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16 Dec 2014
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Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: West Yorkshire UK
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On my commute to work I know every pot hole and micro-climate. I only ride at night and it's not a problem.
When I head off into the Alps or Scandanavia at this time of year I have 6-8 hours of twilight, plus any additional time I can add using lit main roads. Sure, there is the risk of something not going to plan and one solution being to ride unlit, ice covered, tree lined back roads in the dark. Until they let me use the see-in-the-dark kit the military have, I'll usually try and avoid this option though, country hotels are often much nicer.
Andy
(fair weather rider!)
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16 Dec 2014
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: Victoria, Australia
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I dunno, each to his own but when your high beam looks like this, then with a $40 LED spot it looks like the second pic I know which I would choose.
Just slap me down and call me Charlie.
They came in handy in Mongolia when we got caught and had to ride in the dark too.
Chris.
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16 Dec 2014
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R.I.P.
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: california
Posts: 3,824
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That's a good illustration ... and about matches how my HID kit compares with the stock 55W H-4 bulb in my DR650. The $25 usd HID kit is a HUGE improvement and only draws 35W, so frees up 20W for Gerbing and heated grips. 
But a good battery (NEW IS BEST) and good charging system are key if trying to run extra Spots and Floods. On the F650 the Reg/Rectifiers can fail, then can overcharge your battery and KILL IT. Check it out.
I believe the F650 has enough elec. output to handle an extra 40W or so ... at least for a few hours here and there.
There any many lo-cost LED type spots for sale on Ebay, et al.
It's mountain roads where the LED spots help a lot. You set them so they see around curves. Very useful. For straight roads a good LED or HID headlight will do you fine.
Make sure headlight is aimed correctly so not blinding on coming traffic. I rarely get flashed on my DR650 with my HID (very bright!). Once in a while I get flashed, I'm OK with that. Can't please everyone.
Use Warm-ish 4000 to 4500K color temp on your LED or HID bulbs. Higher number means too blue, which really pisses off other cars.
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17 Dec 2014
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Contributing Member
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Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: montana usa
Posts: 547
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I have installed the direct replacement single round headlights in LED on several customers bikes. They fit exactly in the headlight shell and draw 2 amps less than stock 60 watt. They are super white light and a world of difference. I agree winter trips in mexico can make for very short hours of daylight. Much prefer arctic circle in summer.
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17 Dec 2014
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Registered Users
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: on the Road, at the moment somewhere else
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Yeahh right.
What a new word came on here recently "BLINC"? I do not give a flying FU$$ if something is nowadays called "Blinky" only because it was used in a moto soap some years ago. If I want it I get it. Simple as that.
And yes, I got extra lights on my AT, if I switch them on i can see till Mexico doesn´t matter where I am (Ok Ok, the others don´t see a damn thing they just think an UFO is coming, point taken but...).
And yes, I surely avoid driving at nights e.g. in Australia or Asia or SEA, but of cause had to do it from time to time, and then the lights came in handy. Of cause when you are in Europe somewhere on the highway... different story.
And yes, I like my lights and would not travel without them anymore, in Thailand I pimped them and got different bulbs as well. They are cheap and effectfull - so why bother?
And yes, same with my truck horns, 150dBz+. After installing them in Jacarta it was a whole different story. Traffic, what traffic?
...
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17 Dec 2014
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Registered Users
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I think the word was "Bling". It's the noise they make on shopping channels when adding fake sparkle to cheap rubbish.
Andy
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17 Dec 2014
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Moderator, Contributing Member
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Lancashire England
Posts: 313
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Hi Guys n Gals,
the biggest worry I have during my Winter commute is that the tail light's really small on my Serow and there's always a risk of being rear-ended by a dopey cage driver.
So I grabbed myself a pair of LED combination lights, wired as aux lights into the wiring harness and mounted them to my panniers.
If anyone says that they didn't see me then I'd smack 'em one!
And this image is only on side lights, you want to see what they're like with brake and hazards going, it's a bit like close encounters!
The best thing of all is they only take 0.6AMP's
Regards
Reggie
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18 Dec 2014
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I rode a Triumph throughout the 1960's Travelling 435 miles each way most weekends to and fro my home and the base on which I was stationed. Those lights were not very good.
In The last ten years I have ridden using lights twice. My advice is try to avoid it. BUT It really is a good idea to have good lights. So if you are obliged to ride at night it will be safer.
Following this discussion I may well look into the more modern lights.
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21 Dec 2014
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Moderator, Contributing Member
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The Cameraman
Hi Guys n Gals,
the biggest worry I have during my Winter commute is that the tail light's really small on my Serow and there's always a risk of being rear-ended by a dopey cage driver.
So I grabbed myself a pair of LED combination lights, wired as aux lights into the wiring harness and mounted them to my panniers.
If anyone says that they didn't see me then I'd smack 'em one!
And this image is only on side lights, you want to see what they're like with brake and hazards going, it's a bit like close encounters!
The best thing of all is they only take 0.6AMP's
Regards
Reggie |
Hi Guys n Gals,
here's an upgrade I did today by fitting waterproof connectors. So I can remove the panniers in seconds, leaving the original lights operational for servicing etc.
Regards
Reggie
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25 Dec 2014
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Gold Member
HUBB regular
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Switzerland
Posts: 33
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The Cameraman
Hi Guys n Gals,
the biggest worry I have during my Winter commute is that the tail light's really small on my Serow and there's always a risk of being rear-ended by a dopey cage driver.
So I grabbed myself a pair of LED combination lights, wired as aux lights into the wiring harness and mounted them to my panniers.
If anyone says that they didn't see me then I'd smack 'em one!
And this image is only on side lights, you want to see what they're like with brake and hazards going, it's a bit like close encounters!
The best thing of all is they only take 0.6AMP's
Regards
Reggie |
Hi Cameraman,
where did you get those side "rectangle" like brake lights? On my todo list are rear stop lights improvements, and those are the kind I'm looking for
Cheers
Arkean
__________________
*** Travelling is an everyday discovery of our own ignorance ***
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5 May 2015
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Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 24
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Pair of PIAA 1100X......
Not too big, not too in-your-face but when you need them, you will be very grateful they are there. Agree with not riding at night in remote areas but on road, with great lighting, you can make up for lost time or just keep going.
Rode from Freiburg North through wine country up into Belgium 250 miles after dark and without the lights.......nope, not a chance!
Try it, you can always take them off if you feel the opposite.
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6 May 2015
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Arkean
I'm hitting the road next year (2015) for a 6 month Switzerland to SE Asia trip. I'm still in the dilemma if having additional headlights on my f650 are really worth the price or really useful where I plan to go. I see so many full equiped big enduro bikes having such additional lights, but are mostly riden by week-end "adventure" riders. I still can't figure out the real added-value of those...
Can anyone bring some light in here?
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I rode at night a lot, for really pot holed broken roads or for off-road riding then yes they really are needed and also for when riding in long tunnels with poor or no lighting then yes again they are very much needed but they are not a must have more a nice to have
Dont look to much into the high priced "Adventure lights" as any lights can be adapted to work
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6 May 2015
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R.I.P.
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: california
Posts: 3,824
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BMWnHOG
Not too big, not too in-your-face but when you need them, you will be very grateful they are there. Agree with not riding at night in remote areas but on road, with great lighting, you can make up for lost time or just keep going.
Rode from Freiburg North through wine country up into Belgium 250 miles after dark and without the lights.......nope, not a chance! Try it, you can always take them off if you feel the opposite.
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USA price for that PIAA kit is between $190 usd up to about $250 usd.
They draw 55W each, so 110 Watts for the set. Did not find the Lumens rating anywhere?? ... do you know what it is?
Aside from high cost and high current draw, they look good ... especially on your GS, which puts out about 800 Watts. Many smaller bikes (like the OP's F650) have lower output, may not be ideal.
My DR650 Suzuki puts out a meager 200 Watts total. I've gone with a $25 HID head light kit, $40 LED aux light (one).
DDM Tuning : HID Kits and Components
My HID puts out 4500 lumens from 55W HID bulb.
Cheap, cheerful, Chinese. First ballast gave up after 4 years, DDM Tuning sent me replacement ... free!. It's so small, I carry a spare kit on board.
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10 Jun 2015
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Join Date: Dec 2014
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Regarding the PIAA's.....
Just got a pair of 1100X from Amazon (US).com for $150.00.
Bought them to replace the PIAA 530LED's that draw nothing, are extremely bright but are no better than my OEM Hella Fogs.
Supposedly, allegedly, the new PIAA light bars (LED) are meant to be great but until I see em.....?
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Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
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Lots more comments here!
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Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
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You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
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helps answer the question - Why Go? Inspirational stories by veteran travellers Greg Frazier (5 times RTW), Peter and Kay Forwood (193 countries), Tiffany Coates (Mongolia Mayhem) and Rene Cormier (University of Gravel Roads).
Get Ready! covers planning, paperwork, medical and many other topics! "Inspirational and Awesome!" See the trailer here!
What stuff do I need - riding gear, clothing, camping gear, first aid kit, tires, maps and GPS? What don't I need? How do I pack it all in? Lots of opinions from over 150 travellers!
break down language barriers, overcome culture shock, ship the bike and deal with breakdowns and emergencies."Just makes me want to pack up and go!" See the trailer here!
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The definitive guide to planning your motorcycle adventure! This insanely ambitious 2-year project has produced an informative and entertaining 5-part, 18 hour video series. "The ultimate round the world rider's how-to!" MCN UK.
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