Motolights

308 · Post by **308** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 9:41 pm

I have recently installed Motolights on my r1150r and find them to be very effective during the day as well as the night. However, at night, many car drivers think I have high beams on and flash their highs. I usually flash my high beam and most accept that however tonight a driver hit me back with his highs and left them on. I decided to check out the aiming of my Motolights and they are fine but when I looked at them from out front I can see that they are so intense that they could annoy an oncoming driver.

I could wire them to only come on with my high beam but then I would be limiting the nighttime usage somewhat. I could turn off the Motolights when a car approaches but that is an extra move which requires reaching up to the clutch reservoir where the Motolight switch is mounted.

I'm wondering what other riders's experiences are and what potential solutions they may have tried. Are there lower wattage or more directional bulbs available? Perhaps the Motolight people should consider developing a high/low beam unit.

Thanks,
Jack

Lion_Lady · Post by **Lion_Lady** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 9:46 pm

I have a friend who has Motolights... I end up leading because they don't like to, especially at night.

What I find is that they're dang ANNOYING to be in front of at night. Mess up my night vision to the max. I end up re-directing my mirrors so I don't go blind.

One reason I decided NOT to get Motolights, when I was looking for additional forward lighting.

Hubby has "Walmartlights" on his RS, and I got a deal on some PIAA's.

Pam

308 · Post by **308** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 10:04 pm

Lion_Lady wrote:I have a friend who has Motolights... I end up leading because they don't like to, especially at night.

What I find is that they're dang ANNOYING to be in front of at night. Mess up my night vision to the max. I end up re-directing my mirrors so I don't go blind.

One reason I decided NOT to get Motolights, when I was looking for additional forward lighting.

Hubby has "Walmartlights" on his RS, and I got a deal on some PIAA's.

Pam

I guess what you're saying is that the Walmartlights and the PIAA'a are more directional or less intense and so they do not have the same problem. I caliper mounted the Motolights purposely to keep them lower. I see many PIAA's mounted up on fairings or forks.

beemerphile · Post by **beemerphile** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 10:23 pm

Motolight makes two wattages. Do you have the lower 35 watt bulbs or the higher 55 watt bulbs? The yellow 35 watt bulbs may be less annoying than the whites. Also, you might look at an Autoswitch to control it so that you can turn them on and off by pressing the turn signal cancel switch. That way you can turn them off if they annoy someone. Some people (myself included) are very sensitive to light and are more likely than others to ask you to dim them. When someone flashes their high beams at you it is normally not because they think your high beams are on, it is because your lights (for whatever reason) are annoying them. You say it has happened many times which indicates that something is indeed annoying about the set-up. The courteous thing to do is to turn them off rather than flashing your high beams to say "see, these aren't my bright lights". This is especially annoying coming from cagers who put high wattage driving bulbs in their fog light positions and turn brights on you if you ask them to dim them. - Lee

308 · Post by **308** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 10:48 pm

Thanks Lee - very useful information. I'll check out the yellow 35 watt bulbs. I have many times just turned off the Motolights. I may also decide to wire them to my high beam.

Jack

Hoosier Rider · Post by **Hoosier Rider** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 10:21 am

I have Motolights mounted about mid-fork high on my Valkyrie. Using the aiming collar that came with them & a level, I have them aimed down a bubble with my weight on the bike. I don't ride much at night but in the 4 yrs. I've had them, I've only been "high beamed" once. I bought them mostly to run in conjunction with my high beam in the daylight, making me more visible.

motozark · Post by **motozark** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 1:41 pm

I have the Saeng nightcutters, they were pricey, but are awsome,and fully adjustable for what ever situation you come across without getting off the bike. I ride at night alot as I manage a restaurant. If it is raining real heavy I adjust them down a bit so more of the road lights up and If it is late at night I adjust them up so they are more like driving lights. they are easily adjusted as I have the cylinder mounts. I would greatly recommend them to any one that lives in the Pacific North West area or the great Canadian South West. I hope this Info helps.

Post by **12bar1** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 6:32 pm

I installed caliper mount Motolights with the 35 watt bulbs and have them aimed about 1/2 bubble below level and I rarely get the high beam flash from on coming drivers. A few weeks ago I swapped bikes with my wife so I could see what they look like to other drivers and I did not find them annoying. Where are yours mounted and how do you have them aimed.

Paul Mihalka · Post by **Paul Mihalka** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 9:30 pm

Same as others, I aim my Motolights a bit low. Keep in mind that the beam of the Motolights is completely round, not flat top like the headlight. Aiming it low so that the top of the beam is horizontal stops blinding and gives better light on the road - all the light goes to the road and not to the sky. I have the strap-mount Motolights and I aim them a bit open, not straight ahead. Lights up better the side of the road.

Post by **rdsmith3** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 1:03 pm

I have the 50W yellow bulbs. I have had them for three years and can't remember being flashed. I do a fair amount of night riding/commuting. I really like Motolights.

One thing to consider is that the MR 16 halogen bulbs used in Motolights are very common and easy to get from a variety of sources. (My kitchen light, for example, uses the same style bulbs.) The bulbs come in many beam patterns and wattages. So you can experiment with spot, flood, etc. You could try a spot light on the left side and a flood light on the right side. You could even try red and blue ones for that LEO look, sure to make cars move out of the way.