spot and or foglights for 1200

[mark2jag]

As i'm tending to find myself riding more at night now, I'm considering a better/brighter headlight and some spots and fogs, but my question would be is anyone able to basically take some before and after type photos for here, regardless of whether they have foglights, spotlights, HID kits or anything similar so that I can see just how much difference there actually is??? Would just be nice to see how much an improvement can be had over the standard headlight...

 

[GSMax]

Just bought Microflotters at Wunderlich (crash bars mount). Had 3 or 4 rides by night. Big improvement at 50 meters in front of me. Wide angle, nicely distributed light. Due to low fitment also good in the fog.

 

[Les Wassall]

www.hid50.com auxilliary lights section may help

 

[mr badger]

www.hid50.com auxilliary lights section may help

Quick testimonial for Les' kit

Start with a dip HiD and work up from there.

 

[Allan F]

Lights

I've got the HID 50 kit on my 08 GSA. 50 watt HID's in full beam & dip. 35 watt HID in the auxilliary lights. It's the only way to go. Don't waste your money on anthing else ! HID's all the way !

 

[(RIP) Miff]

I'd agree about Les' kits. Absolutely FANTASTIC

 

[Wicker]

Fitted a set of these VisionX spotlights from Trailtech products wired through BMW spotlight switch. Good forward beam and nice bright lights; 10W LED = 100W normal I believe. Thought the lights were good value @ approx £85 each compared to the German stuff.



http://www.adventure-spec.com/shop/...trail-off-road-enduro-trailtech/prod_206.html

Also told (rumoured) that BMW have introduced LED light options for the GS but yet to see these in catalogues or in the metal.

 

[Stevie73]

As i'm tending to find myself riding more at night now, I'm considering a better/brighter headlight and some spots and fogs, but my question would be is anyone able to basically take some before and after type photos for here, regardless of whether they have foglights, spotlights, HID kits or anything similar so that I can see just how much difference there actually is??? Would just be nice to see how much an improvement can be had over the standard headlight...

Have a look at these..

http://adventurebikewarehouse.co.uk/twalcom-halogen-fog-light-kit-with-supports-up-to-07-silver-p-156.html

We can also HID them...

 

[mrpc]

+1 for vision X

 

[Nutty]

As i'm tending to find myself riding more at night now, I'm considering a better/brighter headlight and some spots and fogs, but my question would be is anyone able to basically take some before and after type photos for here, regardless of whether they have foglights, spotlights, HID kits or anything similar so that I can see just how much difference there actually is??? Would just be nice to see how much an improvement can be had over the standard headlight...

I've fitted the HID50 upgrade to my bike, and the difference is amazing. Mine is a 2010 GS Anniversary, so I wanted to keep it looking standard, and these really have done the trick. I'm not too far from you (Frimley), so if you see me on the road, you'll know!

 

[PaulW21781]

Looking at doing the same sort of thing myself, thinking 3000k for the spots, and 4300k for main beam. I remember seeing somewhere on here I think, that there is an L-shaped connector for the spots which saves them having to be drilled?? Can't find it though...

Not sure what to do about the full beam either. I know HID's don't like being turned on and off quickly (reduces the life of the bulb), so what sort of bulb would be recommended for that??

Also... People with these fitted, does it affect the beam pattern at all? I know with cars, it can scatter the light to some stupid extent, so just wondered how HID conversions on the GS fairs when it comes to MOT time and the headlight beam pattern test??

 

[NLC]

Was wondering about this myself and I fitted the Phillips X-Treme bulb which makes a big difference for £20 - you can get them off Amazon. I am looking to fit some sppts and some point. No drilling and just pops in. Will look at HID at some point once I am done paying for the kitchen reno as a compromise with the wife for the bike

 

[Nutty]

I went for the HID upgrade on dipped, and a Philips Extreme bulb for main beam, as the HID's take a couple of seconds to warm up. I went for the brightest posssible HID, and it is amazing. It's so good, that I don't bother with main beam very often! The only downside is that loads of cars flash because it is SO BRIGHT, but I want to be able to see, and be seen!

Do not hesitate! THis is the best £150 I have spent on the bike without doubt!

 

[rodders]

PaulW21781
I think that range of light is too yellow you need 5k to 6k for reasons given on hid50 web site. I am getting a dip/main fitted this sunday by Les and will choose colour when I see them. Les has an R version that deals with light reflection..

 

[Nutty]

PaulW21781
I think that range of light is too yellow you need 5k to 6k for reasons given on hid50 web site. I am getting a dip/main fitted this sunday by Les and will choose colour when I see them. Les has an R version that deals with light reflection..

I went for 6K! If you're going to do it, do it properly I say

 

[PaulW21781]

rodders - aye, I've found a few posts searching on here regarding the R-type bulbs

I'm after the 3k's for the spots as I'm after a yellow light for them. When I used to run spots on my old car, I found yellow spots gave much better visibility in really piss-poor conditions on the road (fog, heavy rain, etc).

As for the 4300k's for the dipped beam, I'm after the brightest output, not the whitest. Sweetspot on most HID tables I've come across says the sweet spot for the most candlepower is from 4300k to 5000k, depending on the style of the bulb. When I ran D2S-style HID's in my car, 4300k was giving out around 3200lumens according to various charts (including manufacturers tables), 5000k was around 2600 lumens. Higher you then go with color temps, the less brighter the output can be. But yeah, this does vary from bulb-to-bulb. D4S/R bulbs, 4800k is brightest (3800 lumens)...

Again, values I'm after (temp wise) will probably change depending on what bulb comes with the kits from hid50 or such (once I find what lumen/temp ratings they run at). But will still be getting a lower temp for the spots to be yellow. I'm guessing with the new R bulbs they may be D4S/R's?? In which case, yeah, 4800k please Otherwise, if they are D2R, then 4300k