In the spotlight with Wunderlich
Long-range weather forecasters predict that 2015/16 will be a winter of two halves: mild and wet conditions in December followed by a sharp drop in temperature through January, into February and March*. Alongside the reduced visibility caused by rainy conditions, once the colder air takes hold the potential of mist and fog will increase, putting riders at greater risk. Relatively inexpensive and often easier to install than you might think, auxiliary lighting cuts through the mist and fog, helping riders to spot potential hazards in good time, as well as increasing visibility to other road users. Auxiliary/fog lights typically come in two varieties: lights that project a short but wide light pattern, enhancing and extending the illumination provided by the dipped headlight, and those that project a longer and narrower pattern, intended to supplement the high beam. The first type are designed to help see objects positioned on or along the sides of the road; the second help to illuminate objects on the road ahead, providing extra time to react. Both will serve the purpose of making riders more visible to other road users. One of the main reasons that standard headlights struggle in heavy fog is that most bike headlights are positioned high on the machine and, as a result, the light is reflected from the water particles in the air back to the rider's eyes. Fog lights, particularly LED versions, can penetrate further into the distance, because they can be set at a much lower position, reducing the amount of reflected light. In addition, both LED and Halogen bulbs found in fog lights emit a more 'cool' white light that resembles natural daylight, which is much more effective at cutting through the gloom. BMW Motorcycle accessory specialist, Nippy Normans, has an extensive range of both model specific and universal auxiliary lights from Wunderlich. Most can be mounted on crash bars or attached to mounting points on the bodywork, so they can usually be fitted without any modification to the machine or wiring. The kit for the BMW R1200GS LC sells for £319.00 including VAT and, in addition to a pair of spotlights, it comes with two laser-cut anodised aluminum mounts and covers, a custom wiring harness that can be hard wired to the bike or into the accessory socket, and an illuminated switch. Visit www.nippynormans.com to view the complete range.
*http://www.ukweatherforecast.co.uk/uk-winter-201516-winter-weather-forecast/