Hello, new to the forum. I just purchased a 2015 RT. It's a fantastic and fun bike to ride. Went for a night ride earlier in the week and quickly decided that I needed additional light. I've narrowed it down to either Long distance LED's from Tric Products (sponsor) or an OEM fog light kit that I found on ebay. These lights are standard on the RT-S and Limited. The question I have is how effective are the standard fog lights? Do they put out enough light at night? Thanks in advance for your responses.
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adding lights to 2015 RT
- Thread starter OscarV
- Start date
ThreeWheels
Active member
I agree with PMK to a large extent.
Your best bet is to replace the stock headlights with HID. Either the BRP kit, or the one from xenon depot.
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?73254-HID-Installation-on-2014-RT
You may find it helpful to change out the foglights, but in my opinion, the foglights are nearly useless. They really don't fill in a lot of light on the US models.
On other models the foglights are actually the low beam headlights.
Your best bet is to replace the stock headlights with HID. Either the BRP kit, or the one from xenon depot.
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?73254-HID-Installation-on-2014-RT
You may find it helpful to change out the foglights, but in my opinion, the foglights are nearly useless. They really don't fill in a lot of light on the US models.
On other models the foglights are actually the low beam headlights.
Thanks guys. Just ordered the HID's from xenon depot. I had HID's on my BMW and Goldwing. Fairly simple install on both of those (didn't have to remove any plastic). I didn't consider it for the RT because I didn't want to mess with the install. Seems pretty straight forward after reading the attached thread.
IdahoMtnSpyder
Active member
Pay attention to how and where you install the components. There have been reports of the ballasts interfering with the computers via RF noise.
Ben Burped
New member
Add the foglights
The HID xenon headlights will help tremendously up at the level that the headlights actually hit the road. The OEM foglights would begin to fill up the dark area until you get up to the area lit by the HID headlights. Adding Xenon Depot's Xenon upgrade to the OEM foglights will finish filling in the area from the bike up to the headlight line. I did it in this order and was extremely pleased with each additional step. There isn't a cleaner, brighter light than xenon. There have been no problems and I didn't use the supplied relays.
The HID xenon headlights will help tremendously up at the level that the headlights actually hit the road. The OEM foglights would begin to fill up the dark area until you get up to the area lit by the HID headlights. Adding Xenon Depot's Xenon upgrade to the OEM foglights will finish filling in the area from the bike up to the headlight line. I did it in this order and was extremely pleased with each additional step. There isn't a cleaner, brighter light than xenon. There have been no problems and I didn't use the supplied relays.
Last edited:
Marker
New member
I added LED driving lights called D2 driving lights by rigid Industries. They are a plug and play kit. I mounted them on the upper A-Arms
http://www.carid.com/rigid-industries/rigid-industries-d-series-hd-led-lights-12713880.html
http://www.carid.com/rigid-industries/rigid-industries-d-series-hd-led-lights-12713880.html
Bob Denman
New member
I use my OEM foglights, to help with being seen; not for seeing. :thumbup:
SpyderAnn01
Active member
I think the OEM foglights are pretty worthless from either seeing or being seen.
Ben Burped
New member
Try the Xenon !
I thought the same thing about the fog lights until... I upgraded to Xenon Depot HID in a 4300K color with the Phillips bulb for maximum lumens. The difference is worth the trouble and the cost. They "fill up" the light gap between the bike and where my BRP Xenon headlights start. You have to remove the "frunk" and the tunnels to mount the ballasts and drill a hole in the back cover of the foglight to get the wiring in but the difference is similar to upgrading to a "Baha Ron" sway bar. Seeing is believing. I am willing to risk your ire here on SL because I saw the amazing difference between the light from the pitiful little bulb that came in my added BRP fog lights and the clean, white light from my Xenon Depot H8 Xenon bulbs. Once you go Xenon, you will never go back. Halogen and LED don't hold a candle to Xenon.
I thought the same thing about the fog lights until... I upgraded to Xenon Depot HID in a 4300K color with the Phillips bulb for maximum lumens. The difference is worth the trouble and the cost. They "fill up" the light gap between the bike and where my BRP Xenon headlights start. You have to remove the "frunk" and the tunnels to mount the ballasts and drill a hole in the back cover of the foglight to get the wiring in but the difference is similar to upgrading to a "Baha Ron" sway bar. Seeing is believing. I am willing to risk your ire here on SL because I saw the amazing difference between the light from the pitiful little bulb that came in my added BRP fog lights and the clean, white light from my Xenon Depot H8 Xenon bulbs. Once you go Xenon, you will never go back. Halogen and LED don't hold a candle to Xenon.
ARtraveler
R.I.P. Dwayne
I am thinking those that want better lights can now find them in the aftermarket and much cheaper than the OEM stuff.
Sources mentioned above are good.
I put the BRP HID lights on my 2008 as well as the foglight kit. At $1500 for the HID's that was way overkill. I got flashed all the time and one guy tried to run me off the road by slamming on the brakes in front of me. I got away from him quickly.
Agree that the foglights do little to nothing for seeing. On sunny days we do not run them, on cloudy days or dusk, they are on and add to the visibility factor for us.
We run OEM high beams all the time.
I do not drive :spyder2: in the dark here any more. Its light all the time in prime season. By September, I get my rides in during the daylight hours because the temperature drops like a rock when the sun goes down.
Sources mentioned above are good.
I put the BRP HID lights on my 2008 as well as the foglight kit. At $1500 for the HID's that was way overkill. I got flashed all the time and one guy tried to run me off the road by slamming on the brakes in front of me. I got away from him quickly.
Agree that the foglights do little to nothing for seeing. On sunny days we do not run them, on cloudy days or dusk, they are on and add to the visibility factor for us.
We run OEM high beams all the time.
I do not drive :spyder2: in the dark here any more. Its light all the time in prime season. By September, I get my rides in during the daylight hours because the temperature drops like a rock when the sun goes down.
markyodo
New member
Hmm.. wondering if my base RT was somehow converted before I purchased it. I've never had an issue with night driving other than on coming drivers always flashing their high beams at me thinking I had my high beams active.
On a clear night with a straight road I can see up to 1/4 mile on my low beams. Is this normal? I do notice the low beam setting is only a partial beam of light and the high beams are just some type of electronic flap that when activated show the entire bulb/beam.
On a clear night with a straight road I can see up to 1/4 mile on my low beams. Is this normal? I do notice the low beam setting is only a partial beam of light and the high beams are just some type of electronic flap that when activated show the entire bulb/beam.
ARtraveler
R.I.P. Dwayne
Bob Denman
New member
Maybe it's just in the aiming of them. My 2010 seemed HORRIBLE at night, but my 2014 actually seems to have some pretty decent light getting down the road in front of me... :dontknow:
I have 2014 RT SE6 I don't have any problem with my, have the dealer check to make sure they are adjusted correct by the way do you know about the hill country ride this weekend 10/16 10/17. type hill country ride get all the info. the hid head light will improve the light from what you have now.
