Hella Micro DE HID lights

[tlwood99]

Well going hog wild on the farkles to get my new bike up to where the old bike was--but better. So subject now is-- lights.

My long weekend rides often start and end with night rides and in deer country so good lights are a must. I had PIAA 1100X with which I was satisfied, but 1) they don't look great on this bike, and 2) as good as they were I want something better.

So after doing a lot of reading, I've come to the conclusion that these are the best bang for the buck(s). Anyone disagree?

Main question: Can anyone suggest a bracket for these lights. Would the BMW OEM brackets work? I believe these HID lights and the BMW fog lights are of the same series, but I think BMW's casing is different.

Thanks for any advice.

Tom W.

[mikec]

Originally Posted by tlwood99

Well going hog wild on the farkles to get my new bike up to where the old bike was--but better. So subject now is-- lights.

My long weekend rides often start and end with night rides and in deer country so good lights are a must. I had PIAA 1100X with which I was satisfied, but 1) they don't look great on this bike, and 2) as good as they were I want something better.

So after doing a lot of reading, I've come to the conclusion that these are the best bang for the buck(s). Anyone disagree?

Main question: Can anyone suggest a bracket for these lights. Would the BMW OEM brackets work? I believe these HID lights and the BMW fog lights are of the same series, but I think BMW's casing is different.

Thanks for any advice.

Tom W.

Hi Tom,

I wasn't familiar with the Hella DE lamps so I took a look at them on-line. They do look similar to the OEM aux lamps on GSAs but the mount is different. If you use a bar, I would think you could do it easily. If you have a GSA and want to use the mounts for the OEM fog lamps on the "loop" bar, that will probably be tough to do.

My '09 GSA and I had a low speed spill in deep sand and the only casualty was a broken fog lamp. I JB Welded/clamped with zip ties and it made the 1500 mile trip back home but I knew it would probably happen again. I replaced the fog lamps with HIDs from Trail Tech, driving lamp on the left, fog lamp on the right. I used PIAA's bar mounts and mounted them above the crash bar where they're out of harms way in another low speed fall. Ask me how I know. Here's a photo of the set up:

I hope this helps.

Mike

[marc]

I've Micro DE fog lights, not the HID driving lights. I think the form factor is the same. If so this is how I've mine mounted on my GS using a Migsel light bar.

[tlwood99]

Marc, how satisfied are you with the output of the Hella DE Fogs?

[marc]

They are fine for my needs, illuminating the dark spots directly in front of the bike and out to the sides. They also add daytime conspicuity. Also, most of my night time riding is in traffic where I can't use driving lights (or even my high beams, for that matter).

When driving on lonely, dark sections of road I use my high beams and slow down. I find the stock lighting plus the fogs is adequate if I don't insist upon driving at warp speeds.

[Quanto12]

Originally Posted by marc

They are fine for my needs, illuminating the dark spots directly in front of the bike and out to the sides. They also add daytime conspicuity. Also, most of my night time riding is in traffic where I can't use driving lights (or even my high beams, for that matter).

When driving on lonely, dark sections of road I use my high beams and slow down. I find the stock lighting plus the fogs is adequate if I don't insist upon driving at warp speeds.

Are you saying that there are some states that won't allow you to use your driving lights?Or just because they are too bright? I'm asking for when I get over there this summer!Here we have no problem running them all the time!

[marc]

All states, I think, require you to dip your beam for oncoming traffic. Riding in the SF Bay Area there is ALWAYS oncoming traffic. At 4 in the morning you'll find oncoming traffic on highly travelled roads. Therefore it is rarely possible to use your high beams for more than a few seconds at a time. Constantly going from high to low makes it, IMHO, rarely worthwhile using your high beams at all.

Once you get off the major roads or you get 100 miles away it's a different story. However, if I'm out during the night I'm likely on major roads, trying to get home.

Different states have rules as to the number and color of lights.