Anyone thinking about adding KRISTA LED driving lights to there new bike?

[~TABASCO~]

Look kinda cool... http://www.clearwaterlights.com/

 

[SpeedStar]

Looks good, but ouch on the price!

 

[Swagger]

8) Ooooooh! .... I really like those Clearwater lights. I'm thinking of those for the FJR.

 

[~TABASCO~]

Looks good, but ouch on the price!

You can say that again..... ???

 

[spklbuk]

Yep. As soon as I win the lottery or J. D. Rockefellar leaves me a well healed endowment.

But if night riding was a priority those landing lights would be worth it.

 

[pqsqac]

I'm amazed at what these companies are charging for light kits. It's cheaper to duct tape two D cell Maglites to the bike. ;D

 

[Hipshot]

I have these on my Versys: http://www.martinfabrication.com/Martin_Fabrication/Motorcycle_Lighting_Home.html

They mount on the forks and you can put LEDs in for an extra 20.00. I talked with them and they said that their standard kit works on the Tenere, their website doesn't indicate that fact.

 

[HoebSTer]

Even here in the trucking industry, some makers of lighting products like Truck-Lite have expensive LED's. A simple 4"round LED work lamp sells for almost $200. It's crazy!!!

 

[~TABASCO~]

I spoke to the owner today of Clearwater for about 45 minutes today.... There is allot of info that was talked about that is not or hard to find on there web site... After learning allot more about these lights I have to say that im surprised they dont cost more. Not that ANYONE wants them to cost more than they do...
Just a few things if you didnt know (like me).... Made in USA ! Carved from chunks of billet from CNC... solid state digital circuits.... There is a 'computer' that mounters the heat output and adjust it on the fly automatically... He said no one can really tell the heat adjustment, but the 'computer' monitors it and does what needs to be done to keep the light cool under certain circumstances.... adjustable LED controlled power output..... powder coated parts..... in many cases a "plug-N-play" application for your own bike..... comes with every freaking thing you might need to install these, bolts, wires, switches, Etc......... Way MORE than just LED lights....

Anyone that does manufacturing in the US, and working with so many vendors to help produce your "part" it adds up fast..... These are nice lights,,, Expensive, YES..... if you want nice stuff that works, made in the good-Ol-USA it adds up fast................ Nice people, seams like a really nice part.....

 

[fender5803]

I spoke to the owner today of Clearwater for about 45 minutes today.... There is allot of info that was talked about that is not or hard to find on there web site... After learning allot more about these lights I have to say that im surprised they dont cost more. Not that ANYONE wants them to cost more than they do...
Just a few things if you didnt know (like me).... Made in USA ! Carved from chunks of billet from CNC... solid state digital circuits.... There is a 'computer' that mounters the heat output and adjust it on the fly automatically... He said no one can really tell the heat adjustment, but the 'computer' monitors it and does what needs to be done to keep the light cool under certain circumstances.... adjustable LED controlled power output..... powder coated parts..... in many cases a "plug-N-play" application for your own bike..... comes with every freaking thing you might need to install these, bolts, wires, switches, Etc......... Way MORE than just LED lights....

Anyone that does manufacturing in the US, and working with so many vendors to help produce your "part" it adds up fast..... These are nice lights,,, Expensive, YES..... if you want nice stuff that works, made in the good-Ol-USA it adds up fast................ Nice people, seams like a really nice part.....

I have to agree with Tabasco on these LED Clearwater lights. I just installed mine today and though I didn't get them wired up to test them yet so far so great.
From the opening of the box I could tell I was in for a nice product. All the parts needed, well almost, a couple of things were not quite right YET. I mean it is a new bike for everybody and soon it will be a perfect Tenere installation from them. I had to call them and got straight thru to a technician who wanted to know what I had found and he was definatlty researching what I had found out. It seems Clearwater is doing all they can to make the Tenere kit perfect for all of us. They are sending the corrected pieces tomorrow to me. It was only a couple minor things and I could certainly have made it worked if I wanted. I felt as if I was helping us all for the future.
Anyway I have a great feeling about these lights before I have even seen them on. They are not cheap yet to me it is worth the extra money. Made in the USA helps me straight away.

I should say I bought the Glenda's which are smaller in size and wattage also less money but still not cheap ... yet. Maybe the price will come down and the product will get even better. So far the customer service is excellent-!!

Now I just need to find the spot to tie the power in and the technician said give him a call back if I need help.

Old post becomes newer now ....
best,
-DT

 

[toompine]

I have the Glendas. Kept them from my Multistrada. Glenn (Cleawater LIghts) is here in Sacramento and I have been out to his place a few times and will tell you he makes an incredible product. The Glendas are primarily recognition lights and I have them mounted low on the forks. While I never take it for granted that any car sees me I know for a fact a LOT of cars see me now. I love running them in daylight in urban traffic and crowded freeways. I also have Denalis mounted up high (under the fairing) and they are primarily night dark road lights because of the beam penetration. When I light them all up at once I am sure they can see me from the space station.

Maybe the best comparision I can make is to Jesse bags. Not for everyone, but American made, beautifully built, well thought out, high qualilty and a bit on the pricy side. I put the Clearwater product in this catagory of no compromise quality, impeccably engineered and backed by a passionate motorcycle rider.

 

[Twitch]

Yeah the Kristas are pricy, but…my first observation is that each light has three 12watt LEDs. I just paid a rock-bottom $70 each for two off-brand 10watt LEDs. So adding up more pieces is bound to rack up more cost and then tack on all the stuff Tabasco mentions, functions and harness. Probably a very fair price in the end. Oh, and the Kristas are cool. 8)

 

[fender5803]

I just added the Glenda's to my XTZ and love what they do. Agreed they seem more like " being seen lights" which they do very nicely all day, they sure light up the road at night. Love the orange lenses for the day. I don't know how much better I'll be seen during the day but it sure seems to me I'd be a lot more noticable ... I saw Glen of Clearwater at the Long Bech M/C show this weekend and he was a very busy man. For sure the booth was easily the best lit booth at the show. The Kristas are big to me, I mean I am thinking of mounting one someplace to go nuclear at night. I guess more is always better though. Anyway I am really impressed with the Glenda's-!!

 

[justbob]

The automotive L.E.D. technology is relatively new, give it some time and there will be more players on the manufacturing side and the prices will fall dramatically. Last year I bought a pair for $140, I can the same pair now for $100.

 

[fender5803]

I tried to take some pictures.
They are are the same exposures but I was not on a tripod.
The dark one is shot at a speed you might shoot on a very bright day at beach and these are his smaller Glenda light.
The bikes head light is stock.