How yall are V-Nation from down here in Bayou Country. I just finished the install of my fork lights from Martin Fabrication. They look great and like the package says...they light the way. I searched for this style of lights and found plenty, but no one touched their price for a complete kit. The Versys uses their 'Standard Kit' and ran me $145. The kit uses 35 watt Halogens and plenty bright for my liking. I've had no problems so far and with fog season on the way more light was a must, not to mention the greater visibility factor for those that choose to not see us on the roads. The site for the lights is martinfabrication.com , I heard about them on this forum a few months ago. Later Yall :thumb:

Those are the best I've seen and at a good price, too. Sure beats the $400 dollars MotoLights wants for a set. I like the mounting bracket too - real clean.

Those look awesome. How do fork mounted lights do when you turn? Do the light beams point up or down? Do they work as well as the fairing mounted lights? I would think you would get better light on the road when the lights are mounted low.

The first thing I noticed is the amount of light directly in front of the bike...there's not a dark area before the headlamp hits the road. It's pretty cool at low speeds (very low) where you actually move the bars to turn that the light goes wherever you point the bars. Another plus was that the light floods the front of the wheel and your bike is very visible from the side. I had my son run it up and down the street a few times and it looks super sweet! The main mental note you have to learn to make is to turn them off at long lights and heavy stop and go traffic. As far as the beam angle changing in a turn I have'nt noticed. Just lots of light! They can also be adjusted to be angled slightly out so you can aim toward the shoulder or centerline more. Hope this helps, Talk at ya Later!

Do they get that hot without air moving across them?

I checked them when I was aiming them in the driveway and they get pretty hot. They don't get hot enough to where things are going to start melting but they are hot. Martin Fab has a complete section on their site about heat and it's effects. The lower the ambient temp the less this would be an issue. I look at it like this...the increased visibility I've gained from installing these way out weighs having to turn them off in heavy traffic. Personally I don't think it's an issue if the air temp would be below 60 degrees. Hope that wasn't too long of an answer, some of the comments I read on hear leave much for the imagination.

Any vibration issues ??

None that I notice.

The main mental note you have to learn to make is to turn them off at long lights and heavy stop and go traffic.

Is this because of heat or because of battery drain at low revs? I was thinking the V made plenty of juice even at lower revs, so I'm guessing it's the heat thing, but if it's not enough to melt stuff, why turn them off?

Looks great BTW.

The V does make plenty juice to push them. They said that excessive heat may cause pitting or discoloration where the bulb enters the reflector. The light output would not change, it would just cause that area to become brittle over time. This is all info I'm quoting out of the manual. If you want to get it straight from the horses mouth give Bryan Martin a call at 425-359-0472. He was very informative about their product testing and why they suggest what they do. Hope this helps

why did you put these light on the bike is it to see more or to be seen the dutch roads are well light so don't see the use for the extra light but if it's to be seen i found a nice set of led's the are in different shapes and colors

Mainly to be seen better but also have something that would help cut through the fog. So far my expectations have been met. I notice a big difference in my visibility to other people. I've cut down the amount of people pulling out in front of me big time. That's a good thing but getting complascent about it will get you busted up or dead!

Where did you mount the switch that controls the new fork lights?

Sorry for the late responce, works been crazy. I mounted it on the left side bar just before the clutch lever clamp. I used a tyrap, switch faces out. It has a blue 'power on' LED thats very bright.

why did you put these light on the bike is it to see more or to be seen the dutch roads are well light so don't see the use for the extra light but if it's to be seen i found a nice set of led's the are in different shapes and colors

Hey arjan - where did you find those LED lights??

Thanks. Les

harrisonspecialties.com there in the u.s. so easier to get for all you over seas

I bought the Martin Fabrication lights after seeing this post and installed them this weekend. Took me a good four hours or more to do the whole job. Even with my power panel which makes the connections easy - there was still a lot of work rounting the wires, lengthening the wires (not enough for the position I wanted to put the relay) and running cable covers. I tested them out today and have to same I'm very happy. Thank you - BayouVersys for writing about this.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3022/2972989138_d6567959ac.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3270/2973001010_eff5c6de04.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3251/2973014288_93a484b81d.jpg

Nice looking install Ocean; chrome on that blue looks tite! :clap::thumb:

Thanks! :)

I figure I've got so much silver details on the blue versys the chrome/silver lights would look good on it. Thanks for the inspiration - I'm really happy with these lights. My bike is so much more visibile now.

I've been debating whether or not to add some driving lights for a while now. Still not sure, but I found these (http://www.hyperlites.com/hyperwhite.html) and thought I'd share.

I did this mod a few weeks ago and has worked great for me, cost about $35. I am well pleased.
http://www.kawasakiversys.com/forums/showthread.php?t=747

i have been asking around on some dutch forums on regulations for extra lighting and it seems that here you are only alowed to ride with two lights at the front so i think i'll pass on extra lighting how are regulations in other country's

Had 35 W. fork lights on my last bike and totally
love them. They are low draw, amperage-wise
and the heat is much less than normal headlights.

Also, the distinctive triangle light pattern enhances
safety and the additional light really helps you see
the sides of the road. At least once I caught
movement and hit the brakes to avoid a deer
that I would probably have missed seeing and
gone down after hitting on my early morning
commute. Can't wait to get them on my Versys!

Thanks, Denham guy! (Or is that LSU guy? Ha ha)

Must give my thanks as well. I ordered a set on Monday. I'm psyched. :D

LOL... Just ordered a set in black yesterday. For those of you who have installed the lights, do you have any wiring suggestions? I was thinking of just tapping relay in to either the turn signal or tail light. Is that feasible? I'm not a big fan of tapping into the headlight. (I know a lot of folks do this with no ill effects, but i'm the person if i try i will have a problem!)

LOL... Just ordered a set in black yesterday. For those of you who have installed the lights, do you have any wiring suggestions? I was thinking of just tapping relay in to either the turn signal or tail light. Is that feasible? I'm not a big fan of tapping into the headlight. (I know a lot of folks do this with no ill effects, but i'm the person if i try i will have a problem!)

I'd do it off one of the running lights (the little lights in the top corner of the headlight). Don't do it off a turn signal, lol. and yes, definitely use a relay.

You might get away with tapping into
something else but the whole point of
using a relay is to have a totally separate
source of power. The PIAA set I installed
on my last bike used a 'trigger' signal from
the headlights to activate it, but still used
a separate switch to control the lights.
That came in handy for switching them
off when I approach the guarded gate
I go through at work and other situations
where you might want them off.

Since I usually add several powered farkles
I come off the battery through a circuit
breaker to a fuse panel under the seat
and run individual hot wires to each relay
or other accessory (air horns, 12 V. power
outlet, etc.). Nice clean installation that
doesn't butcher your stock wiring harness.
Also removable with minimal trouble if you
change bikes and doesn't degrade resale
value. Good luck!

Edit to add: Be sure to read the installation page. Good info
http://www.martinfabrication.com/Martin_Fabrication/Installation_Info.html

I tapped into the left side running light (the ones next to the headlight). I installed the entire harness and temporarily hooked up the lights to make sure all worked before I put the bike back together. Relay fits well in the area by the fuse panel and attached power lead directly to battery. The install was very easy. One thing to realize when you get the lights positioned and tighten up the brackets you can still barely move the lights side to side with your hand. DO NOT try to tighten them more, you will just strip the bolt and or nut. They stay adjusted, trust me with the pot holes I deal with down here they have lasted 6000 miles and still going strong:thumb:. BTW AvaChava we do Love our Tigers and hope you guys are enjoying our old coach Nick

Ocean,
Where did you find the "Lights" Handle Bar Switch???
:interesting:

CDBonnett in Montana

Ocean,
Where did you find the "Lights" Handle Bar Switch???
:interesting:

CDBonnett in Montana

It comes with the kit from Martin Fabrication..

http://www.martinfabrication.com/Martin_Fabrication/Motorcycle_Driving_LIghts.html

I just got my install buttoned up yesterday, nice setup. I'll get some good pics posted on my website later this week.

MackDaddy,
Many thanks :thanx: Thanks for the Switch Info.
I have many bikes with extra lighting, so I'll contact Martin Fabrication to see if they sell the switch separately :D.

All,
I contacted martinfabrication and they DO NOT sell thier nice handle bar switch. You would need to buy a whole Lighting kit form them.

IMHO thier loss of sales.
:topsecret::forgetit:

:feedback:

From: Martin Fabrication (martinfabrication@yahoo.com)
Sent: Tue 6/09/09 12:06 PM
To: CHARLES BONNETT (XXXXt@q.com)
Re: sales of your handle bar switch‏


Sorry we don't

Thanks

On Jun 8, 2009, at 9:10 PM, CHARLES BONNETT wrote:

Dear Sirs
I saw a photo of your Driving lights on a Kawaski Versys that was posted on the Kawasaki Versys Forums web site.

My question to you is, Do you sell JUST the handle bar switch that is included in your kits???

Many Thanks for you reply,

I'm actually not a real big fan of the switch's looks. If your looking for some switches, check out eastern beaver. specifically, this link http://easternbeaver.com/Main/Elec__Products/Switches/switches.html

mvg2,
Thanks for the switch link to Easter Beaver. :goodidea:

http://easternbeaver.com/Main/Elec__Products/Switches/switches.html

I have two Handlebar Switch Item # HBSW on order.

:thanx:
Chuck

Ok,
I just got into Photo Bucket.
:thanx:
Thanks to Bear on a Bicycle.

Here are Eastern Beavers Switches, that I ordered.

http://s597.photobucket.com/albums/tt55/cdbonnett/?action=view&current=SWITCH_HBS01.jpg

http://s597.photobucket.com/albums/tt55/cdbonnett/?action=view&current=a_SWTICH_HBS02.jpg

I'm still working on how to get the photos pasted in, but the links should work.:huh:

Do you think Martin actually manufactures those
switches? If so it's pretty strange that they
wouldn't sell them. Or if they only buy enough
for their packaged light kits that would be
understandable but then you should be able to
find out who actually makes them.

Oh well, I guess they have so much business
they can't handle any more sales!

More power to Eastern Beaver!
(Hmm, that sounds suspicious...). They have some
very nice looking switches! Thanks, guys!

Lights came in today and it certainly looks like a quality kit. Machining looks top notch, lights' housing looks good and the use of posi-locks was a real nice touch as well.

What a pain to install! Especially trying to keep it clean. Any of you guys who installed it feel like sharing their routing and placement of relay? Can't wait to fire these babies up!

I'll pull my right side cowl off this weekend and snap some good pics for you. I've got an Eastern Beaver PC-8 power distribution panel mounted in there as well, but basically I bolted the relay to the forward most coolant tank mount point. It actually took me the better part of a whole day to mount & wire everything the way I wanted. But I'm just anal as can be on this kind of stuff...

Pics to come.

Jim

So I imagine you really had to shorten the leads that connect to the lights? I was thinking about mounting it upfront but I think I'm going to mount it in the "trunk." Problem with this is that the wiring needs some serious lengthening and shorting. Like you, I refuse to have this look like medusa's head underneath the seat. Spent the better part of last night working and still got a good while tonight left!

I'll take some pics this evening and post to go along with other peoples installs as well. I'm sure any method I've read about so far would work great. I'm on a couple other MC forums and Versys riders do some of the cleanest work on mods I've seen :thumb: The only wire length I had to adjust was at the end of the leads to the lights. Keep up the good work, Yall Guys Rock!

MVG2,

Yes, I basically made my own custom harness out of what was sent to me. I'm not a fan of extra wiring bundles that don't need to be there. Lot's of custom length, soldering, heat shrink wrap & electrical tape. No big deal but time consuming none the less.

On a side note, I'm oh so glad I invested in Jim's (Eastern Beaver) PC-8 & harness. I need to take some good pics of my install to show off! :D

Well it's finally done! The amount of time far exceeded what I anticipated but a lot of time was required for (exactly what you said) cutting, soldering, shrink tubing, taping, routing. The finished product turned out really clean.

Damn! These babies are bright! I'm going to have to mess with them for a bit to make sure they are not angled high enough to get in the drivers eye. Hmmm...or should I!?

I'm going to have to mess with them for a bit to make sure they are not angled high enough to get in the drivers eye. Hmmm...or should I!?

I've yet to take mine out in the dark to make height & width adjustments, but that's my plan.

Here's some really cool SMD high luminous output LED's for H3 fitment:

http://www.superbrightleds.com/specs/H3_11-WHP.htm

I may order a set (I've ordered a TON of stuff from these guys.)

http://www.superbrightleds.com/led_prods.htm

They may not be near as bright as the H3 incandescent bulbs, but they draw so little power they may be worthwhile for the folks who like to run high current drain goodies elsewhere (i.e. heated clothing in colder months.)

Anyway, they are bright. I'm hoping they provide good additional lighting as others have stated they do. That will certainly be a plus in my book. :D

just got back from a little cruise around the neighborhood. Two things that piss me off.

1st: stock head light really needs adjusted. Who sets this!? it's aimed like 10ft in front of the bike.

2nd: My bike now makes a high pitch whine when started. With just the ignition on it's quiet. Once motor is started up, however, it releases a loud high pitch whine. The location sounds like it comes from under the tank. Any ideas on what the hell this could be?

Heah MackDaddy, I decided to order some 1157 LED replacement bulbs from the place you recommended...Superbrightleds...and I had to chose either "narrow" or "wide-angle". Which one do you think? Have you used either?

Not real sure on this but since the aux light has a reflector im not sure if it really matters all that much. I don't think it will allow the light to be projected in a 180 fashion anyway. The wide angle has got a higher lumen rating though.

Heah MackDaddy, I decided to order some 1157 LED replacement bulbs from the place you recommended...Superbrightleds...and I had to chose either "narrow" or "wide-angle". Which one do you think? Have you used either?

What are you going to use 1157's on? Not the Versys. I've never bought any SMD LED 1157 replacements so I'm no help there. Depends on what your looking for I guess... but if it was me I'd use as wide a beam coverage area as possible.

Not real sure on this but since the aux light has a reflector im not sure if it really matters all that much. I don't think it will allow the light to be projected in a 180 fashion anyway. The wide angle has got a higher lumen rating though.

The lights we just installed use H3 halogen bulbs. There's plenty of room in the housing to use either of the flavors I posted...

http://www.superbrightleds.com/specs/H3_11-WHP.htm

I got that. I took it that he was curious as to which h3. I believe they offer one with a 180 degree and one with a 360 degree angle. I would think that the projector would not allow a 360 degree throw of light since the bulb is in the housing. But i would consider the 360 simply for the higher lumen rating. I'm really looking forward to a report on these as well! For how cheap they are and the benefits that you previously noted mackdaddy they sound like a great option.

All good brother, didn't mean to act like the teacher. :) Sorry about that..

Anyway, I ordered two of the 9 LED H3 fitment units, along with a 7 LED H7 fitment unit to replace the headlamp highbeam. I'll make sure and post up pics & results when I get them in.

Install pics are up: http://public.fotki.com/mackdaddy/various/2008-kawasaki-versys/jun-2009/

http://images32.fotki.com/v1110/photos/2/17642/7600131/P1000026-vi.jpg

Pic whore... :D

http://images49.fotki.com/v1508/photos/2/17642/7600131/P1000054-vi.jpg

http://images35.fotki.com/v1207/photos/2/17642/7600131/P1000050-vi.jpg

http://images49.fotki.com/v1508/photos/2/17642/7600131/P1000057-vi.jpg

http://images49.fotki.com/v1508/photos/2/17642/7600131/P1000048-vi.jpg

http://images32.fotki.com/v1108/photos/2/17642/7600131/P1000047-vi.jpg

Wow! always impressed with how well your Versys photographs. Maybe because it's so damn clean!:D

That fuse block really looks convenient for a multitude of electronic farkles. Is that spot where you have it located shielded from water? Or (i imagine) is there a cover that shields the fuse block from the elements?

Thanks for sharing the great pics!

Oh yeah...I don't know about you, but i'm going to replace that switch that was included in the aux light kit with something from eastern beaver. I just don't like the mounting options with the one included.

Thanks man. :D

Fuse block is covered...

http://images32.fotki.com/v1065/photos/2/17642/7600131/P1000037-vi.jpg

http://images49.fotki.com/v1511/photos/2/17642/7600131/P1000038-vi.jpg

3m velcro to mount the fuseblock?

My plan is 3M dual lock (Jim - Eastern Beaver sells it on his website, but I forgot to order some.) I'm sure I can find some locally if I look...

For now it's mounted with 3M high strength double sided trim tape. Needless to say this needs changed... but it works great for now.

Helllllllooooooooo kawasakiversys.com! (first post)

I just picked up one of these Martin Fabrication kits, and something seems to be missing from the package. This flexible bellows tubing you all have running down to the lamps---was that included in your kits? or did you add that as part of your customizing?

As seen here:

http://www.kawasakiversys.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1416&d=1223916867

Thanks,
Steve

Hellllllloooooooooooo Steve. :D

I'm not sure he will respond to you, the last time Bayou posted on this forum was in August 2009.

If the tubing was not part of the kit, you can get it in any store that has some sort of electrical parts, wiring or similar product.

Welcome UAV online! :)

Helllllllooooooooo kawasakiversys.com! (first post)

I just picked up one of these Martin Fabrication kits, and something seems to be missing from the package. This flexible bellows tubing you all have running down to the lamps---was that included in your kits? or did you add that as part of your customizing?

As seen here:

http://www.kawasakiversys.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1416&d=1223916867

Thanks,
Steve

:welcome:UAV.

and here is mine. Cheap less than USD45.DIY mountings.
http://i788.photobucket.com/albums/yy162/fastoman/DrivingLights003.jpg
:cheers:

Hellllllloooooooooooo Steve. :D

I'm not sure he will respond to you, the last time Bayou posted on this forum was in August 2009.

If the tubing was not part of the kit, you can get it in any store that has some sort of electrical parts, wiring or similar product.

Sorry, took a heck of a ride through a wormhole past year or so :topsecret:
anyway yes like others have posted, the corugated wire wrap is from O'rielly auto.
I now have a set of these lights on my ZRX1100. The ones on my V need to be re-powdercoated or painted but still work great. I've replaced the right side bulb once. As I said in another thread I posted in earlier today, I've got to get back to participating in this forum like I used too.

Looks great, Bayou!

But now I've removed the Martin Fab foglights and they're for sale, along with the Versys itself (http://www.kawasakiversys.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17129).

They worked great while I was using them, though. Highly recommended.