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Visionary
Posts: 1229
Rancho Cucamonga, CA | I really want to get these and was wondering who had the best price?
If I'm not alone, maybe they'll do a group deal again. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 742
North Orange County CA | Only place that you can buy them that I know is direct from Clearwater.
http://www.Vision-riders.com/bb/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=6059&pos...
Glenn has been really good about extending the group buy. I think this was the third time he extended the group buy pricing. I would give him a call. His info is included about 3/4 of the way down the page.
Still love mine! I was thinking about getting a set for the /5 Beemer; but then I would feel obligated to actually ride the old beast despite its crappy electrics and mediocre brakes.
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Visionary
Posts: 1229
Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Let's see how many people are interested in them before I go asking for a group rate. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va | those are lights I want to get, but can't swing it now, even at a group rate. Maybe if there is a buy of five I can get mine free.  |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | I saw them on SongFan's Vision and all I can say is "Sweeet!" |
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Visionary
Posts: 1229
Rancho Cucamonga, CA | I was sold when I heard that they go to full bright when you hit your highbeams or your horn.
$424 is best so far. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 164
Quad Cities, IL | I have been interested in adding some lights upfront too. Been waffling between the PIAA and Clearwaters. As a whole, I like the PIAA cost, mount and look better but some of the features of the Clearwater seem to offer real function. I would love to hear pros/cons for either set.
But does anyone have the Skene PHOTON-BLASTER lights? http://www.skenedesign.com/lights/PB_Features.shtml
I have been interested in these also. Either independent or coupled with the PIAA/Clearwater. Any input on the Photon-Blaster would be great.
Thanks... |
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | I'll comment on the PIAA lights, I've had them on the bike for three years now. Have replaced the 35w with 55w bulbs. Have replaced two bulbs so far which are ~ $45 per bulb. The chrome has stood up pretty good, but there is some pitting on the brackets. They are wired into the HID switch so that is simple, pretty much plug and play. Probably the biggest drawback is that they draw a lot of power. So if your loaded up with electronics that pull a lot juice already, it would be better to go with an LED driving light. I think driving lights are a must on a bike, it was the first thing I added to the bike. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 162
Northern NJ | Both of my Visions have the Clearwater lights and I recommend them highly.
One pair was purchased at full price. I got the second at a discount by mentioning my membership in this and other Victory forums. I spoke to Lorett, who rides a Kingpin I think.
Even at full price, the Clearwaters are a much better choice than the PIAAs. (I had the PIAAs on my Kingpin.)
The PIAA lights burn out often and they're not cheap. The Clearwater LEDs will last almost forever. Lower current draw on the Clearwaters.
The Clearwaters are VERY HIGH QUALITY and MADE IN USA. They were easy to install.
They work great at lighting up the road and increasing your visibility to other vehicles.
Do it. You won't regret it. Good luck. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1229
Rancho Cucamonga, CA | The best price I found was from pashnit.com for $424 + Ca tax & free shipping.
I have installed them and even put a post into the tech reference with all the tips gathered from this forum. I also added my own mod instructions to make them go full bright when you hit your horn as well as when you hit your highbeams. Thanks to the Clearwater staff for providing the tech details on this mod. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 164
Quad Cities, IL | I think these are next on my list, when the funds are available. But I do have a couple questions...
1) Do these have to mount to the fender?
2) Has anyone, or do you think they can be mounted them to the inside mouth of the fairing? If so, can you post pics.
Thanks. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1229
Rancho Cucamonga, CA | I have seen a XC with them mounted in front of the floorboards. I think they work well on the forks though. The bracket simply replaces the bolts that are there now holding the fender in place. The beam is fairly narrow and it is good to have it move when you turn. There maybe a way to mount them to the tipovers, but you may have to get creative. Any mounting to the inner fairing may not be strong enough. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 28
Basehor, Ks. | The only advantage I see in the Clearwater lights is that they draw little current. I think they are rather unattractive. I don't have $450 to spend on what is basically accessory lighting. I have the lights fromhttp://www.martinfabrication.com/Martin_Fabrication/Motorcycle_Lighting_Home.html Save yourself $300...they come complete with relay, wiring harness, and have a lighted on/off switch. I love them. Sure, a bulb burns out once and awhile, but they are rather cheap and are easy to change. |
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Tourer
Posts: 550
Tacoma, WA | Hmmm. Better lighting, being seen, better visibility, longer life...nope, no advantage to cheap lights there. If there is a group buy, count me in.-----Metalguy |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 28
Basehor, Ks. | Metalguy-they are not "cheap". They are well built. Go to the site and look at the pictures. I have gone across country several times and they perform superbly. What I meant is they are "inexpensive" compared to Clearwater. But if you gotta have Nike Shoes, Nike shirts, Nike socks,
and have a BMW parked in plain view so everybody can see it, then by all means buy the Clearwater. Furthermore, their customer service is excellent. By the way, I don't work for them. thenuz |
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Cruiser
Posts: 179
CARTAGENA Spain | LED LIGHTS THESE ARE JUST FOR YOU ALSO SEE OR LIGHT UP THE ROAD AS THE PIAA Well, I WANT TO ILLUMINATE THE ROAD TO DRIVE AT NIGHT
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Visionary
Posts: 1229
Rancho Cucamonga, CA | thenuz - 2011-03-05 4:10 PM
The only advantage I see in the Clearwater lights is that they draw little current. I think they are rather unattractive. I don't have $450 to spend on what is basically accessory lighting. I have the lights fromhttp://www.martinfabrication.com/Martin_Fabrication/Motorcycle_Lighting_Home.html Save yourself $300...they come complete with relay, wiring harness, and have a lighted on/off switch. I love them. Sure, a bulb burns out once and awhile, but they are rather cheap and are easy to change.
Had I seen these prior to buying Clearwaters, I would have had a hard time deciding. Now that I have the Clearwaters, I'm glad I did.
I wouldn't have even considered Halogens mounted to my forks. Way too much vibration and the 35watt wouldn't put out enough light.
The $349 HIDs would have been my only other choice...but, how do they handle vibration? Why not spend the extra $75 for LEDs?
-They never go out.
-They put out more light then a 50watt halogen.
-You can adjust the brightness on the fly.
-They are much more visible to other vehicles aproaching.
-Smaller unit.
-Wiring is super simple, no relays.
-They go full bright when you put your highbeams on or honk your horn.
-You don't have to find a place for two ballasts within 20" of the lights.
-MADE IN USA!
-It is recommended that HIDs are turned on after the engine is running, HIDs need a constant voltage otherwise the lamp may fail. LEDs have no restriction.
-Can be wired as flashers for parade use.
Best price for Clearwater Glenda's - model V34 - $424 and free shipping- pashnit.com
Edited by Nozzledog 2011-03-06 10:04 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 54
Orangeville, PA | Can somebody please post a pic of these mounted on a Vision,thanks. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va | Reading on the LED, and obvious downfall is they don't put light down the road for the rider, but it does let them be seen better. I want to put light out down the road, especially in dark turns..., so what is the choice, clearwater or fabrication.... just asking, haven't been there yet. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1229
Rancho Cucamonga, CA | These put out plenty of light down the road. Usually I keep them at half brightness at night. I don't have any pics of how well it fills in the area below the headlights, but it does. For pictures of them on the bike, you can check out the reference guide I posted. http://www.Vision-riders.com/bb/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=7981&pos... |
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Visionary
Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va | Nozzledog - 2011-03-08 6:36 PM
These put out plenty of light down the road. Usually I keep them at half brightness at night. I don't have any pics of how well it fills in the area below the headlights, but it does. For pictures of them on the bike, you can check out the reference guide I posted. http://www.Vision-riders.com/bb/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=7981&pos...
Thanks, sounds like the clearwater is the way to go to put the lights down the road. How does it do on on/off ramps on low beam?
Edited by Cap'n Nemo 2011-03-08 8:06 PM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 742
North Orange County CA | Cap'n Nemo - 2011-03-08 8:00 AM
Reading on the LED, and obvious downfall is they don't put light down the road for the rider, but it does let them be seen better. I want to put light out down the road, especially in dark turns..., so what is the choice, clearwater or fabrication.... just asking, haven't been there yet.
I guess its a matter of what you are used to, and what you expect from lighting. When I first rode my Vision at night I thought I had died and gone to heaven. The HID headlight in conjunction with the standard lamps were head and shoulders above my HD and light years ahead of the crappy lighting on my BMW.
But I like all the light I can get, so I went looking for options. The '08s were originally offered with an option of a higher rated charging system but Victory never delivered one to my knowledge, so having owned bikes with charging systems that were close to max-ed out all the time, the idea of the low current draw was what initially drew me to the Clearwater lamps , because they would allow me buy other electrical accessories without running into issues.
The Clearwater LEDs are without question a far superior light source to the 5.75" "passing lamps" that were on my Electra-glide in terms of down the road illumination, and the slightly wider beam angle of the Clearwater lens makes them better (for me) than a driving lamp when negotiating back country twisties at night.
A long reaching pencil beam doesn't do you much good in the turns if it's only illuminating the trees on the other side of the road. The wider angle of the Glenda lamps gives me a much better view of the road through the turns, street signs that sneak up on me, and animal life lurking off the edge of the road. These lamps have a pattern that is more akin to an "all weather" beam than a traditional driving lamp , which for a guy like you who thumbs his nose at fog , snow, acid rain and I-95 traffic may be a much better choice than you had considered. I think that they are well suited to most touring riders needs.
You also get the option of running these lamps at full tilt boogie, AND using the high beams at the same time. If I want to light up the night I can sure as heck do it. When I hit the high beam switch you would swear the dude from Quantum Leap was getting ready to materialize in front of the bike. It's that big a difference.
As to your question about off ramps; with the volume control mounted on the left handlebar, if you need more light you just dial it up with your thumb as you pull off the road.
Another advantage, besides the low current draw of the LED array is the life expectancy of the lamps. I don't worry that the lamps on which I rely are going to fail in the middle of nowhere, or get dimmer with age. I don't have to carry spares. In effect I bought a long term lighting investment that has the potential to outlast the motorcycle that they are mounted to. That's kind of scary actually.
Finally there is the daytime marker light function which we has been discussed at length in other threads.
My buddy Milton (of cut down allen wrench fame) tells me that the Clearwater Glenda's and the MOABL are best accessories either one of us have on our bikes , and he is riding a fully tricked out 30k+ CVO ULTRA.
In concusion, I love these lights, and would buy them again with out hesitation. They're not the least expensive option, and they're not your traditional driving light, but they are worth every penny, kind of like the Vision, when you think about it.
Edited by Tarpits99 2011-03-08 10:15 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 162
Northern NJ | Tarpits99 - 2011-03-08 11:12 PM
Cap'n Nemo - 2011-03-08 8:00 AM
Reading on the LED, and obvious downfall is they don't put light down the road for the rider, but it does let them be seen better. I want to put light out down the road, especially in dark turns..., so what is the choice, clearwater or fabrication.... just asking, haven't been there yet.
In concusion, I love these lights, and would buy them again with out hesitation. They're not the least expensive option, and they're not your traditional driving light, but they are worth every penny, kind of like the Vision, when you think about it.
Well said. Great post.
The Clearwater lights are one of the best mods I've made to any motorcycle, regardless of price. They are the best aftermarket lights I've seen, and everyone who sees them, wants them on their Vision
You can't put a price tag on being seen, and improving your ability to see. Good luck. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 54
Orangeville, PA | Thanks for the pics Nozzledog, these now go on my get list of things for my Vision. If there ends up being a group buy "soon" count me in.
Edited by steve471 2011-03-09 10:01 AM
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 28
Basehor, Ks. | Hello fellow pregnant "Mothers". Has anyone even tried the lights from Martin Fabrication? Are we all just trying to justify the exorbitant expense? Please spare me the diatribe. Have you ever had your headlight go out in the middle of Texas at night? Nice to have the halogen to get your butt to the nearest shop. The Clearwater lights are butt ugly and look like they belong on a tank or an adventure bike. I'm sure you are all proud that you agree with yourselves. I have seen them, and I don't want them on my Vision. But they would look great on my John Deere Riding mower...Peace |
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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | Hey nuz, This is a Clearwater thread. If you think you are talking anyone into Martins because you can't afford Clearwaters and don't like the looks, you are probably kidding yourself. Start a Martin thread and try to influence people that way. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1229
Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Halogens? How classic. Maybe I should trade my Vic in for a Harley while I'm at it. But then, even HD is smart enough not to mount halogens to front fenders.
Clearwaters are not for everyone, just those that want a longlasting lighting system that outperforms halogen in both durability and output.
Now, if you want to make a case for HIDs, we could have an interesting conversation. Costwise, they are less (until a pair of bulbs burn out), they put out more light (unless you go Krista LEDs), but will never match the durability or reliability of LEDs.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder - I own a Vision.
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 28
Basehor, Ks. | I thought this was a discussion. Not a condemnation. If you like the BMW, get the BMW. Park it in front of your house so everyone can see how loaded you are. I am not kidding myself, I've seen them both. Try driving at night with your headlight out using LED's. C'mon , cut the sarcastic remarks. LOOK INTO the Martin Fabrication lights and kit, and compare. If you like Allen screws in plain view, then by all means spend the money. Just because I own a Vision(not new) doesn't mean I have to put the cat's meow on it.
Thanks, Allen |
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Visionary
Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va | thenuz - 2011-03-10 6:59 PM
Hello fellow pregnant "Mothers". Has anyone even tried the lights from Martin Fabrication? Are we all just trying to justify the exorbitant expense? Please spare me the diatribe. Have you ever had your headlight go out in the middle of Texas at night? Nice to have the halogen to get your butt to the nearest shop. The Clearwater lights are butt ugly and look like they belong on a tank or an adventure bike. I'm sure you are all proud that you agree with yourselves. I have seen them, and I don't want them on my Vision. But they would look great on my John Deere Riding mower...Peace
Eat your own words.... |
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Visionary
Posts: 1229
Rancho Cucamonga, CA | It's always good to have as many options as possible when accesorizing a bike. It keeps the prices low and the quality up. I never pass up the chance to look at something else that might do the trick. Most of us that have considered driving lights are aware of the multitudes of companies that make halogen and HID lights that range in price from $40 to $800. I agree, the Clearwaters are expensive. I did not want to spend as much money as they were asking and that was why I started this thread. Many won't even look at the Clearwater's because of the price, but comparing it to brands where you are paying just for the name and nothing else is, well, unjust.
So what makes one light cost 3x more than an other? and who would pay that if they weren't just looking for the most expensive farkle to put on their showcase?
Let me go through some of the thoughts in my head when I applied for paypal credit so I could get these instead of ones I could have just paid cash for.
Having come from Harleys, I was well aware of how much light halogens put out, and they would do an ok job if my main headlight gave out - but I wanted something brighter.
I have discussed with many riders, dealers and bloggers about driving lights, and none of them recommended mounting halogens on fenders. The vibration and jarring kills the fillaments at a ridiculous rate. Reliability was my second requirement for the lights.
These two things pretty much pushed an inexpensive soultion to my lighting needs out the window. I did consider mounting lights up in the fairing, but just couldn't find a decent spot that would give a good seperation to the lights and add to my ability to be seen as well- the third requirement for the lights. I couldn't see buying cheap lights just so I could turn around and buy marker lights as well.
If the Vision had big engine guards like the XC or Harleys for mounting lights to, I could have gotten away with halogens and lived with the lower light output and occasional bulb replacement. It might have been worth the saving, at least in the short run. Maybe a better system would come out in a few years even cheaper. Who knows?
So, with halogens out of the picture, I was left with $350 for HIDs or $424 for LEDs.
HIDs put out tremendous amounts of light and have no fillament to break. This was starting to sound like the setup for me, but it had it's drawbacks also. Being so bright, you really couldn't leave them on all the time without pissing off the people around you. I want to be seen, but not seen as the a$$#%!& biker.
Not only would I have to run a relay to the battery (not a big issue), but I would have to find places for ballasts close to the lights (again, not a big issue). Bulbs would still burn out and vibration and jarring still reduces it's lifespan (not nearly as bad as a filliment bulb).
So, what does LEDs and another $75 get you? Definitely not just a Nike swoosh.
A light brighter than halogen (but not as bright as HID) - 1st priority.
A light not affected by vibration or jarring that will last longer than the bike - 2nd priority.
Can be left on all the time and dimmed when needed - 3rd priority.
Bonus features;
- super easy install
- low amp draw
- don't have to remember to turn them off before I start the bike (HIDs hate to be turned off and on repeatedly)
- will go full bright when I hit my highbeams or horn (this actually fits into priority 3, but not a dealbreaker).
Was asthetics a priority for me? No, but they blend in so well on my bike, you don't even see them. Only the massive amounts of light they put out. The allen bolts you see are no different than the allen bolts that were there to begin with. I have yet to see a mounting bracket that is functional and good looking (Martin included).
Expensive, Yes.
Better, Yes.
Met all my priorities, Yes.
Throwing money away, No.
Yes, saving money is a priority too, but buying something that would not meet my other priorities WOULD be throwing money away.
Edited by Nozzledog 2011-03-12 4:42 AM
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Cruiser
Posts: 162
Northern NJ | Let's face it, as LED technology is improving traditional bulb lights are going the way of the corded dial telephone.
I replaced enough expensive bulbs in PIAA running lights to justify the cost difference with the Clearwaters.
As good as PIAAs are, the Clearwaters blow them away.
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Iron Butt
Posts: 623
| just to add to the discussion......Moto lights. : ) just in case you wanted to try them. Had these on my bikes for the last 11 years. Great customer service, great product. easy install on the vision. I know the clearwaters are a good product too, the Martin lights?.....i dont know, but i doubt they are on par. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | The cool thing for me about Clearwater is they actively sought us out when the Vision was first released. Tarpits99 posted a thread that Clearwater was looking for a Vision to make a prototype set for back in Dec 7 of '99. On Dec 10th, rldr12 posted that he had talked to Clearwater and they seemed a little pricey and he'd wait. On Dec 11th, (after a couple of more posts) he made another post saying they had been installed and he included a picture (four days after the original Tarpits post!). After that, the ball was really rolling. For me, personally, the Clearwaters have nothing to do with "image". It was an opprtunity to support a small company that wanted to support the Vision culture early on with a world class product. Even the guys who don't like the looks know better than to bash their quality. They will probably outlast my bike. The best way to get a "deal" is to organize a group buy. For those newbies who haven't followed the whole Clearwater story, it started here: http://www.vision-riders.com/bb/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=4881&posts=91&start=1 |
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Visionary
Posts: 1229
Rancho Cucamonga, CA | thenuz - 2011-03-10 4:59 PM
I have seen them, and I don't want them on my Vision. But they would look great on my John Deere Riding mower...Peace
(VicDeer.jpg)
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Iron Butt
Posts: 742
North Orange County CA | Is that the 60" deck option? I thought about getting one, but decided it would make lane splitting an impossibility.
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Visionary
Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va | Wow! Absolutely cool! Is that a 2012 model, or is that an aftermarket deck? I could kill two birds with one stone, ride and cut grass. But you didn't show us what it looks like with the clearwaters, so it is slightly off topic. |
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Tourer
Posts: 576
, IA | so with all this BS no one came up with the answer to the ??????? Best price and where to buy thanks a lot for all that great info LOL |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 38
Galt California | Talk to Glenn 916.852.7029 clearwaterlights.com |
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Visionary
Posts: 1229
Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Pashnit.com was the best I found. $424 w free shipping. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 742
North Orange County CA | thenuz - 2011-03-10 6:59 PM
Have you ever had your headlight go out in the middle of Texas at night? Nice to have the halogen to get your butt to the nearest shop.
The Clearwater Glenda Lamps augment and improve the the Vision's lighting, but I wouldn't buy them, or any other driving lamp, as an emergency light source. I would consider that to be a real waste of money.
The Vision comes stock with two headlights, and a great many of them have the optional HID headlamp, I would argue that the need for a set of halogen driving lights solely for the sake of redundancy is pretty minimal.
A simultaneous failure of both these factory systems signals an electrical cataclysm of such magnitude that even the spare relay and fuses I carry in my trunk probably aren't going to cure it.
Back to the original topic - $424 with free shipping from Pashnit.com appears to be a great price. Our original Group Buy , in Dec of 2009, was $400 (including shipping); with fuel surcharges and cost increases over the last couple of years that seems a pretty fair deal.
Get em now, before the free shipping goes away. I ship product by UPS every day and the rates have become insane. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 40
Kansas | So the deal is to call Glenn and metion membership to our site for the group pricing? |
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Visionary
Posts: 1229
Rancho Cucamonga, CA | It hink the group pricing is gone, but they may still give a discount for VR members. I don't know if they will beat the Pashnit.com price. Theirs worked out to 12% off and free shipping. |
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