Road Light

[GaryP59]

I recently purchased a 2016 R1200RT. I'm interested in adding some fork mounted LED road lights to it. The dealer recommended Clearwater but they seem ridiculously expensive. I thought I would see if ya'll had any more reasonable recommendations. Thanks in advance. Gary

[The Rocketman]

I like my MotoLights with LED bulbs. Others like Skene's a whole lot. Many options mostly depending on price, and whether you want to see, or be seen, or both.

[gordiet]

+ 1 for Skene

[CruisinCruzan]

Try LEDrider LR4 lights wired to a Skene controller.

[marcopolo]

I had Clearwaters on my 1200RT and now I have them (Clearwater Darlas, CanOpener3, and Billie Jr. brake light) on my new GSA. The Darlas are fork-mounted.

 

I also had Skenes on my RT (either side of my licence plate), and they're a good product as well. That said, I think comparing the Skenes to Clearwaters is an apples to oranges comparison.

 

Yes, Clearwaters are expensive, but they are a top quality product, and integrate very well on a BMW. With CanOpener3, you can program them with the "wonder wheel" controller on the handlebars.

 

Only you can decide whether the expensive is worth it.

[Indy Dave]

This thread might be helpful to review:

 

http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=956172#Post956172

 

 

[Rougarou]

I picked up a little set of 55w lights from Wal-Mart, five years running now. Bikes on, lights are one.

 

Out of stock online but these are what I have.

[Id's_OK]

The Skenes and Clearwaters seem popular in this discussion, but your initial post expressed concern about the high price. I've had a set of Denalis from Twisted Throttle for years, and I believe they're quite a bit less expensive. Check 'em out HERE

[BNA Pete]

I just put a set of PIAA LP270 on my RT, mounted on the forks. I think it's a relatively new LED light from PIAA, $240 from Walmart.com.

[Mike]

The Skenes and Clearwaters seem popular in this discussion, but your initial post expressed concern about the high price. I've had a set of Denalis from Twisted Throttle for years, and I believe they're quite a bit less expensive. Check 'em out HERE

 

I'm trying to figure out a longer term solution, but this seems like a good time to point out the fundamental difference between Skene products and the others being discussed. The Skene Photon Blasters are relatively modest in cost, starting at $130/pair. However, they are not intended to provide illumination of the road or objects ahead. Rather, they are smallish LED modules with a refresh rate that causes a flickering appearance when viewed from one's peripheral vision. They seem to make a motorcycle much more visible to oncoming traffic, but they don't do much to light up the road at night.

 

The others--Clearwater, Denali, etc.--also offer the safety benefit of presenting additional light to traffic, but also provide substantial added forward illumination.

 

Personally, I'm jonesing for a Clearwater setup, but cogitating over whether their technical integration into BMW's operating controls via the CanOpener is worth the significantly higher cost.

 

If cost were not a concern, I'd definitely opt for Clearwater. Guess I just need to keep playing the PowerBall.

[NickInSac]

I've been trying a bunch of cheap stuff from Amazon.

They all need some sort of custom mount. That part, I have't quite figured out yet. Most likely, I will drill two holes (ack) in the black plastic of the fender near the bottom of the forks.

 

I plan to put these on a relay and a switch.

http://www.amazon.com/TurnRaise-Offroad-Headlight-Motorcycle-Motorbike/dp/B015OHXRWG?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00

 

Most (if not all) the stuff on Amazon from, let say, some other county, are not DOT approved. I have always wondered if the ClearWaters are DOT...?

 

These came in a close second. I think these would blind on-coming motorists though (as will just about all of these, or they are simply Daytime Running Lights).

http://www.amazon.com/Ourbest-Offroad-Bicycle-Motorcycle-wrangler/dp/B00VL4H78W?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00

 

 

Of the ones that do project some light, these have a beam pattern of flashlight, not a headlight or fog light. I think these will more likely blind on-coming motorists.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Super-Bright-Lights-Driving-Waterproof/dp/B00U8O8GSG?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00

 

http://www.amazon.com/LEMONBEST-Daytime-Running-Charger-Driving/dp/B00GSMXXOO?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00

 

http://www.amazon.com/iJDMTOY-Universal-Daytime-Running-Lights/dp/B00HCSBQ7Y?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00

 

http://www.amazon.com/iJDMTOY-Universal-Fit-Daytime-Car/dp/B00XO6WJL0?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00

 

http://www.amazon.com/Rayhoo-Universal-Daytime-Running-Driving/dp/B015W6I9H2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00

 

http://www.amazon.com/Turbo-Light-Degree-Waterproof-Offroad/dp/B00UYMRNOU?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s02

 

http://www.amazon.com/iJDMTOY-Projector-Parking-Driving-Reverse/dp/B012J7FHL8?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s02

 

 

[ArmyGuy]

I have a buddy that has the Cree on his '14 GS. I believe they are these: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EA0ZB7I/ref=nav_timeline_asin?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

They are switched and are as bright as all get out. He thrashed them at March Moto Madness off road, stream crossings, dropping in mud, ... and they didn't miss a beat.

[moshe_levy]

The others--Clearwater, Denali, etc.--also offer the safety benefit of presenting additional light to traffic, but also provide substantial added forward illumination. Personally, I'm jonesing for a Clearwater setup, but cogitating over whether their technical integration into BMW's operating controls via the CanOpener is worth the significantly higher cost.

 

I just finished testing the CANopener. See http://www.mklsportster.com/Articles/mcn-canopener.pdf

 

Call me a believer, obviously, although the integration is really most impressive with the Billie brake light as opposed to the forward-facing lights. The Billie can utilize real-time info off of the CAN-bus to vary its braking illumination, including dynamic illumination based on rate of deceleration, WITHOUT actually touching the brakes. That's mucho impressive. And it's about $10 more than your run-of-the-mill LED license plate frame, which has no intelligence capability at all.

 

The forward-facing lights are expensive, yes. They're also US made and top quality, too.

 

And if the OP wants, I still have my set of Motolights from my 2009 RT. I'd be happy to part with them for a fair price. They're like new, and you can use either halogen MR11 or LED bulbs in there, for whatever effect you want.

 

I'm using the complete Clearwater setup now, personally.

 

-MKL

[Sonor]

I like my motolights. But I mainly want to be seen as I rarely ride at night. So going back to a previous thread, which do you want, to be seen or to see? That said, I believe the moto's do a good job with each the few times I rode at night. However, the ratings for others may help you make a decision.

[NickInSac]

I have a buddy that has the Cree on his '14 GS. I believe they are these: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EA0ZB7I/ref=nav_timeline_asin?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

They are switched and are as bright as all get out. He thrashed them at March Moto Madness off road, stream crossings, dropping in mud, ... and they didn't miss a beat.

 

I got these to try too. Great price, great light. But there is no beam pattern. It's like a really bright flashlight. For sure these are the way to go when offroad. But I got a RT. These would be good with a switch (or on high beam) too.

 

Depends on what the OP wants.

[Stbell]

I have a set of Clearwater Ericas on my 2015 RT and love them. They wee expensive but certainly handy on a winding mountain road at 2am. They are worth the money in my opinion.

[papnan2]

I installed a set of Long Range Optimus LED Auxiliary light Round from http://www.cyclopsadventuresports.com/.

[moshe_levy]

Look, if you want conspicuity, there are less expensive choices. But if you're out there at night and want to see, count your pennies elsewhere, and go for functionality.

 

These pictures are from my recently completed and soon-to-be-published test of the Sevina model.

 

Stock low beam (I was using yellow tinted all-weather bulbs):

 

Clearwaters on:

 

 

Of course, it's hard to capture what an incredible difference this is in a picture. At night, it must be seen to be believed, and none of the alternatives mentioned in here, on a purely functional basis, are in the same ballpark.

 

-MKL

 

[Jeff in VA]

I've had Motolights and loved them. Then I bought Clearwater Darlas and think they are even better. Yes, they are expensive, but the integration is amazing, the quality of the lights is great, and the light is sooooo much better than the Motolights. I added a set of Clearwater Ericas, so now it is like daytime at night. They are worth every penny.