Looking for ways to mount driving lights

[eddd]

I've decided I'd like to add driving lights to my RT. I currently have a set of PIAAs below the oil cooler. Since I converted to an HID headlight, the PIAAs add very little extra light, but are essential for making me more conspicuous.

 

I've seen the lights mounted to the mirror mounts, but I'm not sure I like the looks of lights in that position.

 

I've seen lights that appear to be mounted to the calipers, but I've never seen these mounts for sale. I also wonder about how effective the driving lights would be when they are mounted in this position.

 

I've also seen a few pictures with lights mounted on the cylinder heads, but again, I've not seen this mount for sale. I would also wonder about the effectiveness of lights mounted in this position.

 

Any suggestions?

[Fugu]

I've seen the lights mounted to the mirror mounts, but I'm not sure I like the looks of lights in that position.

 

They work very well for seeing down the road, and being seen by cars.

 

I've seen lights that appear to be mounted to the calipers, but I've never seen these mounts for sale. I also wonder about how effective the driving lights would be when they are mounted in this position.

edit: motolight.com (not motolightS as I initially posted). Not cheap. Some people swear by them. I am not a user.

 

I've also seen a few pictures with lights mounted on the cylinder heads, but again, I've not seen this mount for sale. I would also wonder about the effectiveness of lights mounted in this position.

 

The company that makes Talon highway pegs makes such a bracket. I've not had lights this low so I don't know how well they work, either.

 

http://www.hawksproducts.com/Product%20Page.htm is the link to their site

[Delboy]

I have the Hawk brackets mounted on my R1100rt and they work extremely well,the Co shipped them very quickly to this side of the pond and i would reccomend them

[Steve-C]

I've seen the lights mounted to the mirror mounts, but I'm not sure I like the looks of lights in that position.

 

For high beams (driving lights) you need them high up. I mounted a set of driving lights on my car right next to the fog lights because that was the only place I could put them with a chance of blending in. They were next to useless. If you want a spread, mount a fog pattern light low, for distance, a spot mounted high is the only way to go...

 

I've seen lights that appear to be mounted to the calipers, but I've never seen these mounts for sale. I also wonder about how effective the driving lights would be when they are mounted in this position.

 

See above for effectivness...I mounted my fogs by undoing the securing bolts and slipping the supplied mount in between the forks and the front mudguard. Not the prettiest option, but it worked and cost me nothing. I was going for visibility (triangle of light) and spread not distance. The spots by the mirrors are for distance.

 

Incidentally, for mounting the spots by the mirrors, I got a couple of right angle brackets, popped the mirrors off, drilled some holes, mounted the brackets and refitted the mirrors. The mirrors cover the mounting points of the brackets so its relatively neat. Course I have an older K100 that has the space for this, I don't think you could get away with it on an R-Series. Most go for the over the mirror look, mine are infront of the mirror. Might be a suitable compromise if you can find mounts. You may have to get some specially fabricated.

[smiller]

Driving lights need to be mounted as high as possible for maximum effectiveness. The mirrors are about a high as you can go on the RT and make for a good mounting location. Personally I wouldn't even bother mounting driving lights down at the calipers/front wheel. A good position for fog lamps or a low-beam fill-in, but certainly not pencil-beam driving lamps.

[flat_twin]

Martin Fabrication makes a nice set made to work with Piaa lights that mount to the upper bolt of the front fender. It's slightly higher than the caliper mounted Motolights but still makes a very visible triangle pattern for oncoming traffic. They're aimed low enough to not be annoying but are still very effective at night

[Matts_12GS]

I mounted some cheapo fog lights to the plastic engine protectors on my RT. Worked great and really lit the bike up nicely. I got enough additional visibility in bad conditions for comfort and they seemed to help me be seen.

[CruisinCruzan]

These are my Hella HID driving lights. I wanted them to be inconspicuous when off. Combined with my HID low beams a lot of light!

http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=12010

[Gregori]

I've been very pleased with the RBR Manufacturing mount on my 1150RT. It is very sturdy and well made, looks nice, and puts the lights in a good location. The same model is(was?) available for the 1100.

 

Some expired eBay auctions with photos linked HERE and HERE for your entertainment.

 

Contact info I've got for the manufacturer, which may or may not be good anymore:

RBR Manufacturing Solutions Inc.

603-424-8852

603-759-9056

Weare, New Hampshire 03281

 

Sadly, the website is gone.

(I have no affiliation with either maker or eBay seller.)

 

On further searching, it also appears that Cyclegadgets may have the bracket. But they want a lot for it. ($225)

[Skywagon]

I used this device from Cycle Gadget. $102. Works great, very sturdy, the lights are hidden but really work well. I can take a picture if you want to see it.

 

http://www.cyclegadgets.com/Products/LightKits/detail.asp?bike=R1150RT&kit=PIA74150

[awagnon]

I have PIAA's mounted under the cooler, mainly to make myself more visible. To see down the road, I agree the lights need to be as high as possible. There was one post that said the mirror mounts are as high as you get. Actually, you can order the RT police aux. light mounts that attach to the frame behind the dash and extend above the dash and to the sides. On the back of your dash right now there should be marks to show where to cut out for the mounts to pass through. These are extremely rigid. A friend of mine has the most humongous lights attached with these. Looks like an airliner taking off. Does drop his mileage a bit.

[moshe_levy]

On the 1150RT, you can also utilize the unused R1100RT front fender mounting bosses on the forks. On my bike, I made "Motolites on the Cheap" by buying some Hella Micro DE foglights off Ebay for $75 new. I drilled out the bosses to accept some brackets which I made from 0.187" aluminum and then spray painted black. Here is a standalone picture of the bracket

 

http://www.mklsportster.com/r1150rt/hellabracket.jpg

 

And here it is mounted on the fork leg

 

http://www.mklsportster.com/r1150rt/hellamount1.jpg

 

To this bracket, I mounted the Hella mounting bracket

 

http://www.mklsportster.com/r1150rt/hellamount2.jpg

 

And here's the completed unit:

 

http://www.mklsportster.com/r1150rt/hellamounted.jpg

 

Final pic

 

http://www.mklsportster.com/r1150rt/hellaon.jpg

 

They don't work nearly as well as Motolites since (as I found AFTER the install) the pattern here is vertical instead of horizontal as it should be. I've been too lazy to modify the brackets so the lights are mounted as they should be, bu honestly, they're there for daytime conspicuity, not nighttime visibility. They serve their purpose well, for under $80 in parts, anyway.

 

-MKL

[eddd]

Thanks for all the suggestions. As mentioned, my PIAAs are great for making me more conspicuous and they don't bother other drivers, so they will stay put.

 

I think I'll fabricate some temporary mounts to try out a few locations for the driving lights. Looking forward to even more input.