I have a similar lighting setup, except for the unusual staggered pattern of how you mounted yours. My favorite part of having them is when another driver does something stupid at night, I hit them with my brights or strobes and it melts their face off like in Raiders of The Lost Ark. Money well spent.
The strobe is like a super power. Lol. I use it sparingly but I do use it. Everyone around me stops looking at their cell phone and starts paying attention. My lights are mismatched because some are spot lights (reach) and others are driving lights (wide lens) so I get long reach and well illuminated side of roads to spot deer.
This is my 5th GS and I have ran the Denali soundbomb before but I had some issues with their build quality and decided to forgo it for this build out. I loved how loud it was and really miss it.
Dang that sucks about the quality issues! I’ve only had my sound bomb installed for about a year, my only regret so far is that I don’t have two sound bombs 😂
The lack of adequate lighting to see into the future is just wrong on so many levels. You know you don’t have enough lights when your battery lasts more than thirty seconds. /s looks good 👍
Fun fact. If I don’t keep on the throttle, these lights will deplete the battery in 90 seconds. I cannot turn them on at idle without killing the voltage.
YEP! I have taken every bike build to tail of the dragon for a photo op. It’s like an engagement photo. Lol. Then I get the bikes really dirty and never wash them again.
Sargent Seats out of Jacksonville Florida. Not only are they made in USA. but they work with the OEM heated seat controller and they’ll refurb the seat with new foam and cover for $150. I’ve cheated by purchasing used seats on eBay and sending it to them and they’ll Refurbish them for cheaper than buying new as long as the pan is in good shape.
Thanks. It's replacing my license plate SBUX which I miss but wasn't available when I moved. She's going to be a lot dirtier after the trip I have planned.
I really enjoyed the high res photos!
Great job building the bike and taking pictures. I expect those light to perform remarkably well in dark conditions.
Thank you for checking out the photos. I respect those who zoom way in to find little tiny details. The lights are a unique situation. Clearwater doesn't sell these as a kit and when I called them because I had 2 donor bikes with these 4 front lights and wanted to run them at the same time, they had to build a custom harness for me and it would only work if I am not running heated gear. When these are all at 100%, if I'm not on the throttle, the battery voltage drops rapidly so the alternator really has to be working to power them. For that reason, it's not a setup they sell due to power draw.
But it's like driving in the day time when you hit the high beams...really amazing. Here are a few night photos - [https://www.flickr.com/photos/adamjackson/](https://www.flickr.com/photos/adamjackson/)
I like high tech stuff but A) I love a good deal and B) I like buying the last model before it's replaced so I usually wait a few years when new tech comes and then wait. I bought my last 1200GSA when the 1250s were on the lot and I bought this one when the 1300s came out. I trust BMW but I also like knowing it's a bike in production for a while. That and I always get a great deal! I paid $23K for this one at .9% interest. The new 1300GSA is going to be over $30,000 fully loaded and I can buy modifications for cheap because people are selling their stuff and upgrading bikes.
Smart man. Sounds like you made a good decision. Thanks for the insight. I'm in first phase of shopping a new bike and gs is top of the list along with a ducati multistrada.
5th GS. That’s awesome. How many miles do you typically put on them. I assume they have been reliable since you’ve bought 5 of them. I just bought one this year and have been very impressed so far.
Around 35,000 before it’s time to shop for a new one. Which I admit is low miles but I love shiny stuff. Last few bikes I got for around $20-$23K and sold them for $12-14K 3 years later. Not terrible and of course I strip the modifications off and sell separately.
Here's a photo but I took it a little further than this dropping the rear swing arm and removing all of the suspension - [http://i.imgur.com/CRGchid.jpeg](http://i.imgur.com/CRGchid.jpeg)
Why? Well, I replaced the shocks with nicer Tractive suspension sprung to my weight and I'm a bit psycho about wiring so all of the wiring runs inside of the frame above the motor versus tucked away beside the fuel tank so I take it down to frame and motor for all of the wiring project. You have to remove the tank anyway to do the front shock.
Yeah, the Iron Butt Plaque is sitting high. I did notice that after taking the photos and fixed it.
Just an injection molded ABS plastic that covers the find drive. I've scratched my final drives to hell crashing off road so this keeps them safer and I like the color it adds (flare?) to the back end. Some people guess that dirt gets trapped in there and causes more damage but I remove this cover once a year to do the final drive fluid and it's never been scratched or damaged.
I don't know, the bike was $23,000. Pretty cheap compared to houses these days. MSRP of the modifications is $17,500 but I buy most everything used so half that.
Because I already had them on 2 donor bikes and just moved them to this one. I ride trails at night more than day time so I do use them and I think they look great.
It's hard to say because I do videos for every modification installed so that usually doubles the amount of time it takes. In total, probably 80 hours. I was up until midnight after work for many weeks.
I appreciate when guys don’t mess around and just go all in…it’s all about the details!
Side note I once won a costume contest in a Gumby suit at a local bar, turns out I’d been overserved and left before they announced the winner. The next day I went back still in costume, still drunk and tried to claim my prize, I was kicked out promptly.
I do not. I’ve taken a pretty simple approach to wiring this time around. It used to be I had too many electronics which induced gremlins. Now it’s just a nav, wireless phone charger, lights and security system. I do have two powered SAE ports to charge my power banks while riding. They deplete at night to recharge devices and I top them up the next day on the road.
Looks fun! Have fun!
Thanks! I leave tomorrow for a 6 week trip. Very excited.
Living the dream
I hope I never wake up!
I have a similar lighting setup, except for the unusual staggered pattern of how you mounted yours. My favorite part of having them is when another driver does something stupid at night, I hit them with my brights or strobes and it melts their face off like in Raiders of The Lost Ark. Money well spent.
The strobe is like a super power. Lol. I use it sparingly but I do use it. Everyone around me stops looking at their cell phone and starts paying attention. My lights are mismatched because some are spot lights (reach) and others are driving lights (wide lens) so I get long reach and well illuminated side of roads to spot deer.
Yeah it’s pretty nice. I can’t see if you’ve got the air horn setup as well, I love mine.
This is my 5th GS and I have ran the Denali soundbomb before but I had some issues with their build quality and decided to forgo it for this build out. I loved how loud it was and really miss it.
Dang that sucks about the quality issues! I’ve only had my sound bomb installed for about a year, my only regret so far is that I don’t have two sound bombs 😂
The lack of adequate lighting to see into the future is just wrong on so many levels. You know you don’t have enough lights when your battery lasts more than thirty seconds. /s looks good 👍
Fun fact. If I don’t keep on the throttle, these lights will deplete the battery in 90 seconds. I cannot turn them on at idle without killing the voltage.
Oh that is pretty right there.
Nice! Is that Deal’s Gap?
YEP! I have taken every bike build to tail of the dragon for a photo op. It’s like an engagement photo. Lol. Then I get the bikes really dirty and never wash them again.
I thought so. I haven’t seen you around Nashville (Leipers Fork), I’d remember that bike. Enjoy!
Very nice ride! Curious who made the seat.
Sargent Seats out of Jacksonville Florida. Not only are they made in USA. but they work with the OEM heated seat controller and they’ll refurb the seat with new foam and cover for $150. I’ve cheated by purchasing used seats on eBay and sending it to them and they’ll Refurbish them for cheaper than buying new as long as the pan is in good shape.
Thank you, sir, for the info. All the best on your trip. I am envious.
Second the opinion on Sargent seats. They are great. Just got one for my 23. Their service is great and the seats are very comfortable.
Props for your license plate. Love it!
Thanks. It's replacing my license plate SBUX which I miss but wasn't available when I moved. She's going to be a lot dirtier after the trip I have planned.
This looks gorgeous. Well done!
I really enjoyed the high res photos! Great job building the bike and taking pictures. I expect those light to perform remarkably well in dark conditions.
Thank you for checking out the photos. I respect those who zoom way in to find little tiny details. The lights are a unique situation. Clearwater doesn't sell these as a kit and when I called them because I had 2 donor bikes with these 4 front lights and wanted to run them at the same time, they had to build a custom harness for me and it would only work if I am not running heated gear. When these are all at 100%, if I'm not on the throttle, the battery voltage drops rapidly so the alternator really has to be working to power them. For that reason, it's not a setup they sell due to power draw. But it's like driving in the day time when you hit the high beams...really amazing. Here are a few night photos - [https://www.flickr.com/photos/adamjackson/](https://www.flickr.com/photos/adamjackson/)
What made you choose the 1250 over the new 1300?
I like high tech stuff but A) I love a good deal and B) I like buying the last model before it's replaced so I usually wait a few years when new tech comes and then wait. I bought my last 1200GSA when the 1250s were on the lot and I bought this one when the 1300s came out. I trust BMW but I also like knowing it's a bike in production for a while. That and I always get a great deal! I paid $23K for this one at .9% interest. The new 1300GSA is going to be over $30,000 fully loaded and I can buy modifications for cheap because people are selling their stuff and upgrading bikes.
Smart man. Sounds like you made a good decision. Thanks for the insight. I'm in first phase of shopping a new bike and gs is top of the list along with a ducati multistrada.
That Ducati has those insane long valve check maintenance intervals. I've never met anyone who doesn't love their Multistrada. Lots of power!
And beautiful too. And the gs is legendary. Both are top of the game
5th GS. That’s awesome. How many miles do you typically put on them. I assume they have been reliable since you’ve bought 5 of them. I just bought one this year and have been very impressed so far.
Around 35,000 before it’s time to shop for a new one. Which I admit is low miles but I love shiny stuff. Last few bikes I got for around $20-$23K and sold them for $12-14K 3 years later. Not terrible and of course I strip the modifications off and sell separately.
Why did it need a tear down? Also something at the license plate isn't mounted straight.
Here's a photo but I took it a little further than this dropping the rear swing arm and removing all of the suspension - [http://i.imgur.com/CRGchid.jpeg](http://i.imgur.com/CRGchid.jpeg) Why? Well, I replaced the shocks with nicer Tractive suspension sprung to my weight and I'm a bit psycho about wiring so all of the wiring runs inside of the frame above the motor versus tucked away beside the fuel tank so I take it down to frame and motor for all of the wiring project. You have to remove the tank anyway to do the front shock. Yeah, the Iron Butt Plaque is sitting high. I did notice that after taking the photos and fixed it.
What's the red addon part on the end of the shaft drive?
Just an injection molded ABS plastic that covers the find drive. I've scratched my final drives to hell crashing off road so this keeps them safer and I like the color it adds (flare?) to the back end. Some people guess that dirt gets trapped in there and causes more damage but I remove this cover once a year to do the final drive fluid and it's never been scratched or damaged.
When your bike costs as much as your house.
I don't know, the bike was $23,000. Pretty cheap compared to houses these days. MSRP of the modifications is $17,500 but I buy most everything used so half that.
Why so many lights?
Because I already had them on 2 donor bikes and just moved them to this one. I ride trails at night more than day time so I do use them and I think they look great.
Holy hell that looks fantastic. Full build in 30 days is nuts, how many hours do you think you spent?
It's hard to say because I do videos for every modification installed so that usually doubles the amount of time it takes. In total, probably 80 hours. I was up until midnight after work for many weeks.
I appreciate when guys don’t mess around and just go all in…it’s all about the details! Side note I once won a costume contest in a Gumby suit at a local bar, turns out I’d been overserved and left before they announced the winner. The next day I went back still in costume, still drunk and tried to claim my prize, I was kicked out promptly.
I trust you have RGB LEDs through the frame?
I do not. I’ve taken a pretty simple approach to wiring this time around. It used to be I had too many electronics which induced gremlins. Now it’s just a nav, wireless phone charger, lights and security system. I do have two powered SAE ports to charge my power banks while riding. They deplete at night to recharge devices and I top them up the next day on the road.
Not a fan of being visible eh
I can’t see your post. My retinas are burned out from staring at my bike too long.