Aux Lighting Brands & Mounts

[scotchale]

Aux. Lighting for F 650 Twin:

Just read the thread on wiring for aux. lights, good information there. My next question however...what are some brands of aux lighting out there...Although I am familiar with PIAA, and similar styles, those are too much of an electrical load for the F 650 Twin, and too big for that matter. Looking at LED options out there.

Objective is mounting on the lower fork area to create the "triangle" that gets the bike noticed more by other motorists, as well as a better spread of light to see to the sides of the road in particular.

Lastly, what area some brands of mounting hardware for this application, this doesn't get mentioned too often, usually just the brands of lights.

Thanks,
Scotchale

[PGlaves]

Aux. Lighting for F 650 Twin:

Just read the thread on wiring for aux. lights, good information there. My next question however...what are some brands of aux lighting out there...Although I am familiar with PIAA, and similar styles, those are too much of an electrical load for the F 650 Twin, and too big for that matter. Looking at LED options out there.

Objective is mounting on the lower fork area to create the "triangle" that gets the bike noticed more by other motorists, as well as a better spread of light to see to the sides of the road in particular.

Lastly, what area some brands of mounting hardware for this application, this doesn't get mentioned too often, usually just the brands of lights.

Thanks,
Scotchale

Motolights are fork mounted and available with 35 watt MR16 8 degree spot bulbs. They also offer an LED bulb option.

See: www.motolight.com

[Omega Man]

This is the aux light set up that I'm currently interested in- from Twisted Throttle http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/5224 There is quite a bit of info at the site. HTH Gary

[dadayama]

This is the aux light set up that I'm currently interested in- from Twisted Throttle http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/5224 There is quite a bit of info at the site. HTH Gary

The question i have about these lights, are they too bright to drive with on at night with oncoming traffic?

[Omega Man]

The question i have about these lights, are they too bright to drive with on at night with oncoming traffic?

I don't know, perhaps I'm looking at it a little differently. I think it's a question of what's actually going on. For me I really like the fog light feature on my Jeep and pick-up, those are mounted very low and give great side of the road and a ways in front illumination. On the big Harley's the triple light set-up that they have-headlight and one bulb either side of the front fork looks great and runs good day or night. For my F800GS I would be looking for a lot of light out front at night and if I had to dim for oncoming vehicles it's OK. The accessory lights could be run during the day just for added safety. So I think it's a question of aiming and usage. The led's with the low draw are a plus especially as I would run them most of the time. One other thing- I don't know if you've noticed but some people when they see 4 bulbs on-2 headlights and 2 fog lights automatically think high beam and start frantically flashing their lights or just give you the high beams when you are really not causing them any problem. Probably more info then you were looking for but hope it helps. Gary

[robsryder]

LED lights can work well and they don't draw as much current as more conventional lights.

One company that makes mounts and sells lights, including LED-type, is Martin Fabrication -

http://www.martinfabrication.com/Martin_Fabrication/Motorcycle_Lighting_Home.html

Alas, I found the LED lights from them to be not very bright. Perhaps with a change of bulb the brightness would increase. The brackets and lights look well made and the kit is not too expensive (compared to other options).

I have been very impressed with the LED lights from VisionX. These are the Solstice Solo lights and I use the 45/15 beam pattern. One can purchase the lights at a discount (about 10%) if the code word "piratex" or "advr" is used.

http://www.visionxstore.com/index.php?cPath=45&osCsid=19382bb033c305230c8d312c83e7123d

I have installed the VisionX Solstice Solo 45/15 LED lights on my airhead R100GS/PD and on my oilhead R1100RS. The forward visibility is much increased and they add to the night time illumination when riding.

Twisted Throttle sells a kit that uses the VisionX lights -
http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/5224

Here is a photo of the LED light on my GS/PD -

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i283/robsmoto/r100gs_drlamp.jpg

A similar thread, with numerous links, has been discused on ADV -

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=535227

[Omega Man]

Good info :thumb and nice picture on the install. Gary

[jaherbst]

I have Wunderlich lights that are specificaly made for the F800/650 including the mounts. I am very happy with them. Take a look at them at Wunderlich America (google).

JACK

[gr8ridn2]

I picked up a set of Clearwater Glenda LED lights at the MOA Rally. They are just about perfect for my purposes. The LED design doesn't draw much power and they are very bright in daylight. They come with a dimmer so they are suitable at night by turning them down to about 1/4 power. They are complete with brackets specifically for the application. In the case of the F800GS they mount near the front axle on both sides. The triangle of light is very evident and presents the bike as a big object to other vehicles.

They also go to full power with the high beams so they as useful for night riding and provide good fill light with the high beam. When a car approaches and the headlights are dipped they are automatically returned to the low setting. During the day I run them at 3/4 power and they are very visible, much more than the headlight.

When you want to signal other vehicles use the flash to pass high beam the LED lights will go to full power accenting the signal. Yes they are expensive, but they are a no compromise quality system that will last a long time.

[Omega Man]

I thought I'd go take a peek at the Clearwaters, They look good. Here is a link to the picture gallery.. http://www.clearwaterlights.com/gallery.html About halfway down there is 2 pictures, 1 computer design and 1 actual picture of an install. While the price is on the expensive side it looks like everything is included. This is the first aux. lighting I have seen that is adjustable for intensity. Gary

[HankPfister]

I thought I'd go take a peek at the Clearwaters, ....snip...... While the price is on the expensive side it looks like everything is included.............

$500 ! :scratch:brow

[soph9]

Just ordered 2 sets of Denali aux lights....LED from Twisted Throttle....will get them next Monday and will post impressions once we get them mounted....

[scotchale]

Just ordered 2 sets of Denali aux lights....LED from Twisted Throttle....will get them next Monday and will post impressions once we get them mounted....

Look forward to that enlightenment from you...I'll look for it next week :)

Bryan

[jaherbst]

Aux. Lighting for F 650 Twin:

Just read the thread on wiring for aux. lights, good information there. My next question however...what are some brands of aux lighting out there...Although I am familiar with PIAA, and similar styles, those are too much of an electrical load for the F 650 Twin, and too big for that matter. Looking at LED options out there.

Objective is mounting on the lower fork area to create the "triangle" that gets the bike noticed more by other motorists, as well as a better spread of light to see to the sides of the road in particular.

Lastly, what area some brands of mounting hardware for this application, this doesn't get mentioned too often, usually just the brands of lights.

Thanks,
Scotchale

I like the Wunderlich lights. Work great and looks really good on the F650GS Twin. (Wunderlich America) I have Moto Lites on my RT. Moto Lites mount low and might not be suitable for off-road. Wunderlich mounts higher and come with there own mounts. I get many positive comments on these. They look hot and really work well. I mounted and wired myself. Yes even a "cave man" could do it.

Jack

[soph9]

installed one set on the Denali on my bike...have another bike to do after this one....just need to connect the white wire to an area on the bike that works with the ignition switch....somewhere under the seat...so for now they are not connected so no comment yet as to how bright etc...we did test them in the garage and they appear to be really bright. Aiming will be key. Will be working on the final touches tonight. As for where we located them....bought a Best Rest light guard and have the lights on the beak. We wanted longer and a bit wider beam for our riding not necessarily the fog light approach.

More later with pics as soon as I can. So far they really feel well made and look good!

[soph9]

Here are a few pics of how the lights come...

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa203/soph9_photos/Motorcycles/Denali%20Lights/P1020355.jpg

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa203/soph9_photos/Motorcycles/Denali%20Lights/P1020359.jpg

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa203/soph9_photos/Motorcycles/Denali%20Lights/P1020361.jpg

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa203/soph9_photos/Motorcycles/Denali%20Lights/P1020366.jpg

the mount we got is from Best Rest and it is called the Light Guard mount

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa203/soph9_photos/Motorcycles/Denali%20Lights/P1020357.jpg

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa203/soph9_photos/Motorcycles/Denali%20Lights/P1020358.jpg

[soph9]

Here they are installed and working with the stock switch. We connected the switch wire to the BMW canbus using the positap connector supplied by Denali. Pretty easy once we figured it out....the lights with the ignition on can be switched on at anytime. Can be used with low beam and high beam. When the ignition is off if you even forget to use the Denali switch to turn them off the lights go off in about 40 secs automatically. Cool feature as you will never run your battery down.

Rode a back dark road to work on Saturday and I can not imagine riding without aux lights now....so crisp and clean the beam is and really expands my viewing...makes the main headlight bulb look so dim and brown.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa203/soph9_photos/Motorcycles/Denali%20Lights/P1020374.jpg

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa203/soph9_photos/Motorcycles/Denali%20Lights/P1020368.jpg

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa203/soph9_photos/Motorcycles/Denali%20Lights/P1020367.jpg

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa203/soph9_photos/Motorcycles/Denali%20Lights/P1020371.jpg

Short Video of the lights!

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[AKBeemer]

Soph,

Thanks for the great info on the lights. My wife just bought a 2011 F650 and we will probably be going with those lights based upon your input.

What kind of windshield do you have mounted? Likes/dislikes?

[Omega Man]

More great stuff :thumb :thumb Thanks, Gary

[soph9]

my windshield is a Cee Bailey...really like it...the new version has a bracket above the instruments for stability...we might add that...

here is my attempt at a tutorial video as to how we installed the Denali lights on both our bikes....my partner Cheryl can install these with her eyes closed now...

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gq_wCdZDZpY?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gq_wCdZDZpY?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

[rmarkr]

I made and fitted these lights for probably no more than about $25 - includes a $12 relay. Basically a section of 2" alloy pipe and a bit of perforated sheet, and fitted with MR16 bulbs, which come in a range of wattages and spreads.
They are tough, small, light and rustfree.
They are good for visibility, but don't do a whole lot to light up the road.

http://i327.photobucket.com/albums/k458/rmarkr_pix/Light.jpg

http://i327.photobucket.com/albums/k458/rmarkr_pix/MR16Lamp.jpg

[roybarnes]

I picked up a set of Clearwater Glenda LED lights at the MOA Rally. They are just about perfect for my purposes. The LED design doesn't draw much power and they are very bright in daylight. They come with a dimmer so they are suitable at night by turning them down to about 1/4 power. They are complete with brackets specifically for the application. In the case of the F800GS they mount near the front axle on both sides. The triangle of light is very evident and presents the bike as a big object to other vehicles.

They also go to full power with the high beams so they as useful for night riding and provide good fill light with the high beam. When a car approaches and the headlights are dipped they are automatically returned to the low setting. During the day I run them at 3/4 power and they are very visible, much more than the headlight.

When you want to signal other vehicles use the flash to pass high beam the LED lights will go to full power accenting the signal. Yes they are expensive, but they are a no compromise quality system that will last a long time.

They work great for me on my F658gs. I turn them almost all the way down in the day. They are still very bright on low setting. They make you very visable at all times. The folks are very helpfull if you need to call them with a question as you install them.