Thinking of adding driving lights to my XJ1100

[Eveready1100]

Sorta, kinda............... but not. That one you've shown is a hand held unit for a spot test of the system. The type I have, and the new version I linked to is a permanent installation that you can have running all the time you're riding along and giving constant readings from the battery so you know instantly if you're starting to lag behind in the power stakes if you've just flipped on the heated grips and vest so you can do something about it straight away .
I just took the liberty with mine by fitting a switch so I can turn it off when I feel like it.

[LCS249]

Cool stuff.

This is the closest thing to the meter I have on my bike -- though mine was about half the price:

http://compare.ebay.com/like/3803664...=sbar&_lwgsi=y

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...ery-Gauge.aspx

As long as it's in the green, you're good. And it uses so little juice that it's no problem for it to be on when the bike is.

I have spoken with some friends, one of whom has a recent BMW GS with LED driving lights, which he loves, and have come to the conclusion that I will get those.

Will keep you posted no how it goes. Just waiting for it to cool off here in New Mexico.

[LCS249]

Should have said, I mean I'm planning on getting the LED lights suggested by XSROADRUNNER: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=607184-- just waiting until it's not too hot to work on the bike.

[Eveready1100]

That's the go, mate. I wasn't worried about the trifling bit of power the LED's on the display uses when I put the switch on it, though. It was just to help vision at night on the dark roads. That's why I fabbed up the guage cover to stop the reflection of them coming off the fairing screen at night as well. Every little bit you can do to darken the area inside the fairing enhances what you can see out the front of the bike which is what our goal is.- Better vision.

There's been a few references in this thread as to mounting lights to the fork brace or lowers. I wouldn't recommend that as the vibration level would quickly destroy any type of light you put on there.

Also, the lower the lights are mounted, the flatter the angle out to the road will be, so glare for oncoming traffic will be greater than if you had them higher up and angled downwards to the road way. The difference in angle is minimal, but may mean the difference between being "flashed" all the time by oncoming vehicles.

[LCS249]

I'd been wondering about that ... where best to mount. I have engine guards and was thinking on top of them would be easy ... but the angle of light would be very low. So they'd have to pointed out farther, thus into the eyes of on-coming drivers.

[xsroadrunner]

Should have said, I mean I'm planning on getting the LED lights suggested by XSROADRUNNER: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=607184-- just waiting until it's not too hot to work on the bike.

Looking forward to hearing about this install and how well they work for you.

[LCS249]

Will post a follow-up and pics when done.

Has anyone ever used the auxiliary 12-v connection on an XJ?

[Eveready1100]

I've actually got mine mounted exactly where you're thinking of. On the engine guards. You're talking about running them all the time though, where I switch them off for approaching traffic as a courtesy, but god help them if they don't dip their lights!



Just got to watch them when lane splitting, but I don't have to deal with that at all up here.



In case you're wondering, That's a headlight from an RH, which is 8 inches lens diameter, much bigger than the normal Special headlight. Makes the 6 inch driving lights look small in comparison.

[LCS249]

Nice. I am planning on having a switch and only running them as needed.

Is that a radiator on your sweet bike?

[Eveready1100]

No, mate. It's just the factory oil cooler.

[LCS249]

Hello all,

First, thank you everyone, again, for your help in figuring this out.

Here's the final result: a pair of LED spots that only consume .85amp@12v each.

http://s1108.photobucket.com/albums/h405/Noel249/

That should be a public file and accessible to all.

Here's where I ordered them: http://stores.advmonster.com/-strse-...Categories.bok

And what I ordered: Model 30 LED off road Spot light
See detailed description for pictures of the beam pattern.
Spot Beam
1500 lumens
.85amp@12v
3 LEDs
aluminum housing
Length: 70mm , Diameter 55mm
black durable coating
o-ring sealed housing
one meter wire lead
includes flat mount (stainless) mounting bracket
glass shatter resistant lens
Sold individually

Price: $70.00 -- John offers a 10% discount with the the word "inmate" (from ADV Rider).

Also ordered a water-proof switch.

NOTE: My friend Dan and I were stumped assuming that the black lead was hot and white was neutral ... it's the other way 'round.

[Cobia]

Bigger stator

I wish there was a manufacturer that did these for our bikes..
It's a stator that produces 50 more watts of power for the Suz DR650..!
50w more !! Imaagine that.. !
http://www.webbikeworld.com/suzuki-d...0-watt-stator/
One can dream, right ?

[LCS249]

Wow ... what a great idea. And a great dream.

Forgot to mention you can click on the pics in Photobucket two or three times to enlarge.

[natemoen]

Got any night shots of the lights on?

[LCS249]

Not yet. Will add some.

But if you go to the seller's site, he's got some good ones of the spots and the floods.