General topics » Aux Lights

Debating between OEM aux lights that can be turned on/off and are designed to plug and play vs. Denali, Clearwater etc.

Thoughts, pro/cons?

I’d need to review the OEM options you’re considering. The aftermarket has more variety in products.

Hello

I currently have the Clearwater Erica’s on my RS. I also recently was involved in a low side get off, all good only the bike had a bit of damage. Crash bars saved a considerable amount of costly damage. I contacted Clearwater and they repaired my Erica’s which were severely damaged to brand new condition for $100.00. Erica’s are in the $900-1000 range and I was willing to pay much more than a $100.00. Plus the included all new brackets and sent back the damaged parts.
This is the second pair of Clearwater lights I’ve owned , I had a set of Darla’s on my F800GS and loved them also. Just thought I’d share this as to what a good company Clearwater is.

From what I’ve seen of the BMW aux lights they are more streamlined and look nice. My friend has a pair on his RT. I can not attest to their effectiveness since I’ve not ridden at night with him. They are quite a bit smaller but that doesn’t mean they are not bright. I will say the Erica’s light up the highway very well. In daylight my friends say they always know where I’m at if I’m riding behind them.

Hope this helps
M

Don't need, won't buy.

Clearwaters and Denalis are essentially plug and play once connected to the CANBus. (I used the Clearwater CANopener.)

Hi Nm2far, just wanted make sure you are aware that OEM aux lights need to be programmed in by your local BMW dealer, at a cost of course, so are not "plug and play". I brought a second hand pair and after market scanners could not do it. In Australia I was charged $96 for the 10 minutes it took them. Another BMW dealer quoted around $230.

Hi Magellan44,

Can we get a picture of your Clearwater light setup.

Thanks
Allen

Here is one picture that shows how they were mounted. As soon as I get the parts and have the reconditioned Darla’s mounted I will post a picture 53678679-5EC7-42F4-9DDF-EB847127AF54.jpeg - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte)

Zitat von Sunsetal1 im Beitrag #7

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Hi Magellan44,

Can we get a picture of your Clearwater light setup.

Thanks
Allen

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Hi Ray,

Are you using the Clearwater fender mounts?

Thank
Allen

Zitat von Sunsetal1 im Beitrag #10

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Are you using the Clearwater fender mounts?

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Zitat von Ray B im Beitrag #11

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Lee and backRoadS and others have posted elsewhere on other options that might be better.

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I have a set of Clearwater Darlas on fender mounts. Installed using the Clearwater canbus system. Install was straight forward and truly plug and play. My riding buddies tell me the lights can't be missed. I'm very pleased.

I'm probably nit-picking here, but frame mounted aux lights would be preferable to lower fork leg mounted for at least four reasons.

1. Less un-sprung weight, always preferable for good suspension performance.
2. Less jarring on the lights and brackets themselves as a result of being part of the "suspended" mass, rather than the "unsuspended"
3. A better i.e., wider frontal triangle.
4. Lee's point in post #12 on fork maintenance.

Zitat von Steady Eddie im Beitrag #14

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... I'm probably nit-picking here, but frame mounted aux lights would be preferable to lower fork leg mounted for at least four reasons.

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