketplace - go make it yourself! I finished the lightbar project for my R1200R. It ties directly to the frame in two places on each side, up under the tank. It's solid as a rock. It started life as a one piece unit going from side to side, but in the end I cut it and made it into a three piece system, because it is so much easier to install that way. No clearance issues anywhere even with the evap. canister so nothing has to be removed to install it. I'm very pleased with the results - real light at night - Finally.

[papafoxtrot]

Here's a close-up view. The picture is a little washed out, but you can see the arms that tie to the frame and the crossbar tie in on the underside.

[Motorwerk]

Nice job, those look awesome!

Those lights match the style of the R well.

Well done!