Lighting Quest [Auxiliary LED Lamps]

[mikeb2411]

I have been on the hunt for auxiliary lighting for a good month now...a solid month of looking, reading, asking (or trying to ask), just to find the best setup for my bike. My desire has been to have 2 sets on the bike, one set low on either side of the front wheel and one set under the mirrors. I know it's considered "overkill" by some but I believe the more you have the better you're seen . There are soooo many options regarding these lights...enough to drive a person crazy ! So many that I was having a difficult time "pinning" down the right lights and had a difficult time trying to get emails answered regarding the lights.

In steps John from ADVMonster. ADVMonster was awesome (Twisted Throttle was great too)  ! I emailed John (ADV) a "lighting question" and that began a constant back-and-forth between John and I. Not only did John answer my original email, he answered it with great detail which was greatly appreciated! Because of John and his willingness to sit there and answer all of my email questions I ended up buying the Model 44's for under the mirror and the F11 fog lights for the wheel...and the wireless dimmer so I can dim the 44's when needed. John was REALLY helpful and never once made it feel like I was a burden (though I know I probably was because I tend to ask and keep asking ). I had emailed a couple of other companies (not mentioning names) as well and either got nothing or very little from them. I don't understand how some companies make it? There has to be more people out there asking questions and trying to get information regarding a product before they buy...am I right? The lack of response from some of these companies blows my mind! If I was selling product and people were asking, I'd be on the email answering their questions! I realize people or companies get busy but come on...have some one emailing and answering questions !

Anyway, ADVMonster and John won my business  and I will refer people to them without hesitation. It's sad for the other companies for I was ready to spend money! Oh well, they're loss!

[gPink]

Link...pics....?

[Rhino]

Pics please 

[mikeb2411]

Easy boys, I will be posting pics in about a week after everything is installed...I just ordered the stuff today! So much pressure !

[mikeb2411]

Here's what I ordered;

http://stores.advmonster.com/model-44-led-off-road-flood-light/

http://stores.advmonster.com/f11-fog-light-pair/

http://stores.advmonster.com/waterproof-wireless-led-dimmer-with-high-beam-bypass/

Just in case that is what you were asking for 

[gPink]

OMG you got another FOB 

[mikeb2411]

Yep...I'm going to get a 6" ring just for FOB's...carry it on my belt !

[Rhino]

Here's what I ordered;

http://stores.advmonster.com/model-44-led-off-road-flood-light/

http://stores.advmonster.com/f11-fog-light-pair/

http://stores.advmonster.com/waterproof-wireless-led-dimmer-with-high-beam-bypass/

Just in case that is what you were asking for 

A great start! Thank you! But you just know we are going to want to see them installed on your bike.

[mikeb2411]

Of course! If they show up in time I'll be working on it this weekend 

[maxtog]

Here's what I ordered;http://stores.advmonster.com/waterproof-wireless-led-dimmer-with-high-beam-bypass/
Just in case that is what you were asking for 

I would be concerned to know if the dimmer remembered the user settings.  For example, setting it to 10% brightness on low beam.  If it forgets that anytime the bike is turned off or even if your battery was disconnected or went dead, what will it end up with?  In the daytime you wouldn't be able to tell what it was set to and that could be very bad!  Would it also remember the on/off state?

I think this one would be my choice:  http://stores.advmonster.com/rotary-led-dimmer-with-high-beam-bypass/  since it is a physical analog control that can show an absolute value and "remember" without question.  I wonder why it costs MORE than the more complex wireless one?  Strange.

Also, of course, the whole thing is mostly useless without the high-beam switch tap... do you know where to tap into that switch?  (I assume the switch does switch to ground, so you can just add this sucker to it).

[maxtog]

Also, of course, the whole thing is mostly useless without the high-beam switch tap... do you know where to tap into that switch?  (I assume the switch does switch to ground, so you can just add this sucker to it).

Search is your friend!
Fartymarty posted the key info right here, 3 years ago:  http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=1477.msg16170#msg16170

[gPink]

I would be concerned to know if the dimmer remembered the user settings.  For example, setting it to 10% brightness on low beam.  If it forgets that anytime the bike is turned off or even if your battery was disconnected or went dead, what will it end up with?  In the daytime you wouldn't be able to tell what it was set to and that could be very bad!  Would it also remember the on/off state?

I think this one would be my choice:  http://stores.advmonster.com/rotary-led-dimmer-with-high-beam-bypass/  since it is a physical analog control that can show an absolute value and "remember" without question.  I wonder why it costs MORE than the more complex wireless one?  Strange.

Also, of course, the whole thing is mostly useless without the high-beam switch tap... do you know where to tap into that switch?  (I assume the switch does switch to ground, so you can just add this sucker to it).

Search is your friend!
Fartymarty posted the key info right here, 3 years ago:  http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=1477.msg16170#msg16170

Max, are you talking to yourself again?

[maxtog]

Max, are you talking to yourself again?

Oh yes, and I answer too.  I only get concerned when the answers are in a different voice...

[twowheeladdict]

I don't like the picture of the Model 44 at the pool's edge.  It creates a false impression of what the lighting will be on a road.  The water causes reflection and refraction of the light at that angle giving a skewed image on the fencing. 

Good luck with those "off road" lights.  They will be useful during the day, but might be too bright for oncoming cars at night. 

Remember, even with those lights you are invisible out there on the road when it comes to inattentive drivers.

I live on a perfectly straight country road with two foot ditches just off the edge of the road.  We have had 3 vehicles flip within a 1/2 mile from our house in broad daylight.  Single car wrecks on a straight road.  It is really making me wonder if I should just trade in all my vehicles for a GMC 2500HD with roll cages and cow catcher installed.

[martin_14]

100 000 miles of driving like if I was invisible. I won't give others the power over my life, or trust them with it, when I'm on my bike.
That said, although the C14 lights are the best I've seen when it came out, the BMW's K1600 adaptive lights are even better, fantastic, actually, so I wouldn't mind upgrading somehow. What the OP bought seems like a valid option.

[mikeb2411]

I appreciate everyone's concerns and opinions because you guys have a lot of experience with a lot of different things regarding the Concours and I love hearing what people have to say. 

Regarding the lights, the Model 44's and the dimmer in-particular...the dimmer is an "intelligent" dimmer (we'll see how intelligent ) and if works as advertised I won't have to worry about it. I did discuss it with John (who has used the Wireless Dimmer) and he has assured me that the dimmer remembers and retains your settings between starts so it should be a "set and forget" setup. I will always have the FOB with me on the bike just-in-case, that way I can override the brightness of the LED's...if needed.

As far as using them at night? I will be riding at night during the Winter and when riding with my Hi Beams on I'm sure it will look like a small city moving down the road . But, if the Lo's are set correctly (which they will be) then it should never be a problem. All I know is the lights have been used by others on the road..even at night and it seems to work fine. Only time will tell!

Bottom line is I want to be seen while on the road but I never take it for granted and understand that some people don't see you...regardless of what you have on the bike ! If having more lighnt on the bike decreases the chances of someone pulling out in front of me then it's money well spent!

Oh, BTW, the other day I was on the freeway doing 80 mph, cruise control set, minding my own business and was approaching an on-ramp that enters the freeway from the left side..the number 1 lane side. As I was approaching the on-ramp I see a large "oil rig" entering the freeway doing maybe 20 mph. I'm in the number 2 lane and fast approaching when the D*&^HEAD swings over to the number 2 lane RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME!!!!  The emotions were raging at this point...I was pissed so I drove by and waved with my "good finger" at him as I passed at a much slower speed since I had to BRAKE HARD and swerve to avoid becoming part of his truck! I got the dumbest look I've ever seen on anyone's face! Wish I had a camera...it was priceless! Lights WOULD NOT have helped me there!

[VirginiaJim]

50 caliber would have..

[mikeb2411]

50 caliber would have..

No doubt! 

[mikeb2411]

I am hoping my auxiliary lights and dimmer come in this weekend and if they do I will be in the garage working on the bike...oil change, light install, Flash2Pass install, bulb upgrade for the front headlight. 

I'm hoping I can get some info from some of you that have gone through the install of auxiliary lights or have had to do something with lights. The lights, dimmer, and Flash2Pass have to be connected to the lighting harness and HI beam wire...would anyone be willing to share with me what it is I'm looking for in terms of harnesses, relays, or the HI beam wire...where will I find those items (wire location and colors would be a big help)? It looks to me like you tap into the wires coming from the relay? If I'm reading the wiring diagram correctly the wires come from the fuse box to the relays and then from the relays to the lights? Is that the way it's wired?

Thanks guys!

[mikeb2411]

Search is your friend!
Fartymarty posted the key info right here, 3 years ago:  http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=1477.msg16170#msg16170

Thank you for the link...I appreciate it!