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Iron Butt
Posts: 1158
Richmond, Virginia | Has anyone else noticed that at night, you cannot see the 4 buttons on the upper console for
heated grips, HID, flasher etc. On my boat those same switches are backlit. It would be nice to be able to see them to engage them while driving at night. anyone else have an opinion or idea?  |
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Cruiser
Posts: 244
Fargo, ND | Along with the console switches, I thought the thumb-control buttons should be backlit to be visible at night too. No solution at this point that I know of. |
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Tourer
Posts: 447
Northeastern Penna. | Yeah ,you are right.Those buttons along with the switches near the handle grips should have been
illuminated.Although,I don't think the handle grip switches are lit up on other big tourers either,are they?This just brings us to Planned Obsolescence-ALL manufacturers are guilty of this! |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 725
Reno County, KS | Yeah, and have you tried to find the switches at night when you have the GPS mounted? When I need my hazards because of something in the road like an upside down car sliding from the West-bound lane into my East-bound lane on I-40 by Gallup, NM (NO JOKE!) or heavy rain, I usually end up pushing the HID and the Hazards until they start flashing. Because the dash is so far forward on this bike, they really should have located the hazard switch around the thumb cubes. Using your hazards on the Vision IS a hazard. Even if you don't have take your eyes off the road you're still stuck leaning up and feeling for the switches and driving with one hand. That hand needs to be either on the clutch or brake lever. I'm sure someone will respond to this by stating that they never have to search around and that you don't really need to be ready on the clutch/front brake/throttle or something. |
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Visionary
Posts: 2027
Brighton, TN | simmer down, dang! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 64
US | The power light for the cruise lights up on my 09 but I agree been riding to work at 6 am went to turn on the hid light and got the flashers instead.
Robert |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 935
Rockford, IL | Be willing to lose the icons on the switches if you could have lighted switches? The dash switches gotta be replaceable with some type of aftermarket lighted switches. Heck, might not even need to lose the icons...could have a vinyl guy cut some new icons to put on the new switches. Anyone want to go hunting for lighted switches that will work for our applications? Maybe get started on dash switches first and then go after the radio & cruise switches next? For the far right switch on the dash I want something like "turbo" or "nitro" or perhaps...."afterburner" or ......"pillion ejector" or better yet..."photon torpedoes " But anyways.....anyone up forsome searching? Im already the guniea pig for the air compressor idea...so I'm out 
Edited by Lotzafun 2008-10-24 10:30 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 102
Madison, AL | For the most part it would be nice to have lighted switches, however, I always drive with my HID on so that one doesn't bother me much since I don't use it. But I have to agree that the Flashers should be a lot more accessable. |
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Tourer
Posts: 506
Woodland Hills, CA | Those switched need to be illuminated. To be honest, I was surprised when I found out they weren't. Its a safety problem and needs to be addressed by Victory, but knowing Victory, we'll likely see a new paint color, and some added chrome doo dads before see anything meaningful. But in spite of all that, I just love this bike!!!! |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 18
| maybe we could just memorize the control switches without backlights |
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Visionary
Posts: 1324
So Cal | You have heated hand grips, hazzard flashers and HID. No lights needed. 4th spot is to even things out, because engineers dont like to divide by three. Made that up. Dont know what #4 is for. Sounds good though? Victory has a plan. Not telling though, are they? |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 725
Reno County, KS | That would be for the PIAA lights I believe. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 849
, FL United States | I have the PIAA fog lights & they're run off of the HID switch. So I still have a blank plate for #4. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1632
Jasper, MO | It took Honda 29 years of Goldwing production to finally offer lighted switches from the factory. However, the aftermarket offered the solution earlier. Rivco offers a kit to illuminate the switches on a Goldwing, that retails for around $115 - $120, and it looks like a factory installation. I suggest that everyone who is interested in such additions go by or call all the places that cater to the Goldwing, and let them know that you have a Vision and want the same accessories for the Vision that the Wingers get to enjoy. If the aftermarket sees enough of a demand, then they will fill it.
Ronnie |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | pollolittle - 2008-10-19 2:44 PM simmer down, dang! Chickenmanfromthelonghornstatehiddeninthehillsofmemphis is that all you have to say? What does that have to do with Victory, Vision or any motorcycle for that matter? Is there a way to block users? Oh, wait, I'll be the first to go since I've already had a thread slammed shut on my fingers. Ouch!  I'm sending the hospital bill and the one from my psycho therapy to Miles since JAM wouldn't own up to doing it. My too cents on lighted switches: While cruising down dark twisty back roads I have to to whip out the ole trusting flashlight out of the left side saddle bag and light up the dash or the handle bars to see the buttons. Or I just remember where the cruise button is and illuminate it to the bright glowing red and count off from there to find the button I need. Having operated in the dark most of my life I have grown accustomed to fumbling around, Paratrooper training, you know. If the buttons were illuminated that would be too sophisticated for me and make too much sense. If I go to sell the bike I might replace them with lighted buttons for the next guy, but I don't plan on ever selling the Bentley, I just want to use it up. But until then, I accept the challenge as a brain exercise to keep from getting parthymers or somethymers, but it is too late for mosthymers. I do hope there is a solution to this issue, I think it would have been very simple, but then again, more wires mean more problems, I just don't know. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 935
Rockford, IL | Has anyone had thier switches out and looked at them? There is probably a manufacturers name and/or part number stamped on them. Little doubtfull Victory manufacturs thier own switches.
While its true that the switches are easily memorized. It would be nice to have them illuminated. Not to mention a bit of "coolness factor" |
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Tourer
Posts: 404
San Antonio, TX United States | rdwrath - 2008-10-25 1:50 AM maybe we could just memorize the control switches without backlights Ok, here I go stirring the pot cause I have nothing better to do at this very moment. Looks like someone remembered the basic training from motorcycle safety foundation and most safety riding courses. You should know where all of your switches are without looking. Admitted I guess it might look cool to have the Christmas lights on all of the switches, but then someone would complain about the reflection on the windshield and how that is a safety issue and blame Victory for this and has anyone complained to the NHTSA... blah blah blah..... Here we are as motorcyclist or motorcycle enthusiast, participating in one of the more hazardous methods of transportation and we are worried about a simple indicator light. But I do understand the desire for more information to occupy your mind and things to look at while you are bored driving down the interstate at 70 MPH. (Disclaimer for the Politically Correct Police so i dont have my door kicked in during the middle of the night and dragged out to be beaten with wet noodles) Please remember this is said part in truth and also with a bit of sarcastic humor. If this has really offended someone, please take a quick and honest look in the mirror and ask yourself why something like this would actually offend you. This is a statement and point of view of one particular person that does not amount to a hill of beans. Thank you,
Edited by dwhite28 2008-10-25 5:38 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 64
US | ahh Christmas lights, that puts me in the holiday spirit!! Keep em coming. Can I get my lights in green and red please?
Robert |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | D, you really shed light on this subject, no pun intended. I see your point because that is why I spent $4.00 and a couple of hours painting my console black so I would not have reflections in the windshield or a glare back in my face. However, it appears that there are many out there that don't mind these distraction while keeping an eye out for idiot cagers and furry little creatures at night. So in our nation of freedom to chose and to bear arms with tatoos perhaps there will be a solution for all. And you keep bringing that safety thing up like it is important or something. I usually end up arguing with that guy in the mirror, but I'm sure that is no surprise....  |
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Cruiser
Posts: 83
Lexington, North Carolina | varyder, your're right, the console was enough glare in the windshield, I can only imagine how bad the lighted switches would glare. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1158
Richmond, Virginia | Oh for crying out loud. Lets take a simple idea and turn it into a spotlight that can be seen from space.... Points
1. Yes we should all KNOW where the buttons are, I know WHERE my switches are, but not being able to see them is the point.
2. As a pilot, illuminated switches are mandatory, if a Pilot can handle a teeny tiny little pin head light at night, surely all you big burly
macho motorcycle riders can handle it too.
3. The speed at which someone can locate to press a button because it has a tiny pinhead light underneath the tiny picture of what it does,
is much SAFER and FASTER then someone driving at 55mph in the dark in traffic needing to push a button that they cannot see.
Boys and Girls, if your dash lights glare so much that they impede your night driving, perhaps you should apply tint film over them or
some other means of toning down that horrible blaring huge spyglass of a brilliance of Blue light.......... ha ha ha you guys crack me up. Enjoy your week, ride safe, dont pin a fake pony tail to the back of your headpiece. !!! |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Whoooa dude! I'm just glad you didn't type that in all CAPS otherwise I'd think you're MAD. I think the real point is not the light but the glare in the windshield from the light. In the up position, the glare is overly distracting and the worse I've seen, from the white console. It was easily remedied by $4.00 can of black spray paint on my $24,000 machine. If the lights on the console could be there without causing the glare, mine in the windshield up position, I'd buy them just to see the console light up and look cool. But for now I'll take darkness and the brain quiz. There's really nothing on the dash that I want to fool with cruising down the highway except the ejection seat button anyways.  |
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Visionary
Posts: 1324
So Cal | There is no button on the dash that I NEEd to be pushing while riding. Other than the hazzard flasher, none are that important, it cant wait. Even the flasher is something that can wait. |
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Visionary
Posts: 2027
Brighton, TN | It does make me wonder why they lit up one switch, the on/off button for the cruise. Why not the hazards, or resume, or set? Even better the heated handgrips, I love that button. Or how about all the radio buttons. HMMMMMMM!!
Don't forget once you mount the GPS, XM radio, CB Comm, co-pilot eject feature, so many buttons to light, so little time. Forget it all, no lighted buttons, give me time to plug in my 1,000,000,000,000,000 watt spot light and no need for lighted buttons, I can see mine and three bikers a mile away could see his. Problem solved, just gotta find the handlebar mount, I don't want to have to hold it, toooo!!! Safety issue!
What I really want is the fake ponytail, I know i could look cool then! |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 600
Linwood, MI | dwhite28 - 2008-10-25 5:37 PM
Admitted I guess it might look cool to have the Christmas lights on all of the switches, but then someone would complain about the reflection on the windshield and how that is a safety issue and blame Victory for this and has anyone complained to the NHTSA... blah blah blah.....
Touche, Dave. No matter what is done or not done someone will complain about it. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Well, for crying out loud. The only way to find out is to put them in. Who's got 'em, I'd like to give it a try. I searched the internet and couldn't find nothing specific. How about anyone else? Do you know where we can get lighted switches, they look pretty standard to something, so it shouldn't be that hard. I'd like to have them in blue backlight, hey and even a dimmer switch to tone them down and bring them up to full brilliance. While we're on the subject of lights, I bought some of them string lights from Advanced Auto but I can't bring myself to make the Bentley a ghetto cruiser. But the real reason, I don't know where to wire them into, but I haven't looked either, any suggestions? |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1158
Richmond, Virginia | I gotta tell you guys, the harley dealership 2 blocks from me actually sells the headwraps with the fake pony tail attached to the back of it.................... now if thats not revealing, a friend of mine saw them and she asked me if they had the fake big belly to go with it..... now that was funny.... kinda mean but funny |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | VaParadox - 2008-10-27 10:47 PM I gotta tell you guys, the harley dealership 2 blocks from me actually sells the headwraps with the fake pony tail attached to the back of it.................... now if thats not revealing, a friend of mine saw them and she asked me if they had the fake big belly to go with it..... now that was funny.... kinda mean but funny I guess that is why I don't shop <brand removed>. I got one, I don't need the other.... VAPdox, are you in the Richmond area? |
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Tourer
Posts: 404
San Antonio, TX United States | Just as some help. http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Cat=1114204;keywords=rocker The link above is one of many places. One of the keys to doing an adequate search is using key words like the following. "OEM, Rocker, switches" You just have to search for the switch that matches the existing hole. Next all you will have to do is splice off the hot lead feeding the switch to light the LED inside the switch. Since the power is only on when the key is on, there is no fear of draining the battery. See, i can play nice and even offer assitance to help you find what you want and even tell you how to hook it up. But every now and then, i just got to play devils advocate. Now that i have posted this, VA and PO can start working on getting their posts up to the 1,000 mark. Wonder who will get there first?
Edited by dwhite28 2008-10-27 11:16 PM
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Tourer
Posts: 404
San Antonio, TX United States | Oh yeah,
You can also take the switch out of the console and stroll into your local Radio Shack and go through their catalog as well. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 110
| I didnt see anyone mention a light to tell me when the wife unit leaves the heated seat on in the back area..... |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 742
North Orange County CA | Seems to me the dummy switch on the far right could be replaced with an illuminated "on/off/on" that would allow you to see the status of the passenger seat heater and turn it to low like its supposed to be for extended use.
I was searching for the key words " illuminated", "rocker" and "waterproof".
I suspect that the last one might be quite important. There are a lot of sources for "marine" switches with LEDs out there. Just have to get the right size.
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1158
Richmond, Virginia | VaRyder yeah im in Richmond.
Just installed my new solar powered illuminated switches. Easy pop out pop in units. The best part is that now when it rains, that big
overhead 3x5 solar panel over head keeps me totally dry. Difficult at high speeds though, kinda feels like im driving my bike while its still in the garage. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1158
Richmond, Virginia | while searching for illuminated switches, sitting here at the desk watching this screen that doesnt play NBC/CBS/ABC yet always seems to require my credit card before turning it off.... I had a thought...... If you buy Two of those fake pony tail head wraps and turn them sideways on your head, you could have pig tails !! Now thats a dream any hog rider would love PIG tails hog/pig
....oh sorry that was the beer talking......... lemme get back to looking at internet porn now..... oops i mean christmas shopping.. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 104
Plainfield Illinois | varyder - 2008-10-27 9:11 PM Well, for crying out loud. The only way to find out is to put them in. Who's got 'em, I'd like to give it a try. I searched the internet and couldn't find nothing specific. How about anyone else? Do you know where we can get lighted switches, they look pretty standard to something, so it shouldn't be that hard. I'd like to have them in blue backlight, hey and even a dimmer switch to tone them down and bring them up to full brilliance. While we're on the subject of lights, I bought some of them string lights from Advanced Auto but I can't bring myself to make the Bentley a ghetto cruiser. But the real reason, I don't know where to wire them into, but I haven't looked either, any suggestions? Cherry makes good stuff. Here's a link to their TR series rockers that can be had in a variety of colors, switch types, splash boots, and illumination voltages. I dunno if it's what yer lookin for but it's close to it. Look at the panel cutout dimensions listed..... http://www.cherrycorp.com/english/rockers/tr_rocker.htm Hope it helps. Bob H. |
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Tourer
Posts: 506
Woodland Hills, CA | In reality, the switches, while looking good where they are, are really located in the wrong place, whether illuminated or not. You shouldn't have to reach that far, especially at night. And if you have the GPS, they are just that much harder to get to. They should be located in a spot much easier to get to in the first place.
The Vision has so much space that it seems there is plenty of opportunity to better integrate everything in a much more ergonomically friendly manner. I even think the dash between the gauges could be expanded to integrate the GPS. But that's just my opinion.
The bottom line isn't so much whether or not the switches should be illuminated or not, but the ease at which they can be found without having to look (or reach). |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1158
Richmond, Virginia | I have read all of the posts. Some of you guys are missing the point. While your responses say things like "its better to memorize and learn where your switches are... is a pretty obviously understood. Here is my point Next time you are driving your car at night
turn off all of your dashboard lights so that everything is black... whats wrong? dont you know exactly where to put your finger on that switch? why sure, i know where it is, I JUST CANT FIND IT IN THE DARK my point (and perhaps i should have been more specific
as to its reasoning isnt that we dont know where they are, its that you cannot see them to activate them. With all the cellphone drivers out there, even saving us a split second in time alters our outcome with those pesky 4 wheel vehicles... my vote is on safety and security first. ok, ive exhausted and beaten the horse so much its beginning to decompose... ride safe boys and girls |
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Tourer
Posts: 447
Cleveland, GA | Check out this site. I don't know anything about them, but they look interesting - waterproof, illuminated, DC rocker switches - both two way and three way. Red, Green, Blue on/off; Red-Red, Red-Green on/on and on/off/on. Maybe someone smarter than me can tell what we need here. http://shop.vetcosurplus.com/catalog/default.php?cPath=114_121_360_362 |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 965
New York State | Try a hands free flashlight
Edited by Trekwolf164 2008-11-03 9:06 AM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 600
Linwood, MI | Those switches look good, Lone Ranger, but they are huge in comparison to the OEM ones. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Rebel - 2008-11-03 9:16 AM Those switches look good, Lone Ranger, but they are huge in comparison to the OEM ones. Actually, having taken mine out to paint the panel, they look exactly the same. It would be a matter of wire config. The HID and Warning are On/Off and the heated is three-way. Thanks. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 33
Myrtle Beach,SC. | I recently bought my vision and adde blue lights to the whole bike , and added the flexible neon string lights . I attached all the lights to the spare 25 amp. fuse block locaed under fairing and on the left side of the bike ! |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 600
Linwood, MI | varyder - 2008-11-03 9:19 AM
<p>Rebel - 2008-11-03 9:16 AM Those switches look good, Lone Ranger, but they are huge in comparison to the OEM ones.</p><p><font color="#990000">Actually, having taken mine out to paint the panel, they look exactly the same. It would be a matter of wire config. The HID and Warning are On/Off and the heated is three-way. Thanks.</font></p>
Then you and I must have different switches on our bikes, varyder. The size of the switches he posted links to are a hair less than 1" x 2" in size. The switches I have on my dash are only 0.5" x 1.25". I'm assuming we're referring to the dash switches that control the grip heater, HID, etc.
Edited by Rebel 2008-11-03 5:10 PM
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Tourer
Posts: 447
Cleveland, GA | Somebody needs to measure the holes in the Vision panel (sorry, I can't get to my bike to check it). The spec sheet on the site shows the top of the switches to be 1.8" x .98", but the mounting hole is (appx) .8" x 1.4". |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Yeah, I think you're right rebel. Same construct though. I'd be willing to open the holes more for better switches that light up. The metal seems sturdy enough and there's plenty I room. Now where did I put the dremel..... |
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Cruiser
Posts: 53
Island Lake, Alberta, Canada | I checked out the panel switches when I had them out for GPS install. The rocker switches are made by a company called Otto Engineering for Polaris. The switches are a K1 series. Otto has a series called K3, same as K1 but illuminate when on by the looks of it. I haven't got around to talkin with them yet, leaving it for a winter project. |
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Tourer
Posts: 447
Cleveland, GA | Web Mobile - 2008-11-04 6:18 AM I checked out the panel switches when I had them out for GPS install. The rocker switches are made by a company called Otto Engineering for Polaris. The switches are a K1 series. Otto has a series called K3, same as K1 but illuminate when on by the looks of it. I haven't got around to talkin with them yet, leaving it for a winter project. This looks pretty good... Here's the page with the rocker switches: http://www.ottoexcellence.com/controls/rocker_home.html And here are pages with the price and build specs for some of the switches: K1 for a panel opening of 1.072 x .480 - http://www.ottoexcellence.com/controls/pricebuilders/k1.html K2 is for panel opening of 1.072 x .870 K3 for a panel opening of 1.73 x .870 - http://www.ottoexcellence.com/controls/pricebuilders/k3.html I hope there's somebody out there smarter than me and can figure out what all this means.
Edited by Lone Ranger 2008-11-04 3:53 AM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 600
Linwood, MI | ok, I hereby nominate Web Mobile to get this thread's Gold Star award for excellence in tracking down a solution to the original poster's issue. |
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Tourer
Posts: 447
Cleveland, GA | Rebel - 2008-11-04 7:48 PM ok, I hereby nominate Web Mobile to get this thread's Gold Star award for excellence in tracking down a solution to the original poster's issue. I second the motion! |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1158
Richmond, Virginia | All in favor say V I C T O R Y !!!! sounds like a plan my man |
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Cruiser
Posts: 53
Island Lake, Alberta, Canada | Thanks guys. Will add to the roundtoit & honeydew lists. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 125
| Did anyone ever get anywhere on this? Holy crap! I am pretty good at electronics but I have never seen 432 options for a switch..... Then I called and the poor lady that was trying to walk me through the "switch builder" program was more confused than I was..... yeah there really is such a thing. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 156
Bluff Park, Alabama - God's Country! 2011 PW VV | I too would be interested in this! |
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Tourer
Posts: 457
Green Bay, WI United States | Had a time at night on the freeway doing about 80 mph where traffic ahead was stopped and I did not have time to get to the flasher switch (declaring and emergency as they say in the commercial pilot world), so I started pumping the front brake lever as long as I could while downshifting hard before I had to brake. Then I rolled up the right shoulder for a couple dozen or so cars to make sure if they did not get stopped from behind I would not be smashed like a bug. I do agree we need to know where our switches are by heart but you may not always have time. By the way I ride with my HID on all the time. Ya the bulb is $500, being seen on my Vision is priceless!! And yes I will bitch when I need to replace it but I am just trying to fit in posts about the cheap-azz parts :-)
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Iron Butt
Posts: 965
New York State | Cheep ass parts all of my lighted switches are burnt out they don't light up |
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Tourer
Posts: 337
san antonio, tx | I went on a couple of sites to see if it there is a simple solution. The answer is yes and no.
No problems getting illuminated switches that will work perfectly. You can get them with standard icons, words, or just an illuminated point. The only problem is the handgrip heater button.
I want to have an illuminated icon on the switch plus have a light on the switch come on when the accessory is on. That's all easily do-able with everything except the grip heater switch. Since it's an On-Off-On switch, it would need three LEDs and I've never seen something like that before. The only ones I've been able to find have the capability of only two lights, one at each end of the switch.
It might be possible to find a rotary switch that has all the illuminated points I want (grip heater symbol, plus High and Low. That might look kind of strange. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 125
| The only thing I am interested in is having some type of illuminated feedback when the amped antenna is turned on. In the night time emergency situation looking for a flasher that would have been nice as well I am sure... but it sounds like it turned out fairly well minus a new pair of undies ... nicely done!
cchristo if you have not tried the otto site previously mentioned they may have a solution if you have the patience to go through the "switch builder" program.... good luck with that! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 156
Bluff Park, Alabama - God's Country! 2011 PW VV | I did switch builder. Wish they had othe colors and did not see a two position lighted on-off-on with BOTH lights with built in power.
Maybe I overlooked it. But the 2 light one would be fine for me on the grip heater switch. |
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South Mississippi | Ok, I'm just throwing this out there, but how about a row of mini-LED's under the dash that provide just enough ambient light to illuminate the tank and switches? I could see blue or red as very attractive. Could connect to dash lighting with minimal current draw! Just a thought......
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Tourer
Posts: 337
san antonio, tx | fitzbev - 2011-10-25 7:53 AM
Ok, I'm just throwing this out there, but how about a row of mini-LED's under the dash that provide just enough ambient light to illuminate the tank and switches? I could see blue or red as very attractive. Could connect to dash lighting with minimal current draw! Just a thought......
That would be easy enough. You could take it a step or two further.
You can get very focused LEDs that would focus pretty much only on the switches. The issue might be making a professional, neat looking install without visible wiring.
You could fashion a fiberglass, plastic, or aluminum hood that prevents windshield reflection and then hide your ambiant LEDs on the underside of the hood.
Put small LEDs through the dash panel at the top or bottom of each switch, wired in with a resistor to indicate on status.
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Cruiser
Posts: 102
Orlando | My idea was to install a dash light from a BMW K1200LT. The BMW has a dash/dome light under the dash visor. See attached.
(bmwdash.jpg)
Attachments
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 bmwdash.jpg (51KB - 4 downloads)
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Cruiser
Posts: 208
Wichita, Kansas | I was going to order the lit replacemetn switches but the comment about under the visor is worth looking at. This is a red (affects the eye less at night) thin LED strip that could stick under the lip and never show. With a dimmer pot you would have a complete dash light, adjustable for brightness - city or dark country ride. Nice idea. And the whole LED strip is less than $2.00.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Red-12V-15-LED-Strip-Car-Flexible-Light-Bul...
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Cruiser
Posts: 232
| wjoel - 2008-10-19 11:46 AM
Yeah ,you are right.Those buttons along with the switches near the handle grips should have been
illuminated.Although,I don't think the handle grip switches are lit up on other big tourers either,are they?This just brings us to Planned Obsolescence-ALL manufacturers are guilty of this! YES on the 1800 wing they are. |
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Tourer
Posts: 401
| Lawst Claws Head lights.
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Iron Butt
Posts: 804
Perry Hall, MD | sqiacci, Does that helmet have Victory illuminated across the back? It reminds me of the lights for the peripheral vision test I just took to renew my drivers license. |
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Tourer
Posts: 401
| lennyb - 2011-11-22 5:16 PM
sqiacci, Does that helmet have Victory illuminated across the back? It reminds me of the lights for the peripheral vision test I just took to renew my drivers license.
nope... i thought about getting a set but have't yet.
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Iron Butt
Posts: 763
Anderson, IN (48mi NE of downtown Indianapolis) | I installed an illuminated rocker switch in place of the dummy one from the factory. Though my intent is not to use it while in motion, I did turn it on while riding just to see how it affected my eye. There is a lot of glare off the windshield. The LED in the rocker is quite dim, but the amount of glare is very distracting to me while driving. The curvature of the windshield multiplies the size of the switch like a mirror in a fun-house. I think Victory made a good choice not illuminating the switches. |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| I would like the switch's light up just so I could find them quickly. I mean there on or off and my finger tells me that. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 763
Anderson, IN (48mi NE of downtown Indianapolis) | I took a photo to better demonstrate the glare issue. As I stated above, I do not intend to use the switch while riding. Thus, my switch will never be lighted while riding. Many Vision owners have commented on the glare of the center console off the windshield in daylight. It made me curious what a light would do at night.
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Edited by victoryvisiontour 2011-11-27 7:55 PM
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 32
East Haven, CT | az rob - 2008-10-28 5:57 PM
I didnt see anyone mention a light to tell me when the wife unit leaves the heated seat on in the back area.....
Maybe we can change the 3 position toggle to a 3 position spring return to center and add a couple of small relays to create a seal-in function for hi & lo that resets itself to off when the bike is turned off. The relays can be located on a small pc board that can be attached somewhere. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Are you sure it's not a UFO? I'm curious, without going back to find the purpose of the switch that you may have made in a previous post, what is the purpose of the switch? I know it's just not to install a lighted switch is it? |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 763
Anderson, IN (48mi NE of downtown Indianapolis) | varyder - 2011-11-27 9:47 PM
Are you sure it's not a UFO? I'm curious, without going back to find the purpose of the switch that you may have made in a previous post, what is the purpose of the switch? I know it's just not to install a lighted switch is it?
I was working on the writeup for the purpose of the switch when I realized I should post something about the glare of my illuminated switch. Here is the purpose of the switch.
http://www.vision-riders.com/bb/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=10377
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Iron Butt
Posts: 880
Orlando, FL | Guys, guys guys, just install the voice activated switch option. It's solves everything. Mine works great. I simply saw "Honey, turn on the HID" and she reaches around and turns it on for me! LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL
Come on guys, it's a motorcycle. What happened to the "biker" in you. THink the guys in "Easy Rider" had "illuminated switches"? Geez. There's only four freaking switches. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | and that's coming from a guy with a Vision 8-ball...with power winders....cruise...etc...etc...etc...
I saw a harley the other night that was a glow ball of lights going down the road, I'm sure it was a show bike, and not a go bike... |
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Tourer
Posts: 401
| Try this:
http://www.gibson-barnes.com/Finger+Lites/id/18/cat_id/58/prod_...
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 17
| What about using these?
http://www.customdynamics.com/Images/tagboltz850.jpg
Mount two of them above the switches. They should not cause glare on the windshield and the light can be directed. Also by adding a resistor you could make them dimmer if needed. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 244
| I just went to Auto zone & got a rocker switch with blue toggle, had to brake off the snap in on one end & it snapped in perfect. Don't use the lite in it, so I don't know if it is brite anuff to reflect off the windscreen. Next time I'm in there I will hook up the lite in it. It is next to the Hazzard switch. That would be nice |
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Cruiser
Posts: 231
Desert Hot Springs (Palm Springs area), CA | xcrider - 2011-12-02 8:20 PM What about using these? http://www.customdynamics.com/Images/tagboltz850.jpg Mount two of them above the switches. They should not cause glare on the windshield and the light can be directed. Also by adding a resistor you could make them dimmer if needed. Heck, you could mount one in the filler blank of an empty switch and direct it where you need it... I might just do that!
Edited by JS5Owner 2011-12-12 6:34 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 181
Henlow, Bedfordshire, England | Hmmm, got a bit bored and decided to try an led strip, first try was with a red one which didn't work too well. This time I have tried a blue one (designed for boy racers to put under the car handle to see where to open the door). I am very impressed with the difference to be able to see the switches.
p.s. also fitted a rocket launcher type switch for fun, it operates the HID)
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Tourer
Posts: 430
| Very Nice!! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 241
Monrovia, Ca | Where did you get power from? Is it switched by itself? |
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Cruiser
Posts: 181
Henlow, Bedfordshire, England | I have clearwater lights so to test how they work I have taken the wires into the plastics towards the front then back through gaps to the wires near the ignition and hooked up to the power supply used for the lights meaning power is only there when the bike is started. Since I fitted the rocket launcher switch and put the HID on this I used the HID switch for the LEDs so I have the option to isolate them |
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Visionary
Posts: 1350
| Way back in the day people used to remember lots of phone numbers now we have phones that do it for us and people are lost when their phone is dead. Now we have a bunch of bikers that can't remember 3 switch positions?
I will agree, I would like the hazard switch back on the bars but whatever that's the way my bike is and I adapted to it. No whining involved. |
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Tourer
Posts: 366
Albuquerque, NM | Saw these at O'Reily Auto Parts and thought they would be perfect for this application. Autozone has another brand that is very simiar and is avail. in 2 pod or a 4 pod versions. Attaches w/double sided tape.
http://www.jcwhitney.com/concept-x-led-micro-lights/p2020997.jcwx
Edited by nailer 2012-02-17 3:41 PM
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