Resurrecting an old thread so Smitty can tell us how his XKGlow kit has held up for the last 3 years.

 

Here's mine they definitely make you way more visible on the dark backroads. I bet your white paint pops at night with yours on.
These are 4 years old and no problems so far.

 

if you're planning a surprise attack on the Mayan Clubhouse you probably shouldn't have these.

 

Mine were there when I bought it, only time I turn them on is on the 2 lane back roads to make me a little more visible. Oh and my pipes are to loud to sneak up on anybody lol

 

Some people put the lights on their bikes as decoration. Personally, the only reason I put the lights on mine was because it make it more visible at night. I've had cars come over on top of me at night because they couldn't see me (or so they claimed). After bouncing down the road I figure that anything that I can add to make it more visible, the better. Of course, these days, I also don't allow myself to get into a position like that since I go under the assumption that all the cars out there are *intentionally* trying to kill me.

I put a couple of silicone encased blue LED strips under my tank. After a few years, the wires on one of them had fatigued and quit working. Unfortunately, it was right at the edge of the silicone and I was not successful at stripping it back and soldering a new lead onto it. Those LED strips don't need much current and the manufacturers put really thin wires on them, basically guaranteeing that you won't be able to resolder new wires there. I also had a problem with getting the strips to stay stuck to the tank. I tried some double sided tape, but the heat of the engine was too much for it and it ended up being a complete mess.

When I installed the strips, the laws in Texas basically stated that the bulb cannot be directly visible, so hiding it under the tank where it meets the frame accomplished this. I'm not sure if the rules have changed, but I've never been pulled over even when I've driven by cops. I'm sure they would be more than willing to pull me over and facilitate the liberation of some of my money if they thought it was currently against the regulations. I don't drive out of state that much, but I've never run into a problem there either. Maybe they just figure I'm an decrepit old fart and not worth hassling?

 

Here is the Law in Texas from this website https://www.russbrown.com/blog/led-l...on-motorcycles

New Law in Texas Clears Up Confusion Over LED Lights on Motorcycles

SEPTEMBER 17, 2015
BY RAINE DEVRIES
MOTORCYCLE SAFETY
Texas is the second largest motorcycle-owning market in the U.S. and many riders have embraced the use of LED lights to make their bikes show up better at night. However, until recently, the relevant state law was ambiguous at best regarding the legality of these lights and was open to interpretation by individual law enforcement officials. State Senator Kirk Watson is an active motorcyclist and saw an opportunity to ensure motorcycling was safer for riders by clarifying the legal verbiage during the recent legislative session to ensure certain types of LED lights are legal for use with bikes in Texas.

Initially, the law prohibited the use of lights brighter than 300 candlepower (CP), could not project a beam more than 75 feet, do not flash, were not red, nor directed from the center part of the vehicle. Further, the application of the law was subjective to each law enforcement official.

The debate on this issue could be found going back to 2011 on discussion forums online and with little clarification on what was legal. When Sen. Watson got involved due to a suggestion from a constituent, and he quickly saw the need to clarify the verbiage.

“We need to do all we can to make riding as safe as possible,” said Watson. “And we should do it so that we don’t put riders in a situation where they might be accidentally violating the law. Our laws should be clear so that people know how to comply and officers know what it is they’re enforcing.”

Effective September 1, SB1918 passed to add TRC 547.306 which directly addresses the use of LED lights on motorcycles.

LED ground effect lighting equipment means light emitting diode (LED) technology that is attached to the underbody of a motorcycle for the purpose of illuminating:
The body of the motorcycle; or
The ground below the motorcycle.
A person may operate a motorcycle equipped with LED ground effect lighting that emits a non-flashing amber or white light.
The ability for a motorcyclist to safely use white or amber LED’s is an important factor as the failure to see a rider is frequently stated as a main cause with wrecks involving motorcycles. In fact, according to the 2013 data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (the most recent numbers available), approximately 25 percent of all fatalities involving a motorcyclist occur between non-peak traffic times of 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

Watson whole-heartedly embraced the initiative to clear up the law after hearing from concerned riding constituent, Theodore Cody who had researched the previous law after hearing from other riders about harassments they had received from law enforcement over the use of LED’s. Cody then turned to the state senator, a rider who himself recently rode more than 3,000 miles on his Harley-Davidson to attend the 75th anniversary of Sturgis Motorcycle Week yet he rarely rides his bike after sunset due to safety concerns.

“This is a great example of a constituent calling something to my attention,” said Watson. “A motorcycle rider in my Senate District contacted my office pointing out the obvious safety benefits of allowing motorcycles to have more lights on them at night. However, he also noted that the law was ambiguous so some riders were receiving tickets, especially if the lights made their bikes look like emergency vehicles. We worked with the Department of Public Safety to assure that riders seeking safety wouldn’t run afoul of the law and put it into legislation.

State Representative and motorcycle rider Joe Pickett of D – El Paso presented the new law to the House. “Senator Watson, as the Senate sponsor, approached me knowing I have an interest in motorcycles and motorcycle safety,” said Pickett. “I agreed with his feelings that these actually make motorcycles more visible. I always ride with high beams on during the day and, as we who ride, know we have to do so defensively.”

 

Looks food man. Maryland passed a new law about 2 years ago basicly saying it is ok for motorcycles to add accent lights to be seen better by drivers. The only thing is the lights can't flash or strobe.