Triumphrat

threetwoseven · 07-22-2008

I'm going to pick up my new 2008 Bonneville Black this evening and had a quick question. Has anyone installed fog lights on their Bonneville? I'm not talking about 4" lights like you'd see on a BMW adventure bike. I'm just thinking about something small to make me more visible. I've seen choppers with small ones under the foot pegs, but with their forward controls I imagine there's more of a spot to mount them. Can the charging system even support a set?

NorthernThrux · 07-22-2008

You could try white LEDs for visibility. There are some superbrights out there at Custom Dynamics etc. Or switch to a true HID and it uses less power. You can then spend the extra amps on a set of fogs. Wouldn't use a incandescent plus fogs. Hard on the charging system. If you try, raise your idle to 1200 or so.

CAPTDON · 07-22-2008

My bud put them on his. The lights - there are a few hundred to chose from! He custom made the bracket. Did a nice job! Thats the biggy! He said it was easy & did a nice job w/ polished alum. They looked real nice & were REAL bright @ nite! Might try that route?

shifflett · 07-22-2008

I have a single 55W Motolight mounted on the front brake caliper. They sell fork mounted lights as well in 35 or 55W. I think the asymmetric look of the single light is noticeable and it is actually useful at night. Not cheap, but a set I have on my KLR has held up very well.

NorthernThrux · 07-23-2008

Got a pic ? I bet that would look quite the cat's meow on a Thruxton.

MackDaddy · 07-23-2008

Trail Tech MR11 13W HID (yes, TRUE HID) mounted on on my right engine guard clamped via a 1" Kuryakyn magnum quick clamp. Don't let the 13W rating fool you, this little bad boy is SUPER BRIGHT. Extremely well crafted, but a bit pricey $$$. I fully believe it's worth every penny. My purchasing / installation intent was more for the "be seen" aspect to other drivers on the road. It does however provide quite a bit of additional forward lighting for my old tired eyes as well.

I'll try and get some good night pics of it posted on my website, as I've got a Cibie 7" headlamp assembly coming any day now to compliment the overall lighting scheme. These two in combo should be a "killer" solution.

Edit: Or should I say "killer avoidance" solution!

http://www.trailtech.net/3111-SX.html

http://trailtech.net/single_hid_mr11.html

threetwoseven · 07-23-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by MackDaddy

Trail Tech MR11 13W HID (yes, TRUE HID) mounted on on my right engine guard clamped via a 1" Kuryakyn magnum quick clamp. Don't let the 13W rating fool you, this little bad boy is SUPER BRIGHT. Extremely well crafted, but a bit pricey $$$. I fully believe it's worth every penny. My purchasing / installation intent was more for the "be seen" aspect to other drivers on the road. It does however provide quite a bit of additional forward lighting for my old tired eyes as well.

I'll try and get some good night pics of it posted on my website, as I've got a Cibie 7" headlamp assembly coming any day now to compliment the overall lighting scheme. These two in combo should be a "killer" solution.

Edit: Or should I say "killer avoidance" solution!

I like the idea of that but with no engine guard I'm not sure where to put it.

ridesouth · 07-23-2008

Buy a Thruxton turn signal mount...it's super cheap. It goes behind the rectifier. Take a stainless or aluminum rod, tap it on each end for 10mm bolts and but it between the "ears" on the mount to stiffen it. Bolt whatever lights you want to it and be on your way. I use a pair of 4" PIAA's that melt the night, but you can use other small units as well. Stay at 35 watts, not 55 watts, and you'll do OK with our 27 amp alternator.

Don't get fog lights, get driving lights with 25 to 30 degree or so symetrical beams and you'll actually find them useful. Cheat them to the right a little and you won't blind the cagers. Fogs are too flat and wide and don't do you any good at speed, especially when you lean the bike.

Oh yeah...the Trail tech is cool Mackdaddy. I've looked at them, too. Really functional and simple. I thought about a flood and a spot combo...one on each side.

threetwoseven · 07-24-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by ridesouth

Buy a Thruxton turn signal mount...it's super cheap. It goes behind the rectifier. Take a stainless or aluminum rod, tap it on each end for 10mm bolts and but it between the "ears" on the mount to stiffen it. Bolt whatever lights you want to it and be on your way. I use a pair of 4" PIAA's that melt the night, but you can use other small units as well. Stay at 35 watts, not 55 watts, and you'll do OK with our 27 amp alternator.

Do you have a picture of your set up?

MackDaddy · 07-24-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by ridesouth

Oh yeah...the Trail tech is cool Mackdaddy. I've looked at them, too. Really functional and simple. I thought about a flood and a spot combo...one on each side.

I'm still contemplating another for the left side as well. $$$$ has held me back thusfar, but I'll end up with another unit someday. And as you, I'll go for a flood - spot combo (currently using a spot on the right.)

I had a flood, and liked it well enough but it went out to lunch in less than 5 months. Trail Tech sent me a replacement free of charge.. way out of warranty (opted for a spot instead of a flood.) Justin (tech support) stated it must have been a defective build because these MR11 HID lamp bulbs are usually good for approx ~ 1000 hrs MTFB. That's customer service!

I'm very happy with these. I'd recommend them to anyone.

Jim