Benefits of Using Fog Lights in Foggy Conditions

Winter has already settled across the country. It's hard to see very far even with a bike's headlight on, penetrating the blanket of fog. As a result, riders need to be very cautious when riding on busy roads. Accidents can happen due to a moment of inattention. To prevent this problem, 'fog lights' should be used on bikes. The light from their bulbs can penetrate fog to a great distance, allowing for safe riding. This blog will discuss the use of fog lights in detail. For more articles on bike safety, keep an eye on Bikes guide.

Using Fog Lights in Heavy Fog

In winter, fog lights are very useful not only for riding through fog but also for navigating dusty roads. They help in clearly seeing the path ahead and also alert oncoming vehicles. As a result, the risk of accidents is significantly reduced.

Where to Install Fog Lights

While cars have separate chambers for fog light installation, bikes do not. Consequently, many integrate them with the headlight. However, this should not be done, because the light from these bulbs is not always needed. Therefore, it would be wise to install these bulbs separately instead of with the main headlight.

Rules for Installing Fog Lights

Fog lights should be attached to the bike in such a way that their light does not fall directly into the eyes of oncoming drivers. For this reason, these lights should be installed on the bike's bumper (a special structure to protect against impact) or on the sturdy frames on both sides of the bike. Since fog lights are quite bright, it is better not to use them unless necessary.

Fog Lights Powered by Battery

Fog lights consume more electricity than standard headlights. Therefore, before buying fog lights, you need to know what voltage their bulbs operate at. You also need to find out if your bike's battery will support the fog lights. To reduce strain on the battery, fog lights with a relay should definitely be used.

Understanding Fog Light Beam Distance

Lumens are used as the unit to measure light distance. A lumen is the SI unit of luminous flux, which is used to determine the total amount of light emitted from a source. Therefore, using white light fog lights with a minimum of 3,000 to 4,000 lumens, or 4,000 to 6,000 lumens, will allow for comfortable travel through fog. It is important to remember that since fog lights are installed on the exterior of the bike, they will not last long unless they are dustproof and waterproof. Hence, it is necessary to check the IP65 rating when purchasing fog lights.

How Many Fog Lights to Install

The number of fog lights you should install depends on your eyesight and the speed of your bike. If it is a sports-type bike, two fog lights can make the road visible for a much longer distance. For regular bikes, one good quality fog light is sufficient.

Where to Find Fog Lights

Various brands of fog lights are available in the market. Wahed Reza Romel, Brand Head of Taslock, an importer of fog lights named Taslight X22, states that the Taslight X22 has an operating voltage of 10-80 volts. Therefore, it does not put any extra strain on the bike's battery. The temperature of the bulbs in the fog lights should also be kept in mind. These fog lights, made in Hong Kong, do not easily heat up even after prolonged use due to their aluminum radiator. When lit, the bulb's temperature remains between 40 to 80 degrees Celsius. For this reason, these fog lights have also received IP65 certification.

Price of Fog Lights

The price of Taslight X22, including one year of after-sales service, is 2,250 Taka. A pair costs 4,200 Taka. The X22 has a lifespan of 60,000 hours. Additionally, fog lights named Kritulight, A7 Pacific/Kri/HJC, HJC KZ30, FNM Single, L4X, L6X, and L Night are available in the market ranging from 800 to 4,500 Taka.

Conclusion

Caution should be exercised when using fog lights on bikes that do not have a kick starter. It should be remembered that fog lights are used only for riding in heavy fog, excessive dust, on highways at night, and on hilly roads. These lights are not usually needed in the city. Therefore, fog lights should not be turned on unnecessarily. This will not only maintain the health of the bike's battery but also prevent problems for oncoming drivers and pedestrians. For more bike-related information, keep an eye on Bikroy.