Reddit mentions: The best automotive light bars

First off as a reminder for everybody: if you guys could make suggestion posts self-posts, that would be great! I'll leave this here since you've already got some comments already and are off road in the picture. :)

Now...

Here is my wagon currently.

There's a pretty good amount of stuff you can do for your wagon. :)

Starting with protection, Primitive makes excellent quality plates that will keep your car safe from rocks and branches from stabbing into your under-body driving or if you bottom out. I highly recommend Primitive. They're excellent to work with.

Let's talk about lifts, now! :) There's multiple ways to lift an Outback. Subtle Solutions and Gorilla Off-Road Company both make 1" Spacers that allow you to lift without much (if any) correction to the suspension.

After lifting, getting an alignment is definitely recommended. Also note that 2" is pretty much the max for lifting our cars unless you're wanting to getting into dropping the subframe. SJR makes a lift that goes 4" and 6", but they increase in price significantly from the 2" model.

If you're looking for a lift that has some more on the road benefits, King Springs are another viable option as they have ~20% stiffer progressive spring rate that keeps the car stiffer on corners and keeps you from bouncing around off-road. They're usually put on new shocks and the most commonly used ones are KYB GR2s. There's a little discrepancy on how much they lift, but it's usually 1"-1.5". The King Spring + KYB GR2 combo will run you ~$900, which is a little pricey, but worth it if you're looking for an improved ride.

One last route to go (which I think I'm going to do these and regular height King Springs) is an SJR lift which uses metal lifting blocks found here. They provide a 2" lift and are angled to keep stock strut geometry which is definitely nice.

Lights are a place you can mix it up a bit. Hella 500s are tried and true and have a more "rally" look to them, but I recently bought this front LED light bar and absolutely love it. It's light output is ridiculous and it's great for the price. So far, no complaints. Just remember for bulb lights, circle lights generally put out more. :) Her's my top LED light bar as well if you're interested.

I got this roof rack and am very happy with it. It's solid and great for the money. They make an extension piece as well and a cargo net

Rally Armor Mud Flaps are useful for keeping the mud on your car down and also defecting rocks from your paint. :)

And last but not least, tires! I highly recommend General Grabber AT2s. You can go about one more tire size bigger than stock and still not rub. :) Tires are one of the best upgrades you can get for going off-road. :)

I hope this helps! :)

I havent taken it outside yet, but it pretty damn bright. Its also a spot light and not a flood light.

Nilight 7" 36w Spot LED Work Light Off Road LED Light Bar 12v Driving Lights Super Bright for Jeep Cabin Boat SUV Truck Car ATVs,2 Years Warranty https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AZPP0Y6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_g.6.ybNPKBBS8


They're also pretty cost effective.

This is the light bar. I chose to mount the brackets 14 inches apart, but you can slide them both the full length of the body of the bar, so they could be from 0" to 17 or 18 inches apart if you so desire. Was the cheapest I could find on Amazon with good reviews. It puts off more light than my high beams and has a bright spot in the center with a fair amount of throw to the sides. Obviously not as bright as the 50" bar on my roof, but I wanted something between my headlights and 50" in terms of brightness, so I'm pretty happy with it so far.

I have the Astar JDM Extremely Bright version of this. Unlike many, if not most, chinese lights, they actually have believable ratings instead of being rated at the theoretical limit of the LED's used when hot rodded with DTP copper PCB's and huge heat sinks. Anyhow, it's 6000k and looks bad as reverse lights unless you prefer a purplish tint. I'd prefer neutral white. My bulbs are brighter than stock, but the optics of the factory housing really limits how useful the reverse lights can be. I agree with the others that it'd be much better to get a mini light bar/pod. Here's what I'm planning to try out. I don't like the 6500K tint, but I'm hoping it's more effective than my LED's in the factory housings. If it's bright enough, I'll install one in the middle of my bumper, and maybe a second one if one isn't bright enough.

I've also tried ordering the Sencart version of the bulbs you linked, except that have 16 Cree XP-E LED's. Unfortunately the first order was sent with red instead of white LED's and the bulb doesn't even work correctly in the XJ, and the replacement order was lost in the mail.

I've found that white LED's in the turn and brake housings looks too washed out. Red LED's in the brake housing is about the same as stock. The only good reason I see to swap is to reduce power consumption, IF you're already near or beyond a level at which your alternator can keep your battery charged.

Hey, I'm hoping you can help me out! I bout this a while back
https://www.amazon.com/Nilight-Lights-Driving-Lighting-Warranty/dp/B00WE47FVM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1486003550&sr=8-1&keywords=20+inch+light+bar
because it fit my dimensions good but the light is very lacking, I really want something with some distance!! Height is not a factor but it can only be about 24 inches long max and I really need it to mount like how that one done, not the side mounts. Budget is like 200 bucks but would like to spend less obviously, any ideas?

Without seeing your actual rack it's a little hard to help. I found some bar clamps on Amazon that might work. You need to find something that will clamp onto the round part of your rack (assuming the bars of your rack are round) that has a flat mounting surface you can mount your solar panel to. Something like this. But for your size bar. I've never bought Relogy panels, but I'm sure there must be some kind of mounting holes on the back flange that you can bolt to. Use lock-nuts.

You'll be ok with one panel and one battery. If you decide you need a second one later, it does work to add another of the exact same type as long as you haven't trashed the first one. I've done it successfully.

A lot of noise is relative. The only noise it makes comes from the fan, there aren't any other moving parts, so I personally wouldn't worry about it unless you plan on leaving it running all night, which is definitely not advised with only one battery. But again, I'm no expert when it comes to inverters, so you should probably try to get others' suggestions.

For some smaller led lights I'd suggest either these, which are a bit bigger than you expect but good quality or these which come highly recommended with almost 3k reviews and are at an excellent price point. On the 12" bar I don't have much experience but I've heard good things about "eyourlife" on amazon which is just a rebranding of the Chinese light bars but they're cheaper

It's pretty basic electrical work, but can be a bit intimidating. I made my own harness, but there are way easier ways.

They make easy wire harnesses like these. These are pretty straight forward, with diagrams.

They are Aux Beam ones off Amazon. I got them for $17 but it appears the price went up to $21. Still totally worth it IMO. Literally like two mini sun's strapped to the handlebars.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00T62RK1U/ref=ya_aw_od_pi?ie=UTF8&psc=1

As for the way I mounted them, I used the bolt that is holding on my barkbusters. It's super stable even after all the whoolies that have taken place.

My bar ends spin very easily but loosening the screw was impossible.

I got these: https://www.amazon.com/Krator-Universal-Inceased-Davidsons-Kawasaki/dp/B002GTKAHQ#productDescription_secondary_view_div_1490672053210

Love the look and functionality of the new. Previously the mirrors were the highest point on the bike so the bar ends make it look more streetfighter. Also I would have to lean to look around my shoulder but that's not a problem with these.

I plan on finding the size of the bolt to fit in the old holes and adding accessories like a phone mount or cup holder.

LED Light Bar Nilight 20 Inch 126w LED Work Light Spot Flood Combo Led Bar Off Road Lights Driving Lights Led Fog Light Jeep Lights Boat Lighting ,2 Years Warranty https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WE47FVM/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_XO8jyb00TR1KP

Probably smaller than. You want on a battle car but I have one on my '15 focus st a d I love it. Works great and I could totally use just it and no headlights.

288W 50" LED Light Bar Combo Beam for Off-Road ATV UTV SUV RV Truck Pick-up (pack of 1) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NAQUJ34/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_gQ8jybETDYH5B

Also got this one for my fiance's jeep and it's incredibly bright.

Dang, my daily is a 2005 Jetta TDI with a rack like this on top, where I have plenty of room to mount one under the rack. The 2006 is a little harder unless you also have a rack. What about a set of these, one mounted in each of those mini grills beneath the headlights? I don't know how big the center front grill is, but if you can fit a 20" in there it would be pretty sweet. Especially if your area doesn't require front plates.

EDIT: Or you can do an emblem delete and stick a light bar where the VW logo is.

I purchased mine from amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01N9HHPK5/ref=cm_cr_arp_mb_bdcrb_top?ie=UTF8

The spread is pretty good and they are very bright. I’ve been happy with them.

The two center hellas have been replaced by a led light bar. The two round leds are floods. Not as bright as I would like but on a dark beach or in the woods they’re good. The leds in the stock driving light location are spots. They’re great. I also have leds for the headlights.

Autofeel Triple Row 16" Led Light Bar, 216W 21600LM 7D Straight Tri-Row Spot Flood Combo Beam for Off Road Jeep ATV AWD SUV 4WD 4x4 Pickup https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N034KV7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_CHhYzbB4S7DGK

Auxbeam 7” LED Light Bar 36W CREE Driving Light Waterproof LED spot lights for trucks Off-road 4x4 Military Mining Boating Farming and Heavy Equipment https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00T9GBU14/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_TIhYzb1RE5EHH

Nilight LED Light Bar 2PCS 7Inch 51w Spot Round Led Off Road Lights Fog Light Driving Lights Roof Bumper Light Bars for Trucks Boat Lights, 2 Years Warranty https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MDG14CC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_FJhYzbHBCCPJY

These are 4 in lights,bet they would fit. They had great reviews on amazon and were easy enough to install (about 3 hours for both pairs on their own switches). They come with a bracket. I had to modify (read: drill a new hole) in my fog light brackets. Honestly, shopping around for lights you can get cheap ones. The brand is what you pay for, there are only a handful of factories in china that make em.
Ones Im using as fogs.
What I am using as high beams.

I bought these. Very nice fit for the factory fog light opening. Don't think i paid that much for then tho.

Nilight Led Light Bar 2PCS 36w 6.5Inch Flood Led Off Road Lights Super Bright Driving Fog Light Boat Lights Driving Lights Led Work Light SUV Jeep Lamp,2 Years Warranty https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IZ9VAOI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_aTe-Bb3HZA4CS

$12 on Amazon. They work great, you're not looking at your shoulder or elbow all day long, they don't vibrate much, they're easy to install, and cheap as heck.

Be warned, they look good, they work great, but the quality control may be lacking. My bike came with just one of the mirrors on it. I ordered another pair. One of the mirrors I ordered rattled loose because 2 fasteners were not torqued correctly from the factory. I'd fix it, but it's the fasteners inside the mirror.

For $12, these mirrors are amazing. I'd say they're worth $20. They also function as bar end sliders I discovered, now I need to order a new pair.

I’d say your best bet would be to get something like this. Seems like the easiest way.

SSD lightbar and amazon special LED lights.

They're plenty bright, but they don't really make great driving lights. It's hard to focus LEDs as well as a halogen beam, so they act more as flood lights. Gonna relocate my plate soon and throw some pencil beams in the center, so I have some good throw and also good flood on the sides and top.

I've had them for 5 years give or take. Rock solid. I don't know if they're actually from China but i would probably assume honestly. Here's the Amazon link The bike fell over once and i bought a second pair that were exactly the same.
When rebiulding the whole front end on a college budget, you find ways to save money.

Parts List:

• Nilight 32" light bar: $42
  
• 14AWG wiring harness: $14
  
• 1" Mounting clamps: $17
  
• OEM fog lamp switch (#H4510FJ000): ~$40
  
• Assorted wire connectors
  
• Crimping tool
  
• Heat shrink
  
• Silicone sealant
  
  A friend and I did the installation ourselves in about 90 minutes (it definitely helps to have an extra set of hands!). Here are the basic steps we followed (refer to this guide for pictures):
  
  

1. Attach the clamps to the roof basket.
   
2. Mount the light bar to the clamps (I ended up having to buy longer screws than the ones included with the light bar).
   
3. Run wiring harness out from under the hood through the drain hole (I had to slightly enlarge the hole with a drill). Slide heat shrink onto the wiring harness, then connect the harness to the light bar via crimping.
   
4. Attach the wiring harness to the battery. Test the light bar at this point to ensure everything is functioning correctly. Screw down the relay and seal the heat shrink.
   
5. Remove the rubber grommet and run the wiring for the switch through the firewall.
   
6. [Optional] The wiring harness comes with a switch, but I wanted to use an OEM switch. I connected the switch listed above to the spare foglight plug using these instructions.
   
7. Adjust light bar angle, zip tie any loose wiring and secure the wiring harness to the side of the windshield with silicone sealant (in the drainage channel).
   
   Hope this helps!

I'm glad you like it, thanks :)

I'll do my best to answer as I'm at work now and will provide links later.

I got the light bar as well as the mounting brackets off of Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NXL4F4A/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0175W0NCA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1).

I'm not entirely sure what exactly the multi-link is meant for as I didn't end up installing the lift. I was pressed for time so I had my local Subaru mechanic install it. He said it went on without any problems.

Yepp, stock rims plasti-dipped black! Currently, I have Blizzaks ws80s because I went on a cross-country winter road trip earlier in the year, but I will be replacing them very soon. Most likely a more Hwy friendly tire with a little bit of aggressiveness for the mud.

I really dig your color and keep us posted when you start getting down and dirty with your beast ;)

Here are the rock light I used under the center. They seem pretty solid upon install and the initial use. I did run them through a hard rainstorm while plugged in and had no issues. I used two per side.

SuiTech SUI White Black LED https://www.amazon.com/dp/B013QLMFA2

Here are the reverse lights. I have these on my boat and they have survived two years of dunking without any trouble. They make life SO much easier for pulling the boat.

Nilight Led Light Bar 2PCS 18w https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IY3YLCI

It's a 20" cheap light bar from Amazon. I mounted it by drilling one hole in each bumper support (bottom inside the bumper cover and supports the front bottom lip. Two plastic pieces that stick out.) perfect height and enough added light.

LED Light Bar Nilight 20 Inch 126w LED Work Light Spot Flood Combo Led Bar Off Road Lights Driving Lights Led Fog Light Jeep Lights Boat Lighting ,2 Y https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WE47FVM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_q8Gd9vZyp1MC5

So you might not remember but you gave me a bunch of info and stuff on SV's when I was choosing what kind of bike to get and ended up napping a dope deal on an 07 SV650. The first thing I did was order those exact same bar ends from OP's post. They are pretty fuckin fantastic. Cheap enough that even if they break I don't really care but well made enough that they don't move when I ride. The installation should be really easy but without any instructions it has the potential to be a pain in the ass, youtube fixes that problem.

the bar ends are like a solid 8/10. So worth the ten bucks you can nab them for here.

I didn't keep track but several hundred dollars at least. Planning is key. Stainless hardware isn't cheap!

​

My best guess would be:

• Lights - Around $150 all in
  
• Plywood - About 250 bucks for everything. Two sheets of marine ply was around 180.
  
• Electrical - Gang switch was 65. Wiring is expensive and around 60 bucks for the spools. We re-used some stuff here.
  
• Probably 40 bucks in pool noodles for floatation. Just got these are dollar general.
  
• Seats were about 400 bucks.
  
• Screws, nuts, and bolts were around 100. We'll call it 150 to be safe.
  
  ​
  
  So all in that's $1,115. Sounds about right. We didn't keep a strict budget or anything and several items were Christmas gifts.
  
  ​
  
  Here's links to to stuff I got on amazon:
  
  
• https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D6GJSSP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
  
• https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07H26541B/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
  
• The seats came from the manufacturer but I think this is them: https://www.amazon.com/Millennium-Marine-B100-Boat-Green/dp/B00JRHSM98/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=1Z4ZXBRWLYKVO&keywords=millennium+boat+seat&qid=1554259271&s=gateway&sprefix=millennium+boat+%2Caps%2C159&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1

Okay, so, here is everything I used:

Light bar 28" flood/spot

Mount to 1" roof basket bar

Wire Clips

Wire harness, this comes with the bar if you choose the package. I ran the switch through the firewall wire grommet by cutting a hole in the grommet (BE CAREFUL NOT TO CUT ANY WIRES). The wire that plugs into the car was run under the hood and up the window, secured by the clips. I followed this guys guide, u/DauphDaddy He didn't use the same harness but its the same idea. Hope this helps!!

Pretty sure it was these. Make sure you get the right ones to fit your roof rack bars. https://www.amazon.com/Auxmart-Bullbar-Nudge-Mounting-Bracket/dp/B0175W0NCA/

Jeep sex ; ), but in all seriousness, a fire extinguisher would look badass when he goes topless, or amazon has some cool LED spot auxiliary lights that he can mount on the sides (I'll link it in the end), or floor mats, decals related to Jeeps, do you have a price limit? There are so many cool ideas as gifts. Visit http://www.quadratec.com/ and there should be options for gifts! Goodluck, he is a lucky guy1

LED lights: http://www.amazon.com/1260lm-Cree-Spot-Light-Off-road/dp/B00EA0ZB7I/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1417657273&sr=8-2&keywords=spot+lights+led
I would link mounting options but I don't know his model Jeep

Spent the afternoon plastidipping my grill and adding a bar and lights. Shocked I managed to not fuck anything up.

Bar:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EMYUOGY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1


Lights:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IY3YLCI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


Harness:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0155W7EDS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


Here are a few videos that did a great job walking me through the grill removal and the harness wiring:

Grill:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDe2xGbcpLc


Wiring:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPyvD4YJgZU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zO_pYpy1eAk&t=635s


The only step that I took that the video didnt was taking a dremel to my dash plate to make the switch fit. Not as scary as it sounds!

These ones: https://www.amazon.com/Universal-increased-Davidsons-Kawasaki-Cruisers/dp/B002GTKAHQ

Simple to install. You just screw it in and the 2 metal sleeves will expand and press against the inside of the hand grips. That's what should keep them in.

My friend gave me a pair as a gift and I bought another pair after I lost the right one he gave to me during one of my rides.

My total investment in it was $26 for the [light bar] (https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WE47FVM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) and $12 for the [wiring harness] (https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0155W7EDS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1). It took about an hour to install not knowing quite what I was doing. You can assign the value of looks & functionality/use. I agree it looks great, and I use it semi-often on gravel roads and off road situations.

Best bang for the buck? Cheap Amazon bar ends for $10. Here. Same exact ones that they sell at my local bike shop for $90. I mount them under my bars like this.

This particular pair takes a little while to ship, so I usually order two because I break/lose them a lot. Cheapo is the way to go.

They are wired to a switch right under my headlight knob, and a fuse bewteen the switch and the battery. I am only 16 and wired they up myself, took about a hour. Thanks for the compliment, i take pride in this old ranger! Heres a link for the lights. I have two sets, TMS® 2 x 18W 1260LM https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EA0ZB7I/ref=cm_sw_r_other_awd_6zIzwb68XQW2Z

There is defiantly more than enough power to use automotive lighting. Let me phrase it like this. If you think about the typical power consumption of a tail light (mine is 40W at 12V), even with the addition of my headlights which are 18W a piece (supposedly) you’re only up to a total of 76W for the entire system. If we assume an inefficient driver we can round that up to 80W of additional power from your battery or a little over 1.5 A at 48V. Compare that to a 1000W motor running at half power (500W/48V= 10.4 A) so you’re adding a super small amount of constant draw (like 1/10 the normal drain) to have all you’re lights on all the time. Here are the parts I used:

Taillight: Greenclick 40W Motorcycle Tail... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072Q5MK75?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Headlights: Nilight Led Light Bar 2PCS 18W 4"... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IY3YLCI?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Converter: Kohree DC/DC Converter Regulator... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0756T983Q?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Blinker relay: AUDEW 2-Pin Electronic Turn... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B011BTMDQM?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

https://www.amazon.com/Nilight-Lights-Driving-Lighting-Warranty/dp/B00WE46ZWC

Thanks for the help everyone. This is the light I purchased. I think the regulator may be the ticket and I didn't know that existed. Thanks.

I use these. They work pretty well, and look pretty good for the price, but what you need to do is take some thin rubber tubing and rap it around the core before you put them on the bike. This gets rid of most of the handlebar vibration making them very usable. You get anti-vibration mirrors for ~20 bucks when you will spend well over 50 if you buy "good" one out the packaging.

It's funny, I kinda like the additional LED's with different patterns (reminds me of the car-based bars), I just don't like the head-mount.

I think it'd be much easier/better to use a chest-rig, and maybe have a normal headlamp at like 500-1000lm with a thrower pattern.

That way, when moving forward your chest will always be pointing direction-of-travel, but your headlamp will be wherever you look. You'd do away with a lot of the 'sudden blindness' from the hotspots whenever the dude looks at the map in OP's video.

It might just be the video, but from what I can see there's tons of available light, it's just not being used very effectively.

Just an Amazon bar. I don't do any off-roading. It's more for the curvy back roads at night. I ordered this one because it had the best reviews and least complaints about leakage. TMH® 20'' Dual Row High Power 126w Cree Xb-d SMD LED Work Light Bar 13000 Lumens https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KQXKG46/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_KRcNwb28Y5Q77

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002GTKAHQ?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

10 bucks, look great. i bought 2 pairs in case one of the breaks haha.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N9HHPK5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 They're pretty good so far, though I haven't really done any heavy thrashing with them. Currently have them wired to my fog light switch.

Get some Nilights off Amazon. Think I paid like $20 USD for my cube floods. Build quality seems really nice too for the price.

Edit: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IY3YLCI/ref=twister_B07C6F31MH?_encoding=UTF8&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0714CYKBJ?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_image

These come with some rubber spacers that are cut in half. We used one half for the top and bare metal for the bottom to make it fit.

Holdingitdown and I have the exact same setup. We turn on the lowest speed settings and lowest torque so we can't go over 24 MPH. We stay around 15MPH to be safe.

So far so good, the kiddos LOVE it!

Great!

You are totally correct on the safety items- I intend to finish out with a few more steel studs and round everything in so it does not catch on people walking by the parked car, or on other things I drive by.


I will be putting 205/70/r15 tires on my 195/60/r15 snow tire rims, may need to figure out how to use a spacer if they rub on various components.


Would you mind showing me some sort of poor paint sketch of what you are talking about with the hoses/oil cooler/radiators? Or link an image for that matter.


Also 3 other ideas:

1. I have been thinking about building a shitty home made PVC cold air intake (I need to replace my engine air filter anyway). Any thoughts on punching a hole in the hood and running that up in some cool and functional fashion? Recommended end cap filter I should buy? There are a lot of options here: http://www.knfilters.com/universal/universal.htm and I do not think I have any business spending more than $20 or $30 on that filter.
   
   
   
2. Any thoughts on ways to increase the rumble of the motor without risking a ticket or failing inspection? Read about putting a spacer nut before the muffler, but that can from what I have read, land you a few hundred dollar ticket in NY.
   
   
3. Looking at some external lights and these semi-junky things seem to be a nice cheap way to put some additional lighting about. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GC60QTA/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A212MEDO528TGN
   
   

Awesome! I'm thinking about this one as a beginner step. I wanna learn more about led bars and what makes them good. If the cheap light bar fails I dont have a problem with pulling it apart to see what went wrong ant attempting to repair it. Thanks for the input!

Oh cool, if i'd had known we could have done some duo v7 riding :) Maybe if the weather clears up again.

I used the stocks for about 2 rides before i replaced them, i didn't like them much. I'm more for a clear view. The bar ends are convex, so i see a lot in them, practically no dead corners. I bought them cheap in some motoshop in Aalst when i saw them on display. I just wanted to try if it would work. They are very cheap and are found all over the internet. Just search for bar end mirrors There are more expensive options, but i imagine these things are the first to break off... You have to take in account that the bars for the V7 are threaded at the ends (god, why?). So you either have to use the screw of the bar end weight, or use another M6 bolt to fit them on.

About the veering to the right, do you have it at all speeds and how hard? For me it's quite hard, i let go and immediately it veers to the right and within 3 seconds i have to take hold again, otherwise i'll just ride of the road.

Didn't know about the plate rule; will follow it next time, thanks for the heads up.

Gonna reply this to both of you --

I have a drz with a mirror in the same spot. What you do is buy THESE. Take the bar end piece out and you have a mirror that can be mounted on the skinny part of your bars. Honestly the view from them is pretty shit and you cant really adjust em much, but I did it mainly for the look and its still good enough to see if there is something behind you

here is a generic pair I found on amazon searching, "12v LED light". They look to have solid reviews and be pretty identical to what I have. You're going to have to figure out your own custom mounting points.

I went cheap once ($12) and they immediately broke while adjusting them.

I have bought these 3 times for 3 different bikes.

Never buy these. It looks like the arm attaches to mirror with bolts, but it's actually just glued on. If you tighten them up properly it's very easy to break them while adjusting them.

It is an '82 XS400 special. It ran from 77 to 82. I have drag bars, but left all the cables the original length. The horn bracket got flipped upside down so I could access it/install a new one. I made a bracket that attaches to the bar running down in front of the engine to hold to LED fog lights, run by an auxiliary switch. Painted and wrapped the headers and have emgo shorty mufflers. Emgo pod filters, and a puck-style filter for the breather tube nipple. Led tails, led indicator lights, Upgraded headlight. Point of note on the headlight, mine was a sealed beam halogen. So to add a new bulb you have to buy an aftermarket reflector housing from candlepower.

EDIT: Also forgot Oury grips, cafe mirrors, new fuel lines, fuel filter and vacuum tube.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007CA6E56/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002GTKAHQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003T0ITF6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HAQGO20/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00230QCIY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006VFL0SO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HDYB3P2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000N5UVME/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0022ZUJGG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000UKKSTI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HJEGQQ2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007ZGKKMA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009SK7N8K/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005ETCIO8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I didn't do them, but the lights look exactly Like these and for mounting they're just bolted through the plastic all shoddy-like.

Also they make a HUGE difference. The stock light is pretty much useless. I have a video ill post when i have time if you'd like to see.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AZPP0Y6/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

best 20$ i spent

> What rearview mirrors are those? How do you like them?

Honestly, just these. They get the job done and I can more or less see everything going on behind me: http://amzn.com/B002GTKAHQ

> Do you notice a big difference after installing the aTRE?

I can't say, I haven't ridden it yet : (

> What happened? Sorry to hear :S

Some idiot kid pulled his bike out in front of me at the absolute very last possible second and gave me nowhere to go. I went over the bars and straight into the ground and it seems my fibula broke my fall. Needless to say I've invested some good money in race-spec boots this time around.

I got a no-name 24" bar

I also got a couple 18 watt 6 LED spotlights. I haven't put them on yet, but when I do, they will be on the back for camp setup and cooking.

When I got the light bar, I really wanted to make sure it got installed before winter. It gets dark really early, and I do a lot of driving on narrow gravel roads for work as well.

Sure!

Here is the link for the ones I bought, which are flood lights. They also sell these, which are spot lights, which I think I would go for if I were to do it again, as I think the floods might spread the light too much for on-road use. I'm actually considering swapping them over anyway and mounting the flood lights to the bumper to use as high beams.

I have them angled down about 10 degrees and they still shoot light pretty far up. I tested them by parking my dad's Accord at a normal following distance and seeing how much they blasted light into the rearview mirror, and my normal headlights were more blinding than the fog lights. However, I'm noticing while driving that it shoots the light very high and very far, so I think at longer distances they might be more blinding. I haven't tested it myself yet.

I bought these. I used some rubber at the end to stabilize/fit better. Cheap but works well http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002GTKAHQ?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

edit: buddies duke with something close to the style: http://imgur.com/sCOAivT

Not sure if this post is dead but I just installed these bar end mirrors and they are working out beautifully:
Amazon Link
Youtube video I watched to install them

Hey man sorry just saw this, new to reddit, idk how to send pictures but I posted a couple on my page to f you want to take a closer look. I have a Yakima basket which used 1” round bars just like their cross bars and I bought these to connect them. They’ve lasted me about 3 years, 2 light bars and 2 cars.

It actually belonged to my buddy in the picture before me. He got a new bumper and gave it to me and a police officer friend of mine helped me install it. My buddy paid ~140 for the light bar originally.

Edit: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KQXKG46/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_IQg9ub1C58YP9

do you mean the led light bars, like this??

Normally they are bolted to the chassis and then the headlight lid is lowered on top. They aren't bolted to the headlight housing. If you watch youtube videos on how to do this mod, you can easily reverse it.

The lights pictured if anyone is interested.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01J12TTM2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GC60QTA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Skip the single light IMO the 2 lights for $13 put out enough to make it pointless.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002GTKAHQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


You have to make a few tweaks to them but it sure beats paying $80 for some.

Thanks.

Ive got a pair of these plus their little brother on each side.

KAWELL 18W DC 10-30V 6500K LED Flood https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NPQV06O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_P9lbzb3Y37SVQ

They're wired through the roof rack tube to the front where I will be connecting everything under the cowl.

Picked up these universal motorcycle mirrors from Amazon for $10. With a longer bolt or modification of the mirror bracket they bolt right on. Just thought I'd share in case anyone is looking for some affordable mirrors.

When I did it I unscrewed the caps at the end of the stock handle bard and put these on with screw of the same treading and some washers. Really easy to install and inexpensive. $16 Bar End Mirror


Plus a photo of them on my bike for reference. Had them for about a year.


https://i.imgur.com/hE9Y6PA.jpg

I've bought the below ones for the other motorcycle. They worked great but for the fz07 I bumped up to the arrow.

KAWELL Rear View Side Mirror Round Bar End Convex

i have a cheaper version that works just fine

http://www.amazon.com/Universal-Inceased-Davidsons-Kawasaki-motorcycle/dp/B002GTKAHQ

these things are allll over ebay and amazon for 5-15$

https://www.amazon.com/Hawk-eye-Motorcycle-Davidsons-Kawasaki-Cruisers/dp/B002GTKAHQ

I used these on my duke and on my Supermoto. Easy to modify by just using a larger screw. On the supermoto i have it upside down so i can look under my arm.

http://www.amazon.com/Universal-Inceased-Davidsons-Kawasaki-Cruisers/dp/B002GTKAHQ?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

If you remove the bar end inserts you can clamp them on the bars like OP.

I'm using some $12 amazon specials and they work OK, but I'm probably upgrading to CRG Lane Splitters.

this is the headlight I Attached it using duct bracketing and the rear light with this switch all running through this DC converter

Once you have a DC converter picked, you can basically just get 12v whatever you want from ATV, car, motorcycle etc. This is just the stuff I used.

All the lights are from Amazon.
Top bar
Bottom bar
Round lights

they’re LED flood lights. Really good for night time trail riding. They mount right to the gen 1 front plastics/windshield factory screws without modification. I wired them to an aux switch and they only draw 36 Watts. One of my previous posts features a front view. Link below for the lights.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IY3YLCI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_cjP0Ab047CHPN

This is the battery I currently have:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/BikeMaster-TruGel-Battery-MG3L-A-Honda-XL250R-XL350R-XL200R-NS50F-Aero/332711011937?epid=171190126&hash=item4d771f2661

My bike's an '83 Honda xl200r

This is the kit I'm looking at:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071ZPX32N/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IY3YLCI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I would want to install them so they operate independently of the headlight, so I can switch off and on on their own

Not sure how I feel about the shape of those. I currently have some bar end mirrors that are round. The only complaint I have about them is that one of the mirrors frame is loose from the neck piece that holds it. It sounds like similar issues to what people have with these.

Maybe I'll try some glue or something. I just would like some solid bar end mirrors. I don't care if I have to pay more for them as long as they work well.

Nilight from Amazon.

LED Light Bar Nilight 20 Inch 126w LED Work Light Spot Flood Combo Led Bar Off Road Lights Driving Lights Led Fog Light Jeep Lights Boat Lighting ,2 Years Warranty https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WE47FVM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_rLt.Bb52J5N4F

17 dollars on amazon, I have some on my boat.

https://www.amazon.com/Nilight-Driving-Lights-driving-Warranty/dp/B00IY3YLCI/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1501596089&sr=8-5&keywords=led+boat+lights

Here is the one I bought.

http://www.amazon.com/Masione-Flood-Beam-3W-LED-120W-9000-Waterproof/dp/B00HNP91VO

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HNP91VO<br>
$40.99

https://www.amazon.com/Hawk-eye-Motorcycle-Davidsons-Kawasaki-Cruisers/dp/B002GTKAHQ

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002GTKAHQ/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_eMVpxbHGXRJ9T they are bar end mirrors but all you do is take that part out and you can clamp them around your bars.

I think these are

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002GTKAHQ

Nilight 7" LED Spot lights

If that doesn't work would you could always try bar end mirrors.

These look decent

Here you go! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002GTKAHQ/ref=cm_sw_r_other_awd_7io5wbDTJAB6M

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WE47FVM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_x9U23NVRuBrqd

I get asked every time I post a photo of this bike! I stole the idea from Everide, but I mounted it a little differently than him. Here’s the light on Amazon

I have some Auxbeam LED pods on the corners and a Primeprolight 32" light bar front and center mounted up with some cheapo brackets. The wiring harness is ran along the roof basket, through the trunk, and under a ton of plastic up to the driver side dash. I drilled a hole in my blank switch to install a little flip switch.

Here are some pics of the wiring situation.

http://imgur.com/a/8GGx2

Here are some links to the lights.

Auxbeam pods:
https://www.amazon.com/Auxbeam-Waterproof-Off-road-Military-Equipment/dp/B00T62RK1U

Primeprolight 32" Light bar
https://www.amazon.com/Primeprolight-Light-Flood-Combo-Waterproof/dp/B014KTTC1E/ref=sr_1_5?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1500079310&sr=1-5&keywords=32%22+light+bar

Brackets:
https://www.amazon.com/Northpole-Light-Horizontal-Mounting-Brackets/dp/B06XRG11TY/ref=sr_1_8?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1500079337&sr=1-8&keywords=light+bar+mounting+brackets

Wiring harness:
https://www.amazon.com/Nilight-Wiring-Harness-Switch-Warranty/dp/B072M1CXQB/ref=sr_1_22?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1500079439&sr=1-22&keywords=light+bar+wiring+harness

Anybody know what the two black cylindrical objects above and attached to the handbars are? Lights maybe?

edit: nvm, they are driving lights.

Kawell Rear View Side Mirror... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002GTKAHQ?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

R&L Racing Black Heavyduty Bull Bar Brush Push Bumper Grill Grille Guard 98-11 for Ford Ranger https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073HRQ2W6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_L5dBDbZDPHVP9


LED Light Bar Nilight 20 Inch 126w LED Work Light Spot Flood Combo Led Bar Off Road Lights Driving Lights Led Fog Light Jeep Lights Boat Lighting ,2 Years Warranty https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WE47FVM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_22dBDbDNK0M6K

KAWELL Rear View Side Mirror... https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B002GTKAHQ?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

https://www.amazon.com/Nilight-Driving-Lights-driving-Warranty/dp/B00IY3YLCI/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1501596089&sr=8-5&keywords=led+boat+lights

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002GTKAHQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_1slmyb9HF87KJ

This is what I got. Requires a spacer to use with stock bars.

Links to components used:
Headlight
Wiring Harness
36v-12v Converter
Tail Lights
heat shrink
Mounting Brackets

http://www.amazon.com/Universal-Inceased-Davidsons-Kawasaki-motorcycle/dp/B002GTKAHQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427322825&sr=8-1&keywords=bar+end+mirror

Just unscrew the bar end insert from it, and then you can mount it to the bar instead. It's cheap, but I haven't had any issues so far.

Its these bar ends:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002GTKAHQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You can take the clamp off of the bar end portion and clamp them directly to your handle bars.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WE47FVM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Coupled with their wiring harness
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0155W7EDS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

this is what I used to wire it

I got them on amazon.

These go up to 3" if this is what you're looking for.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002GTKAHQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1526871235&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=bar+end+mirrors&dpPl=1&dpID=41E%2BMoq7dvL&ref=plSrch

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002GTKAHQ/ref=sxts_sxwds-bia_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1526155012&sr=1&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=6840225482829252734&pd_rd_wg=hw42a&pf_rd_r=MZ9VA0P9QEP6FJEAS9MW&pf_rd_s=mobile-sx-top-slot&pf_rd_t=9701&pd_rd_i=B002GTKAHQ&pd_rd_w=12evy&pf_rd_i=bar+end+mirrors+for+motorcycles&pd_rd_r=deef310b-5a83-40cc-bf29-c3bc6252c5d7&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65

I have been using these for awhile now and am happy with them, they have a flood version and a spot version so these would work great for the application you are wanting. I have ran them in the brutal Wyoming winters and have now been using the in brutal AZ summers, no issues: https://www.amazon.com/Nilight-Lights-Driving-Bumper-Warranty/dp/B00MDG14CC/ref=pd_sbs_263_8?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=497149E4JTAMRXW1H90Y

There are a lot of variants of them out there, basically the ARB knock off. Good for what they are and the price you pay for them.

Amazon. I had some trouble getting them in the right spot. Half of the mirror is blocked by my stomach, I can't find a good angle but it works. One on each side. These are the ones I got from Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002GTKAHQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Fog Lights No particular brand but you can find quite close ones.

I got mine at local offroad shop. In blank box without brand name, also nothing written on lights, just LED writing.

These are the ones I'm using, they come with the right sized screw that goes right into the end of the bar without any adapters or weird stuff.
Bar End Mirrors


EvoTech Tail Tidy

Right, my mistake, my mind instantly went to fog lights due to their location.

I assume you bought these? https://www.amazon.com/Nilight-Driving-Lights-driving-Warranty/dp/B00IY3YLCI/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_263_bs_t_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=XGMXSDQJDAX4A4Z1JNKS

I hated these because... ugly. But worse is they are too convex, almost fisheye. Very difficult to gauge distance.

These however are perfect and look waaaay better Fantastic visibility and angle of view. The only complaint, as listed in the reviews, is that they may be loose in the actual mirrors ball joint and move in the wind. I cleaned mine up with alcohol and a swab and then hit the back of the mirror with some hot glue and it's perfect. It's still moveable but not locked in place.

It’s a nilight 20 inch light bar, i have had no problems with it at all after running it for a year in florida by the ocean constantly and also in the mountains with snow and salt, still performs amazingNilight light bar amazon link

I think about where a car might lurk if it were stalking me. Then I point the mirrors there. I put on these cheap bar end convex mirrors, the field of view is ridiculous.

Nothing special
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002GTKAHQ/ref=ya_aw_od_pi?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Had them for a year with no problems