BMW LED Auxiliary lights

[maxredline]

Clearwater does not make a statement regarding any legal aspect of the light in their specs which concerns be to an extent. Do a search on their site for street legal, SAE, DOT or Darla specs and you will not get one result, at least I didn't. Do they want people to be ignorant of the facts or do they have facts to begin with? I find that strange.
For the street, I understand some, depending on where they live want it bright! You can always dial it down but for me I do not need that nor want to live with that liability.

Clearwater Darla specs from their site.
Specifications:
24 watts consumption each (on high).
2" diameter.
High power.
2000+ lumens each. (other parts of the site say 2400)
7 ounces.
Fully dimmable.
Includes wiring harness.
Custom tooled optics.
CNC machined.

Denali D3 specs from their site.
Pod Size: 3.5" (90mm) Round x 2.55" (65mm) Deep
LEDs: (3x) 11 Watt Cree XP-P LEDs
Power Draw: 36 Watts (3 Amps)
Lumens: 2100
DataDim Compatible: Yes
Operating Voltage: 9-32V DC
IP67 Waterproof & Submersible
Hybrid Lens Certifications: SAE/DOT J581 & ECE R112
Spot Lens Certifications: SAE/DOT J581 & ECE R112

[Pyrrho]

All I'd want from the OEM aux light kit is the handlebar switch and a way to integrate its use into some functionality for a Clearwater or Denali setup.

No need if you have the CANSmart Controller with the Denali System. Use your existing switches.

I understand you can get extra functionality out of the existing switchgear with Denali's system by long-pressing things, but I always prefer dedicated physical control -- especially for something safety-related. I'm looking to mount two pairs of lights up front and it'd be nice to have a button for the 2nd set.

[Grumpy Goat]

I understand you can get extra functionality out of the existing switchgear with Denali's system by long-pressing things, but I always prefer dedicated physical control -- especially for something safety-related. I'm looking to mount two pairs of lights up front and it'd be nice to have a button for the 2nd set.

I agree that an extra dedicated switch is better. The Denali dual intensity switch I used on my Tracer works well and is not ugly.

[ESquared]

Have had offline exchanges with RunnerHiker on all this, and have the BMW Aux lights set up for installation on my 600 mile service. We've also been comparing notes on tinted lenses.

White, yellow or orange/amber are all legal in MO for lights like this, so is there a popular opinion on which way to go? Is brighter simply better, or is there a benefit to Amber (for example)?

[Grumpy Goat]

White, yellow or orange/amber are all legal in MO for lights like this, so is there a popular opinion on which way to go? Is brighter simply better, or is there a benefit to Amber (for example)?

Depends on what you want to use it for. Amber is unquestionably for fog (only thing that works) whereas white is for downroad illumination. The blind cager will miss any colour and then your best chance for conspicuity is brightness and beam angle.

[ESquared]

White, yellow or orange/amber are all legal in MO for lights like this, so is there a popular opinion on which way to go? Is brighter simply better, or is there a benefit to Amber (for example)?

Depends on what you want to use it for. Amber is unquestionably for fog (only thing that works) whereas white is for downroad illumination. The blind cager will miss any colour and then your best chance for conspicuity is brightness and beam angle.

Thanks for this. Think I'll keep it simple for now.

[Pyrrho]

During daylight hours, a yellow or amber lens is often more conspicuous against a high contrast environment w/sun and shadow. At night, brightness usually is the primary consideration.

If considering multiple sets of lights (I'm looking to get a set of bigger/brighter driving lights and a set of smaller amber running/fog lights. Clearwater and Denali hook up to the bike's electronics so that different pairs of lights can be paired with different functions. Having a set of amber secondary lights that flash with a turn signal is very effective IMO, and as most accidents occur at intersections and turns I think that's a good thing. Take a look at the Denali DMs if you haven't already.

[Lee]

Have had offline exchanges with RunnerHiker on all this, and have the BMW Aux lights set up for installation on my 600 mile service. We've also been comparing notes on tinted lenses.

White, yellow or orange/amber are all legal in MO for lights like this, so is there a popular opinion on which way to go? Is brighter simply better, or is there a benefit to Amber (for example)?

I Iike the yellow covers because it stands out compared to amber car lights.
We can swap our yellow covers for clear or remove the covers if riding at night.
It only takes seconds the remove the yellow covers or maybe a minute to change the yellow lens to clear.

[Lee]

Have had offline exchanges with RunnerHiker on all this, and have the BMW Aux lights set up for installation on my 600 mile service. We've also been comparing notes on tinted lenses.

White, yellow or orange/amber are all legal in MO for lights like this, so is there a popular opinion on which way to go? Is brighter simply better, or is there a benefit to Amber (for example)?

I Iike the yellow covers because it stands out compared to amber car lights.
We can swap our yellow covers for clear or remove the covers if riding at night.
It only takes seconds the remove the yellow covers or maybe a minute to change the yellow lens to clear.

[maxredline]

The blind cager will miss any colour and then your best chance for conspicuity is brightness and beam angle.

Nailed it!

On the RS my bought the D3 aux lights for illumination when dark, any other benefit is a bonus.
My scooter is another story. To point out the obvious, never stay long in a cagers blind spot!

[Pyrrho]

Clearwater does not make a statement regarding any legal aspect of the light in their specs which concerns be to an extent. Do a search on their site for street legal, SAE, DOT or Darla specs and you will not get one result, at least I didn't. Do they want people to be ignorant of the facts or do they have facts to begin with? I find that strange.

As do I. In comparison, Denali makes a point of their SAE & ECE certifications. In comparing Darlas vs D3s, although the D3s are physically 25% larger and require a bit more power, I think they win because of their hybrid capability. Clearwater's version of hybrid is offering a $100 upgrade to a Krista pair by changing one of them out for a (physically larger) Erica. Denali's lens change system is superior.

[ESquared]

Does anyone know if there's a "lens change system" for the BMW Aux Lights? Meaning, one made by BMW?

[Lee]

Does anyone know if there's a "lens change system" for the BMW Aux Lights? Meaning, one made by BMW?

Not sure if anyone makes covers or different lens for the BMW lights.
I would use covers if you can find any that fit.
A couple years ago Debbie had a rock hit her Clearwater light.
It broke the protective cover but the light was undamaged.

   

[maxredline]

The Hex ezCan/Cansmart controller not only has outputs for lights but has an output for a horn. I don't see why you couldn't add and extra horn and operate 2 at the same time. I have an old sound bomb kicking around, I might just try it if I can find an appropriate place t mount it.

[runnerhiker]

Does anyone know if there's a "lens change system" for the BMW Aux Lights? Meaning, one made by BMW?

No, there isn't one. I searched the internet and didn't find one. My dealer searched the BMW system and didn't find one. It's their light in white, that's it.

[ESquared]

Does anyone know if there's a "lens change system" for the BMW Aux Lights? Meaning, one made by BMW?

No, there isn't one. I searched the internet and didn't find one. My dealer searched the BMW system and didn't find one. It's their light in white, that's it.

How did your Amazon flip up lens covers work out with the BMW lights?

[Grumpy Goat]

No, there isn't one. I searched the internet and didn't find one. My dealer searched the BMW system and didn't find one. It's their light in white, that's it.

Isn't that amazing? Denali has been making additional lenses (rounds disks of coloured / faceted plastic) for years and including them in their aux light kits. Clearwater have been making their slip-on covers / lenses also for years. In that time BMW cannot get a clue and do something similar. Things like that discourage me from buying OEM.

I do like the Clearwater slip-on covers as opposed to the Denali lenses, but only because they are easier to deploy. The Denali lenses require you to use an allen key to open the front of each lamp and swap the lenses - more time consuming. On the other hand the lenses are inexpensive and come included in all kits. Clearwater prices are a joke.

[maxredline]

Roughed in the installation of the Denali D3's by following GG's YouTube video on his D2 install. I added a note that the D3 lights wires are not long enough to connect the CANsmarts harness above the battery and had to continue along to the steering stem to be able to make the circuits.

[Doc4216]

I got my OEM aux lights from a user on the other site. I love the integrated system but I do wish that they had lenses for amber use. I had the dealer install them on my SW Motech bars and couldn't be happier with their placement.

[Grumpy Goat]

I got my OEM aux lights from a user on the other site. I love the integrated system but I do wish that they had lenses for amber use. I had the dealer install them on my SW Motech bars and couldn't be happier with their placement.

Same here. And as long as they are inboard on the bars they would likely not get damaged in a tip-over. Don't ask me how I know ... Yours are even more inboard than mine and as long as they are aimed right should still have good beam spread.