Led Lights

[Lucky_Lou]

Im thinking of fitting a pair of these under the headlight i particularly like the installation instructions (pdf download) which involves 3 beers......
http://www.bikevis.com/motorcycle-led-running-lights.html
Should i take the power from the side light if i do ??
Lou

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

What is a "side light"?

I would find a way to hook them up to the headlight wiring.  There is not that much additional draw, and they will turn off/on with your headlight.

Shipping from the UK puts these out of my price range.  They are not that heavy.  I'll wait until something comes available in the US.

[nhmaf]

No need to ship from the UK, Rob - WhiteHorseGear (about 1 hour ride form me) carries these and can ship them to you from their warehouse.   I might drop by there over the next week and check out if they have any end of season special sales going on, myself.

Here is a linky:
http://www.whitehorsegear.com/bikevis-bullets

[Lucky_Lou]

What is a "side light"?

I would find a way to hook them up to the headlight wiring.  There is not that much additional draw, and they will turn off/on with your headlight.

Shipping from the UK puts these out of my price range.  They are not that heavy.  I'll wait until something comes available in the US.

Side light.......The small bulb that comes on before the headlight if that makes sense....
Lou

[Barry]

Lou

I would add them to the pilot (parking light or side light) circuit so that you could use them with or without the full headlight being on.

I replaced the normal pilot bulb with a higher powered halogen one of 10W or 20W I forget which. Anyway it's surprisingly bright and as a day time running light it would work well with a pair of those LED's

Our friends over the pond don't have a choice about headlights being on all the time and may not even have a pilot light or at least not the option to run with just that.

[nhmaf]

Many, but not all, states in the US require daytime headlight use for motorcycles.   Last time I was in Canada I think it was required there also, but it would also likely be a provincial, not national requirement.    

The airhead headlights over here tho, still have the parking light bulb/circuit in most models - the wiring of the ignition switch is such that one cannot have the engine running without the headlight on, without modification.

[Bob_Roller]

I ride in daylight conditions with the high beam on, and with two PIAA 40 55w driving lights on, people still have difficulties 'seeing' me !!!!!

[Darwin_R65]

I have no switch on my 81 R65 to turn the headlights on/off, theyre on all the time.

I used to own a 97 Yamaha Tenere, and was having battery charging issues. So I disconnected the headlight temporarily to give the battery half a chance and was surprised at how suddenly I had so many near misses with cars. When I reconnected the headlight it went back to just the usual number of idiots in cars. So I was sold on the benefits of running with headlights on in daylight.
However I'm not convinced these LED's are of a large enough area to make a difference, but I have been wrong before. (Something the wife reminds me of constantly)

John

[suecanada]

Canada as a whole requires lights on with ignition. Been that way since....hmmmm. 1970??
What about Clearwater lights or Denail's...both LED, low draw aux. light?
Saw the bullet lights at Whitehorse Press Gear as nhmaf mentioned. Just a tiny led light maybe for roadside breakdown? Setting up a tent??? Looking for the lipstick in the tankbag. Wasn't sure of what I'd use it for.

[Dizerens5]

In this country (UK) I use headlight on unless it's bright sunlight. A few years ago on a Norton Commando I was stopped by police in France because of not having the obligatory daytime headlight on -- it was a bright sunny day and the cop would not believe mine had been on until I got him to touch the glass and feel the heat. With modern headlights (even 1979 R65 ones!) the low beam cuts off so sharply that in sun it doesn't seem to be on at all, unless you are lying on the floor.
BTW I have just visited Minnesota and have seen only one car with those new, really blinding bluish-colour headlamps we now have everywhere over here. You lucky Minnesotans - are they prohibited?

[Lucky_Lou]

BTW I have just visited Minnesota and have seen only one car with those new, really blinding bluish-colour headlamps we now have everywhere over here. You lucky Minnesotans - are they prohibited?

They are a pain definatly a hazzard to other road users i wonder if there Hagen.
Lou

[Bob_Roller]

A lot of after market light bulbs are not intended for 'on street' usage, but still get installed on street use vehicles anyway .

I've been pulled over once by local law enforcement for the lights I have on my '81 R65 .

I have a set of PIAA 40 driving lights on the crash bars, with PIAA 55w super white bulbs .

The PIAA 40's are 6 inches (150mm) lenses, it's like having three head lights on .

I need to adjust the lights about every 3-4 months, if I start getting other drivers flashing their lights, I know they need a bit of adjusting .

I know my alternator isn't real happy with the driving lights, as they use 110 w of power .

[Dizerens5]

These new lights on cars like BMW, Audi etc are not just different bulbs, they work somehow on very high voltage and are said to be strictly "non user serviceable" as they say. They are  not too bad if correctly aimed -- as long as you don't face them coming round a bend or up to the top of a hill. Then just be ready to drive blind and hope for the best for a little while.