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Auxillary Lighting Suppliers

zenduddhist

New member
Hi All,

I have a 2011 R1200RT. I want to have the best front and rear lighting that I can get. I have read many threads about H4, H7, Ostram, Silverstar, PIIA, LED, Modulating tail lights and head lights, etc., etc. I am very confused when it comes to lighting. This will be my first experience in aftermarket lighting on any motorcycle. I want to upgrade the OEM lighting as well as add auxillary lighting.

Given the above, I would really like to talk to a knowledgeable supplier. Someone who can keep it simple and basically give me a few choices, not lots of choices! I don't mind spending the money to do it right. Does anyone have any recommendations? Are most lighting systems plug and play? I like tinkering with engines, carbs, suspension, etc., but I hate dealing with electrics. So, I would like to find a system that is pretty straight forward. If not, I guess a dealer install would be my next option unless someone is familiar with lighting specialist in Ohio or any states east of the Mississippi.

Thanks much,

Chris
 
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Hi Chris, I'm going to move this to the gear section. It will give you a broader access to aux. lighting. Good luck. Gary
 
I've been pretty happy with my Krista's from Clearwater. With those aux lights I don't even think you'd have to upgrade the OEM lighting. The customer service is great and I found the hookup straight forward. I had one question which I called them to ask and they walked me right through it. Hope that helped a bit. By the way, I put them on my RT.

http://clearwaterlights.com/infopg_krista.html
 
I've been pretty happy with my Krista's from Clearwater. With those lights I don't even think you'd have to upgrade the stock lighting. The customer service is great and I found the hookup straight forward. I had one question which I called them to ask and they walked me right through it. Hope that helped a bit.

http://clearwaterlights.com/infopg_krista.html
There's a good start. Welcome to the forum!
 
For tail lights, I've been happy with the P3's from Skene Designs. Also great customer service. I have those on my Wee, but just waiting to add some kind of fuse block before putting anything else on the RT. Once that happens it's probably the way I'm going to go for stern lighting.
 
I wanted to add lights to my LT so When at the rally I checked all the companies out. Talked to reps, played with the switches etc. I decided on the Clearwater "Glendas" Small 2 inch LED lights with a dimmer switch and hook into brights and horn to go full bright. Love them and after a couple weeks, I am ready for another set just for those guys that flash me when brights are not on.:nyah
They tell me I could actually add another set and still not need a relay because the draw is so low.
There are LOTS of lights out there and asking about them in here is like an "OIL thread" so you are in for a pretty good search. Have fun and "let there be light"
 
DDM Tuning HID upgrade kit.

As for headlights, I recently replaced my low-beam bulbs with the Dual 55W HID setup from DDM Tuning http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/DDM-35W-55W-Dual-Motorcycle-HID-Kit it was $50, shipped directly from China. Took about 2 hours to install.

I went with the 8000K color temp bulbs, so they're pretty close to fluorescent-bulb white (bright white slight blue). As for results, they are SO bright that I cannot see the high beam making much (if any) difference when it is on.

Highly recommended.
 
I've installed the Skene Design P3s on a couple bikes, I'd go with them for the rear. As for the front, I'm also undecided as to what to get.

My RT-P's prev owner installed PIAAs on the mounts above the fairing where the red/blue emergency lights were, and they are great, not a single cage driver has ever turned in front of me, and I have them angled somewhat downward so they are not blinding oncoming drivers. BUT, they are the large diameter (4"?) and I don't know where to mount them on my new RT. Probably have to go smaller.
 
For GS bikes, look at the IPF lights. They are 6" lights with plastic grills. Fantastic daytime visibility and excellent at night out shining the headlights. Comes with 55 watt bulbs installed and two 100 watt bulbs if you want more light. Costs only $145. I had a pair on my 1995 GS for a few years and just bought another pair for my 1150 GS .
 
I've got a set of IPF 968s on my R1200GS. They are kind of big, but work well. You can change the H3 lamps for anything from 35W to 100W depending on how bright you want to go (and how much draw your bike's electrical system will support). I lucked out when I bought the the lights. Costco had them for a great price online.

I'm using the SW-Motech mounts that Twisted Throttle sells. They fit great and were easy to install.
 
On my RT I replaced the low beams with HID lights (4500k) the high with a 65 watt Osram bulb (no magical 55 watt = whatever number of watts the company wants to state) and a set of Hella microDE HID driving lamps on under the mirror mounts from BMR. Took the time to aim everything properly, serious well focused light. Miss that level of lighting on my GTL, but am working on a solution. I could easily fit 4 HID ballasts under the dash ( did not have the radio option).
 
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