Mirror solution

[paulcbrowne]

I have found the OEM mirrors to be problematic. I wear bifocals and the OEM mirrors are too low to see clearly; or worse, the bifocal line splits the image. Some may have seen my mirror experiments in the past, but the solution shown below now seems to be the best for me.These are 2 $10 mirrors from Amazon and they are mounted on Motorcycle Larry brake reservoir covers. The stems are 6.5" long. I have been unable to find mirrors like these that are convex and the blind spot mirrors that are attached is my solutions for now. These came with 10 mm metric threads but the MCL covers are US 3/8 x 16 thread. It was no problem to rethread the stems to match.

Now I can see behind and to the sides without my arms blocking the view.

[MJR]

As long as they don't slap you when yah turn.

[Dave_J]

As long as they don't slap you when yah turn.

Or knock oldladys off the sidewalk. Unless your riding on the sidewalk.

[paulcbrowne]

Actually, they don't stick out any farther than the OEM 650 miirrors. They're just in a better position, at least for me, sort of like the 400 mirrors.

[Marv]

I would not trust convex mirrors. You might get complacent one time and not turn your head to look and you know what!

[MJR]

Where do you get the little spring loaded covered power outlets for the heated clothing?

[Colchicine]

One advantage to these mirrors is that you can fold in the stock mirrors and 1) save them from damage in case of a drop, 2) have much more airflow on your hands in hot weather.

[paulcbrowne]

1. If I keep them folded out, I can turn the glass fully to the outside an get pretty good views of what's beside me without using stick-n convex mirrors. +1

2. I'm not sure about keeping them folded because it may limit the ability of other drivers to see your turn signals. +/-
(I have noticed that many cars seem to have turn signal lamps that are less visible than the 650 with the mirrors folded.)

[Colchicine]

I thinking more for interstate travel, when front signal lights aren't as informative. But you could always rig up the "parking lights" at the top corner of the headlights the Europeans have, and wire it in to signal with the mirrors. Just thinking out loud here...

[Renegade1978]

Another solution is to get Shark Audio Mirrors. I got some, mounted them on MC Larry covers, and now I have a really good sound system to listen to tunes while I ride. I can hear them at highway speeds as long as I don't have the shield all the way down on a full-face helmet. 3/4 helmet or half helmet is no problem.

[rustynail]

I thinking more for interstate travel, when front signal lights aren't as informative. But you could always rig up the "parking lights" at the top corner of the headlights the Europeans have, and wire it in to signal with the mirrors. Just thinking out loud here...

I've often thought of removing the "Dumbo ear" mirrors on my 650 and using mirrors on stalks or on the bar end. I don't see too well out of the stockers that are outside my line of sight anyway. I'd just put the turn signal light in the outside corner of the headlights, as suggested.

paulcbrowne, you could probably gain a mile per gallon folding the other sails in when you are on the highway.
No need for two sets of mirrors.

[paulcbrowne]

I discovered, after putting my stalk mirrors on, that I no longer needed the convex mirrors because adjusting the stock mirrors view as far out as possible gave me a better view than the little convex mirrors.

A couple of people suggested just riding with the mirrors folded and I found that this okay except in city traffic or sometimes on multi-lane roads. Nonetheless, with the mirrors folded, the forward visibility of the turn signal to other drivers was a bit less than ideal. Here's my solution and it's quite simple. These are Oznium waterproof super bright strips containing 6 yellow LEDs (http://www.oznium.com/led-modules). I drilled a small hole in the bottom of the mirror housing, fed the wires through, and soldered them onto the wires for the turn signal bulb. The result is better than I expected -- fully visible turn signals with the mirrors folded and even better visibility of my turn signals to other drivers with the mirrors folded out. When folded this will be nice in the summer because more air gets to my hands.

Mirrors folded

Mirrors extended

[Colchicine]

Just keep in mind that those Oznium strips will turn yellow in less than a year. Also, in places like Virginia with annual inspections, lighting that is not DOT approved will fail the vehicle for inspection. Theoretically.

[rustynail]

I love it!

How would it fail you if you take your bike in with the stock lights still there, Colchicine?

I know they can fail you for extra fog lamps and such, but if they don't work (or if they are covered), they can't fail you. I have an IBA rider friend at work and he has something like 350 watts on the front of his wing. He just pulls the fuse on everything but the OEMs before inspection and he passes every time!

[paulcbrowne]

Ah, those Virginia inspections -- something I don't miss!

I don't think these LED modules will deteriorate. These Oznium modules consist of a solid, non-flexible plastic base and the LEDs are sealed in clear plastic. These aren't likely the flexible LED strips, either in ruggedness or LED intensity.

[MJR]

I don't think these LED modules will deteriorate. These Oznium modules consist of a solid, non-flexible plastic base and the LEDs are sealed in clear plastic. These aren't likely the flexible LED strips, either in ruggedness or LED intensity.

I think he meant the clear plastic turns yellow in the sun after time.

[Colchicine]

I love it!

How would it fail you if you take your bike in with the stock lights still there, Colchicine?

I know they can fail you for extra fog lamps and such, but if they don't work (or if they are covered), they can't fail you. I have an IBA rider friend at work and he has something like 350 watts on the front of his wing. He just pulls the fuse on everything but the OEMs before inspection and he passes every time!

There is wide gap between the regulations, and the enforcement (*gasp*). The regs say that if you have lights installed, they must be operable. And if they are operable, they must be DOT approved. I wish this was not the case, or else I'd have my bike lit up like a UFO.
I don't have time to find the supporting code, but I can tell you talked to someone at the State Police HQ a few years ago about this and that is what he told me. I then dug around and at the time found supporting info.

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504 ... 0000000000

[paulcbrowne]

Ah, Virginia! Their lighting regs are arcane. I remember trying to get a Volvo inspected after I had mounted a driving light and fog light to the bumper but had not had time to wire them before the sticker was to expire. Failed! Simply took them off and got it re-inspected. The next year with the installation completed it passed with no problem even though not DOT approved. as long as they shut off when the high beams were illuminated, the inspectors were happy.

No such problems here in (almost heaven) WEST Virginia. One more benefit of moving out of Fairfax County.

[rustynail]

And there it is...

Unless such lighting device is both covered and unlit, no motor vehicle which is equipped with any lighting device other than lights required or permitted in this article, required or approved by the Superintendent, or required by the federal Department of Transportation shall be operated on any highway in the Commonwealth.

That's how light bars pass. They just put the covers on. No gap in enforcement there... Otherwise, how could you have lights permanently mounted for off-highway use?

As I said before for the folks in VA - just pull the fuse and put covers on auxiliary lighting.

Found under:
§ 46.2-1020. Other permissible lights.

[Mordechai]

Another solution is to get Shark Audio Mirrors. I got some, mounted them on MC Larry covers, and now I have a really good sound system to listen to tunes while I ride. I can hear them at highway speeds as long as I don't have the shield all the way down on a full-face helmet. 3/4 helmet or half helmet is no problem.

This sounds [pun intended ] like a great idea! Ordered 'em up; found a great price for the mirror set, but had to settle for chrome : 32.99 at: http://www.sharkmotorcycleaudio.com/pro ... grade.html

Thanks for the tip, Renegade!

[Mordechai]

I had to settle for the chrome finish audio mirrors; they are not the most beautiful; I think black would have fit the scheme of the bike's upper tupperware - bar covers, etc, but they were not hard to wire in and they sound ok! Not much good above 60 MPH, but generally, I am happy with them for the price

Now I can down the road and to the tunes!
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