More lighting
 

Well the xt hasn't even landed and I'm looking for more lights and wonder what everyone has used. I'd like something simple to install that's not going to break the already broken bank.
Has anyone used anything like these, bit worried they are too cheap........

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/331912580418

Bike already has heated grips and I believe an auxiliary port just above the dash, I assume for sat nav. Do I need to consider a bigger battery if going to add lights?

I' ve used them on my girlfriends bike. But they fell of the bike on a bumpy road in Sweden because the metal holder that is fitted to the light to fit them on your bike broke.

Besides that they have 3 built in operation modes: high Beam, low Beam, Flashing. To choose a mode you have to push the switch every time. It isn't possible to just use one mode every time you use your bike. You can modify this. There must be a topic about that on this site.

I now use these lights on our bikes:

http://www.dx.com/p/10w-cree-xml-t6-...6#.V9GbZpiLQ1I

Those ebay ones are fine, but... they have a rather irritating three mode system, one of which is flashing! You can modify the circuit board so they act just like straight forward spotlights...

http://www.xt660.com/showthread.php?t=24741

There's loads of choice on ebay these days, and they're all pretty good. There is no need now to spend a small fortune on Vision-X LED spots from the US (which is what I did seven years ago). Keep searching on ebay for an alternative if you don't fancy modifying the internals!

As for the power consumption, you'll be fine running what you've got with the lights without modification. Just make sure each accessory has it's own inline fuse for protection.

Worth reading the thread below regarding the charging system capacity on the XTs...

http://www.xt660.com/showthread.php?t=18294

Thanks for the replies and links. I don't have any heated clothing and no bike sat nav, at least not at the minute, so looks like electrical system will be grand, even if I add a nightbreaker bulb to the headlight and some spots.

Even my basic skills should manage to simply rip out the u2, just need to remember to turn them off if something approaches, I would have preferred permanent low beam

Every mancave should have a pride of place mallet

Ah I got it now, I was taking it as high and low, so if they are on full power I can set them so they light up with the main beam of the headlight, not full beam, if that makes sense.

For mot I'll pull the fuse, I assume they have their own, and then they can poke and prod but they won't work

You don't have to do anything for the UK MOT. Auxiliary lighting is not tested - only compulsory lighting, unless the auxiliary light(s) in question comes on with (simultaneous to) one of the mandatory lights (dip/main/sidelights), then it becomes testable. So as long as the auxiliary light(s) is either separately switched (independent of mandatory lights), or if wired into one of the mandatory lights, it must have an isolating switch (in the off position when presented for the test).

Yeah I know mot and the law are two separate things, though really you would think that the mot was there to meet the law but really passing the mot would be my only concern so if it's kept on separate switch, which it will be, remove that u2 and we are laughing.

The next fun bit will be mounting them somewhere. At the moment the bike only has the low bars around the sump guard, fancy the lights a bit higher but not willing to drill the plastics.

Always useful to have a copy of the VOSA Class 1 & 2 MOT Tester's Manual, not just regarding lighting, but general prep for an MOT. I've attached one for you (and anyone else who wants it).

I had a pair on the NC750x last winter. IMHO they are better on low power than high (add illumination to a crap dipped headlight) as they aren't so offensive to oncoming vehicles. Remember if you stall, or turn the bike off for short periods the bike (fuel stops for instance) they will change function. I lost count of the amount of time cars cleared the way for me out of the filling station..... until I realised the flashing almost-blue lights on the front of the bike... Beware bigwink

Another issue similar to that above, they would sometimes go out-of-sync, one on one mode, the other on another mode.

Removing the chip returns the lights to high power only, which is fine if you want that, and to be honest it's probably the best thing to do with these to avoid the problems.

Quality wise, they were falling to bits by the end of the salt season.

I'm with Pete on the Vision-X lights though, over priced and mine have just fell apart after out little trip around the Isles (so I'm in the market for some new ones)



http://www.smokingtailpipes.com/Gall...vingLamp03.JPG

It's an old picture, but I have attached the plans to build and install the brackets.

Thanks for the replies and the mot manual, thats handy.

I can see why you went for the indicator space and if the handguards had indicators I would consider it but don't want to move them. The eBay listing shows them mounted to the handlebars but I'm not convinced there is the room.

I'm thinking of mounting something from around the tow hook but until the bike is here, never mind the lights, it's hard to come up with a plan

In addition to the good advice above, be wary that there are A LOT of high frequency secondary vibrations transmitted through the headlamp subframe and associated bodywork. Speaking from experience, fit Nyloks and spring washers where possible and use Loctite on all threads where you can't or you will lose your new lights!

Good points, thanks for the heads up. I've never rode a single cylinder, apart from the 125 I learnt on a few years back, but I'm expecting it to be a bit vibe, owned a few v-twins and they were bad.

I've already a list of what I want to do and lights and exhausts are at the top 😂

I've been reading up on exhausts and the fuel mod and air filter is always a must, though that's confusing the life out of me at the min.
Crash bars are going to be added at some point no doubt too.
Exhausts I fancy something different, I have a supertrapp in the garage, actually from the original xt, the 500, though I've no idea if diameter is even remotely close, but that would be fun, or twin megaphones

Cheers Pepsi, I'm sure I'll have a lot more questions

Look at this on eBay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261688642281

I use these, 1 flood and 1 spot.

Like having a supernova light the way. Also i use them when someone has a punture etc. Cam be left on for an hour or two and the battery will still start the bike. .

Also 25,000 miles and 3 salty british winters on and offroad and they still work perfectly.

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/t...pszubk1q3n.jpg

Fitted in place if indicators and indicators moved too sidelights locatuon using orange bulbs

Cheers for the link, that's certainly a different way to do it. Pity it doesn't come with switch and fuse, my electrical skills are simple, or I could be tempted with one under the headlight

Nothing like having some extra lighting on the trails , mine are tucked up above the front towing eye perfect place for them when off road!...

That's probably the position I'd go for, between the headlight and the tow eye. So far I have bought nothing as I've been trying to get a light bar made up with no success, even with the plans from here no one is wanting to do it

I am afraid i am guilty of going the vision x route,yes they are expensive but i have never had a problem with them and they are solidly built and light up my way with no problem at all!..

The vision x ones do look good but they are expensive. I've contemplated even buying the vision x light bracket and fitting other lights to it

In all honesty if I had known the bracket is slightly on the dear side too, should be quite straight forward to knock one up or just bite the bullet and buy one.I think it's the best place for lights tucked out the way , perfect for me with all the off road I do...

and they eventually fall to bits.... (4 years I've had mine and the mount is useless now)

However, I found these and they are better at getting light down than the VisionX and better made.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DURITE-MOT...gAAOSw-jhULWH2

Also, as a DRL, these are really small but bright ->

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-12V-Mot...oAAOSwxehXOsvh

I managed to make a small alloy bracket to fit both the Durite and the LED on the same fixing, I'll try to get a photo up.

I think I'm right in saying that the mount isn't made by vision x, it's by adventure spec, but it's good to get everyone's opinion on a product and not just be one tracked into one product . Some products suit some people , some dont, that's just the way the cookie crumbles.

Cheers for the links and the info chaps.
I'd love to say I was going to do some off roading but chances are slim so don't need a bracket to withstand to high a level of abuse.
Light wise I'm hoping to find lights, fuse, wiring and switch altogether