Are the new BMW Aux LED Lamps any Good?

[Emoto]

Have any of you folks tried the new LED accessory lamps BMW is offering for the new LC GS? I have an opportunity to buy the kit, but certainly don't want to spend the money if they aren't very good.


LED auxiliary headlights

• Powerful LED auxiliary headlight in die-cast aluminium housing.
• Vehicle's visibility profile is better.
• More safety on the road.
• Modern LED technology:
- LEDs are so long-lasting as to be virtually wear-free, so operation is fault-free and maintenance-free as well.
- White LEDs emit light of a colour very close to that of daylight for differentiated illumination of the road ahead.
• Diameter approx. 2.8 in, length approx. 4.3 in.
• Installation and enabling only by authorised BMW Motorrad dealers.

 

[tony23]

They are supposed to be very good, but for the best part of £400 I`d expect someone from BMW to run around in front of me with a F**king great spotlight and a red flag to let others know I was coming

 

[Emoto]

They are supposed to be very good, but for the best part of £400 I`d expect someone from BMW to run around in front of me with a F**king great spotlight and a red flag to let others know I was coming

I completely agree! Blonde German maidens in dirndl dresses with mugs of beer!

Your mention that they are supposed to be good is the first I have heard. Do you happen to recall where you heard that?

It has worked out that I ended up with a fairly substantial amount of store credit at the local dealer, so the cost won't be quite as dear for me, if I go for it. Since I already have crash bars, a satnav, and all the luggage I need, lighting is the area most lacking on the new bike, hence my interest in their effectiveness.

 

[tony23]

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=288158

If you have good store credit and all the Farckles you need from BM then I`d say its a good option and it beats the hell out of a lime green waistcoat

Hope that helps, do you have the LED headlights by any chance as the general opinion seems to be favorable as opposed to the "standard" headlight.

 

[tony23]

Blonde German maidens in dirndl dresses with mugs of beer!

 

[Emoto]

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=288158

If you have good store credit and all the Farckles you need from BM then I`d say its a good option and it beats the hell out of a lime green waistcoat

Hope that helps, do you have the LED headlights by any chance as the general opinion seems to be favorable as opposed to the "standard" headlight.

I have the standard (non-LED) headlights on mine. Although I decided to try the ESA, I was a little leery of headlights that require a fan, at least until they have been around for a while.

 

[Nutty]

I had the LED ones on my Triple Black, and these are exactly the same, but with different mounts. They were very bright, and worth having. But, on this bike, I have the LED, which is bright enough, so I'm going to stick with that (for now)

 

[Emoto]

I had the LED ones on my Triple Black, and these are exactly the same, but with different mounts. They were very bright, and worth having. But, on this bike, I have the LED, which is bright enough, so I'm going to stick with that (for now)

Thanks, this is good to hear. Would you put them on par with any other known aux lamps, like PIAA or some other? Are they a driving lamp (long range) pattern, or more of a fog light pattern?

 

[tony23]

Running down the A5 near Dunstable yesterday and I notice`d a bike in my offside mirror, had to do a double take as it was a new Gs with LED DRL`s. It was n`t the fact that I`d seen a bike in my mirror it was more to do with it being so bright at that time of day that made me double take

Bright day about 4.30pm and lights really stood out , much more so than standard lights. Led`s seem much more noticable

 

[Emoto]

I should probably clarify that my chief interest in using these lights would be for running down small roads (like B roads in England) at night that don't have any street lamps. So, I need fairly high output lamps. Have run PIAA 1100x and Hella F50s in the past and both of those have been good.

 

[Nutty]

Thanks, this is good to hear. Would you put them on par with any other known aux lamps, like PIAA or some other? Are they a driving lamp (long range) pattern, or more of a fog light pattern?

They are made by BMW. They will be the best.

 

[Emoto]

They are made by BMW. They will be the best.

 

[GC6269]

I was looking at these on a bike at the dealers. From an asthetic point of view the mounting bracket was far better. More in keeping with a bike of this value.

Couldn't comment on how effective they are though

 

[tony23]

Couple of years ago I ran a pair of Hellas http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HELLA-Mic...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item45f80dfd26

on my Triumph Tiger 1050, they were classed as fogs but you can aim them to wherever suits as long as your going in a straight line.For illumination on dark B-roads they were OK but needed to be mounted on the forks really to do a reasonable job as they would steer as you turn.

If you need light on dark turns then mount to the front shocks otherwise you`ll only be illuminating were you were 5 seconds ago

If you want to be seen then LED`s every time,preferably steerable

 

[iandavid]

Have any of you folks tried the new LED accessory lamps BMW is offering for the new LC GS? I have an opportunity to buy the kit, but certainly don't want to spend the money if they aren't very good.


LED auxiliary headlights

• Powerful LED auxiliary headlight in die-cast aluminium housing.
• Vehicle's visibility profile is better.
• More safety on the road.
• Modern LED technology:
- LEDs are so long-lasting as to be virtually wear-free, so operation is fault-free and maintenance-free as well.
- White LEDs emit light of a colour very close to that of daylight for differentiated illumination of the road ahead.
• Diameter approx. 2.8 in, length approx. 4.3 in.
• Installation and enabling only by authorised BMW Motorrad dealers.

I have them fitted and also have the LED headlights. The light output from all 3 when on is incredible. Remember though if you ride in daytime on the LED DRL the dip beam and aux lights are off. Once you select dip, either manually, or via the auto light sensor, the DRL goes out and all 3 light up the road like it's daytime.

Well worth it IMHO

 

[araspitfire]

I have the LED auxilaries on my Aniversary GSA... very bright they really fill in the peripherial areas (sides).

I've also got the regular ones in a box.. haven't mounted them to see just how much difference there is.

Al...

 

[Emoto]

I have the LED auxilaries on my Aniversary GSA... very bright they really fill in the peripherial areas (sides).

I've also got the regular ones in a box.. haven't mounted them to see just how much difference there is.

Al...

Do they throw light a long distance, or is it more of a not so far, but wide, pattern?

 

[rivercatch]

Do they throw light a long distance, or is it more of a not so far, but wide, pattern?

As same as iandavid I have these with LED headlight.

I recently did a run on A3. More light than any other bike I've had or seen recently. In lane 2 you illuminate from lane 1 and 3 fully. On high beam you get a long throw, very noticeable as you turn it on. Others here have suggested it is adjusted to high on high beam, but I didn't see a problem.

I would recommend.

 

[araspitfire]

Do they throw light a long distance, or is it more of a not so far, but wide, pattern?

My observation is this:

They are about as bright the centre lobes of your main beam.. but they throw the light out to the sides. When you turn them off, the side beams (from your main beam) are quite a lot dimmer. So they add light to the sides.

Another thing to consider, is they have a tinier light source looking at the front in daylight.. so they make for tiny points of light, rather than the larger reflector images from the incandescents... So perhaps not quite as good for 'being seen' in the daylight.

Al...