Extra lighting - worth it or not?

[SpyInTheCamp]

I'm on my 3rd 1200GS now and while my '16 bike's LED lamp is a considerable improvement, it is still not great and right handers seem to be all about faith and mystery.

Will a set of auxiliary / extra lamps hep me in that respect?

I'm not massively excited about how they look on the bike and I know they're not cheap either. But are they effective?

 

[auf_wiedersehen_pet]

Could be interesting - following. I'm thinking of some Clearwater LED lights, mainly to improve other road users' visibility of me.

 

[Russ1]

Am wondering the same to be honest.
I have a 16 gsa and with everything on it's not bad by any means but still want more if possible.

Am looking at designing and manufacturing some stainless steel brackets and guards for some extra lights but not sure if I should
build them to house some lazer led lamps
http://www.lazerlamps.com/home/lights/utility-80
http://www.lazerlamps.com/home/lights/t-36

or

Rigid industries
http://www.rigidindustries.com/led-lighting/26211

Not sure if there going to be to big tho but should make a huge difference.
Russ

 

[MrMcNamara]

I'm on my 3rd 1200GS now and while my '16 bike's LED lamp is a considerable improvement, it is still not great and right handers seem to be all about faith and mystery.

Will a set of auxiliary / extra lamps hep me in that respect?

I'm not massively excited about how they look on the bike and I know they're not cheap either. But are they effective?

I run cheap Ebay LED projectors on an OEM spotlight bar,wired on permamently with ignition via tail light feed / fused relay. This is more about making the light profile more unusual / visible to others -if its not expected -it makes people do a double take! = safer for me? LED light OK for me but the projector spotlights can be aimed where you like (legally) so may well cure your issue?
Hope this helps
Mac

 

[Nutty]

One of the first things I do on all my bikes is adjust the lights properly. The led headlight is one of the best, and is better than any hid I've had, once you adjust it properly. The factory is known to set them too low.

 

[stever1]

I have the BMW auxiliary LED lights on my GS, and yes they make a difference. The standard LED headlight is good but the extra lights which are fitted at the side of the beak (not on the engine bars) is a definite benefit.Left hand one aimed a bit higher and to the kerb line , the right hand one in line with the dipped beam

 

[Matty589]

Having been down some very dark roads on Sunday evening I was glad that I had the spots on the GSA. The LED headlight is very good but the spots add much better coverage width-wise. It depends where and when you're riding. You could fit some and leave them on all day to irritate your fellow road users

 

[Fat Biker 66]

+on the OEM spots.

Been driving at night and LED is excellent but spots do make a difference. Mine are BMW OEM. Really helped me both filtering on M25 and the last 10 miles down dark lanes. It definitely improves the profile of the bike in eyes of other road users.
Ride Safe
Mike

 

[younger06]

Am wondering the same to be honest.
I have a 16 gsa and with everything on it's not bad by any means but still want more if possible.

Am looking at designing and manufacturing some stainless steel brackets and guards for some extra lights but not sure if I should
build them to house some lazer led lamps
http://www.lazerlamps.com/home/lights/utility-80
http://www.lazerlamps.com/home/lights/t-36

or

Rigid industries
http://www.rigidindustries.com/led-lighting/26211

Not sure if there going to be to big tho but should make a huge difference.
Russ

Some of those lights should probably come with weapons training!!!

 

[r1happy]

I run the Rigid Industries High/Low Led's on a light bar under the beak. Low is only 20% of the full power - 3.1K Lumens, so makes a good DRL type of lamp making the bike more visible. On High power they are superb for riding at night. Not cheap but have lifetime warranty.

 

[Troppo]

For sure.

 

[ianm00]

Has anyone tried https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00LPTQFRC/ref=pd_vtph_263_tr_t_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=MENCY47QAR99ZM4D7ZE9 as DRL lights?

 

[Wreford Miles]

Lights to see by rather than see me lights are achieved by...

Adjusting what you have correctly
Need more then fit Ridgedindusty dually spots which come on with your main beam
If money is no object fit Clearwater

 

[Reggie P]

I find the standard LED to be absolutely blistering! If you can't see at night with that ....you should visit an optician!

The posts about conspicuity and "filtering" are valid points though......what price do you put on your life ?

 

[Goldfinger]

What do dealers charge to supply and fit BMW auxiliary lights?

 

[crotchrocket]

The BMW fog lights i have on my GSA are great, although the beam pattern is perfectly flat at the top. Adjusted correctly they work very well as a secondary wider low beam but when you bank the bike around a corner, the beam will just point at the ground. That said, the other one will light up the tree line as it raises. They definitely make visibility better, but not necessarily for cornering. I also found them much more effective on my GS with the mount under the beak, rather than my GSA, where they are mounted wide and low. The front wheel creates shadows etc.

I'm on my 3rd 1200GS now and while my '16 bike's LED lamp is a considerable improvement, it is still not great and right handers seem to be all about faith and mystery.

Will a set of auxiliary / extra lamps hep me in that respect?

I'm not massively excited about how they look on the bike and I know they're not cheap either. But are they effective?

 

[The Other PaulG]

.. and I know they're not cheap either.

I'm as tight as anyone you'll meet, but you can get decent aftermarket aux lights for what I think is very reasonable money.

See better in the dark, be seen better by other road users, not a difficult decision as far as I can see.

PG

 

[AP11 LAD]

there are two good reasons to fit additional lights which are to help you see or help you be seen. The latter I believe is the most important reason for fitting additional lights on a GS. Also fitting them low down on the engine bars is best if you want to be seen. It creates a triangle of lights and if you do this you will find out on your first ride out just how effective they are. Many more motorists will see you coming.

FWIW the brighter the better and I wouldn't recommend Wunderlich ones as they are halogen and not that bright for the money. Givi Trecker are very good as are OEM ones but are expensive to buy inc fitting from main dealer. Not hard to fit your own lights but must use a relay to avoid upsetting the canbus

 

[adventuredon]

I agree with the post and need for additional ligts to be seen. Was out riding with the ROSPA crowd last weekend and one of the instructors got pulled by plod along the Kent lanes for having lights too bright on his TC GS. He was promptly asked to turn them off....laughed I did as I went by with my 10 watt cree LED's on....so they do pull you in case anyone was wondering...good reason to have a switch built in.

 

[ymfb]

One of the first things I do on all my bikes is adjust the lights properly. The led headlight is one of the best, and is better than any hid I've had, once you adjust it properly. The factory is known to set them too low.

Not entirely true.

The last three new BMW m/cs I have bought all needed their lights lowering.