Fog lights (switch)

[dshogman]

Just thought I would try the fog light switch the other day to see what effect it has. Well, virtually nil. Looking right at the light, looks like a single horizontal element in there, not very bright. Is it supposed to be effective? Has anyone replaced them with real driving lights?
Thanks.

 

[CurtG]

I put the fogs on at night as they seem to help illuminate the road close in to the bike. With some of our roads and streets around here I find it helps in avoiding pot holes.

Ride and ride safe,

 

[quickster47]

They work great as fog lights but not as driving lights and of course, they are not intended as driving lights. Get some HIDs if you want bright headlights.

Carl

 

[ARtraveler]

The fog lights add to the frontal appearance of the Spyder. I also find them useless for driving at night purposes. If you want good night time lighting--HID's are the way to go.

 

[Dan_Ashley]

Will this work?

The fog lights add to the frontal appearance of the Spyder. I also find them useless for driving at night purposes. If you want good night time lighting--HID's are the way to go.

I like the added visibility of the fog lights, I mean given their placement on the front of the spyder. But I don't like how dim they are. Will HID lights be brighter, and what bulb should I use?

 

[CyncySpyder]

YES- HIDs will make a HUGE Difference- PM Steve at Xenon-Depot for assistance

I like the added visibility of the fog lights, I mean given their placement on the front of the spyder. But I don't like how dim they are. Will HID lights be brighter, and what bulb should I use?

We switched our headlights to the Xenon-Depot HID kit & that made a HUGE difference in night-time visibility. They were so bright white they made our stock fog lights look a dim yellowish color. Just about 2 weeks ago we finally got around to installing the HID FogLight Kit that we also got from Steve at Xenon-Depot & I was shocked at the difference in out-put. While there meant to be fog-lights, with the HID replacements, they really do light up directly in front of Teds Red Sled really well. Xenon-Depot is a SpyderLovers site sponsor & if you PM Steve, he'll take good care of you :thumbup: In this pic, you can easily tell which one is the OEM foglight

 

[ARtraveler]

I like the added visibility of the fog lights, I mean given their placement on the front of the spyder. But I don't like how dim they are. Will HID lights be brighter, and what bulb should I use?

Cyncy has a good answer above. I installed the BRP HID package for headlights on my 2008 (about $1500). I don't think those are available currently. They were so bright they were scarry. I got flashed many times by other drivers even though they were properly focused.

Others have mentioned installing aftermarket HID's and have had success with better lighting. I have not installed HID's on any other :spyder2: I have owned. Here in AK, the situation is kind of unique. It starts getting dark this time of year about 9:30 PM and I don't do a lot of late night riding. By Oct, it will be getting dark about 8:00 PM. By then it is pretty cold to drive at night--we see 30"s and below. On cloudy or dark days, the stock lights plus fogs, A frame lights, and glo ryders--light up the front of the :ani29: like a Christmas tree--so I feel well in the visibility department.

 

[Dan_Ashley]

Thanks to all for the guidance.

Thank you to all for the guidance. I live in the same state as about 13% of the rest of America....California....and here there are soooo many just plain bad drivers that we need to be more than just visible...we need to be obnoxiously conspicuous. So thanks...I will follow yp on the HID fogs right away.

 

[Chupaca]

Fog lights..for fog..!!

if you ever drove in fog you would know the brighter the lights the more they reflect off the fog bank. Thats why they state to use your low beams if you don't have fog lights. Seeing as you can not see through the fog the lights are set close to keep you on the road illuminating shoulders and medians. If fog is not your problem then why not replace them with driving lights if needed. I hardly ever use high beams but have both driving and fogs for the back roads...

 

[willey]

fog lights

When we picked up our 2013 RTS, the dealer went over all the switches with us,He said this one turns the fog lights on.He said to just leave it turned on all the time so that is what we have done.I have never been in any fog so I don`t know how well they work.We don`t ride much at night

 

[Dan_Ashley]

Fog here? Not too likely!

if you ever drove in fog you would know the brighter the lights the more they reflect off the fog bank. Thats why they state to use your low beams if you don't have fog lights. Seeing as you can not see through the fog the lights are set close to keep you on the road illuminating shoulders and medians. If fog is not your problem then why not replace them with driving lights if needed. I hardly ever use high beams but have both driving and fogs for the back roads...View attachment 74749

I remember about 11 years ago, it was foggy here one morning. I woke up the wife so she could see it. Seriously. I live about 40 miles West of Palm Springs, California. It rained here 11 inches last year. It snowed in 1989. They let school out so the kids could see it.

I've lived here for about 35 years. I can't remember any other fog or snow. When it rains it is front page morning newspaper--above the fold!

so, I think visibility is a better use of fog light circuitry than for fog. That won't be true for all--but I think for me it just might be true.