After market driving lights

[Skeeter]

I want to add driving lights to my 99 Royal Star Venture. I've seen the kits on Ebay for $250. I've also seen after market kits "from China" for $60. Has anyone tried these $60 kits?

 

Skeeter

[GaryZ]

I use a $30 kit from Wal-Mart. It is rated at 30W x 2.

The lights are mounted low on my crash bars because I wanted additional light up close and on the ground.

They work well in the city, not so well in the country because the glare blinds view of the distance.

The lights came with a switch and a relay. The switch is not water tight and has quit when wet.

I am presently thinking about the new LED driving lights offered at Wal-mart. They draw very low current from the battery.

[videoarizona]

Skeeter, I think the type of lights would depend upon whether you want more visibilty for cars to see you, or more flood or spot lights for night driving. Maybe a little of both.

 

For me, It was more along the lines of wanting people to see me easier. I already added a pair of WalMart lights ($20) to my VStar 950T, swapping out the 55watt bulbs for 30watt as the 950 charging system isn't robust enough for that much current. They seem to be doing the trick as I haven't had any issues since I put them on(knock on wood). I also put a small screw into each lens to make sure they didn't pop off as they are held on with a dimple.

 

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Optronics-55w-Pair-Driving-Light-Kit/16680058

 

As you can see, the lower wattage bulbs are plenty bright. They do add light to the sides of the road at night as well... as I have them aimed that way just enough to catch the eyes of drivers on side streets.

 

I'm now researching driving lights for my 89 1st Gen VR. May use the same lights as well but leave them at 55 watts. Haven't figured out where to mount them yet which is the holdup. Because the switches are poor quality, I would hard wire the lights to the battery through a relay so they are on all the time the ignition is on, as I did with the 950.

 

If you want pure down the road light, suggest a good halogen or LED light proven for that use. $200 each will buy you very strong LED driving lights. These are cool...

 

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/316/d/utv-lighting#&&SearchParameters=42-1021-0-0-0-1-24-1-6_1-2_956

 

Hope this helps...

david

Edited December 2, 2014 by videoarizona
add info

[Flyinfool]

On my 1st gen I have the KC HiLiTES, 35 series 775 3x5 Black 55w Wide Beam Driving Light System.

These are focused in between a driving light and a fog light, The lens is even angled out a bit to help side illumination. I got them because they do an excellent job of lighting up the sides of the road to see the deer coming while they are still in the woods.

 

One of my plans for the winter is to convert these to 35W HID.

[djh3]

Skeeter, are you talking about passing type light kit at the $250 price or driving type lights? At this point in time on these bikes anyways a fellow is well advised to add LED or HID lighting because of the already known electrical issues. As someone mentioned type of beam and use needs to be known for some suggestions. I have been looking at additional lights like these and mount them on the forks maybe.

[Flyinfool]

Also you have to check specs carefully, There are some LED lights out now that actually draw MORE power than the halogens they would replace.

You can no longer make the assumption that LED = low amp draw.

[Angelo]

Also you have to check specs carefully, There are some LED lights out now that actually draw MORE power than the halogens they would replace.

You can no longer make the assumption that LED = low amp draw.

 

That's good to know. Are they generally the cheaper ones out or is this something common to see?

[Flyinfool]

Actually is usually the more expensive ones that draw more power, but are using that power for more light.

I am not saying that the higher power LEDs are good or bad, just that if your reason to switch to LED is to save power, check the specs carefully before you buy.

[djh3]

Here is the listing off the site.

 

• Color:Black/Silver
  
• Material: Aluminum alloy
  
• Light Power: 30W
  
• Actual Power: 9~12W
  
• Environment Temperature: -40 ~ +40 ℃
  
• Flux: 1200LM/W
  
• Input voltage AC·DC: ±12 ~ 60V Universal
  
• Light Color: White
  
• Temperature Protection: when the internal temperature exceeds the rated temperature, it will be automatically reduced to low light to work.
  
• Advantages: low power consumption, good waterproof effect, headlight life no maintenance, environmental protection.
  

[friesman]

Here are the ones I ordered and I am thinking that I going to mount them under my Kuryakin highway pegs. I thought the price looked very good for these and ill post on quality when they arrive.

 

http://www.aliexpress.com/snapshot/6313509334.html

[djh3]

Friesman, I saw some like that on e-bay. but looked awfully big. I mean I would like more light and all but dont want to mount up like landing lights off an airplane. Still would like a little style. lol

[AlbertaClipper]

Here are the ones I ordered and I am thinking that I going to mount them under my Kuryakin highway pegs. I thought the price looked very good for these and ill post on quality when they arrive.

 

http://www.aliexpress.com/snapshot/6313509334.html

 

Brian,

 

Are you putting those on your Venture or John Deere?

[Marcarl]

JMHO, mounting lights lower does not necessarily give better lighting. The beam will soon run out of distance. Also, the light will be harder for others to identify if mounted too low. There is an optimum distance from the ground for lights to be effective, but I can't remember what that is, probably around 24-36 inches or so. If mounted too low you need to point the beam up, and that tends to blind the oncoming driver,,,, never a good idea to blind an oncoming driver as 'he' would be the one to take you out because of it.

[djh3]

I was thinking about mounting maybe off the fork possibly about the height of the fender, maybe off a mount bolt.

[Skeeter]

Thanks for all the info guys. This is great! Here is a link to the ones I saw on ebay for $250.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Yamaha-Royal-Star-Venture-Driving-Light-Kit-/261658526010?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3cec10413a&vxp=mtr

 

I'm primarily looking for visibility but I would also like more light for these dark country roads in Western NY. There are a lot of beady little green eyes waiting in the darkness.

 

I really like the look of the Yamaha OEM driving light kit and I think this is a pretty good price, but there are several listed on ebay "From China" that are in the $50 to $60 price range... just wondering if anyone has any experience with the cheap ones.

 

Skeeter

[djh3]

Personaly no, and I have helped a couple guys look for the passing type light bars on ebay. I have yet to find one of those 50-70 light bars that actually will fit the RSV. A fellow I have talked to on another forum had a Tour Deluxe. He could find the knock off for it on ebay. He said his was a little over a year old and chrome was rusting, which I had heard of other chrome stuff from China.

[Skeeter]

Thanks Djh3, that's kind of what I suspected... for that price they are more than likely low quality.

Maybe I'll put the OEM passing lamps on my Christmas list and see if I get them.

 

Skeeter

[djh3]

Dont know if they are all like that, but chances are...... You might try the used market. You would think the TD bar would work but I understand the mount is completely different.

[Atoolnut]

used these with oem bar and buckets.just had to cut around the rim to fit inside with dremel cut off bracket mount..nice tight fit..very bright

[vzuden]

If interested I have a Tour Deluxe passing lamp mount bar I was going to sell. Send me PM

[Prairiehammer]

I've got these 'KC Hilites' Taiwanese knock offs. They would look awesome on your RSV. And they only draw 100 watts each.

[djh3]

I dunno about your bike, but 100w each =200w total and mine would probably kill the charging system in no time. I'm Not even sure it would charge the battery.

[Skeeter]

I ended up buying the OEM lights from ebay. I mounted them yesterday. They look great. I'll send some pictures along shortly.

 

Thanks for all the input guys.

Skeeter

[djh3]

Do they have incandecent bulbs? What is the wattage ea? If they have the housing and a halogen bulb I can get you some info on LED bulbsto fit that have pretty good lighting.

[eagleeye]

Skeeter, are you talking about passing type light kit at the $250 price or driving type lights? At this point in time on these bikes anyways a fellow is well advised to add LED or HID lighting because of the already known electrical issues. As someone mentioned type of beam and use needs to be known for some suggestions. I have been looking at additional lights like these and mount them on the forks maybe. [ATTACH=CONFIG]95577[/ATTACH]

 

Did you buy these? Which number are they in your link?

Thanks