Best Deal on Moto lights

[Hulka]

I am looking to pick up a pair of "Moto-Lights" for my 1100RT. Where is the best place to get them at?

 

Also what is a better mounting system for those of you that have them, the caliper mounts or the slider mounts?

 

I was thinking more towards the slider mounts this way I can adjust he lights to my liking instead of them being "fixed" to one spot.

 

Any input is greatly appreciated.

[Effervescent]

There's a guy somewhere selling a used pair for $250. BMW Marketplace, IIRC. Here maybe.

 

-Eff

[Trinity]

I originally had the slider mounted Motolights (purchased from Motolight) on my K-bike. When I eventually had to replace them <long story>, I decided to go with the caliper mounts. IMHO, the caliper mounts look much "cleaner" and the light pattern isn't significantly effected. For what it's worth, it's easy to modify the light pattern by aiming the lights up or down...just a few degrees one way or another can really impact the light pattern down the road.

 

FWIW, in my Motolights, I also utilized the 55 watt amber bulbs available from Motolight. While it may have compromised a bit of night vision, a LOT of people had very positive comments about the added conspicuity/visibility of the yellow lights during the day.

[Ken H.]

There are not a lot of deals out there on Moto Lights (or most any other BMW accessory for that matter). So buy from where you are most comfortable doing so.

 

I'd go with the caliper bolt mounts. Cleaner install. You do have to remove them when you happen to have to remove the calipers, but if once you have them where you want them, you ding the mount and caliper with a center punch, it is easy to get them back to the same point.

[tallman]

No deals on new/retail. Usually.

I chose not to use caliper mounts to avoid 4-5 times /year having to remove them w/tire changes/brake pads.

If you do what Ken suggests and mark them, not as much of an issue.

[Paul Mihalka]

Caliper mounts are cleaner, but I prefer the sliding fork leg mounts. They mount higher, which gives better light. They stay in place when I remove the wheel. I like them adjusted a bit open, not straight ahead. Gives better light to the edge of the road.

[pbharvey]

anyone know if they discount them at rallies? I emailed them about Daytona but didn't get a response.

[Effervescent]

No deals on new/retail. Usually.

I chose not to use caliper mounts to avoid 4-5 times /year having to remove them w/tire changes/brake pads.

If you do what Ken suggests and mark them, not as much of an issue.

 

You're taking off your rims that often? At 10k miles a year, I do it about once every 2 years.

 

-Eff

[BUSTED]

I've not noticed any discounts at events I've seen them at which included the Honda Hoot in Knoxville. I did get a discount from the original owner of Motolights years ago but, I let him make a template of my 1100 fender cutouts as he had never done one at the time.

[Hulka]

Caliper mounts are cleaner, but I prefer the sliding fork leg mounts. They mount higher, which gives better light. They stay in place when I remove the wheel. I like them adjusted a bit open, not straight ahead. Gives better light to the edge of the road.

 

That is what I was aiming more towards. A "customizable" light pattern. I live in Metro-Phoenix and the roads out here are dark at the night time, espicaly in the early AM hours. I was hoping to get more of a "fog" like set-up that is whey I was leaning more towards the slider mounts.

[twilmotte]

Kevin, See my PM. Tom

[eruff]

[quote

FWIW, in my Motolights, I also utilized the 55 watt amber bulbs available from Motolight. While it may have compromised a bit of night vision, a LOT of people had very positive comments about the added conspicuity/visibility of the yellow lights during the day.

 

Not to hijack this thread, but I did the exact same thing, actually changed out the white lights for 55 watt ambers for added conspicuity. However, the spread on these bulbs seems enormous. At the stop light at night, I could see yellow light from my bulbs lighting up the signs at stop light height. I'm concerned they may be blinding oncoming traffic, even though the motolights are aimed slightly downward from 90 degrees (i.e. straight ahead). Your observations?

[tom collins]

motolites are one of those products that if you want them, you just have to bite the bullet and pay the price. i can say that even though they are expensive, the quality more than makes up for the price. in 7 years of service over 2 bikes (appx 60,000 mi.), absolutely nothing has gone wrong, not even a burnt out bulb and i run them full time rain or shine. friends of mine have had their money refused by the owners when they have attempted to replace burnt out bulbs. when you are out on the road enjoying them, you will quickly forget about the initial pain of purchase.

good luck with your decision.

 

tom collins

[Trinity]

The amber lights are not the "narrow spots" and they do have a pretty good spread. That said, I've never had any oncoming cars flash me. In my view, the additional daytime conspicuity is worth the trade-off.

[dave_albany]

So, I was at the local dealer today looking at the PIAA lights $275+ $200 to install? First question fair ? More important are the motolights better in the long run?

 

thanks Dave-Albany NY

[NoHeat]

However, the spread on these bulbs seems enormous. At the stop light at night, I could see yellow light from my bulbs lighting up the signs at stop light height. I'm concerned they may be blinding oncoming traffic, even though the motolights are aimed slightly downward from 90 degrees (i.e. straight ahead). Your observations?

 

Unlike the low beam from your projector headlight, accessory lights mostly put out a conical light pattern. If conspicuity is your goal, you want the eyes of oncoming drivers to be in that cone.

 

The intensity shining in the eyes of oncoming drivers will be less blinding if the cone has a big angle than if it is concentrated in a narrow angle.

 

So I don't see what you're concerned about.

[E30TECH]

So, I was at the local dealer today looking at the PIAA lights $275+ $200 to install? First question fair ? More important are the motolights better in the long run?

 

thanks Dave-Albany NY

 

What model lights were they? Did they come with the mounting brackets? $200 to install seems a little steep to me.

 

I dont have either (yet) but I have installed PIAA lights on my truck and ATV. If you are anal about routing the wire very neatly, etc, it can be time consuming.

[eruff]

However, the spread on these bulbs seems enormous. At the stop light at night, I could see yellow light from my bulbs lighting up the signs at stop light height. I'm concerned they may be blinding oncoming traffic, even though the motolights are aimed slightly downward from 90 degrees (i.e. straight ahead). Your observations?

 

Unlike the low beam from your projector headlight, accessory lights mostly put out a conical light pattern. If conspicuity is your goal, you want the eyes of oncoming drivers to be in that cone.

 

The intensity shining in the eyes of oncoming drivers will be less blinding if the cone has a big angle than if it is concentrated in a narrow angle.

 

So I don't see what you're concerned about.

 

I hope you are right. It's just that the original Motolights (white) were pretty bright at 35 watts and, according to the manufacturer, drew 5.8 amperes. These amber bulbs are more spread out, but also have about 50% more power, at 50 watts. I don't know how many amps they draw, but I mean they are really bright. I guess the proof will be in the pudding, and I'll just have to see if other cars start flashing me.

[Paul Mihalka]

watts/volts = amps

[velomoto]

watts/volts = amps

 

... which makes 5.8 amps the combined current for BOTH lights.

[velomoto]

These amber bulbs are more spread out, but also have about 50% more power, at 50 watts. I don't know how many amps they draw, but I mean they are really bright.

 

Unfortunately most light mfgr's don't put out a more meaningful spec. than "watts". This only tells one how much energy is consumed to create the light - this may have nothing to do with how many additional lumens are put out in the frequency spectrum one can see. For example the 50% increase in power consumption could go mostly into heat (IR) or UV which one's eye can't use.

 

Or to look at it another way, how would you judge the next generation R12RT if BMW advertised that it uses 25% more energy?

[Tank]

So, I was at the local dealer today looking at the PIAA lights $275+ $200 to install? First question fair ? More important are the motolights better in the long run?

 

thanks Dave-Albany NY

 

 

 

Dave, Ima going to bite that bullet and invest in Motolights. (My)The piaa's burn out bulbs far too guickly for the expence of replacing them.

[Bobobro]

Refering to the PIAA 1100x light bulbs, what is the longevity? I cannot seem to keep a pair going longer than 4 months with daily driving. At $40.00 a pop for bulbs, what is the use.

[E30TECH]

Refering to the PIAA 1100x light bulbs, what is the longevity? I cannot seem to keep a pair going longer than 4 months with daily driving. At $40.00 a pop for bulbs, what is the use.

 

At the risk of insulting you, and I'm sure you dont do this (but figured I'd ask), you dont touch the bulbs with your bare hands, right?

 

I have PIAA driving lights on my truck and ATV, as well as replacement PIAA headlamps. I'm yet to burn out a bulb.

 

Is condensation building up in there?

[sunderland]

Refering to the PIAA 1100x light bulbs, what is the longevity? I cannot seem to keep a pair going longer than 4 months with daily driving. At $40.00 a pop for bulbs, what is the use.

 

Here's a better deal on bulbs:

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0002MAHG8/ref=dp_olp_2/103-4548869-1092621

[Bobobro]

No insult taken Am a daily driver to work and back, so the lights work =/- 3-4 hours daily. The 1100x bulbs are fully encased, not open to oils of the hand. use rubber gloves to install. Just a question because of the previous thread that 20 bucks a month for light seems a little excessive for them.

Looking at alternative light sources now.

[Trinity]

I can't verify if it's true or not, but I've read that the PIAA lights will last longer if you leave them turned "on" all the time. Maybe the filament is more flexible and less prone to breakage if it's hot...

[NoHeat]

Here's a better deal on bulbs:

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0002MAHG8/ref=dp_olp_2/103-4548869-1092621

 

$33 for 1100x PIAA bulbs from Amazon, with free shipping. That is an improvement over $45. Thanks for mentioning it -- I just now ordered a spare from them.

[Bobobro]

Thanks for the info. Purchased with free ship, They would only ship one bulb, stated they were out. Next day ordered two more. Beware for free ship, do not hit the 1 click purchase, you will automatically get billed for shipping.