Driving (Spot) Lights - how far ?

[bflint]

I have been researching adding driving (spot) lights for nighttime driving on remote highways (desert, mountains, etc) to help avoid critters on/by the road. Advertised beam distances are from 240ft (ex Denali Micro) to beyond 600ft. Do you have any practical recommendations about what the minimum distance should be for driving (spot) lights?

[tinboatcapt_imp]

I can't remember what I used the first two times, but on the last three bikes I have used Hella FF50 lights and will probably mount a set on the CB. They are reasonably priced and give good "pencil beam" coverage. I wire a relay in to isolate the light circuit from the rest of the bike wiring (which is inadequate to carry the current needed) then use another relay to grab a signal from the high beam. With the driving light switch turned on, they will illuminate with the high beam, and turn off with switching to low beam. this way it keeps oncoming drivers from being blinded and crossing the center line.

Another factor is when you do meet another vehicle, and need to switch to low beam, you will momentarily be plunged into darkness. The greater the illumination difference, the longer the recovery time to be able to see with the low beams.

I don't have the spec's on these lights in memory, and I have no commercial interest in the brand or it's retail network. I have just liked them and settled on using them. They have worked well in Montana, Wyoming, Nevada, where the towns and gas stations are a full tank of gas apart.

Good luck on your search for what meets your needs. And many miles of safe riding.

Jim

[emptysea]

I don't have additional lighting on my bike just yet, but because I would be mounting them relatively low (below the headlight), I feel that the effective beam distance will be lower than advertised. I think I'd want at least the 240' you mentioned, but I might be more concerned with the beam spread than the length. If you could get 200+feet of distance with maybe 50' of spread, you'd probably get your best chance of spotting the critters. Unfortunately, all I have to offer is my opinion on this at this time.

[jedd_imp]

The min. distance to spot animals at night, ideally - should be 1FT in front of your front wheel (very difficult to design), ..... to 300FT range (~ a football field length)....

Since you're familiar w/ denali lights, take a look at the "DR-2",


and I think it comes w/ 2 lens. For lighting up critters about to pounce out in front of you at night...use the lens that produces the elliptical flood beam pattern (3rd down)

[bflint]

Thanks all for initial feedbacks. Looked at Hella lights, but I am leaning to LED's and their led offerings are not as good as other vendors. Would like Denali D2 (or D1) but they are extra $100 and I am getting hammered by wife about money for daughter's Oct wedding (safety vs bliss ... I die, then the money issue is addressed but cb1100 will not have anybody to ride it). I upgraded headlight to a $60 PIA and that thing is really bright and deals well with all the close up critters. Focusing on 15degree long narrow beam to see up road to allow for "navigational corrections" that don't involve me going off the road. Thanks.

[bflint]

Made decision today. Ordered "DENALI DM 2.0 TriOptic LED Light Kit" from Twisted Throttle. Narrow beam distance is 395 ft. Shipped price with fender mounts was $335. Wanted to mount on fork tubes, but with touring windshield and fender rollbag got in the way (mostly it was just a problem with the rollbag getting in the way). Hope to mount this weekend, then off to Zion National Park later next week .

[the Ferret]

Zion...great place to visit. Will be riding thru there for a second time later this fall. ( Bryce too and maybe Capitol Reef )

[emptysea]

post pictures. thinking of adding lights to my cb.

[bflint]

post pictures. thinking of adding lights to my cb.

Will do.

Zion...great place to visit. Will be riding thru there for a second time later this fall. ( Bryce too and maybe Capitol Reef )

Jealous .... you put in a lot of two-wheel miles ... best drug of all (eg, two wheels).

[rustyski_imp]

Pictures when you get a chance. Thanks and enjoy your trip to Zion


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