Denali D2

[roy]

Before I pull the trigger for $405 bucks is there anyone that has them NOT happy with the performance of the lights?

If so explain. I could piece together a set of PIAA 530's or 004's but would rather keep the install simple and the D2's appear to do everything the other two can do with way less install hassle. I also like the compact size of the D2's.

 

[Tremor38]

Before I pull the trigger for $405 bucks is there anyone that has them NOT happy with the performance of the lights?

If so explain. I could piece together a set of PIAA 530's or 004's but would rather keep the install simple and the D2's appear to do everything the other two can do with way less install hassle. I also like the compact size of the D2's.

Hopefully they've remedied the quality glitches. There have been reports of them malfunctioning due to bad solder joints. Denali may have already corrected the problem (not sure), but it's something be aware of...the problem seems to be only with the D2, not the D1.

 

[jajpko]

Before I pull the trigger for $405 bucks is there anyone that has them NOT happy with the performance of the lights?

If so explain. I could piece together a set of PIAA 530's or 004's but would rather keep the install simple and the D2's appear to do everything the other two can do with way less install hassle. I also like the compact size of the D2's.

These are the same lights, only less expensive. I made up my own wiring harness and relay with an on/off switch on the bars.
I have the 20* beam and really like them. They will help light up the road. I did not what them hooked up with the High beams and did not want a dimmer, so they worked out to be less money. If you ask, they may give an ADVriders discount.

I do not know what beam pattern you are looking for, but for my money, the 40* is too spread out.

http://tinyurl.com/768kvae

 

[roy]

Hopefully they've remedied the quality glitches. There have been reports of them malfunctioning due to bad solder joints. Denali may have already corrected the problem (not sure), but it's something be aware of...the problem seems to be only with the D2, not the D1.

hmmm, well I don't have to have the D2's but they do claim to be better performers but if they are flimsy then I may need to re-think this. anyone compared them to the D1's, real world test?

I would hate to buy a POS being how I literally hate anything electrical that would leave a bad taste in my mouth for a long time especially after spending $400 bucks.

 

[roy]

These are the same lights, only less expensive. I made up my own wiring harness and relay with an on/off switch on the bars.
I have the 20* beam and really like them. They will help light up the road. I did not what them hooked up with the High beams and did not want a dimmer, so they worked out to be less money. If you ask, they may give an ADVriders discount.

I do not know what beam pattern you are looking for, but for my money, the 40* is too spread out.

http://tinyurl.com/768kvae

I am not smart enough to hook all that up. I would have my bikes electrical system fried in no time. I can do a lot of things on a motorcycle but electrical is not one of them.

 

[Twitch]

Roy. Not sure you saw my post over in the Givi thread, but another alternative to the pricy Denalis are Jammy Sol One auxiliary lights. I put a set of these on my Super Sherpa (Install Post over in the ADVrider Sherpa Thread) and liked them so much I ordered a set for the Super Tenere. A couple weeks ago I got to see a set of Denali’s on Ulysses’ S10 and the Jammy’s are every bit as rugged imo and they’re as bright as any of these lights I’ve ever had. On the price, I paid $120 for the first set and they went up to $140 for this most recent purchase.

 

[jajpko]

I am not smart enough to hook all that up. I would have my bikes electrical system fried in no time. I can do a lot of things on a motorcycle but electrical is not one of them.

It is really not that hard.., but if you don't have a buddy that can help, maybe it is not for you.
Any of the lights will have to have some wiring done, if no more than hooking up - or +.

 

[roy]

Roy. Not sure you saw my post over in the Givi thread, but another alternative to the pricy Denalis are Jammy Sol One auxiliary lights. I put a set of these on my Super Sherpa (Install Post over in the ADVrider Sherpa Thread) and liked them so much I ordered a set for the Super Tenere. A couple weeks ago I got to see a set of Denali’s on Ulysses’ S10 and the Jammy’s are every bit as rugged imo and they’re as bright as any of these lights I’ve ever had. On the price, I paid $120 for the first set and they went up to $140 for this most recent purchase.

Those do look good. Nice job on the install. I certainly do not have the patience or know how to wire that up.

 

[roy]

It is really not that hard.., but if you don't have a buddy that can help, maybe it is not for you.
Any of the lights will have to have some wiring done, if no more than hooking up - or +.

I can do positive or negative but relay's and all the other stuff is over my head. I can do plug and play similar to the oem heated grip install ;D

 

[Venture]

Hopefully they've remedied the quality glitches. There have been reports of them malfunctioning due to bad solder joints. Denali may have already corrected the problem (not sure), but it's something be aware of...the problem seems to be only with the D2, not the D1.

how did this "glitch" manifest itself? Did the lights just suddenly stop shining or did the flicker as you drove down the road?

 

[Venture]

Roy. Not sure you saw my post over in the Givi thread, but another alternative to the pricy Denalis are Jammy Sol One auxiliary lights. I put a set of these on my Super Sherpa (Install Post over in the ADVrider Sherpa Thread) and liked them so much I ordered a set for the Super Tenere. A couple weeks ago I got to see a set of Denali’s on Ulysses’ S10 and the Jammy’s are every bit as rugged imo and they’re as bright as any of these lights I’ve ever had. On the price, I paid $120 for the first set and they went up to $140 for this most recent purchase.

There are definitely cheaper alternatives out there to the D2s. One thing I would add that was a big deal for me was ease of installation. The D2 has a complete wiring harness included, with everything you need to do the job. No soldering, no splicing, very clean and easy. Also, the D2s have the dimming feature built in that you need the harness to take advantage of. Beware "dimmable" lights that don't include the necessary electronics to do the dimming.

 

[roy]

There are definitely cheaper alternatives out there to the D2s. One thing I would add that was a big deal for me was ease of installation. The D2 has a complete wiring harness included, with everything you need to do the job. No soldering, no splicing, very clean and easy. Also, the D2s have the dimming feature built in that you need the harness to take advantage of. Beware "dimmable" lights that don't include the necessary electronics to do the dimming.

This is a big draw for me as well "ease of installation". I know they cost too much compared to alternatives. Every time I tried to cheap out it always ends up costing me more or the same. :

 

[Tremor38]

hmmm, well I don't have to have the D2's but they do claim to be better performers but if they are flimsy then I may need to re-think this. anyone compared them to the D1's, real world test?

I would hate to buy a POS being how I literally hate anything electrical that would leave a bad taste in my mouth for a long time especially after spending $400 bucks.

Actually, the materials they use are pretty rugged, it's just that whoever was soldering the LED's in at the factory was doing a poor job. Hopefully they have remedied the problem. Solstice and Denali are one in the same (lights come from the same source) so I'd at least look inside to check for proper solder joints before installing. If you have any friends that do that kind of work, just ask them to take a look.

 

[roy]

Hopefully they've remedied the quality glitches. There have been reports of them malfunctioning due to bad solder joints. Denali may have already corrected the problem (not sure), but it's something be aware of...the problem seems to be only with the D2, not the D1.

It appears that one poster has complained on the twisted throttle site to date. Maybe he got a bad one or friday product.

Limited lifetime warranty so I assume they stand behind their product.

 

[jajpko]

There are definitely cheaper alternatives out there to the D2s. One thing I would add that was a big deal for me was ease of installation. The D2 has a complete wiring harness included, with everything you need to do the job. No soldering, no splicing, very clean and easy. Also, the D2s have the dimming feature built in that you need the harness to take advantage of. Beware "dimmable" lights that don't include the necessary electronics to do the dimming.

If you don't need the dimming feature, and I really did not, it is more money for something that I would not use.
I agree it is more plug and play for those that can't do the wiring.

 

[Venture]

This is a big draw for me as well "ease of installation". I know they cost too much compared to alternatives. Every time I tried to cheap out it always ends up costing me more or the same. :

As it was for me. I originally bought a set of VisionX lights on the group buy here, and after opening the box, looking at the mess of spaghetti, short leads, etc, I sold them and bought the D2s. Could I have made the VisionX lights work? Sure, but I would have been taping, splicing, soldering, looming, and at the end of the day I still wouldn't have had the clean installation the D2s gave me. Over the years I've learned my time is every bit as valuable as money.

 

[roy]

Actually, the materials they use are pretty rugged, it's just that whoever was soldering the LED's in at the factory was doing a poor job. Hopefully they have remedied the problem. Solstice and Denali are one in the same (lights come from the same source) so I'd at least look inside to check for proper solder joints before installing. If you have any friends that do that kind of work, just ask them to take a look.

Kinda like everything made these days, quantity over quality. It seems to happen across the board no matter what you buy. I have lost count of the products I have bought through the years that were suppose to be top performer's only to turn out to be dud's.

 

[Tremor38]

how did this "glitch" manifest itself? Did the lights just suddenly stop shining or did the flicker as you drove down the road?

According to the reports, they flickered then stopped. I wish I could find the link again. There may have been just a couple of isolated incidents early-on...I'm not sure. I definitely favor a turn-key solution over cobbling something together though. I have an electrical, electronic backgrough, but my time is precious.

 

[Tremor38]

Roy. Not sure you saw my post over in the Givi thread, but another alternative to the pricy Denalis are Jammy Sol One auxiliary lights. I put a set of these on my Super Sherpa (Install Post over in the ADVrider Sherpa Thread) and liked them so much I ordered a set for the Super Tenere. A couple weeks ago I got to see a set of Denali’s on Ulysses’ S10 and the Jammy’s are every bit as rugged imo and they’re as bright as any of these lights I’ve ever had. On the price, I paid $120 for the first set and they went up to $140 for this most recent purchase.

They do great job of filling in all the deadspot and brighnting the over-all pattern. What lenses did you have fitted when you took the pic?

 

[BWC]

Have a set of the Denali D2 lights to be installed this winter. While on an 5 day ride through the northwest at the end of August the other Tenere owner I was riding with had one of his D2 lights fail.
Started going on and off intermittently, and would stay off when the bike was at idle.
Was sent for warranty and replaced. They seem to be very good lights as far as brightness and quality goes. I'll find out soon enough as to their durability.