A real-world ADV lighting test with LCDMH, La Chaîne Du Motard Heureux
For most ADV riders, adding auxiliary lights isn’t simply about adding more watts. On a mountain road after dark, the challenge isn’t just seeing what’s directly ahead—it’s understanding where the road is going.
For this review, we teamed up with experienced motorcycle and off-road modification specialist LCDMH, La Chaîne Du Motard Heureux, to test the 4.5-inch version of the Colight Apex series. Before the collaboration, we had in-depth discussions about dimming, wiring, and real-world ADV riding scenarios. One thing became clear: adjustable brightness, simpler wiring, and combined high/low beams are likely to be increasingly important features in motorcycle auxiliary lighting.
This article takes an objective look at the ThunderBox wiring setup, real-world performance, and beam-pattern comparisons. Read on to see why the Colight Apex series is worth considering.
ThunderBox Wiring: 4.5” Colight Apex on the Honda NT1100
LCDMH recommended using a power distribution module rather than searching for a positive power connection in the motorcycle’s factory wiring harness. The setup uses a distribution unit such as the ThunderBox from HealTech. This module connects directly to the battery terminals and powers accessories without requiring modifications to the bike’s original wiring.
There are two key benefits: there’s no need to cut into the factory wiring, and in automatic mode, accessories receive power only while the engine is running. That means you’re less likely to drain the battery by accidentally leaving the lights on. It’s the kind of accessory you connect once and then don’t have to worry about.
Thunder box
Installation in Four Steps
- Connect the positive and negative leads to the battery, or to the corresponding terminals on the ThunderBox.
- Route the wiring harness toward the front of the motorcycle.
- Connect the lights to the harness.
- Run the cable sleeve up along the handlebar to the control panel, then plug it in.
Mounting and Positioning
You can use an optional Colight fork mount (click here to purchase), or choose a compatible universal mount or tubular clamp sized for 0.75–1.25-inch or 1.25–2-inch tubing.
- Position the lights on the forks, choose a suitable height, and make sure they follow the direction of the steering.
- Angle the lights slightly outward. This was a deliberate choice: I wanted the beam to illuminate the sides of the road and the entry to corners, rather than only the road directly along the bike’s centerline.
Apex series&Fork Brackets
High/Low Beam Test: A Wide Beam That Lights Up the Road
In low-beam mode, the width of the beam particularly impressed LCDMH. What matters isn’t simply how intense the light is, but how clearly you can read the road around you and spot an approaching bend.
Curve Lighting Test
At night, the priority is to see the road as it really is—especially around corners, where obstacles may be waiting. This is particularly important for ADV riders who regularly travel along mountain roads and forest trails.
On winding roads after dark, that wider spread helps you read the route more confidently:
- The corner entrance becomes visible, rather than something you have to guess at.
- The inside of the curve remains visible instead of disappearing into darkness.
- You can make out the road edges, boundaries, and surface conditions.
- You can see the surroundings, including the roadside and embankments.
- You can better read the direction of the road as it approaches.
Tip: Angling the lights slightly outward creates a particularly comfortable field of vision through corners. Even on tight bends, the view of the road is noticeably better than it was with the previous setup.
Stock Headlight and Fog Light Comparison vs. Colight Apex
Although LCDMH had already fitted auxiliary fog lights, the difference compared with the Colight Apex series was still clear. These photos were captured during three separate night rides, and the results exceeded the initial expectations.
OEM&Fog Light
Before VS After
High Beam
Four-Level Dimming: A Growing Trend in Motorcycle Auxiliary Lighting
Adjustable brightness is becoming an important direction for motorcycle auxiliary lighting. Established brands such as Denali and Lone Rider already offer dimming accessories. The Colight Apex series provides four brightness levels—20%, 40%, 80%, and 100%—using the included wiring harness and four-button switch.
Dimming Switch
This is useful for reducing glare to oncoming traffic during the day, adapting brightness to different weather conditions, and choosing a suitable output for daytime or nighttime riding.
Final Thoughts
Our collaboration with LCDMH delivered a hands-on review of the 4.5-inch Apex series, covering high/low beam performance—including testing through mountain bends—the white sequential DRL, adjustable brightness, and the wiring setup.
If you’re an ADV rider looking for auxiliary lights that solve several real-world lighting needs, are straightforward to install and use, and don’t cost several times as much as comparable options, the Colight Apex series is well worth considering.
Click here to shop the same 4.5-inch Colight Apex series.