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My Glenda and Krista Clearwater Lights

8K views 6 replies 4 participants last post by  mbrinitzer 
#1 · (Edited)
My Glenda and Krista LED Clearwater Lights

I recently had the Glenda LED Clearwater Lights mounted on my DL1000. As you cannot have too much light at night, I also had the new, larger, more powerful Krista's mounted also. I have read the posts from a fellow vstrom-er who mounted just the Glenda's on his 650. I second his opinion.....these lights are amazing. The dimmer allows me to dim both the smaller Glendas and the larger Kristas. An auxiliary switch allows me to turn the Kristas on or off. Both sets are wired to the low/high beam switch, when the Kristas are on and I switch to high beam, both sets go to full brightness and yes, I do own the night! I cannot say enough about the quality of these lights...... waterproof CNC machined housings, high spec wiring harnesses, and very cool looking. The lights are not inexpensive, but I believe I will never have to buy any other lights due to the long life of LED's and the build quality of these lights. I have Soltek Fuegos on my FJR1300, and at $800 a pair, they are more expensive than the Glendas at $475 and the Kristas ast $649. They are great lights, however they are not dimmable and take several seconds to come up to full power, unlike LED's that are "instant on". Check out the pics. I will add more detailed specs, pics taken with the lights on at night soon. Bottom line is that these are excellent lights, and I can ride much more confidently at night and be seen much better during the day. Check out www.clearwaterlights.com. Also here is a link to a review of Clearwater Lights by webBikeWorld: http://www.webbikeworld.com/lights/motorcycle-led-driving-lights/#comments

Here is some information on clearwater lights which I have copied from their website with permission from the owner, Glenn Stassky:

Clearwater Lights are compact, easy to mount and simple to install. In order to maximize the full potential of HPLEDs, Clearwater uses advanced microprocessor controlled circuits to keep light output constant at a wide range of voltages. Because we use programmable circuits to control the power, we can even remotely adjust brightness!
What Are HPLEDs?

High Power LEDs (HPLEDs) are a new generation technology ideally suited for the unique demands of today’s motorcycles. Providing higher output with lower power consumption – dramatically increasing your level of safety and reliability. The Clearwater Lights HPLED revolution is here! Clearwater HPLEDs Easily Surpass Halogen for Output and Efficiency.

Lights Dimming

Why Control Brightness?

The unique brightness control circuit uses a rotary volume control to digitally change brightness in a wide range of intensity. The soft rubber knob is easily adjusted, even with gloves. It conveniently mounts on a handlebar or in a faring.

Clearwater Lights let the rider easily adjust the light output to the needs of changing road conditions. Because they don’t need to be turned off, safety is never compromised.

Auxiliary lights are often avoided because of the added glare imposed on oncoming traffic – they’re just too bright. But turning off these lights decreases the rider’s visible “signature” for oncoming drivers, increasing the danger to the rider.

How Strong are These Lights?

Each light is either CNC machined or forged from billet. Brackets are machined from 6061 series aluminum and use durable stainless steel hardware. The internal circuit boards are actually bonded to an additional aluminum plate for strength and heat management. Surface treatments consist of BOTH hard anodize and powder coating on certain models.

Can I Install it Myself?

Yes, you can! Clearwater has a long history of designing and manufacturing quality products that are consumer-friendly. Instructions and owners’ manuals are written with the home consumer in mind. On site installation is available at our Rancho Cordova, CA facility.

<a href="http://s89.photobucket.com/albums/k212/mbrinitzer/Clearwater%20Lights%20on%20Vstrom/?action=view&current=_MG_4716.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k212/mbrinitzer/Clearwater%20Lights%20on%20Vstrom/_MG_4716.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

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#2 ·
great looking bike!

I really have nothing to say about your lights (although they are quite nice) but I did want to say your bike is stunning. From the color to the new mirrors...you've gone for the sport tourer look over the adventure tourer (aka GS look) and it really is nice. Know that lots of work went into this so wanted to say it was well worth it.

-Did the mirrors help with buffeting and ability to look rearward?
-Feedback on your brake setup? I just rode the multistrada and now know what I'm missing in regard to brakes.
 
#3 ·
Thanks for the kudos. The bike is a 2002 and has been a constant work in progress. It is nice when others appreciate your work! I don't take it offroad, so yes, sport touring is my thing. The BMW RS 1100 mirrors solved my mirror issues completely......I tried many different mirror setups before doing this mod. They are rock solid, and I can see behind me, and no buffeting at all.

I love the brake setup. Bought the brackets on the forum, and my riding buddy happened to have a set of 4 piston Tokico's off a GSXR I believe. So this was an inexpensive but great improvement to the bike. Much more confidence inspiring, especially when riding two up and loaded with gear.
 
#4 ·
The BMW RS 1100 mirrors solved my mirror issues completely......I tried many different mirror setups before doing this mod. They are rock solid, and I can see behind me, and no buffeting at all.
I hate to further hijack this thread, but I gotta know more about the mirrors. Specifically, how are they mounted? I don't recall there being anything other than plastic in that location. Maybe you could start a new thread with some more info?
 
#5 · (Edited)
This is a slippery slope......back in 2007 I spoke with Paul Sas of MP Cycle Design. He was fabricating some very effective windshields, (that is one of two of his windshields that I use, the other is a shorty for summer) that completely eliminated buffeting for me. He also had put BMW R1100S mirrors on his bike, removed the OEM front blinkers, and integrated led blinkers into the cowling. He would take a front cowling, cover the holes where the turn signals come out of and repaint the cowling. At the same time, he cut the holes for the BMW mirrors in the cowling. You could give him your stock cowling and he would sell you the one he had modified, ready to go. That was the easy part.

To convert to the BMW mirrors, he fabricated brackets that attached to the headlight/front cowling subframe. At the time he would sell you the modified subframe and cowling so you could do the mod yourself. So......this mod required complete disassembly of the front cowling, including removing the instrument cluster. Not a simple project at all, but I love the end result. I believe, that other than his vstrom, I am the only other vstromer who had done the mod. I have lost touch with Paul and I do not know if he continues to make windshields and offers the parts to do this mod.

He offered to help me do the conversion, so due to time constraints and extremely hot conditions, I loaded my bike into my buddies pickup, and we drove from Sacramento to San Marcos (400 or so miles). Paul personally helped do the mod. He is a great guy and we had a great time hanging out and doing the mod. I do love the result.

Sorry for the long story!
 
#6 ·
Really great looking bike - I can tell you put a lot of love into it. Since I have a set of Glenda's I can only imagine how bright your Krista lights are a full power. Do you have any trouble running both these sets of lights given the power output of a Vstrom (especially a 2002)? I am becomming a light junkie and would like to own a set of Krista lights which also probably function as rayguns. Damn your bike looks good.
 
#7 ·
So far so good. However I will add a Datel voltmeter or some other indicator to monitor how much juice I am using and make sure I am not draining the battery. I am a light junkie too......Baja Designs Soltek Fuegos on my FJR 1300. My friends joke that I vaporize small animals and burn the paint off the bumpers of cars at night! Funny though, they all want to ride behind me at night!

Thanks for the complements on the bike. I appreciate it!
 
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