Auxiliary Driving Lights

Discussion in 'Gear & Accessories' started by 34468 Randy, Sep 23, 2020.

  1. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    I am considering buying and installing auxiliary driving lights not only for my VFR, but also my GS as well. I want these more for the ability to be better seen by on coming vehicles, especially when running on the Prairies where the roadway in front of you disappears in the mirage that is so common there.

    In looking, there are so many products out there. Some halogen, some incandescent and of course LED. What do you get?

    What have you bought and installed on your bikes? Where did you install them, the forks, the fairings, wherever? What has been your experience in installing them where you have? And finally, what do you think of your purchase? To do over again, what might you have done different be it the install, or the lights you bought?

    Photos of your install would be a great addition to your post.
     
  2. raYzerman

    raYzerman Member

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    Gen5 - I installed Superbright LED's in the turn signals, which also are running lights. Bought clearer yellow lenses from China for U$25 (you will have to re-glue the lenses on, DAMHIK). Easier seen without ruining the look of the bike.
    Also installed F2 LED headlamps, you are automatically more visible as they pump out 6000 lumens each.
     
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  3. Samuel

    Samuel Member

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    I borrowed the idea of mounting a bicycle headlight on a mirror from GatorGreg awhile back. I got a cheap one from Aliexpress but ::knocking on my head:: it's been good so far. It's decently bright but it doesn't provide any appreciable increase in forward lighting at night - but I think what really helps increase the visibility of my bike from the front is the strobe function of the light (YMMV with your local vehicle codes/statutes) and that it's higher up above the headlights. It's also water resistant (untested so far), rechargeable, and can be run with the USB power cord plugged in if desired.

    This looks similar to the one I have - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/100...earchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_ (the "shark" looking one)

    If I were to do it all over again, I would likely consider paying a little more and buying a sturdier built/mounted light from a better known company. My light has been good so far but the housing is plastic and so is the mounting area (it twists 90 degrees to remove. IMO sturdiness/design of the mounting bracket is somewhat lacking (the strap that wraps around the mirror stalk is also plastic) but it's better than a couple of others that I have (some of the cheap light mounting solutions are Really crappy, especially for M/C use). Also, buyer beware, quite a few ads on Aliexpress flat out lie about the output of their lights - I got one touted to emit 6000 lumens and it was more like 300... https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32856157477.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.27424c4dQPUxjb
     
    Last edited: Sep 24, 2020
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  4. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    Did you need to attach a resistor to these LED signal lights? At one time, to just install LED in a signal light, the lights flashed extremely rapid. (Kinda like a teenager on Spanish fly reading hustler magazine). I thought I heard a while back that the LED bulbs are getting built in resistors to prevent that. Also, the signal lights are in very close proximity to the headlight. From a distance on a highway, would they be noticeable? I am actually more thinking of lights mounted in some manner on the forks as low as I can so that what is seen, is three distinct lights. But, I am fishing for any manner of expanding the lighting on the bike so thanks for this. I have also wondered if there is a dual filament set of driving lights out there where a modulator could be installed to make them modulate from high to low. That may be illegal in your jurisdiction, but I know in mine, there is a specific exemption for that for motorcycles only.
     
  5. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    Holly crap! Those are cheap price wise. The lights I bought for my bicycle are at least 4 times more than that. I do like the compactness of the set shown in the second link there Sammie. I would need to test it to see how visible that makes the bike from about 18 - 14 mile away though, before relying on it for what I want. Have you had the opportunity to see your bike from afar?
     
  6. raYzerman

    raYzerman Member

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    Yes, I did have to put load resistors on the signals. I tried to find an LED compatable flasher, but no go for the unique OEM connector.....
    The LED headlights cost me ~U$45 to my door, I have had them on 3 bikes with no issues and they have an almost DOT beam pattern. I spent way more than that converting the signals and other lights (Superbright LED's), but I like the look.
     
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  7. Samuel

    Samuel Member

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    You're talking about the one that supposedly outputs 6000 lumens? Other than the output not being as much as claimed, it's not too bad - the housing of the light itself is metal (including the part that clips into the mounting bracket underneath). The mounting bracket that attaches to the mirror stalk is basically plastic (pivot pins and tightening screw are metal) but is a better/stronger design than the light bracket that's currently on my bike. This light also has optics (feels like plastic) instead of reflectors. The beam is more focused and round than my current light (wider spread, trapezoidal shape) and is also bluer in color (maybe 6500K as opposed to maybe 5500K for the other light).

    If I have time this weekend, I'll try to get a comparison/look from a short distance on my street...

    Btw, wait time for shipping from China can be as little as a couple of weeks to a couple of months...
     
  8. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    I refused to deal with the hassle of ordering from China. I am presently going though hell with a merchant from China. If it is not on a store shelf here in Canada, or ordered from a merchant in Canada or USA, I won't buy. My order I am dealing with they just gave me the run around while I waited and then they supplied me with the wrong tracking number, which was for a product that clearly was not mine, and was addressed to an address on the opposite side of the city, and addressed to a different name. It was obvious by the shape and size of the package, it was not what I ordered. That package was sent to and as far as I know is still sitting at the post office.

    But, I will look at the few bicycle shops in town. Better yet, I will see what mine looks like at a distance on the VFR.
     
  9. Camp

    Camp New Member

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    I'm looking at Denali DM LED with Datadim. They go hi/lo with the bikes beams.

    Otherwise I also use Superbrights in clear front markers (switchbacks, white/amber) and they are bright. Headlights are Novsight led with the h4 high wired in.
     

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