'05+ Sprint Aux. light brackets?

[GRN]

I have yet to see a good solution for mounting some good driving lights up higher than the forks on the Sprint. I have a design that I'm about to prototype that extends up from the mirror bases (won't interfere with the folding section), but before I do I wanted to find out:

1. is there a good working design I have missed?

2. if not, how much interest is there from others?

If there is interest, I'll post up details on the prototype when it's done and have a bunch made up. I'm looking at the Trail Tech SCMRC16 HID's (http://www.trailtech.net/4212-SX.html) as one possible solution, PIAA 1100x's would work too, but they're to wide for what I want (already have them fork mounted).

The stock lights on this bike are... well, I'll be kind and just say NOT IDEAL...  

[doodah man]

There would be interest on my end.  Triumph supposedly revised the headlights for 2008.  Does anybody know if the '08 headlights a) are effective, and b) can be retrofitted to the 05-07 models?

[GRN]

I asked my parts guy to check that, was told the '08 was the same part # as '05-07... I think it was just a rumor.

[stk0308]

There would be interest on my end.  Triumph supposedly revised the headlights for 2008.  Does anybody know if the '08 headlights a) are effective, and b) can be retrofitted to the 05-07 models?

As the owner of an '08 I can tell you they're great for going down a straight road at night.  Turn a corner using any lean angle and you look into a black f#%$ing hole.    This is not due to light output but design of the reflector.

[doodah man]

As the owner of an '08 I can tell you they're great for going down a straight road at night.  Turn a corner using any lean angle and you look into a black f#%$ing hole.    This is not due to light output but design of the reflector.

That sounds exactly like my '06.  So that would be a no.  I was hoping they had redesigned the reflector.

[138742]

I have a 97 YZF 1000 and I used some hydraulic hose clamps for my hella ff 50's. It was kind of temporary until I fabbed up some brackets but 2 X-country trips and 15,000 miles later I decided to leave them as such.

I can always take closer shots if you are interested.

[GRN]

I can always take closer shots if you are interested.

Always interested in seeing what others come up with  

[crispiegee1]

I love the YZF1000... what a great bike.  But those bags are pretty damn huge. They look like Mickey Mouse ears or something.

I have a 97 YZF 1000 and I used some hydraulic hose clamps for my hella ff 50's. It was kind of temporary until I fabbed up some brackets but 2 X-country trips and 15,000 miles later I decided to leave them as such.

I can always take closer shots if you are interested.

[roughcut]

I have the fork mounted lights and I like them down low. even now I often get other drivers flashing their brights at me.

[138742]

Been a bit busy but finally got around to getting some photos.

[crispiegee1]

I had heard that it was illegal (at least in some places, maybe not all) to have driving or fog lights mounted above the plane of the headlights. That is, mounting at the same level or below that of the headlights is okay, but above that is a no-no.

Anybody know the story on this?

[B-rent]

I'd looked into the same solution for my 06 Sprint. The lights you've included here are uni-directional. They'll light up only the direction you point them in.

For turning, which is where you really need lights on the Sprint, you'd have to angle the lights at a 45 degree angle with the road at least, maybe more, which may get you pulled over for blinding other motorists.

The solution I'd like to see is an ultra bright LED, or sequence of LEDs which are omni-directional. You mount them on the bottom of your forks and they provide light in every direction. The turn signals on my WRR, also steadfast running lights (show below) do very much what I'd like to do with the Sprint as they light up and shine in many directions at once (even though they are also primarily uni-directional lights) giving you excellent visibility while cornering.

[crispiegee1]

For turning, which is where you really need lights on the Sprint, you'd have to angle the lights at a 45 degree angle with the road at least, maybe more, which may get you pulled over for blinding other motorists.

The solution I'd like to see is an ultra bright LED, or sequence of LEDs which are omni-directional. You mount them on the bottom of your forks and they provide light in every direction. The turn signals on my WRR, also steadfast running lights (show below) do very much what I'd like to do with the Sprint as they light up and shine in many directions at once (even though they are also primarily uni-directional lights) giving you excellent visibility while cornering.

This is like the American luxury cars of the 1970's with cornering lights. (See? American engineering has its bright spots!)  I had cornering lights on my 1985 Mercury Colony Park wagon (I play drums, okay?).  When you'd put on the turn signal, a bright light on the lower front fender would light up the area around the car... really a nice feature when pulling into a dark driveway.

If there were a way to splice a white LED array into the turn signal relay on the Sprint, that would be cool.

[138742]

I have driven by at least a dozen cops in 8-9 states in the dark and haven't had a problem with those puppies on.

I am not saying it is illegal as I know there are many states that have that law. Including the one I live in. I do angle them out of drivers eyes and I think the cops don't mind. If they were pointed in everyone's eyes I am sure it would be a different story.

Just my experiences.

[B-rent]

How about something like this?   (thinking about placement on the Sprint)

http://www.customdynamics.com/step_lights.htm

The Extreme 5 LED Pod says Maximum Coverage, Maximum Intensity. This might look nice stuck to the side of the front shocks, running the wire around the inside. The great thing about these is that they're so light, you can mount them almost anywhere, and if you're not happy, move it somewhere else with little fuss. Shit I might try these myself.  

[B-rent]

You can get a remote control for the LED lights too!  

[stk0308]

How about something like this?   (thinking about placement on the Sprint)

http://www.customdynamics.com/step_lights.htm

The Extreme 5 LED Pod says Maximum Coverage, Maximum Intensity. This might look nice stuck to the side of the front shocks, running the wire around the inside. The great thing about these is that they're so light, you can mount them almost anywhere, and if you're not happy, move it somewhere else with little fuss. Shit I might try these myself.  

those look like vanity lights.  Not going to light up the road enough.  If your going to go LED you might start with these first:
http://www.webbikeworld.com/lights/piaa-motorcycle-lights/led-driving-lights/installation.htm
Though they sounded disapointed in their light pool at night too.  

[B-rent]

That could be the case stk0308. I don't know about GRN but I'm not looking for a halogen high beam to mount on the side of the bike.    However I recently bought one of these, and I couldn't believe how bright it was. If this was mounted on the side of my Sprint, it would be plenty.

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3102765

[falcon822]

the problem with LED lights is that they are very bright, but they don't "throw" the light far enough, or concentrated enough to get the desired effect.

[evilted]

Definitely interested to see what anyone comes up with that works.

Besides fork dive on the brakes (which I will soon rectify), the lousy lighting is my only other real gripe with my Sprint.