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Iron Butt
Posts: 742
North Orange County CA | I was going to ask this question in the MOABL LED brake-light thread but decided that it would be inappropriate to distract even a little from the great work that SongFan produced.
I found this interesting LED accessory on pashnit the other day and am now thinking that I might move in this direction for driving lights, because if I understand correctly the PIAAs should only be run when using low beam because of the draw on the electrical system.
They don't appear to have a Vision specific mount yet but I'm fairly certain that fabricating a brake caliper mount would be a relatively small problem.
http://www.clearwaterlights.com/index.html
So the questions are :
Do you have the Victory supplied PIAAs? Do you like them? Are they worth the money? Are there issues when you run with the HID headlights?
I would be interested in your thoughts, since electricity / electronics border on black magic as far as I'm concerned.
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | Tarpits99, I've had the PIAA lights on my Vision for two years now. One of the best additions to the bike, adds a lot of frontal definition during the daytime hours. That is the main reason I got them. The PIAA lights are easy to install, takes about an hour and the instructions are good. I've got some pictures in my gallery. The lights are connected to the same switch as the HID. So if you turn off the HID you turn off the PIAA lights. When you switch to the high beam, the PIAA lights go off, but the HID light stays on. You maybe right on the limits to the charging system. I installed the 55w bulbs in mine.
I like the Clearwater Lights, and how they are controlled. If I got them I might look at mounting to the silver grill piece and get the silver colored trim ring. Do you know the cost? Show us your install if you go with them. Take care. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 742
North Orange County CA | VisionTex:
Thanks for the insight.
It looks like the Clearwater Glendas run about $500 a set based on the prices for other bikes, from pashnit.com; They are doing a group buy for the sport touring bike mounts at $399.00.
Plus $20 for a colored, chrome or stainless trim ring.
Too bad they don't have Vision mounts listed; I'd hop on it. I sent an email to Clearwater asking if they had a Vision mount in the works. Maybe if we generate enough interesest they'll fabricate one.
Based on the literature there would be little or no decay in the output over time and lamp replacement cost would be almost nothing. Since the LEDs have such a long life; the price difference even at retail probably favors the Clearwaters over time.
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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | Tarpits99, Clearwater lights is based out of Rancho Cordova, CA up by Sacramento. Maybe you could volunteer to be the guinea pig for a good Vision fit and they would cut you a great deal on the first set. Might be worth an overnight trip. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 208
Wichita, Kansas | Tarpit,
Actually, the high beam only draws a little more than the low beam. However, the last time this came up, someone pointed out that htere may be a legal requirement for the driving light to not be on at the same time as the high beam. Either way, I used a replacement HID light switch in the unused right hand position and tapped into the wiring so my driving lights are on whenever I want them, which is all the time. I don't know if there is much advantage to going to the 55W bulbs. The 35W stock bulbs are not that much extra light, so I can't see them adding much since lighting follows the square law, but, before I get flamed, I will say I've never tried the 55's.
I use the driving lights since, as pointed out, that makes more lights for the casual driver to see. I've been told my Vision is like a laser and impossible to miss, but I hardly ever get flashed, so it can't be too bad. I saw a report on motorcycle lights and accidents a while back which pointed out that it is hard to judge the distance of a single light. But when there are two, like on a gagers headlights, the eye can sense the distance and movement better. That's what I hope my driving lights do. I really don't care how much they light up the road. More would be nice, but is irrelevant to my reason. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 742
North Orange County CA | Thanks for the input guys. I have looked at the photos in the gallery and your responses have moved me towards the Clearwater LED lights. In case you haven't seen the new thread in the general discussion area, we're attempting to find a Northern California Vision owner who will use their bike as a test bed for the Vision mounts.
http://www.vision-riders.com/bb/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=4881&pos...
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LED Lighting Question
