LED Lights
This year I am doing 4 Long Distance Rallies and a ride to Nova Scotia in the fall, so I am looking for some good quality lights to replace my PIAA model 1100’s. I have been averaging a replacement bulb a year for the PIAA’s which I have on my ST1100 and ST1300. I alternate using these bikes and my BMW GS for Long Distance rides and rallies, so I rely on having a good set of auxiliary lights.
The replacement bulbs for the PIAA 1100’s run an average of $32 a piece, times that by 8 = $256 in replacement bulbs over the last 8 years. Now add that to the $245 average cost of the light kit and that is $501. I need a solution, something that draws less power, is more reliable and gives out an equivalent amount of light. I want to ride and not spend my time changing bulbs. So I am looking at LED technology.
The PIAA 1100x Extreme Kit with fork mounting brackets.
I run a set of PIAA 540’s on my BMW 1150GS and so far I haven’t had to replace those bulbs. These lights are more than I need for my applications and look like something you would put on a Humvee. They look good on the GS and they work for me but they are a little too much for the sleeker lines of a sport tourer.
The PIAA 540 kit. They are big and manly lights which give a dual sport machine that DAKAR kinda look.
LED technology has really made some leaps and bounds and a Company called “Clearwater Lights” is making two models of high intensity lights which fit the bill. Since the PIAA 1100’s on my ST1300 recently went out, (bad relay). I figured since I was going to have to replace the relay, I would replace the lights, wiring and try the LED’s.
Yesterday I went to Lonestar BMW in Austin and saw they had one set of the Clearwater Glenda’s. The price tag, $475.
The Clearwater Glenda’s. They come with color options for the lens cowl. They also come with amber lenses so you can easily convert them to a fog light.
The big boys for Clearwater are called the Krista’s. They are supposedly the equivalent to the PIAA 540’s but only draw a fraction of the power and are priced at over $650.
The Krista’s. Lonestar BMW did not have the Krista’s and only one set of the Glenda’s. They are seeing if they sell and are worth stocking in their shop.
Anyhow, I bought their set of Glenda’s since they didn’t have the Krista’s and I will try them on my ST1300. If I am happy with the performance of the Clearwater lights, I will replace them with the Krista’s and move the Glenda’s to my NT700V or 89 Transalp. I am anxious to check out their performance, knowing there will be no bulbs to replace and dropping the draw off my electrical system substantially.
The jury is out so stay tuned and check back after I install my new lights and test their performance. My only real experience with LED’s are the small flashlights you can buy at the check out stand at your local auto parts dealer, so this will be a learning experience.
I did a full upgrade to led on my Ultra in January. We have been caught out after dark too many times and the stock setup sucks. With the LED’s, the difference is literally night and day. The head light and running lights throw out what looks like a single beam of white light from white line to white line. The LED tail light, running lights, and the added tourpak light create enough light to be seen from space!
I think they are the way to go!