accessories » Riding lights suggestion?

Having just changed from an R1200RS to a R1250RS, I want to equip the new bike with a decent pair of daytime riding lights - suggestions please?

I'm a big fan of the concept of having a triangular pattern of lights to increase your apparent 'bulk' on the road, so basically I want to mount a pair as low down and wide apart as realistically feasible. Bright but otherwise physically unobtrusive would be nice. I very rarely ride at night, so the purpose of these lamps are very much to help others see me, rather than illuminating the road.

My 1200 had engine bars which these were mounted on, but the 1250 doesn't, so I also need recommendations for a suitable mounting method please.

Am also a bit nervous about dealing with the electrical side of things, so all pointers on this topic gratefully received!

Got my first r1200rs when it was launched, being a new rider I specked the engine guards and lights, I’m on my fifth one now and have transferred the lights over to each bike, Bmw have done always as parts of the deal. My point is they've lasted this long and about 80k miles.

Denali and Clearwater are popular brands.
For mounts we use the Machine Art Moto mounts.
https://www.nippynormans.com/mudsling-xh...-r1250r-lcrs-lc



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On my RS I have a pair of Machine Art Moto mounts which are low and wide to provide that triangle you are looking for.
I also bought a simple VolocanCansmart unit and a pair of 2-wire spot lights from Fugly (Moto-mate) on this forum, much lower cost than the Denali and Clearwater route and perfectly suitable for day time riding. The set-up with the VoloCAN allows spotlight dimming whilst indicators are on and light strobing whilst sounding horn or flashing full beam, so overall very good functional capability.
My advice, get in touch with Fugly (Phil) at Motomate, he will sort you out .

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Thanks all that's definitely really helpful.
As it happens I've already got a message in to Fugly as I want one of his GPS mounts which are currently out of stock!

I just had the dealer fit low lamps 7 years ago.

I added HID headlamps.

The low lamps do help the day time visibility in dirty weather, like the misty roads I was on at 7am this morning.

But they also light up the curves on a dark night.

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Clearwater Darlas.
(Rainy but spirited day on US 129)

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I have taken a different option and fitted the Cyclops indicator led kits. On the front they create a bright white light while on the rear they double up as brake lights with the added benefit of extremely bright indicators that can now be seen in midday sun.

Since fitting I’ve noticed how drivers seem to notice me in their mirrors and friends report how effective the brake lights and indicators are while sun is shining on rear of bike.

I like the fact you do not add weight and fittings but make a multi purpose item out of an existing fixture.

I went with SkeneLights LEDs on front and rear. I wired them to the bike via an auxiliary power block…just simpler that way. I later went with Denali DM 2.0 TriOptic LEDs as auxiliary lights. Bright enough to augment OEM headlight coverage and visibility. For those is used the Denali CANSmart. Is bigger better? Not unless you have the need (lots of night riding IMHO). For me, the CANSmart was a pain in the ass to fit because of the limited space on the bike. Took some “out of the box” thinking to find a way it fits. Of course, I have multiple items already installed. Detailed in the thread where I documented the instal.


Installation of Denali DM 2.0 TriOptic LED Light Kit

Good idea. I have Clearwater Kristas on the mamo light mounts for the triangle. And Clearwater darlas on @Fugly winglet mounts.

I wired to hex ezcan. If you want plug and play, the Denali version and their lights are literally plug and play. My setup required soldering clearwaters to light harness. If soldering isn’t your thing, check out posi-tap. I’ve had great success with these as well.

Lights are at 50%, which is my day setting.

(...actually, Darlas are plug and play with the Clearwater CANopener. I bought one so I could also have all the modes for both front and rear lighting systems.)

Zitat von Boxerboy im Beitrag #4

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On my RS I have a pair of Machine Art Moto mounts which are low and wide to provide that triangle you are looking for.
I also bought a simple VolocanCansmart unit and a pair of 2-wire spot lights from Fugly (Moto-mate) on this forum, much lower cost than the Denali and Clearwater route and perfectly suitable for day time riding. The set-up with the VoloCAN allows spotlight dimming whilst indicators are on and light strobing whilst sounding horn or flashing full beam, so overall very good functional capability.

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Good choice Freddy,
I can’t be exact ( and I’m not home to take photos) but I did run both cables together down the right hand side of the bike using cable ties to keep them neat, no need to remove tank, just behind the outermost panels.
Good luck , I am sure you will make a neat job.

I ran the light wires up left side. Other wires up right side. I had all bodywork off which made it easier.

The cable I used for the lights up front was a 16/3 SOOW cable. I went with this to allow a single wire run up front to handle load. i created a custom wire harness for the 4 lights.

I cleaned up the wiring significantly (removed slack, zip tied etc) before buttoning everything back up so nothing would be visible or rub

I don’t think there’s a wrong way

FreddyF.
Regarding our earlier “ discussion” this is how I located the VoloCAN under my seat alongside the alarm96A36DA9-41C6-4A37-A5E9-3402A8FE5F6C.jpeg - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte)