LED Lighting, Is too much too much?

[vtrider]

I have asked this before in a previous thread when I owned my RT. Now that I have my F3 I want to add more LED lights to the front and rear of the spyder. I already added LED headlights from Xenon Depot, fender and saddle bag side marker LED lights from TriLed, Fog Lights and the longhorn mirror light kit from Lamonster garage and considering the dayrunner A-arm LED strips, as well as the cyclops LED for the front of the trunk. I guess I have to ask if all that lighting is legal? I already get high beamed now with some approaching vehicles on the road when my headlights are in low beam. I guess the bright led fog and headlights confuses people. Now if I do add the day runners and cyclops will that just add to the confusion from people? What are some of your thoughts on this matter, anyone?

[cptjam]

You can never have too much light!

[Bob Denman]

I'd rather that they be a bit confused; than unaware!

[Mazo EMS2]

Nah...light it up!!

[4 MARIE]

if you really want to know if "all that" is legal, maybe in some states, not in others. Consult YOUR DMV

[fratzba]

If they flash their brights at you, then at least you know that they see you.

Mission accomplished!

-Fratz

[SpyderHands]

If you want to live longer, light it up brighter!!!
I'm all about lights and sound.
i want to be seen and heard.

[vtrider]

I found this link which shows the laws regarding vehicle modifications from all 50 states. http://traffic.findlaw.com/traffic-t...tate-laws.html

I checked this link as well for VT in regards to lighting http://dmv.vermont.gov/safety/safety/equipment. From what I can see if you are adding extra lighting to improve safety it should be fine, as long as it is not glow lights flashing or running. I believe the white day runner lights for example should be fine is in my sate.

[deer30084]

You might also want to wear a reflective vest and put a strip of reflective tape on the back of your helmet.

[jtrobaugh]

Might want to check out this video, this guy warns of adding too many extra LEDs to the Spyder

[lou49]

You can never have too much light!

[jerpinoy]

It never fail, every time you mess with the original design you taking a change of messing it up and always asking the question, What the #### happened?

[Peteoz]

Might want to check out this video, this guy warns of adding too many extra LEDs to the Spyder

It is also more of a message to avoid putting cheap overseas crap on the Spyder, jt. He even mentions a supplier by name, saying that their stuff is OK.

[ARtraveler]

Lights are good. I am one of the few that rides with high beams on all the time. We don't ride in the dark here (to cold on those Oct/Nov nights), so it is mostly day time operation.

The high beams help to avoid the "flashing" that appears to take place when the goes over a bump in the road.

[robmorg]

You can never have too much light!

I'd rather that they be a bit confused; than unaware!

I also agree with those sentiments. Here is my take on the subject of extra lights, FWIW. Some other folks will definately disagree...

Legality - Official DMV rules do vary from state to state. I wouldn't worry about ANY of them. As long as you use common sense, like not putting red lights on the front and white lights on the back, or flashing lights that emulate police lights, etc., you very seldom EVER hear of anyone getting into trouble with extra lights on a motorcycle. Most all police and inspection stations realize that you are doing it as a matter of safety.

Confusing other Drivers - I agree with what Bob D. said above. No amount of extra lights are a problem in the daytime. The more, the better in order to help avoid other drivers from turning left into your path, or ramming into you from the rear. As for night driving, I would simply avoid bright lights that are aimed high enough to blind oncoming drivers. The TricLED high-density daytime running light strips, that mount on the upper A-frames, are NOT a problem in that regard.

Problems from Interfering with the CAN Bus - As the guy in the video says, this can happen with certain installations - especially cheap or excessive LED's. I have the Custom Dynamics LED high brake/running lights, the Signal Dynamics Wig-Wag brake modulator, and the TricLED high-density DRL's installed. NONE of these cause any problem with the CAN bus. If adding a bunch of LED effect lights, I would use a separate fuse bus, taking the power directly off the battery, which should avoid any problem. As the guy in the above video said, just don't tap into any power source that seems handy. If using TricLED products, I would check with their customer support folks with any specific installation concerns. They have very good customer support.

[robmorg]

Lights are good. I am one of the few that rides with high beams on all the time. We don't ride in the dark here (to cold on those Oct/Nov nights), so it is mostly day time operation.

The high beams help to avoid the "flashing" that appears to take place when the goes over a bump in the road.

I would think and hope that MOST Spyder and motorcycle riders run with high beams on all the time, regardless of some of the comments posted here on the forum from time to time. It makes sense from a safety perspective.

I always have both high beams and fog lights on. The two exceptions are when approaching oncoming traffic at night, or while stuck in stop-and-go traffic during the day.

[Deanna777]

I found this link which shows the laws regarding vehicle modifications from all 50 states. http://traffic.findlaw.com/traffic-t...tate-laws.html

I checked this link as well for VT in regards to lighting http://dmv.vermont.gov/safety/safety/equipment. From what I can see if you are adding extra lighting to improve safety it should be fine, as long as it is not glow lights flashing or running. I believe the white day runner lights for example should be fine is in my sate.

I have LED's on the back of my spyder running/brake/ turn and they are bright. Also, I have side markers, and red/amber on my front fenders. I want to be seen.

See pictures: FRONT FENDER+ SIDE LED'S 001.jpg LED'S lights on a 2014RTS-SE6 005.jpg LED'S lights on a 2014RTS-SE6 010.jpg Deanna

[Aracknoid]

Maybe I slept through the video, but what was his point? He talked about a Lady trying to go to Alaska and having a problem, a VCM problem. So what was the fix,problem and/or solution? He disabled a trunk light, how did he know to do that? What was the problem, bad wiring,excessive voltage/amp draw? The video poster named several names, along with statements of cheap imports, but some suppliers were ok,so what is it? The video poster titled the video as tips, what tips? I really got bored with his talk and driving around. If you have something to say, say it and point out the problem, easy.

I understand the CANBUS system very well and the point he was trying to make never came across.

As motorcycle owners/riders we like to make the bike our own. If their is a problem share the knowledge, we all like to learn. I spend a lot on my bikes and enjoy them while riding and the tinkering that goes along with it.

I don't think the video author finished his work and wants me to remove my lights, He should not talk down, but should explain his statements.

[Peteoz]

I thought his message was pretty clear, Aracknoid.....putting cheap imported gear on your Spyder is false economy, as there is a higher likelihood that it will cause you issues in the long term.......but that's just MY interpretation.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

No lights on the Spyder are connected to, powered by, or controlled by, the CAN bus. The closest are the turn signals. They are directly controlled and powered by the cluster, which is connected to the CAN bus.

[Bob Denman]

Some shots of my "Safety Lighting":

10,000 Miles 005.jpg10,000 Miles 006.jpg10,000 Miles 007.jpg10,000 Miles 008.jpg

[robmorg]

Looks good, Bob. I especially like your amber fender lighting. And those bump skid LED's look bright enough to attract some attention in the daytime.

HERE is what the front of my Spyder with DRL's looks like in the bright sunlight, and at dusk.

[redneck diva]

we have #182 feet of LED lights on my Spyder & that's not counting what we have on the RT622 trailer.




light it up...........................................

[Peteoz]

Some shots of my "Safety Lighting":

10,000 Miles 005.jpg

Gee Bob, and people have been speculating for years where crop circles come from.....now we know, eh? .......was that taken just before your vertical takeoff?

[Bob Denman]

we have #182 feet of LED lights on my Spyder & that's not counting what we have on the RT622 trailer.




light it up...........................................

Gorgeous!!