BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

Anyone given any thought to adding auxillary lights - and if so - where?

I like them 'cause they make me more visible in daytime - and they help fill in the dark spots at night.

I've been scratching my head since I got the Roadster on where they could be mounted that looks clean and functional, not hokey. So far I've seen nothing offered by the usual aftermarket vendors - including Motolites.

Anyone tackled this one yet (got such great response on my footpeg question..)?

TIA!

I wondered where motolights (or similar) could be mounted

Idea 1 - via a bracket or bar fitted to the top of the fork brace .. ?

Idea Ia - wait for Motolights to do the same ... I take it, Don, that there isn't a Motolight caliper mount taht would fit the R12R's upper bolt? Slider mount (above the fork brace that has the telelever on it) is not an option?

Idea 2 - suspended from near the screen / indicators / headlight mount. Would also look like a fat boy light (euwww)

Idea 2a - wait for a Martin Fabrications bracket to be developed and use the intervening time to save up (coz you'd need to)
http://www.cyclegadgets.com/Products/Li ... &kit=GMT-R

Idea 3 (just for Australia) give up or ask one of the importers (Motorrad Garage or Motohansa) to find something, then give up.

sorry, don ... I did try to be serious. I'd like visiblity lights, too - though my main concern is not crapping up (oops) the clean front end.

I've been in contact with one vendor - who is sending me a prototype mount that will clamp to the fork slider above the cross-brace, and take PIAA or Hella FF50 lights (my favorite)..

Will see how it looks/fits and report back. More info as it evolves.. but I think it might fulfill my desire to not crap up the front end

Motolights does appear to offer a caliper-mount light set for the R12R. Part number 67502.

I'm planning to buy a set, probably as a winter project, and I'll probably design an "alternating flashing" modulator for them.

BTW, which finish do y'all think would go best with the bike? Brushed would be a pretty good match with the forks, and, of course, the calipers are black.

I am thinking about ordering a set of engine guards and was thinking that I could use those as mounting points for additional lights.

Even though I like the Hepco&Becker guards better, I am leaning towards the SW-Motech bars, as I think they would work better for my intended purpose: Leg Rests.

Here are some links for the bars:
First up: SW-Motech
http://www.mo-tech.de/produkt/?produkt_ ... 386223e83e

Secondly: Hepco & Becker (as seen on the Wunderlich Trophy concept):
http://www.wunderlich.de/pressedienst/1 ... 1916593049

I have been using the motolights for about 12 years now. I won't tour on a bike without them. They mount easily and quickly on the R12R with the brake caliper mount. I also use the hyperlites on the rear. On most of my bikes I have simply mounted them on the underside to the rear turn signals. Excellent safety investment. When I first put on a set of motolights the reduction in drivers pulling out in front of me or turning left in front of me was dramatic.

Mr. Average wrote:I have been using the motolights for about 12 years now. I won't tour on a bike without them. They mount easily and quickly on the R12R with the brake caliper mount. I also use the hyperlites on the rear. On most of my bikes I have simply mounted them on the underside to the rear turn signals. Excellent safety investment. When I first put on a set of motolights the reduction in drivers pulling out in front of me or turning left in front of me was dramatic.

I've noticed the combination of a headlight modulator and some really bright auxiliary lights (Hella FF50's for instance - 55W each that I had on my R1150RS) can make a dramatic difference in car incursions into "my" space.. which is my motivation for the axillary lights.

I don't ride enough at night to make the lights a real necessity for seeing - since the stock headlight is actually excellent IMHO.. but for visibility - especially with a black bike, and wearing a gray/black stitch, and a gray/black/white-pin-stripe helmet - I think the auxiliary lights are a necessity.

Somehow I've never been able to get around the somewhat mediocre performance of the motolights combined with the high price - but I have to admit - they do make a nice kit designed specifically for a motorcycle.. so perhaps thats where the $$$ value is.

I do have lots of extra rear-lighting (http://www.eilenberger.net/R1200R_Roads ... Rindex.htm), and the Kisan headlight modulator - so this would be the final step in increasing my visibility.

Would you happen to have a digi-pic of the Motolights on your Roadster?

Sorry don't have the technology to post pictures. I am sort of a ludite with modern technology.

Instead of modulating your headlight and having two auxiliary lights full on, consider having the headlight full on and alternating the aux lights. That's a much more effective lighting pattern. Look at a locomotive approaching a grade crossing and you'll see what I mean.

NeilS wrote:Instead of modulating your headlight and having two auxiliary lights full on, consider having the headlight full on and alternating the aux lights. That's a much more effective lighting pattern. Look at a locomotive approaching a grade crossing and you'll see what I mean.

Actually - a good thought considering the problems the headlight modulators cause with the bulb-out monitor.

I'm going to think on that a bit - wonder if the federal statutes that allow a modulated headlight could be bent enough to cover auxiliary lights. I can imagine some LEO thinking a dual pair of modulating auxiliary lights look a bit too cop-bike-like for comfort.

Well, I won't comment on the absolute legality of the setup. I will say that I have used it for more than four years, about 20 states and 25000 miles, and have never been hassled over it.

It's a similar situation to Back-offs or Hyper-Lites. The law (federal, anyway) is silent on brake light flashers, but nobody seems to think they're a problem.

Somehow I ended up with a few LEOs as riding buddies and the issue of flashing brake lights came up (I have Back-Offs). They feel that by the letter of the law the flashing lights are a violation, but a few of them have Back-Offs on their bikes

The New Jersey Statute that covers it is: 39:3:54

Here's the relevant part.
Flashing lights are prohibited on motor vehicles, motorcycles and motor-drawn vehicles except as a means for indicating a right or left turn; provided, however, any vehicle may be equipped, and when required under this article shall be equipped, with lamps for the purpose of warning the operators of other vehicles of the presence of a vehicular traffic hazard requiring the exercise of unusual care in approaching,

mogu83 wrote:Somehow I ended up with a few LEOs as riding buddies and the issue of flashing brake lights came up (I have Back-Offs). They feel that by the letter of the law the flashing lights are a violation, but a few of them have Back-Offs on their bikes

The New Jersey Statute that covers it is: 39:3:54

Here's the relevant part.
Flashing lights are prohibited on motor vehicles, motorcycles and motor-drawn vehicles except as a means for indicating a right or left turn; provided, however, any vehicle may be equipped, and when required under this article shall be equipped, with lamps for the purpose of warning the operators of other vehicles of the presence of a vehicular traffic hazard requiring the exercise of unusual care in approaching,

As an attorney I can say that this specifically covers us... it is a huge loophole we lawyers love to drive through!

I would also assume that the notes to this statute probably are actually referring to forward facing rotating or flashing "police" style lamps in most instances.

At any rate, most of the lights we can put on bikes are set up to flash and then go steady if you want, or can continually flash, which I personally prefer as it wakes up the soccer moms who are doing makeup or dialing their phones while rolling into me.

I just ordered a set of caliper mounted motolights in the brushed finish. I also ordered four 55 watt bulbs. I'll let you know how the installation goes.

Here is a pic of my Motolights:

Very nice looking installation. And definitely the right finish for the bike IMO. Any riding impressions yet?

NeilS wrote:Any riding impressions yet?

I don't ride with them at night, just with the high beam during daytime. They are wired to only work when the high beam is on. Therefore, I can't really tell how well they work until somebody cuts in front of me. Then I'll know they didn't. They are very bright so they should catch people's attention.

Dauntless,
Are they (lights) wired thru the can-bus or direct from the battery? I see you have them somehow connected to the highbeam.

Also -- they look great.

I also run with the moto lights and have for several years. The R1200R is the 4th BMW I've had them on. I like their quality, finish and durability. After replacing the 35w original bulb with the newer 50w I find them even better. They saved my skin almost 10 years ago right after I put them on and have saved me so many times since then I can't count. I will probably get kicked off the planet for this one...But every time I see a motorcycle comming at me with a headlight modulator, I think to myself, won't someone run him over.

See you on the road.

dirty red wrote:But every time I see a motorcycle comming at me with a headlight modulator, I think to myself, won't someone run him over.

The modulator did what it's supposed to - got your attention. Combine that with auxiliary lights and they really have to be brain dead to miss you coming.

One thing I've noticed since I put on the auxiliary lights. More people turning in front of me.. but not in a bad way. Before they'd wait and wait and wait.. and worry me because I figure either they're dead, blind or getting impatient. Now I get them turning at a safe distance in front of me. I figure they can judge the speed/distance better with the auxiliary lights on. As long as they do their turn with ample space from me - it's fine, one less car to have to judge.