Fog Lights

[KSDragonRider]

Show me pics of your interstate with after market fog lights please!  After a week of riding to work in fog so thick you could hardly see in front of the bike, Im ready for some more light.  I am looking for the best looking, most functional, CHEAPEST, and safe solution.  I know one word does not belong when talking about motorcycle parts.

But show me what you guys have come up with, some of the best wrenchers and dreamers of the motorcyclist world are on this board.

[Jess from VA]

Most run narrower-beam spots for better visibility to oncoming traffic, (and to the rider at night) though wide-beam fogs are more visible to those waiting at cross streets). 

If the fog is bad enough, I don't like to ride at all.  Not only can't you see, they can't see you, and my shield and helmet visor are running with water.

http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/DrivingLights.html

My favorite aftermarket lights are PIAA 1100X, a pair are brighter than my IS OE dual headlights on brights, but they will only make visibility in the fog worse.
http://piaalights.com/details.php?productName=1100X%20PLATINUM

Here are their fog lamps.  http://piaalights.com/details.php?productName=1400%20SERIES%20BLACK%20HOUSING

Any auto parts store will carry pairs of fogs for much cheaper.... problem is they often don't last a couple hard rains or the shocks and jolts of a motorcycle.

Fogs should be mounted as wide and low as possible, but not so they tear off in a tip over.
 

[KSDragonRider]

I want some pics showing them on a bike!  I like the look of those alot, just wonder how people have mounted them.

[Jess from VA]

I have Motolights on their brake caliper mounts (bike came with them, don't have $450 for add-on lights)

My PIAA 1100Xs are custom mounted to my IS fork wings. 

On a std or tourer, I like small add-on lights on the top of the engine guards.... but on our interstates (IS), the pods are in the way.  some have moved them around to the bottom of the engine guards, but you have to be very careful they will not tear off in a tip over (take a piece of plywood, slide it up to the (straightened) front wheel and lift it up to the engine guard and you will see the clearance issue).

I don't like any lights mounted/added underneath the fairing because they are too close to the headlights, and don't give you the magic triangle of light to oncoming traffic (they just make the dual headlamps look like one big light).

I don't do photobucket/stash, so I'll email you a couple pics.  They are not light-specific shots, but you can see them.

[KSDragonRider]

Jess, those look amazing on your valk.  I really like them alot.  Im thinking of finding something where the whole setup is under 75 bucks or so.  I know i can buy the little lights at autozone or some place. 

But i really like how your lowers look for sure.

[Chattanooga Mark]

Big Mike at Valkyrie Bling had some oem style lights made up for the Interstate. I have a set and they are top notch. If he has any left, I highly recommend you get a set.

All the best,

Mark

[Hoser]

Cheap chrome spots like the ones on a light bar.

Also available with amber beams.  Mounted on engine guard.  Hoser

[Jess from VA]

Tough to run those on an interstate (without removing the pods).

I spent a lot of time trying to figure a way to run a set of four (even three) inch spots on mine, including sliding them just outside the pods in a Micky Mouse ears look, but above the point of impact on a tip over.  But my hwy pegs are on the engine guard, and the bike wouldn't fit in the shed.  So I gave up. 

[Michvalk]

On my Interstate I got a set of P-clamps and mounted them on the lower side of my crash bars. A small set of rectangle fog lights from wally world on the clamps fit just right. Very bright, and visible from the front, add just enough light for night driving, and work very well in the fog. True fog lights need to be as close to the pavement as possible to provide the best effect.

[Jack B]

Here's my I/S the lights are from Walmart $20. The light bar is from Berry at Big Bike ?? I think it was about $120

[PharmBoy]

I'm not sure about the effectiveness of these lights in dense fog, but they really do get you recognized by oncomming traffic and those looling in their rearview mirror.  They are attached by Kurry P-clamps....Jim  http://www.mooreparts.com/store/category/13/278/Lights-Lazer-Star-Shorty/

[Jess from VA]

Those look just right.... small, tight to the pods, and bright.   

Did you use the spot or flood bulbs, 100s or the 75s?

[PharmBoy]

They are spots.  I initially bought the 75's, but determined that they were a little bright, so I bought some 50's at Lowe's.  The bulbs are a standard bulb and come in several configurations...Jim

[Jess from VA]

Thanks Jim.

Another question.... does the threaded stud mount pivot back 90*, or did you cut it off for your mount?

[Steve K (IA)]

 Here ya go.  PIAA

[PharmBoy]

Jess, it pivots 90 degrees and the wires go through the hollow stem making them easy to hide.  You will need a rubber insert inside the P-clamps because of the 1 1/8" size of the crash bar, but with the correct thickness of rubber, they mount up solidly.  I put them on a relay triggered by the headlights...Jim

[KSDragonRider]

I really like the look of pharmboys lights, they look real nice, i wonder what they would look like right in front of the timing belt cover on the bottom of the crash bar? 

[RUDE DOG - Steelers]

Show me pics of your interstate with after market fog lights please!  After a week of riding to work in fog so thick you could hardly see in front of the bike, Im ready for some more light.  I am looking for the best looking, most functional, CHEAPEST, and safe solution.  I know one word does not belong when talking about motorcycle parts.

But show me what you guys have come up with, some of the best wrenchers and dreamers of the motorcyclist world are on this board.

Here is a  link to the writeup of the lights I bought recently with pics.  Im very happy with them.

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,35137.0.html

[Jess from VA]

Jess, it pivots 90 degrees and the wires go through the hollow stem making them easy to hide.  You will need a rubber insert inside the P-clamps because of the 1 1/8" size of the crash bar, but with the correct thickness of rubber, they mount up solidly.  I put them on a relay triggered by the headlights...Jim

Thanks.

[G-Man]

All of these "fog" lights pictured here will do more harm then good.  Fog lights should be as low to the ground as possible.  All the lights in the interstate pods are at the same level of most cars, too high.  Fog lights on cars are mounted low to illuminate under the fog.  The others will just reflect back like bright lights in the fog in a car.  Motolights has a good system.  it mounts down on the front brake caliper, which is probably the lowest mounting point available for fog light to have any real effect.  I've also seen light hung on the lower part of the crashbar.  This may do the job, but I like the brake caliper mounting because it it further forward.  I rode with 98T in the fog and rain through Tenessee and i was very impressed with how his motolights functioned.  And, since they are mounted relatively low, they don't blind the rider in front of you when they are on. 

[henry 008]

heres mine

i mounted mine on the bottom like g-man