Anyone added any supplementary lighting?

V4 TRV · Post by **V4 TRV** » Tue Nov 06, 2012 11:01 am

I'm conscious now as the winter evenings draw in that the PCX might benefit from some additional lighting.
I'm thinking of a small LED running lights or something like that.

Has anyone tried this?

gn2 · Post by **gn2** » Tue Nov 06, 2012 11:32 am

I think the front lighting is adequate as is, but as with all bikes the rear would benefit from the addition of a fog light.

maddiedog · Post by **maddiedog** » Tue Nov 06, 2012 11:54 am

I've considered adding a strip of LEDs down the bottom-middle of the bike so that there is a white glow under my bike. I'm going to get my rims powdercoated white first though, assuming I can find somewhere that will do it at a reasonable cost (the local shop wanted over $500 for powdercoat

).

Any 12v kit for a car should work fine, just wire it up the same way you'd wire accessory plugs or heated grips.

Alibally · Post by **Alibally** » Tue Nov 06, 2012 2:07 pm

gn2 wrote:I think the front lighting is adequate as is, but as with all bikes the rear would benefit from the addition of a fog light.

I've often thought about that. Some of the red led lamps are quite small but bright nowadays. I might look into that.

Urbanian · Post by **Urbanian** » Tue Nov 06, 2012 4:14 pm

Those LEDs are amazing for increasing visibility. Saw a bike a few weeks ago with two strips of LEDs running down the fronts of his fairing. Wasn’t much of an addition, but he was lit like a Christmas tree! Saw him a quarter of a mile away; not because his lights were bright, but because he stood out from the rows of others’ headlights.

I’ve already talked to my mechanic about supplementing with running lights. This is the time of year when you need maximum visibility. Hope to add some lighting soon.

maddiedog · Post by **maddiedog** » Tue Nov 06, 2012 5:17 pm

Urbanian, if you want to go the DIY route, these are SUPER cheap: http://www.amazon.com/Strip-Flexible-Li ... y_e_text_y

you you · Post by **you you** » Tue Nov 06, 2012 6:03 pm

Urbanian wrote:
I’ve already talked to my mechanic about supplementing with running lights. This is the time of year when you need maximum visibility. Hope to add some lighting soon.

I can see my bike perfectly in the garage...

gn2 · Post by **gn2** » Tue Nov 06, 2012 7:41 pm

Enhanced visibility is good up to a point, which is that the drivers who are most likely to wipe you out will probably not be looking at you...

Urbanian · Post by **Urbanian** » Tue Nov 06, 2012 8:34 pm

maddiedog wrote:Urbanian, if you want to go the DIY route, these are SUPER cheap: http://www.amazon.com/Strip-Flexible-Li ... y_e_text_y

I’m not afraid of DIY, I built the apartment we live in with my very own bare hands (except I did wear gloves a lot too). But having a great scooter mechanic “on retainer” is a small luxury I happily pay for. You should have seen his eyes light up when I suggested adding LEDs. He wants to add a strobe feature to my brake light too.

The best feature of well-placed LEDs is that they illuminate the bike, not just provide more bright spots in the night. You could see the color of the fairing on the lit bike I saw. You knew it was a bike, not just a car with a headlight out.

Keebler Dwarf · Post by **Keebler Dwarf** » Tue Nov 06, 2012 8:39 pm

I've been warned to avoid extra lighting as supposedly it plays havoc with the electrical system. Is that true?

you you · Post by **you you** » Wed Nov 07, 2012 2:35 am

Keebler Dwarf wrote:I've been warned to avoid extra lighting as supposedly it plays havoc with the electrical system. Is that true?

No

gn2 · Post by **gn2** » Wed Nov 07, 2012 5:29 am

Keebler Dwarf wrote:I've been warned to avoid extra lighting as supposedly it plays havoc with the electrical system. Is that true?

Yes.

V4 TRV · Post by **V4 TRV** » Wed Nov 07, 2012 11:39 am

Keebler Dwarf wrote:I've been warned to avoid extra lighting as supposedly it plays havoc with the electrical system. Is that true?

Depends who wires it

Heres an option

you you · Post by **you you** » Wed Nov 07, 2012 11:50 am

They need as many lights as possible if they are going to park in the middle of the road

maddiedog · Post by **maddiedog** » Wed Nov 07, 2012 12:23 pm

Keebler Dwarf wrote:I've been warned to avoid extra lighting as supposedly it plays havoc with the electrical system. Is that true?

No more than an accessory plug or heated grips would, probably even lesser so if you use LEDs.

Urbanian · Post by **Urbanian** » Wed Nov 07, 2012 2:19 pm

I’m satisfied with the stock headlights for road illumination. If I add lights it will be for BIKE illumination. I want everyone to see ME!

gn2 · Post by **gn2** » Wed Nov 07, 2012 3:01 pm

Urbanian wrote:I want everyone to see ME!

You need to dress like Bootsie Collins.
That'll get you noticed.

V4 TRV · Post by **V4 TRV** » Wed Nov 07, 2012 6:44 pm

2x5W LEDs ordered.

watch this space

figurehead71 · Post by **figurehead71** » Wed Nov 07, 2012 6:55 pm

I think adding extra lights just makes your bike look too bling and cheap personally!

If you have a top box, add reflective strips to it, make sure you have reflective clothing, let the cages light you up like a christmas tree rather than lighting your bike up like one I say.

V4 TRV · Post by **V4 TRV** » Wed Nov 07, 2012 7:17 pm

figurehead71 wrote:I think adding extra lights just makes your bike look too bling and cheap personally!

If you have a top box, add reflective strips to it, make sure you have reflective clothing, let the cages light you up like a christmas tree rather than lighting your bike up like one I say.

It isnt to make it look like an Electra Glide.

Reflective strips arent a lot of use until someone lights them up. I am wanting to enhance the front visual impact to make me seen better to the vehicles doing the usual pulling out from the side road scenario and also when I am filtering.

It isn't for show - this is a 2 grand scooter after all

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