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+--- Thread: Auxiliary Lights or Bulb Upgrade? (/showthread.php?tid=598)
Auxiliary Lights or Bulb Upgrade? - Lapchik - 08-05-2014 11:33 PM
I drove home 50 miles in the rain tonight and I have come to the conclusion that I need some auxiliary lights. I don't think that it's my glasses/helmet visor. I can't see the road very well when it is wet. Just wondering what everyone uses for auxiliary lights or if anyone upgraded their factory headlights.
RE: Auxiliary Lights or Bulb Upgrade? - LSGiant - 08-06-2014 08:59 AM
What Bike ? If it is the C14 be sure to check alignment after that I think most folks are adding auxiliary lights
RE: Auxiliary Lights or Bulb Upgrade? - propforward - 08-06-2014 10:49 AM
Always check alignment first. Seems like most bikes are poorly set up like that, it's amazing how much difference a slight change to the angle of the headlight can make.
But then, some Aux lights can add a lot more too. I am liking the various LED options that are available now. I have some by http://www.mondomotos.com (mm10s) that work well, and are low power. I mount them low down, which also makes a nice "triangle of light" and makes you more obvious too.
RE: Auxiliary Lights or Bulb Upgrade? - Lapchik - 08-06-2014 04:04 PM
(08-06-2014 08:59 AM)LSGiant Wrote: What Bike ? ...
It's the C14, and I did aim them right after I got the bike.
Found a picture of the guy who installs headlights at the factory . . .
![[Image: image.jpg?w=400&c=1]](http://memecrunch.com/meme/1BO3W/looks-good-to-me/image.jpg?w=400&c=1)
RE: Auxiliary Lights or Bulb Upgrade? - bill - 08-07-2014 07:17 AM
Aux. lights or upgrade to stock lamps???
Yes !
Everything you can: a.) afford; and b.) that your bike will handle. I doubt you will ever regret doing either ... My experience has been that with aging, my night vision has degraded noticeably. Be kind to oncoming traffic -- install your aux system(s) so that they are easily and quickly shut off.
Ran one saddle sore and one MN 1000 with stock head lights only. Vowed that was enough of that. Upgraded stock and added PIAA 11xx's to tunnel as soon as I could thereafter. Lighting ditch to ditch in our part of the world is almost essential for your long term survival on two wheels.
RE: Auxiliary Lights or Bulb Upgrade? - Frump - 08-07-2014 10:57 AM
I always at least switch out the low beam to 55w HID first. I got VME HID setups for $70 or $80 for kit with two sets. The other advantage is I have only had one failure and that was actually related to what I call a "manufacturing oversight" in BMW's headlight bucket wiring/design.
RE: Auxiliary Lights or Bulb Upgrade? - MikeH - 08-07-2014 09:36 PM
I have A&R motorsports HID headlights, I think around $110. One bulb went out during IBR, the other one's high beam doesn't work. For aux I have Clearwater Krista's above my mirrors and Glenda on the fender. I laugh everytime I turn the high beams on in the dead of night. Another option I've seen catching on is I believe MotoLight, they put out good light for the price. Clearwater's are awesome but you pay for it.
As always, we live close enough that you can get an up close look whenever, I feel like we need another trip to Martinsburg soon...
RE: Auxiliary Lights or Bulb Upgrade? - nels - 08-08-2014 10:15 AM
I have just installed Erika's and Darla's on a friends bike and now he says he is driving during the day when at night
Del also is putting Krista's on his bike
I have Erika's on my bike and all I can say is it's great to be able to ride at night and see like its daylight
also very handy is the ability to dim them so you don't affend other drivers
Clearwaters's are expensive but as Mike (and I) say worth it
http://clearwaterlights.com/
talk to Glen tell him Nels sent you
he is a very sharp cookie
Nels
RE: Auxiliary Lights or Bulb Upgrade? - Dale Ty - 08-08-2014 09:37 PM
I highly recommend the Clearwater Krista's... I've had the, used them & crashed with them. (they still work!)... MikeH is correct, with his statement of turning them on at nite will bring a smile to your face, and a frown to oncomming traffic. With today's technology, the newer LED's don't have the power consumption that the old PIAA 910's have. If you shop by price,,, you will only get what you pay for!