Interesting article by Richard Millington in Motorcycle Sport and Leisure where he questions all the additions we make to our adventure bikes, specifically lights. He mentions a GS he saw recently - which in addition to the factory LED headlight (and daytime running lights?) had sidelights in the mirrors, a set of yellow tinted spots, a set of white spots and two further spots at the bottom of the fork legs - and compares it to a 60's Lambretta festooned with spotlights! He also surmises that if that is the way we are going will we also start to cover our bikes in additional mirrors just like those 60's mods did (and I was one of them!) - he is already noticing bikes with additional bar end mirrors and overtaking mirrors tacked on.... So, what do you think.... do we sometimes go too far?
Some possibly do, I've only got 2 extra lights on my V Strom, and none on the Triumph. I guess if it helps you to be seen by the car drivers who've left their guide dogs at home, well it's all well and good. But yes, I guess you can go too far.
Absolutely not necessary. Extra lights are more likely to annoy other road users than achieve much else. They can even be counterproductive as our eyes are peak sensitive so all we see is the light and it can reduce our ability to judge speed, for example. But think of all the hours of fun fitting them you'd miss out on, and then coming on here to consult the collective because they don't work....
A triangle of light (headlamp plus 2 additional lights) is much more likely to be seen by oncoming drivers. Safety every time over aesthetics for me.
Like this ? https://youtube.com/shorts/zRUobpbB8Js?si=eG3CM3lDCVPXHxm3 Fools and their money are easily parted.
The ones that make me laugh are those that fit a new exhaust. The new one is a kilogram lighter than the old one . The rider losing a kilo or two would make a much bigger difference and be much cheaper. The original exhaust is also far less annoying to other road users.
No disrespect, or me preaching to others as to what they do with their own bike, but for me these loud race pipes that some put on their bikes, and create a total racket, really do us all no favours. Just gives brain dead politicians more ammunition to clobber us with more anti motorcycle legislation.
It is extremely overkill on an adventure bike if used as intended i would think the slightest spill or knock would render the after markets knackered or at least bent out of shape yes the extra lighting for after daylight adventures but it would make more sense to just upgrade the bulbs on the original fitment if possible
I put blind spot mirrors on all my bikes, including my Speedmaster. They have saved my butt several times. Additional battery-operated spotlights on my saddlebags, facing left and right. And LOTS of reflective pinstripes for riding in rain, fog or at night.
Can’t say I agree with this particular upgrade or think you’d get away with it being legal in the UK (especially if they are white lights). The rest all make sense
I just think it is a personal thing. some of us are happy working at our bikes. Some try to be different and some just improve what they have got. Beauty of owning a bike you do what pleases you.
My idea with the side lights was to increase my visibility to other drivers coming at me from 90 degrees left or right. in fog or rain, the most frequent way a bike gets hit by a car is T-boned from the side.
Surely drivers then assume that the white light is the front of a vehicle in low visibility conditions which would bring it's own issues. The UK is strict about white light shown to the front (apart from a reversing light, which makes sense as that IS the front when a vehicle is reversing), red to the rear. You'd likely not have them on your panniers for long. I think the pinstripes are pretty effective in showing that the vehicle is a bike and that the driver is seeing it side - on, just all seems a bit confusing with lights as well.
It’s pretty unlikely that a bike would be hit from the side here in the U.K. Much more likely to be a smidsy. As in a car will pull out in front of the bike then claim “sorry mate I didn’t see you” this is certainly the most common bike crash here. Well that and riders having not as much riding skill as they think they have.
