Been using these DRLs for 2 years

[Mangizmo]

A member asked me about my DRLs, I fitted these Ring Lyras a couple of years ago they were quite expensive but in this case I think you get what you pay for, they connect straight across the battery and only come on when the engine is started (presumably they sense the charging current from the alternator) there is a third connection to the sidelight (1 wire) which makes them dim to half brightness when you put the lights on, so after 3 years of faultless operation I can recommend them, they suit the car too and fit into the 2 recesses in the bumper perfectly, I have just realised it was 3 years ago I fitted them because they were first on my MK1 and I took them off and transfered them when I sold it
https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/251166526219?chn=ps&adgroupid=54300448927&rlsatarget=pla-400358324041&abcId=1130076&adtype=pla&merchantid=7307224&poi=&googleloc=1006497&device=c&campaignid=1029942144&crdt=0

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4654/38472787370_78f8bc21fa_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/21BH6jb)rov22 (https://flic.kr/p/21BH6jb) by Mangizmo Brean (https://www.flickr.com/photos/100697961@N05/), on Flickr

[steve-45]

I like these, but how bright are they ?

Some I've seen can hardly be seen in bright sunlight.

[Mangizmo]

I like these, but how bright are they ?

Some I've seen can hardly be seen in bright sunlight.

Very good indeed, I agree some are next to useless, but these are good quality, very bright and they dim when you put your lights on to half brightness, they work just like factory fitted DRLs on a modern car, when you turn the engine off there is a slight delay, just a couple of seconds before the power off which I quite like, the circuitry is all built in and they are well made, there are loads of cheapos around but they don't have the electronics built in, I have no complaints, just fit and forget PS they go well on a MK1 too using the brackets, on a MK2 I cut out two slots in the bumper

[suzublu]

If you wire the live to the green alternator wire from the fusebox, they'll go out immediately you turn off:cool:

[steve-45]

Very good indeed, I agree some are next to useless, but these are good quality, very bright and they dim when you put your lights on to half brightness, they work just like factory fitted DRLs on a modern car, when you turn the engine off there is a slight delay, just a couple of seconds before the power off which I quite like, the circuitry is all built in and they are well made, there are loads of cheapos around but they don't have the electronics built in, I have no complaints, just fit and forget PS they go well on a MK1 too using the brackets, on a MK2 I cut out two slots in the bumper


Thanks for your answer, I'll have to order myself a pair ..... :D

[Avulon]

I like these, but how bright are they ?

Some I've seen can hardly be seen in bright sunlight.

Not sure why it would be necessary for them to be brighter than bright sunlight? If someone can't see you in those conditions...

And that, in a nutshell is my problem with DRLs - they only need to be bright enough to be more noticeable under certain dim-light conditions that are otherwise not dim enough to turn on sidelights..... The idea unsurprisingly originated in northern european countries.

However I concede that the AA says they are to make you more conspicuous in bright conditions :duh:. My question to whoever wrote that garbage would be and if they're bright enough to stand out on a sunny summer's day, what the effect is on other road users being confronted with something so bright and without direction (as in a dipped headlamp) on an overcast day?

How many have our members have the experience of a range rover vogue tailgating with those bright drls right in line with the centre of the rear screen and rear view mirror I wonder?

[smallheathlad]

Not sure why it would be necessary for them to be brighter than bright sunlight? If someone can't see you in those conditions...

And that, in a nutshell is my problem with DRLs - they only need to be bright enough to be more noticeable under certain dim-light conditions that are otherwise not dim enough to turn on sidelights..... The idea unsurprisingly originated in northern european countries.

However I concede that the AA says they are to make you more conspicuous in bright conditions :duh:. My question to whoever wrote that garbage would be and if they're bright enough to stand out on a sunny summer's day, what the effect is on other road users being confronted with something so bright and without direction (as in a dipped headlamp) on an overcast day?

How many have our members have the experience of a range rover vogue tailgating with those bright drls right in line with the centre of the rear screen and rear view mirror I wonder?
In the mid nighties I spent a bit of time working in California during the summer in the country side folk were encouraged to use dipped lights during the day on some highways. It was not uncommon for the temp to be 100 plus. You could sort of see heat raising from the road .... so the lights on made your car visible from a greater distance.

[slovcan]

Not sure why it would be necessary for them to be brighter than bright sunlight? If someone can't see you in those conditions...

And that, in a nutshell is my problem with DRLs - they only need to be bright enough to be more noticeable under certain dim-light conditions that are otherwise not dim enough to turn on sidelights..... The idea unsurprisingly originated in northern european countries.

However I concede that the AA says they are to make you more conspicuous in bright conditions :duh:. My question to whoever wrote that garbage would be and if they're bright enough to stand out on a sunny summer's day, what the effect is on other road users being confronted with something so bright and without direction (as in a dipped headlamp) on an overcast day?

How many have our members have the experience of a range rover vogue tailgating with those bright drls right in line with the centre of the rear screen and rear view mirror I wonder?

I, and any other motorcycle rider, will tell you that their lights have saved their lives on one or more occasions by being seen by the inattentive dick who was just about to turn across their path. DRL's do work the same as head- and driving lights do on a bike. Period.

Cheers,
Glenn

[Mangizmo]

I, and any other motorcycle rider, will tell you that their lights have saved their lives on one or more occasions by being seen by the inattentive dick who was just about to turn across their path. DRL's do work the same as head- and driving lights do on a bike. Period.

Cheers,
Glenn
I ride a motorcycle every single day all year round and I have DRLs on both of my bikes, I definitely feel safer with them and I don't care what anybody says about them, I will always fit them to my vehicles

Research has been done and statistically they have been proven to improve safety hence why they are compulsory on new vehicles, people said the same kind of thing about seat belts, airbags, ABS etc etc but the stats prove it

Motorcyclists can be just as much in denial about such things hence the debate amongst bikers over ABS, I ride really old bikes (MZ and Jawa) so ABS is never going to happen but I would have it if I could, but I can fit DRL's to my old bikes :-)

[Avulon]

In the mid nighties I spent a bit of time working in California during the summer in the country side folk were encouraged to use dipped lights during the day on some highways. It was not uncommon for the temp to be 100 plus. You could sort of see heat raising from the road .... so the lights on made your car visible from a greater distance.

Very rare we are going to get heat haze problems in the uk.... dipped lights aren't superbright DRLs either.

I, and any other motorcycle rider, will tell you that their lights have saved their lives on one or more occasions by being seen by the inattentive dick who was just about to turn across their path. DRL's do work the same as head- and driving lights do on a bike. Period.

Cheers,
Glenn

I AM a motorcycle rider. I do use my headlight whenever it's overcast or less than optimal light - or if I have the sun behind me. I never trust the cage drivers to see me -ever: whatever lights I have on.

It's a fact that many bikers would argue against DRLs on cars - In fact both the BMF and MAG have supported anti-DRL campaigns and lobbied against them for one simple fact. it used to be that during the daytime the only vehicles with bright lights on were motorcycles making them as distinctive as possible (you'll find most modern bikes automatically light the dipped headlight with the engine start and don't even have an off switch as standard, just a high beam switch). With all and sundry lighting up with brighter than a sunny day leds..... now play spot the motorcycle

I ride a motorcycle every single day all year round and I have DRLs on both of my bikes, I definitely feel safer with them and I don't care what anybody says about them, I will always fit them to my vehicles

Research has been done and statistically they have been proven to improve safety hence why they are compulsory on new vehicles, people said the same kind of thing about seat belts, airbags, ABS etc etc but the stats prove it

Motorcyclists can be just as much in denial about such things hence the debate amongst bikers over ABS, I ride really old bikes (MZ and Jawa) so ABS is never going to happen but I would have it if I could, but I can fit DRL's to my old bikes :-)

Any recent research from the UK? or any other place with similar lattitude range and weather?
If you don't care what anyone says don't bother entering the debate...
ride around 'feeling' safe - then search for info on 'risk compensation'.

[rustymotor]

IMO most motorcycle accidents occur when other vehicles pull out on them or cross their path, in the first case no amount of lights will help the biker, in the second the biker will have seen the crossing car however, many drivers don't give a fig for the biker and pull across anyway.

Personally I find DRL's a distraction either from behind or in front, this could lead to again not noticing a biker pedal or motorised, to me it's the same annoyance as those who leave rear fog lights turned on when visibility is good.

On the other hand, we need to differentiate between the sensible biker and the idiot and the sensible driver and the idiot, unfortunately no amount of legislation will sort that one out, so the simple question is: Are our roads safer for DRL's or not? I think not for drivers and riders more for pedestrians.

[Peterd1947]

I've had these fitted for a over a year. Available at halfords also.

[steve-45]

I've had these fitted for a over a year. Available at halfords also.


Only £2 more from Halfords so easier to return if there is a problem.

Guess where I'm off to this afternoon ? :D

[slovcan]

IMO most motorcycle accidents occur when other vehicles pull out on them or cross their path, in the first case no amount of lights will help the biker, in the second the biker will have seen the crossing car however, many drivers don't give a fig for the biker and pull across anyway.

Personally I find DRL's a distraction either from behind or in front, this could lead to again not noticing a biker pedal or motorised, to me it's the same annoyance as those who leave rear fog lights turned on when visibility is good.

On the other hand, we need to differentiate between the sensible biker and the idiot and the sensible driver and the idiot, unfortunately no amount of legislation will sort that one out, so the simple question is: Are our roads safer for DRL's or not? I think not for drivers and riders more for pedestrians.

Most collisions involving motorcycles are indeed caused by car drivers turning across the bike's path (left turn here, right turn in the UK). Sometimes the car just enters the road from a side road stop sign. Does anyone seriously believe the lights on the bike would not prevent either scenario in MOST cases? The lights get noticed, the offending driver pauses or starts and instantly stops. I've seen it a hundred times.

I have experienced car drivers actively trying to cause me harm or kill me, but MOST car drivers would not purposely drive out in front of oncoming headlights if for no other reason than to not intentionally damage their own car.

As has been said, there were vociferous arguments against mandating seat belts, then mandating that they be worn. Eventually the arguments against were proven wrong. Who now would really advise their children NOT to wear a seat belt? ABS on bikes? The jury is still out. Some riders in some conditions can stop faster without ABS, but they are not in the majority of riders. DRLs? Most of the world has accepted that they DO save lives - even late adopters, the USA. In another 10 years they will be universal. If lights behind you bother you when they're in your rearview mirror, dip your mirror like at night.

For bike riders info, I always practice the SMIDSY when approaching an intersection where a car is waiting or indicating or makes me suspicious that it will turn across my path. Same thing when I see a car waiting to enter the road from a side road. I have my driving lights low on my forks to create a lighting triangle that better identifies me as a bike rather than just another light in the daytime or a car with a headlight out during the night.

I really think the naysayers against DRLs are now a tiny minority in the world at large and DRLs are actually a good thing.

Sorry, I seem to have gotten carried away :}. Oh yeah, all motorcycle riders should be allowed to carry sidearms! :D

Cheers,
Glenn

[suzublu]

Oh yeah, all motorcycle riders should be allowed to carry sidearms!
Not in the civilised world sir;):D

[slovcan]

Oh yeah, all motorcycle riders should be allowed to carry sidearms!
Not in the civilised world sir;):D

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[COLVERT]

Oh yeah, all motorcycle riders should be allowed to carry sidearms!
Not in the civilised world sir;):D

PERHAPS LIKE THIS ??--------:eek::eek::eek:


https://the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=11655&d=1326064114

[slovcan]

PERHAPS LIKE THIS ??--------:eek::eek::eek:


https://the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=11655&d=1326064114

:D Now that'd be a hoot! Kawasaki did make a bunch of KLR650s for the military years ago. Maybe that's one of them.

[Mangizmo]

[QUOTE=

Sorry, I seem to have gotten carried away :}. Oh yeah, all motorcycle riders should be allowed to carry sidearms! :D

Cheers,
Glenn[/QUOTE]

Machine gun is an optional extra for my other "bike"
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/774/32419801724_12bf4e1717_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/RoPXyG)combo (https://flic.kr/p/RoPXyG) by Mangizmo Brean (https://www.flickr.com/photos/100697961@N05/), on Flickrhttps://farm5.staticflickr.com/4746/39629218414_7427f4a32a_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/23nU6Ys)ural (https://flic.kr/p/23nU6Ys) by Mangizmo Brean (https://www.flickr.com/photos/100697961@N05/), on Flickr

[slovcan]

Machine gun is an optional extra for my other "bike"
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/774/32419801724_12bf4e1717_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/RoPXyG)combo (https://flic.kr/p/RoPXyG) by Mangizmo Brean (https://www.flickr.com/photos/100697961@N05/), on Flickrhttps://farm5.staticflickr.com/4746/39629218414_7427f4a32a_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/23nU6Ys)ural (https://flic.kr/p/23nU6Ys) by Mangizmo Brean (https://www.flickr.com/photos/100697961@N05/), on Flickr

Cool. Did you have the option of running a longer axle over to the sidecar wheel for two wheel drive in the snow? The mil-spec model MUST have Paint It Black blasting from the speakers!

[Mangizmo]

Cool. Did you have the option of running a longer axle over to the sidecar wheel for two wheel drive in the snow? The mil-spec model MUST have Paint It Black blasting from the speakers!
Its a beast of a machine, unfortunately in the UK we can't have the 2WD version because the sidecar is on the left and the drive comes off the RHS, so RH drive countries can have the 2WD version but not us UNLESS its an older one registered before 1981, I have ridden a 2WD version and it was awesome with off road capability that betters a 4WD vehicle as its lighter and more manouverable, its a very old design, mine is a 2012 and they are still made, they the basic design dates back to before WW2 but it works!!
Infact I am amazed how smooth it is and it rivals a modern bike in that regard, we have known how to make a decent internal combustion engine for a long time now it is basically the same as a WW2 machine but with electronic ignition, Brembo front disk linked to the sidecar, 750W alternator the same as a Toyota Hilux and the party trick is reverse gear (essential in my view on such a heavy machine)
No ECU, No EFI (dual bing carbs) no fancy electronics, I like that kind of bike, this is my solo.....they still make these and this is a 2016 Jawa 2 stroke 350 twin, again virtually unchanged since the 1950s
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4677/39631062154_ccffd1dc2d.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/23o4y45)R0 (https://flic.kr/p/23o4y45) by Mangizmo Brean (https://www.flickr.com/photos/100697961@N05/), on Flickr
And DRLs on this one too, I like them :-)
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4674/39631061844_15a9d08f5e.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/23o4xXJ)R2 (https://flic.kr/p/23o4xXJ) by Mangizmo Brean (https://www.flickr.com/photos/100697961@N05/), on Flickr

[slovcan]

Nice! Two stroke have fallen from grace over here. Your DRLs are doing a great job - unlike that little 5W marker bulb in the headlight housing. Our Trophys still had the same marker/running lights in the headlight housings, but no bike sold here has had an actual headlight on/off switch in 40 years (maybe more). I could order the switch from the homeland. It is plug 'n' play - wiring was left in place.

Cheers,
Glenn

[Mangizmo]

Nice! Two stroke have fallen from grace over here. Your DRLs are doing a great job - unlike that little 5W marker bulb in the headlight housing. Our Trophys still had the same marker/running lights in the headlight housings, but no bike sold here has had an actual headlight on/off switch in 40 years (maybe more). I could order the switch from the homeland. It is plug 'n' play - wiring was left in place.

Cheers,
Glenn
Actually 2 strokes at least larger capacity have not really been available here since the early 1990s, we have 1 importer of Jawas here, he has to get every one type approved on delivery and they are only allowed because so few are sold, a mass market 350cc 2 stroke from the big boys would not be allowed due to the numbers that would be sold
Jawas start off very inexpensive, but by the time the dealer has type approved them, a new one is £3500 which is what I paid, but I think it was worth it, its quirky, proper retro (as opposed to retro style), robust and actually reasonably powerful, not so much BHP but they are torquey with a big flywheel on the crank, I think its great, I had one in the 1980s when they were much maligned, this is the same bike but better engineered with decent brakes and 12v electronic ignition, still made in the Czech republic....not much to go wrong really

[Mangizmo]

Actually 2 strokes at least larger capacity have not really been available here since the early 1990s, we have 1 importer of Jawas here, he has to get every one type approved on delivery and they are only allowed because so few are sold, a mass market 350cc 2 stroke from the big boys would not be allowed due to the numbers that would be sold
Jawas start off very inexpensive, but by the time the dealer has type approved them, a new one is £3500 which is what I paid, but I think it was worth it, its quirky, proper retro (as opposed to retro style), robust and actually reasonably powerful, not so much BHP but they are torquey with a big flywheel on the crank, I think its great, I had one in the 1980s when they were much maligned, this is the same bike but better engineered with decent brakes and 12v electronic ignition, still made in the Czech republic....not much to go wrong really
PS, the Jawa doesn't smoke too bad at all, modern oils combined with a pump which delivers oil proportional to the throttle position means it burns far less oil than a premix, which has to run the same mixture even at tickover, I also have a premix 1977 MZ 250 single, thats a good reliable bike bit uses twice as much oil and smokes much more, Jawas have had pumps (oilmaster its called) since the 1970s except now they don't fail like they used to, the dealer has never known a failed pump on anything post 1997