Best driving lights
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,892
Likes: 3
From: New Hampshire
not to highjack the thread- but is it possible to use an 55W HID conversion kit in the HD engine guard foglights? I have a bud looking to sell me a set of his unused HD foglights. I might consider going that route if it's something that can be done? I would imagine it would throw considerable light out there.
I'm just not overly impressed with the amount of light the stock HD foglights put out.
I'm just not overly impressed with the amount of light the stock HD foglights put out.
As far as brightness - fog lights aren't supposed to be driving lights, so they are expected to be dimmer. On the other hand, I can see your point about wanting them brighter.
I know changing the headlamp and passing lamps to HID kits in the state of texas is illegal. Not sure about the fog lamps but that's a great idea. Never thought about changing those yellowish bulbs to something that more closely matches my Silverstar Ultra setup.. I'm on a mission now.. Anyone know what size bulb that is off the top of your head?
Even after my somewhat negative thoughts, I would be interested in pics if anyone does any of those mods to the passing lights - more light in the early mornings would be great!
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: Chicagoland
I have Vision X bulbs in my passing lights they are 55 watts each and the picture doesn't really do them justice. I also did the passing light mod so they are running off the accessory power instead of the headlight so I don't burn em out
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 817
Likes: 26
From: PA
Ed. excellent solution to mounting the ridgidindustries led. That yellow for daytime riding and white for night should do the trick.
Not sure which one you installed but the spot light unit specs are unbelievable. note that distances are in meters not feet. Beam distance of over 1000 feet! As mentioned earlier, it's Lux at specified distances and not raw Lumens which is most important:
Weight (lbs): 1
Watts: 20
AMP Draw: 1.45
LED's: 4
Lm / LED @ 25C: 392
Raw Lumens: 1,568
Lux @ 10m: 490
Beam Distance (m): 442.7
Peak Beam Intensity (cd): 49,000
Operating Temperature: -40ş ~ +145ş Fahrenheit
Width: 5" (4.960)
Height: 1-5/6" (1.840)
Depth: 2-1/4" (2.250)
By the way, for those like me who don't have access to fabrication methods, the Harley wind deflector (air damn) that mounts between the triple trees ($29.99) might be used to mount instead of a bracket. I'm going to give it a try. When I do, i'll try to post some pics. Still concerned about the fender hitting it though but it might raise up the light about 1/2 to 3/4 inch and back a bit.
In any event, thanks for the post, Ed. Have a great smokey mountain trip.
Not sure which one you installed but the spot light unit specs are unbelievable. note that distances are in meters not feet. Beam distance of over 1000 feet! As mentioned earlier, it's Lux at specified distances and not raw Lumens which is most important:
Weight (lbs): 1
Watts: 20
AMP Draw: 1.45
LED's: 4
Lm / LED @ 25C: 392
Raw Lumens: 1,568
Lux @ 10m: 490
Beam Distance (m): 442.7
Peak Beam Intensity (cd): 49,000
Operating Temperature: -40ş ~ +145ş Fahrenheit
Width: 5" (4.960)
Height: 1-5/6" (1.840)
Depth: 2-1/4" (2.250)
By the way, for those like me who don't have access to fabrication methods, the Harley wind deflector (air damn) that mounts between the triple trees ($29.99) might be used to mount instead of a bracket. I'm going to give it a try. When I do, i'll try to post some pics. Still concerned about the fender hitting it though but it might raise up the light about 1/2 to 3/4 inch and back a bit.
In any event, thanks for the post, Ed. Have a great smokey mountain trip.
Last edited by beammeup; Apr 30, 2013 at 08:46 AM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 3,078
Likes: 6
From: Michigan
edtompkins I'm betting your fender will take a beating! I know 4 people that have fender dents from gremlin bells, and they were mounted so they could move. I hope I'm wrong, though. Let us know.
Last edited by jimsflh; Apr 30, 2013 at 09:01 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,456
Likes: 132
From: Deep South, Louisiana
Yep I am looking at the Ridgid SR 6" Light bar. It appears to be a little more than 1" high and 7" wide without the screws. So if I can mount to the holes used for the deflector and set it back so the screws are under the deflector mounting holes it looks like it will be fine. Just have to check the swing to make sure it doesn't hit anything when turning. Getting it hooked to the auxilary switch for off/on since its not pulling many amps.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 644
Likes: 31
From: Central Texas
Based on the ideas on this thread, I went ahead and mounted the Rigid Industries 6" SR-Q under the lower triple tree. I used the standard mount which came along with the unit and mounted it to a fabricated bracket made from angle iron. Also used their wiring and rocker switch. Also fabricated a small bracket with an attached p-clamp for the rocker switch (mounted next to seat and tank).
I know there is some concern as to whether there is enough clearance between the light and fender. I'll let you know in a couple weeks when I return from a 2000 mile trip to Skyline/BRP/Cherohala.
I also purchased the yellow cover which diffuses about 30%. The covers were relatively inexpensive and hopefully good for the rain and fog.
Here are some pics:
I know there is some concern as to whether there is enough clearance between the light and fender. I'll let you know in a couple weeks when I return from a 2000 mile trip to Skyline/BRP/Cherohala.
I also purchased the yellow cover which diffuses about 30%. The covers were relatively inexpensive and hopefully good for the rain and fog.
Here are some pics:
Good trip?
How did light perform?
Clif
Hey guys - I am back and here is my report:
Great trip - 8 days from NJ, down Skyline Drive, Blue Ridge Pkwy, Diamond Back, Tail of the Dragon, part of Moonshiner, etc, etc.
Didn't use the light all that much on the trip because most of the trip was during the daylight hours.
But I did test some more after I got back. This works great with the Phase 7 LED light. I really can see far and wide. I had to angle the Rigid Industries light further down than I thought orignally - maybe because it is mounted upside down. And I'll have to figure a better light switch position because as much as I thought it would be convenient being near but tucked by the gas tank, it is not as accessible as I would like it to be. But for now it is ok.
Now the bad news - it does hit hit the fender. As much as me and a buddy of mine originally thought differently, we were both proven wrong. When I checked the travel specs for my bike, it was something like 4 1/2 inches. I had close to 4 inches so I thought I was safe - NOT! As you can see from the pics below, the dent I now have is about 1/2 inch deep. The dent from the front is not very noticable - you can see it better from the top.
I do not believe it will get any worse (I have put on another 300 miles since the trip and it has remained the same). The dent is elliptical and very symmetrical in shape and as much as I don't want it there, it doesn't bother me much. I'll do something with it during the winter (not riding season).
When I get a chance, I'll take some pics of the lighted view so you can see how much light it puts out.
Great trip - 8 days from NJ, down Skyline Drive, Blue Ridge Pkwy, Diamond Back, Tail of the Dragon, part of Moonshiner, etc, etc.
Didn't use the light all that much on the trip because most of the trip was during the daylight hours.
But I did test some more after I got back. This works great with the Phase 7 LED light. I really can see far and wide. I had to angle the Rigid Industries light further down than I thought orignally - maybe because it is mounted upside down. And I'll have to figure a better light switch position because as much as I thought it would be convenient being near but tucked by the gas tank, it is not as accessible as I would like it to be. But for now it is ok.
Now the bad news - it does hit hit the fender. As much as me and a buddy of mine originally thought differently, we were both proven wrong. When I checked the travel specs for my bike, it was something like 4 1/2 inches. I had close to 4 inches so I thought I was safe - NOT! As you can see from the pics below, the dent I now have is about 1/2 inch deep. The dent from the front is not very noticable - you can see it better from the top.
I do not believe it will get any worse (I have put on another 300 miles since the trip and it has remained the same). The dent is elliptical and very symmetrical in shape and as much as I don't want it there, it doesn't bother me much. I'll do something with it during the winter (not riding season).
When I get a chance, I'll take some pics of the lighted view so you can see how much light it puts out.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,649
Likes: 2
From: x
Interesting discussion, especially since I just realized that people have different priorities. Since I rarely ride at night I have different criteria for good driving lights. Went with the Kuryakyns but for totally different reasons. I want daytime visibility (to others), then style, then night lighting. They do what I want but haven't really shaken them out on a dark two lane. But I do know they are "bright" because of the reaction from car drivers, both coming at them and when I come up behind.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 817
Likes: 26
From: PA
Hey guys - I am back and here is my report:
Great trip - 8 days from NJ, down Skyline Drive, Blue Ridge Pkwy, Diamond Back, Tail of the Dragon, part of Moonshiner, etc, etc.
Didn't use the light all that much on the trip because most of the trip was during the daylight hours.
But I did test some more after I got back. This works great with the Phase 7 LED light. I really can see far and wide. I had to angle the Rigid Industries light further down than I thought orignally - maybe because it is mounted upside down. And I'll have to figure a better light switch position because as much as I thought it would be convenient being near but tucked by the gas tank, it is not as accessible as I would like it to be. But for now it is ok.
Now the bad news - it does hit hit the fender. As much as me and a buddy of mine originally thought differently, we were both proven wrong. When I checked the travel specs for my bike, it was something like 4 1/2 inches. I had close to 4 inches so I thought I was safe - NOT! As you can see from the pics below, the dent I now have is about 1/2 inch deep. The dent from the front is not very noticable - you can see it better from the top.
I do not believe it will get any worse (I have put on another 300 miles since the trip and it has remained the same). The dent is elliptical and very symmetrical in shape and as much as I don't want it there, it doesn't bother me much. I'll do something with it during the winter (not riding season).
When I get a chance, I'll take some pics of the lighted view so you can see how much light it puts out.
Great trip - 8 days from NJ, down Skyline Drive, Blue Ridge Pkwy, Diamond Back, Tail of the Dragon, part of Moonshiner, etc, etc.
Didn't use the light all that much on the trip because most of the trip was during the daylight hours.
But I did test some more after I got back. This works great with the Phase 7 LED light. I really can see far and wide. I had to angle the Rigid Industries light further down than I thought orignally - maybe because it is mounted upside down. And I'll have to figure a better light switch position because as much as I thought it would be convenient being near but tucked by the gas tank, it is not as accessible as I would like it to be. But for now it is ok.
Now the bad news - it does hit hit the fender. As much as me and a buddy of mine originally thought differently, we were both proven wrong. When I checked the travel specs for my bike, it was something like 4 1/2 inches. I had close to 4 inches so I thought I was safe - NOT! As you can see from the pics below, the dent I now have is about 1/2 inch deep. The dent from the front is not very noticable - you can see it better from the top.
I do not believe it will get any worse (I have put on another 300 miles since the trip and it has remained the same). The dent is elliptical and very symmetrical in shape and as much as I don't want it there, it doesn't bother me much. I'll do something with it during the winter (not riding season).
When I get a chance, I'll take some pics of the lighted view so you can see how much light it puts out.
Glad you had a great Smokey Mountain area trip. I'm on my way there on June 1st for my annual spring trip.
Thanks for taking the time to post and bummer about the fender.
You mentioned you are looking for a better switch location. This is an excellent choice which I've been using for a long time for Lazerstar lights mounted on my engine guards. The switch is black and mounts to the left handlebar switch housing. Can't even notice it and it's within thumb reach. Very high quality relay too.
http://www.lazerstarlights.com/parts...1054_1062_1128
[IMG]//http://www.lazerstarlights.com/images/OPTIMIZED/LSW1010_V1.PNG[/IMG]