A little light reading for you all

[dond]

http://will.mylanders.com/outdoors/motorcycle/notes/index.pl

[sttourer]

Some interesting information. One piece referred to the PIAA 910's. Here is the quote:

I compared a PIAA 910 to a PIAA 1200. The 910 was 1/10th the brightness of the 1200. My experienced eye says the QH-381K was brighter than or at least equal to the 1200, and for less than 1/3 the cost. I wouldn't pay $20 for the PIAA 910 that I saw. Could there have been something wrong to cause such poor performance? I thought of that and investigated. The lamp envelopes were normal. The reflectors and lenses looked normal. Some PIAA lights are apparently pure crap optically, and their "bulbs" are only ontributing to the dismal performance.

I don't know what 910 he saw but the ones I have turn night into day.

:biker:

[sttourer]

I finished adding my 3rd set of aftermarket lights this weekend. Now I have lights for all occasions. 910's for distance, 1100X's for a much wider spread (good for the mountains and other twisty roads) and the E/C fork lights for running lights.

Can I have too many lights? Not in my book!

Pat

[sttourer]

They are indeed. I modified the original 910 mounting bolts (not used with the Dick Seng brackets) for use with the 1100X's.

When I ordered the BLM brackets I wasn't sure if they would conflict with my Seng brackets. I was pleasantly surprised they did not. It's a great design and a pretty easy install.

Pat

[sttourer]

You're welcome! I love helping people spend money.

All my lights are independently switched.

I've got my 910's aimed pretty much straight ahead. The Seng brackets don't allow for any lateral adjustment. The PIAA switch is mounted directly below the left grip using Velcro. It is positioned so I can operate it quickly with the knuckle on my left thumb.

My 1100X's will be aimed in the next night or two. I didn't get to that over the weekend. But my plan is to aim them so they will provide a wide light path. Basically so I can see as much of the roadside as possible. Very helpful for spotting wildlife on wooded, curvy roads. I ran the 1100X's on my Goldwing last year in Colorado and was very happy with the performance. The reach of the light was somewhere between the low and high beam of the Wing but man did they cover the sides. If I remember right, they are a 35 degree light.

The E/C auxilliary fork lights are set parallel to the road. They function more as running lights but are nice at low speeds because they turn with the forks.

Both the 1100X's and the E/C's switches are mounted on a 1.5" x 2" piece of aluminum. It is attached to the left grip housing where my J&M CB mount is connected.

If a photo would help, let me know.

Pat

[sttourer]

I'll get you a photo tonight.

I've never done much electrical work with bikes or autos but the ST is providing a good learning platform for me. Knock on wood, I haven't burned/blown anything up yet.

That sounds like a good setup with the high beams. So your relays are connected to and energized by the high beam circuit?

Pat

[GRN]

Charlie, I did the same as what you're considering... have the 910's slaved to high, and the EC fork lights on low, both with the option to switch off. Works very well, the EC's are a lot bighter to oncoming eyes than I expected, and they extend out to reflective objects pretty well. Rode with a bike with the same fork lights over the weekend, they were very bright in the mirrors even at significant distances (slow silver bike ;) ), a huge visability to others + IMO.

Those 1100x's are pretty sexy... another set of lights :rolleyes: :confused:

My dealer already told me I had too many to pass inspection in NH... as he handed me my inspection sticker...
D U M...
they consider the brake and directional lights I put on the bags (and the Givi brake light) to be "aux lighting"... only allowed 3, have 9! If they actually fail me next year you will probably hear ***'ing them all the way in Texas!

[GRN]

appreciate the gracious invite... if our house ever sells who knows, but I'm kind of a Mt. goat man, and I don't do heat well. I'll get some pics up of my commute in my "garage" here at some point in the near future... once you see those you might even want to move up this way! Gotta nice place with a 40 mile view into the Whites if you're interested ;)

[sttourer]

That is really a good idea. After Saturday's MTF SS1K, I'll be tearing apart my bike again to install a Stebel compact air horn. Me thinks I may just have to find that highbeam lead.

Regarding the wattage of the 1100X's, the propaganda states "55W=85W SuperWhite dichroic bulbs". The 910's look yellow in comparison.

If you are interested in seeing them sometime, you are only 200 miles south. We could meet up somewhere. I road tested the ones on my Wing down around Lake Murray (just north of Lake Texhoma).

Pat

[sttourer]

Sounds like a plan. I'll still get you a photo.

Is it safe to assume you are running with the Plano SS1K group? I'll be heading out from Wichita Falls myself. Even though there is one leaving from the OKC metro, I just didn't feel like running through Kansas. I've got several outstanding warrants up there. ;) Seriously, just thought the scenery would be better towards New Mexico and probably a little less traffic from Amarillo to Wichita Falls.

Good luck on your run.

Thanks,

Pat

[sttourer]

Cassie must be quite a trooper to ride pillion for 1000 miles! I did my BBG 1500 from OKC to El Paso along the same route you will be riding.

BTW, the 1100X's come with a light gray housing (some kind of composite material) and chrome trim rings (metal). I had the trim rings powder coated in black. I painted the housings using 4 coats of black Krylon BBQ paint. The BBQ paint is high heat. Seems to be working very well.

Pat

[sttourer]

Charlie -

Here is the photo.

Pat