North American “daytime Running Light” Hack

Same "problem" when I converted my 2015 94R to round LED headlights with halo DRL's, I added a good quality switch (rated to take the current) which interupts the permanent supply to the dip beam headlights, see here post #12. Mounted it in the fly screen instrument surround and wired the illuminated indication to be on with DRL / off when headlight on so that it's not distracting if I ride in the dark (which is rare). Main beam and flash is still available when dip is off. I've also fitted a gear indicator as the 2015 bikes don't have one.
Not sure with the latest dash whether you have any room for a switch.

 

A bit more info here

 

I have the factory "Passing Lights" on my America. They have thier own switch and relay. But I plan to add another switch and relay for the main beam. Then I can run what lights I want to whenever. I have already found all the parts. Just need to get around to it. ...J.D.

 

I was going to start another thread but this thread is pretty close, so I will just add on here. I just got my new Speed Twin 1200. I live in the US. There is no daytime running light switch on the left hand side which the manual indicates should exist for the speed twin. Later on page 60 of the manual it says if equipped. I just tired all combinations and in no case will the DRL light come on. It seems as if there is only the high beam switch which does illuminate when you toggle the switch on the front left handlebar switch set. From what I can tell the DRL is always on with the low beams - no way to turn it on or off. When you change to high beams you get high beams, I don't know if the DRL goes off. I think it should.

Is this all correct?

I have been so impressed with everything about the bike in the short time I have had it. This is the only flakey thing so far.

 

Reducing one's visibility to cars seems kinda dumb to me.

 

I have all the exact same questions you do. I didn't think to look for the DRL when I test rode mine last month since it was in the middle of the day. But while riding it I remembered seeing people mention them in some reviews from British owners.

I think I might try opening the housing and taping up the different leads to see how the light behaves.

 

Ok I ran out to the garage and opened up my head light housing (two 3/16 Allen wrench screws). On the backside of the lamp there is the main hookup in the center which I unplugged (it has the standard 3 blade style prongs) and I left the smaller wire at the bottom of the assembly.

I then turned the key switch and the DRL LED half halo lit up along the bottom and the main halogen headlight bulb stayed off. The LED is very dim though and the reflectiveness of the inside of the headlight housing makes the light bounce and scatter more than you would want. My idea of a nice DRL is a bright crisp and sharp LED line that catches your eye the way expensive SUVs like a late model Denali does.

I plugged the headlight wire back in and reassembled the lamp. I turned the bike back on and confirmed everything was working again. I also confirmed that the DRL LED stays lit both when the headlight is dipped and high. The only difference between dipped and high seems to be that inndipped mode only the front half of the halogen bulb is lit and there is a little shroud covering the top of that part of the bulb so the light shines downward. When you hit the high beam trigger the full halogen bulb illuminates including the back half which shines upward and reflects off the top part of the reflective casing.

I personnelly wouldn't run it with only the DRL on. Not because it's unsafe but because you can't hardly see it in the light anyway so it doesnt look good to me. I'm gonna leave it for the time being and I'll probably swap it out in the future with an aftermarket set once the bug guts stop coming out. I like the look of the Pazoma HL-345-BK-WT headlight but at only $100 I'm highly doubtful that they are a good quality. And the Brogue moto headlights look super cool but way too futuristic for this bike in my opinion.

 

My new Scrambler 1200 (along with some other models) has a DRL/Headlight switch on the left handle bar. By default on startup, the low beam headlight comes on along with a reduced power, dimmed out DRL and the high beam switch selects H/L beam on/off. Pressing the DRL/Headlight switch turns off the headlight, turns on the full power DRL and the headlight H/L beam switch becomes a high beam flash switch. Full DRL/Headlight off mode also brings up a light on the dash. This is the first bike I've owned with separate DRL and headlights. The DRL is brighter than the headlight so improves daylight visibility to other road users IMO but it doesn't throw a beam forward to light up the road ahead at night.
I've also added two LED spotlights to supplement the headlight high beam which massively improves forward visibility after dark.

 

Some pictures would be nice. I'd consider swapping out for that system in whole if possible. Thanks for the info.

 

Some pictures and part number would be nice if you dont mind. I'd consider swapping out for that system in whole if possible. Thanks for the info.

 

Some pictures and part number would be nice if you dont mind. I'd consider swapping out for that system in whole if possible. Thanks for the info.

 

Some pictures and part number would be nice if you dont mind. I'd consider swapping out for that system in whole if possible. Thanks for the info.