Advice on extra lighting please

[Geoff Crowther]

Hi
My 07 1200GS was fitted with lower & upper Hepco & Becker protection bars. The upper bars have a two hole horizontal mounting for extra lights. From new, I had Wunderlich "micro-flooter" lights fitted; they came with 55W halogen bulbs. I ride with them switched on all the time cos I believe in anything I can do to increase my visibility to other road users. They also give a pretty good spread of light at night time but I emphasise that the main reason for having them is daytime visibility.
I had two bulbs go early on ie in first couple of months of riding. On a recent trip to Poland I had two bulbs go again. This was a pain cos they're fitted in such a way that the spade connector joint for the bulb is back, three inches from the lamp, wrapped in tape for weather protection (I didn't fit 'em).
Having bulbs blow like this is a pain, so I'm now thinking, can I replace them with someting less susceptible to bulbs blowing (I'm thinking they perhaps vibrate too much) and also, have bulbs fitted so, in the event of a bulb going, they're easier to change? I'm considering the BMW ones and I know they're expensive but not sure how much. I just want the best thing for the job without worrying/fussing with blown bulbs. They must, of course, fit on my upper protection bars. The other dilemma is the foglight versus spotlight thing. I don't really care what they're called as long as they make me as clearly visible as possible. But I don't want one of each cos I want 'em both on for all my riding.
Your thoughts would be appreciated folks before I part with hard-earned cash.
Cheers
Geoff

 

[Flipfly]

Geoff, if you haven't HID your main headlights yet that is priority no1.

Speak to Les Wassall on this ere site. Very reliable and small.

This will give you a phenominal improvement in light and other road users will see you miles away. By far the best mod you can do to your bike.

As for additional lights, I would go for Hella MicroDe's as the most reliable and most sturdy. If you can afford to HID them also then do it cause with everything HID the result is positively bonkers.

If lined up properly you will not blind anyone but your own presence and vision will be enhanced 10 fold.

 

[millard]

I'd agree about the HID for your headlight first. After that you might decide that it aint worth it spending dosh on spots as the problem no longer exists.
You can buy HID kits from a coupla people here on site or get them yourself dirt cheap from China on eBay.
Dead easy to fit, you don't need any wiring skills at all.

 

[Micky]

Good to see you at Rainbow today Geoff.

With Flipfly on this one... get some HID's from les Wassell here on UKGSer

Can't speak myself of how they work within a 1200GS's headlight, but for sure on the F800GS they turn night in to day and what's more important is that they can be seen miles away in daylight. Great kit, well made

 

[Geoff Crowther]

Thanks for the comments guys.
By the way Micky, we've never met, sadly. You must be referring to (believe it or not) the other Geoff Crowther. That'll be the one who picked up a new 07 1200GS from Rainbow in the same week as me, and whose wife drives a Subaru (like mine does). It's staggering, the coincidence, but we've never met. Rainbow are constantly confusing the two of us. We seem to follow each other around ie at Rainbow, Motorworks and Goldens (Subaru dealer in Huddersfield). He, I understand, lives in Holmbridge, outside Holmfirth, while I live in Hayfield, Derbyshire, a mere 15 miles or so away. Wonder if he reads this forum? Small world eh?
Anyway, again, thanks for the advice.
Cheers
Geoff

 

[Micky]

Thanks for the comments guys.
By the way Micky, we've never met, sadly. You must be referring to (believe it or not) the other Geoff Crowther. That'll be the one who picked up a new 07 1200GS from Rainbow in the same week as me, and whose wife drives a Subaru (like mine does). It's staggering, the coincidence, but we've never met. Rainbow are constantly confusing the two of us. We seem to follow each other around ie at Rainbow, Motorworks and Goldens (Subaru dealer in Huddersfield). He, I understand, lives in Holmbridge, outside Holmfirth, while I live in Hayfield, Derbyshire, a mere 15 miles or so away. Wonder if he reads this forum? Small world eh?
Anyway, again, thanks for the advice.
Cheers
Geoff

Apologies Geoff... but my advise is still the same matie

T'other Geoff does appear on here from time to time so please forgive me... small world indeed eh!

 

[scots_jon]

I have the full works on my 1150, HIDed dipped beam, microDE running lights and FF50 main beams.

I agree that adding HID to the regular dipped beam is the best mod you can make at any price. Just do it, you won't regret it.

It's also worth spending a couple of quid on replacing the sidelight bulb with a white LED one, then the colour of your running/sidelight will match the new HID dipped beam. It looks much better this way.

I'm not convinced about the HID microDEs. Despite adjusting mine every way I can, I have not been able to adjust them in a way where they give a benefit and don't dazle ongoing car drivers. Hence I just leave them switched off all the time and will probably remove them when I can be bothered. If anyone has any advice on making them work without dazling, let me know.

My reccomendation is to go for HID dipped beam and HID FF50s, this combination has transformed my commute down country lanes in the the winter from a chore to a pleasure.

Cheers,
Jon

 

[Les Wassall]

I'm not convinced about the HID microDEs. Despite adjusting mine every way I can, I have not been able to adjust them in a way where they give a benefit and don't dazle ongoing car drivers. Hence I just leave them switched off all the time and will probably remove them when I can be bothered. If anyone has any advice on making them work without dazling, let me know.

Set the main dip up against a wall, then position the DE's a couple of inches below the light line, you should not get any problem at all then, and the De's will be filling in and make the light a lot wider, I think the HiD DE's are the dogs IMHO

 

[Les Wassall]

PM returned Geoff

 

[Geoff Crowther]

Thanks for very useful comments all. Keep 'em coming; interested in all ideas. Have contacted Les and I'll be visiting him shortly.
Micky, no need to apologise but cheers anyway.
Geoff

 

[Cole]

HID microDEs. Despite adjusting mine every way I can, I have not been able to adjust them in a way where they give a benefit and don't dazle ongoing car drivers. ... If anyone has any advice on making them work without dazling, let me know.

Something is not right here Jon ... those Micro DE's should have a razor sharp cutoff and there is no way they should be dazzling oncoming drivers if set up properly.

I think Les has hinted at what might be the problem ... when aiming the fogs, DO NOT line them up against a wall to co-incide with the headlamp cutoff. The headlamp is mounted higher on the bike than the fogs, and if you try and get the cutoffs to co-incide, then you will probably be aiming the fogs into the eyes of on-coming drivers. Rather, measure the height above ground of the headlight and the fogs. Work in out in terms of percentage ... i.e. if the centre of the headlight is 1000 mm above the ground and the centre of the fogs are 750mm, then the fogs are 75% of the headlight height. Then measure the height of the headlight beam cutoff on the wall with you sitting on the bike. (lets say its 850mm). Keep the bike in the same position and adjust the fog cutoff to the same percentage of the headlight cutoff (75% of 850mm). Then you will not blind oncoming drivers, and the fog cutoff on flat road should match that of your headlight.

Do bear in mind that as foglights they will not add any projection to your illumination. They are there as visibility aids and as sidefill. Fogs are there to illuminate close to the vehicle in cases of foggy conditions, so projection is the opposite of what they are trying to do.

Finally, they are definately Micro DE "foglights" right? Originally halogens converted to HID? because if they are the Hella factory HIDs they will be driving lights, and you will never get them to not shine in oncoming drivers eyes.

If you are not getting a sharp cutoff from the HID'd Micro DEs, then its probably because you have a bulb with the light source in the wrong place. Unless the HID bulb has the light source in the same place as the original halogen bulbs (and this is a common problem / fault with cheaper kits) then you will not get light coming out of the reflector the way its supposed to, and it wont focus the beam the way it was designed - that could well be the problem here.

You might want to pop into doctor Les

 

[scots_jon]

Something is not right here Jon ... those Micro DE's have a razor sharp cutoff and there is no way they should be dazzling oncoming drivers if set up properly.

...

Wow, thanks for the excellent and comprehensive advice. I'll persevere with them a little longer and put more effort into setting them up. I'll disconnect the dipped beam so I can see exactly what the contribution form the DEs is. When fitting, I do recall thinking that that the cutoff from them was not at all sharp, but that was many months ago so I may be mistaken.

Yes, they are fogs...!

Cheers,
Jon.

 

[igsy]

where can I go to get soemone to fit HID and FF50's as it soundsliek money well spent?

 

[Les Wassall]

where can I go to get soemone to fit HID and FF50's as it soundsliek money well spent?

mail me and I can give you some info

 

[dotcaf]

Hi,

Does anyone have any photos of how these can be attached to an F650GS Dakar?
On my recent trip from UK to Oz, I found the factory headlight to be worse than useless.

Cheers,
Charles

www.planitearth.co.uk

 

[Gipsy]

Set the main dip up against a wall, then position the DE's a couple of inches below the light line, you should not get any problem at all then, and the De's will be filling in and make the light a lot wider, I think the HiD DE's are the dogs IMHO

Plus 1. Elvie thinks I look like a Christmas tree when I have the Hid main and dip, and Hid micro de's all on at the same time. If see and be seen is what you are after then go for it. All thanks to Les.