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Fog lights at night

monkeythumpa

monkeythumpa

When I go slow, I go fast
Joined
Aug 13, 2005
Location
Oakland, CA
Moto(s)
V-Strom 650, XT250, XR50 (son's), KLX110 (other son's) (Past: R1200GS, ZR-7S, V-Star 650, Vulcan 500
Name
mnkythmpa
I am going to install a little extra lighting "umph" to help my night-time visibility with a couple Hella FF50's. I am trying to figure out whether I need to have them on an independent circuit, on the high beam only or on at all times. According to the DMV, if aimed correctly, fog lights can be run at night?

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/vc/tocd12c2a2.htm

Am reading these VCs correctly?
 
What you want are driving lamps, not fog lamps. Fog lamps are yellow and have a wide beam spread. Unless you're really riding in heavy fog all the time, you want driving lamps. They light up the road better than high beams.

I read the vehicle code section on driving lamps and was surprised to find that they are not to be used with low beams. On both vehicles I own, a Nissan Murano and a Mini, the driving lights can only be on with the low beams. Weird.

And when you're forking up the dough for driving lamps, give very serious consideration to getting HID driving lamps. Yes, you'll pay more but remember that you can always take them off and put them on your next bike. And a 35 watt HID driving light will put out more than three times the light of a 55 watt halogen. Thus, not only do you get a lot more light, but the drain on your charging system is less.
 
ST Guy said:
What you want are driving lamps, not fog lamps. Fog lamps are yellow and have a wide beam spread. Unless you're really riding in heavy fog all the time, you want driving lamps. They light up the road better than high beams.

I read the vehicle code section on driving lamps and was surprised to find that they are not to be used with low beams. On both vehicles I own, a Nissan Murano and a Mini, the driving lights can only be on with the low beams. Weird.
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Fog lamps are often white and are usually wired to only work on low beam. Are yours definitely driving lights?

I agree with your comment that the OP needs driving lights not fog lights.
 
That's what the owner's manual says. Fog lights were optional. Didn't check that box.

In any case, I have the PIAA 910's on my ST1100 wire up for full manual control. (Next time I buy lights, they're gonna be HID's.)
 
just remember to turn them OFF when on coming traffic is close, if not then they can not see. and when coming up on slower traffic.

not much worse then have two to three tons traveling at 100mph+ coming head on to you, and the driver can not see a thing. :wow


.
 
Damn. The owners manual is wrong. I checked them last night and they're fog lamps.
 
Yeah, my '02 WRX has front fogs. They were standard equipment. Driving lights would probably have been more useful in the bay area.
 
ST Guy said:
In any case, I have the PIAA 910's on my ST1100 wire up for full manual control. (Next time I buy lights, they're gonna be HID's.)
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I picked up a used set of PIAA 910's. Threw in a set of 55w HID from DDM. Holy crap!! :teeth:ride.
 
My PIAA 910's with a $50 HID upgrade out perform my friends Baja Designs lights that ST linked.....
 
I got the http://www.fernblau.de/ Hella lighting kit. At least I think I did, my German is limited to "guden tag frauline" and "strudel mit bier" so who knows what I ordered? But the guy I was emailing with seemed like he had a firm grasp on the English language, maybe better than mine. Brackets + lights + http://www.autoswitch.com/ + shipping + Euro conversion = ~ $200

I got the driving lights because of the autoswitch. I was originally going to get the fogs so they could be on the same circuit as the low beam. The autoswitch makes it easy to toggle the lights without having to remove my hand from the grips to toggle a switch.

I am still curious of the legality of keeping them on at night while in close proximity of other vehicles. From the VC, as long as the focused beam points slightly right and down, (300 ft) aux lights should be ok.
 
hitman5532 said:
I'm selling a PIAA light kit, brand new in a box, for a screaming deal: http://bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=415921
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I might consider these if the brackets can take it.

johnparjr said:
www.clearwaterlights.com Glenn the owner makes Quality stuff my Tiger 1050 was their guinie pig for that model and I just had my GS done. Plus he's a local shop so thats a plus
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$850 is too much and those lights are way brighter than I need. But if they need any more guinea pigs...:thumbup
 
I installed the Clearwater Krista on my GS. Yes, the whole shebang was $700. That said I can not be more impressed. I've had PIAA's, HID's, budget knock off lights, etc, etc.. They do not compare. What really makes these work is the dimmer. They are dimmable LED and at full output produce a clamed 155 Watt EACH compared to H4. I think they are right about that too. I have a dimmer on my bar and keep them at low all the time. this throws just enough light straight down the road to help the stock output and fill in the gaps a bit. When I hit the brights or the horn they come on full power instantly. With low beams nobody flicks their bright at me, I've asked drivers after being behind them at night, and no complaints. I notice drivers move over for me and notice me so I think the funky appearance and extra light help with daytime visibility so excellent safety item. When riding with others at night they ask me to ride behind them and use the brights when possible so they can see better. Clearwater has been doing some testing lately with LEO motor lights we will probably see some cool stuff soon. I didn't like the price but it's pretty much the only thing I didn't like and I'm very impressed everywhere else with the product.
 
We are having Glen put the Krista lights on all our motors on Thursday. Can't wait to get them on there.
 
I think the Kristas are great for LEOs and off-road use, but they're overkill on the road for most riders (imho).

The Clearwater Glendas, mounted a few inches above the front axle (dimmable as well) work very well. I'm using them on two bikes, mainly because of their conspicuity value day riding, but they enhance night illumination very well without being offensive (provided they're aimed correctly).
 
Bootworks said:
I think the Kristas are great for LEOs and off-road use, but they're overkill on the road for most riders (imho).

The Clearwater Glendas, mounted a few inches above the front axle (dimmable as well) work very well. I'm using them on two bikes, mainly because of their conspicuity value day riding, but they enhance night illumination very well without being offensive (provided they're aimed correctly).
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I agree here except for one little detail: the lights on the GS are total crap. In this case I didn't really add to lighting as there was nothing much to add to. I was originally going to purchase the reworked OEM assembly for this bike from Clearwater but they couldn't get parts until the end of the year and offered me a deal on the Krista (like $50 off or so). The extra bright lights are very handy for...... spirited riding at night up the twisties where I live :teeth
 
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