Using Fog Lights as DRL’s

[tspivey]

I’ve never had additional lights on any of my GS’s over the years, but I was very pleased with the increased visibility I had when I fitted the Weiser Technik EVO indicators on my R1250GS, Highly recommended for anyone thinking about them.
With this in mind I’ve specified the Fog light option on the 1300, question is, can they be used safely as Daytime Running Lights without dazzling oncoming vehicles?
I’ve seen that the Denali versions can swap lenses but the BMW Fog lights just appear to have clear lenses which would suggest they are directional rather than broad spread.

 

[leadfarmer]

Think it’s a Highway Code issue, I believe you can only use fog lights in poor visibility

 

[casbar]

I’ve never had additional lights on any of my GS’s over the years, but I was very pleased with the increased visibility I had when I fitted the Weiser Technik EVO indicators on my R1250GS, Highly recommended for anyone thinking about them.
With this in mind I’ve specified the Fog light option on the 1300, question is, can they be used safely as Daytime Running Lights without dazzling oncoming vehicles?
I’ve seen that the Denali versions can swap lenses but the BMW Fog lights just appear to have clear lenses which would suggest they are directional rather than broad spread.

Think you'll find they are no longer classed as fog lights. They are aux lights, so there is no issue with having them on. If they were fog lights, you wouldn't be able to switch them on unless you had your headlight on

 

[tspivey]

Think you'll find they are no longer classed as fog lights. They are aux lights, so there is no issue with having them on. If they were fog lights, you wouldn't be able to switch them on unless you had your headlight on

On the UK configuration they’re described as Fog Lights but on the European configuration they’re referred to as Auxiliary Head Lights.
Just rang the dealership (Vertu Shipley) and they say the lights can be switched on/off independently of the headlight through the Wizz wheel/TFT, so can be used for extra visibility, as DRL’s. I’ll just have to check if they’re alright regarding oncoming vehicles.
I hate seeing bikes with the main beam on or numerous spot lights blinding everyone.

 

[casbar]

On the UK configuration they’re described as Fog Lights but on the European configuration they’re referred to as Auxiliary Head Lights.
Just rang the dealership (Vertu Shipley) and they say the lights can be switched on/off independently of the headlight through the Wizz wheel/TFT, so can be used for extra visibility, as DRL’s. I’ll just have to check if they’re alright regarding oncoming vehicles.
I hate seeing bikes with the main beam on or numerous spot lights blinding everyone.

I have the aux lights on my RT, but also have Denali D2s which I use as running lights, I never use the aux lights so were a bit of a waste of money

If they can be switched on and used with daylight running lights, then they are aux lights. In the UK, fog lights can not be switched on without the dipped headlight being on. Which was the case on my 2014 bike, but as I said now, you can have the aux lights on with DRL, so think the configurator might be listing them as fog instead of aux. Fog lights have a different beam pattern to aux lights.

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

I’ve never had additional lights on any of my GS’s over the years, but I was very pleased with the increased visibility I had when I fitted the Weiser Technik EVO indicators on my R1250GS, Highly recommended for anyone thinking about them.
With this in mind I’ve specified the Fog light option on the 1300, question is, can they be used safely as Daytime Running Lights without dazzling oncoming vehicles?
I’ve seen that the Denali versions can swap lenses but the BMW Fog lights just appear to have clear lenses which would suggest they are directional rather than broad spread.

You could always adjust them down if it makes you feel better

 

[Wobs]

I use a pair of tiny Denali DMs with yellow lenses as running lights and my plod relatives think they're fine.

 

[MartinK]

Run mine on dimmer technology during the day, around 15% to 30%, any more and people will hate you! Even your mates if you're behind dazzling in their mirrors.

A Denali box, or similar, or for MUCH less money a Skene IQ-275. You can run low intensity during the day, and full dazzle when on full beam

 

[Wobs]

Run mine on dimmer technology during the day, around 15% to 30%, any more and people will hate you! Even your mates if you're behind dazzling in their mirrors.

A Denali box, or similar, or for MUCH less money a Skene IQ-275. You can run low intensity during the day, and full dazzle when on full beam

Yeah I do same. Great bit of kit that dialdim.

 

[harry the cat]

Only place we’ve had issues is Spain. Policia weren’t too happy with us using day time running lights. We had to either switch them off, or in one case gaffer tape the light up.

 

[adventuredon]

Only place we’ve had issues is Spain. Policia weren’t too happy with us using day time running lights. We had to either switch them off, or in one case gaffer tape the light up.

Austria also has laws re DLR being switch controlled. Not had any issues but their law states it must be able to be switched off.

 

[adventuredon]

Yeah I do same. Great bit of kit that dialdim.

expensive though...surely easier to just get less bright LED dlr lights? Or angle them down?

 

[Myke Rocks]

The question should be:
Why would you wish to do such an offensive thing?

 

[Wobs]

expensive though...surely easier to just get less bright LED dlr lights? Or angle them down?

True but I got the dialdim mainly for the 4 led D4s. Being able to dial up or down the intensity I find really useful where I live on Exmoor. Fog and rain and lack of street lighting.. Just a bonus you can dial the small DMs down separately. I also love the idea that when you flash somebody all the lights go full on eyeball searing mode no matter how low they're set.
And I've set it up so when I sound the horn the lights strobe. Not tried that in anger yet though.

 

[Wobs]

I’ve never had additional lights on any of my GS’s over the years, but I was very pleased with the increased visibility I had when I fitted the Weiser Technik EVO indicators on my R1250GS, Highly recommended for anyone thinking about them.
With this in mind I’ve specified the Fog light option on the 1300, question is, can they be used safely as Daytime Running Lights without dazzling oncoming vehicles?
I’ve seen that the Denali versions can swap lenses but the BMW Fog lights just appear to have clear lenses which would suggest they are directional rather than broad spread.

IMO it's not so much as fog or spot but rather the cut off of the light. Problem is that there are so many cheap LED lights around that are virtually flood lights with very little cut off. I ran 35W HID on dip on my GS for a while but it was just impossible to set the light low enough to stop dazzling people. The reflector and lens simply aren't designed for the position an HID bulb takes. Reason I got expensive lights like Denali was to get that sharp cut off to stop dazzling oncoming traffic but still have enough light to see the road.

 

[vRSG60]

You're more likely to dazzle using a spot light, that gives a round beam. A fog light has the bean cur top & bottom to five a flat beam.

 

[Flipfly]

Never once had an issue, and if they should only be used when there’s poor visibility then that’s the reason to have them on all the time as most drivers seem to be blind

HID worked great in the 1150 because the projector style lens gave a super sharp cut off, the 1200 lens was just an open lens hence the scattered light.

Fog lights (inc BMW aux lights) give a superb cut off, just make sure they are angled down as they spread the light sideways and in to the oncoming traffic (also, you’ll blind cars you are overtaking on the motorway if they aren’t angled down).

 

[bsidethecside]

I have the BMW ones on my 1250 to supplement the evenly spread, but ultimately weak dip. Alignment is critical - the aux have a flat beam pattern, but it needs accurate vertical alignment to avoid causing nuisance to others. When set up well though, they're great, giving good illumination on the dark roads I use this time of year and conspicuity to daytime use.

 

[MartinK]

Strictly speaking of course, under Highway Code rule 226 you could risk prosecution.
I do know personally of a case (car driver) where this happened. A mate's son was stopped for driving with front fogs on - initially the copper was just "having a word" but the mate's son failed the "personality test" and got a fine as a result.
I also know of another person who was stopped (again in a car) and breathalysed - it was Christmas party season, and the police where using minor road infringements (headlight out, fogs on, loud exhaust) as a reason to stop people and have a look...

 

[casbar]

Strictly speaking of course, under Highway Code rule 226 you could risk prosecution.
I do know personally of a case (car driver) where this happened. A mate's son was stopped for driving with front fogs on - initially the copper was just "having a word" but the mate's son failed the "personality test" and got a fine as a result.
I also know of another person who was stopped (again in a car) and breathalysed - it was Christmas party season, and the police where using minor road infringements (headlight out, fogs on, loud exhaust) as a reason to stop people and have a look...

Only if they are fog lights, which they are not. They are now aux lights. And if they were fog lights, you would not be able to switch them on, unless your headlight was on. Whereas the aux lights can be switched on with daylight running lights.