SAN MARCOS, CA – Baja Designs (BD) has always engineered and manufactured LED lighting systems with replaceable lenses and optics. Amazingly enough, almost all other LED bars are silicone sealed and not serviceable. If a BD lens is scratched or scored, you don’t replace the entire light as you do with most imported products, nor do you need to send it back to the manufacturer as you would with other popular LED lights.

BD’s uService™ technology allows you to simply unscrew BD’s water and dust proof lens and seal to replace the damaged optics or lens. On top of that, the same uService™ technology means you can also change the optics of your light. When you consider that BD also includes a limited lifetime warranty on all their lights, uService™ offers the ultimate in purchase protection.

“Racing off-road for over 25 years has taught BD engineers to design products to endure even the roughest of conditions. Our uService™ replaceable lenses and optics will further guarantee a race finish while also saving you money from needing to buy a replacement light,” says Chief Scientist and Baja Designs founder, Alan Roach. Alan also added, “You wouldn’t throw out your car if your windshield cracks, would you? No, you’d just replace the windshield. So why would anyone design a disposable LED driving light? That’s crazy!”

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Baja Designs has also evolved the uService™ technology to permit “customization.” Replaceable lenses and optics allow you to customize your pattern for any application on the fly or make repairs quickly and easily. BD’s uService™ products are uniquely o-ring sealed and carry an IP69K rating – that means they are submersible up to 9 feet and pressure washer-safe up to 1450 PSI. Catch the company’s YouTube video featuring Zog the Caveman attempting to rebuild his disposable lights while the Baja Designs Scientist easily breezes through his rebuilding process in minutes.

Look for the uService™ icon on all applicable LED products from Baja Designs. More product news from Baja Designs in the upcoming months will reveal a complete series of innovations designed to continually bring you a re-evolution of bright ideas made better.

The new OnX motorcycle mount allows you to harness the unsurpassed distance and smooth spread of the Baja Designs OnX 8” LED light bar on your motorcycle. Now you can easily mount the 8” OnX LED bar to your stock handle bar mount and achieve more light than ever available, as well as easy aim and go adjustability.  After years of engineering and advances in LED technology we at Baja Designs can proudly say that our LED lights are officially the future of off road racing.  The new OnX LED Light Bar is the only light bar on the market that has the distance of an 8” HID with the smooth spread of an LED.  Each OnX M/C light offers a concentrated beam of 3600 lumens.  Countless hours of testing and preparation have ensured that the OnX is be perfect for racers and enthusiasts that need a vast amount of light at high speeds.  The OnX utilizes a Cree XML T6 Bin LED at 5000k, which will be complimented by our one of a kind user changeable optics that have been specifically designed for the OnX’s HID like distance projection.  If you’re looking for the guaranteed farthest projecting LED light on the market, look no further.

Patterns available: Long Range Spot, Standard Spot, Driving Combo and Wide-Driving.

Features:

• Spot, Driving, and Wide-Driving optics can be combined into one lamp
• uService™ – Fully Serviceable and Customizable optics and lenses
• Copper Core™ – Tri -Level Thermal heat management system
• Weight: 2.5 lbs
• IP68 (Submersible to 9ft)
• Hardcoated User Changeable Polycarbonate Lens
• Lifetime Warranty

Specifications:

• Dimming: Accessible Medium (Dust) and Strobe Modes
• Total Lumens: 3600
• Housing: Extruded Aluminum, Anodized
• Power Consumption: 42 watts, 3.6 amps
• Emitter: CREE XM-L LED, 5000 Kelvin
• 8.0” Long, 2.25” High, 4.25” Inches Deep
• 25,000 hour LED life expectancy

COMING SOON

The OnX M/C mount will give you the same light used by Factory KTM (Quinn Cody, Kurt Caselli, Mike Brown and Ivan Ramirez).

The Squadron uses active Thermal Management, a Single Layer Solid Core Copper Circuit Board and an aircraft grade aluminum housing that maintains LED temperature within the optimum operating limits.  Hard coated polycarbonate lenses and waterproof to 3 meters, help make this Squadron Adventure Bike kit the last set you’ll ever buy!

“..These lights make riding at night on quiet back-roads and lonely fire-roads a complete blast. Comparing the OEM headlight to these lights is like comparing a candle to daylight. They tuck out of the way nicely and are not damaged by dropping the bike.”  - Product Review on BajaDesigns.com

 An optional Dimmer Box allows the rider to adjust the Squadron set in 5% increments in addition to having a 100% high beam override which simulates a high/low beam through the stock handlebar switch.

 Squadron LED Adventure Bike Kit Includes:

- (2) Baja Designs Squadron LED Lights

- All necessary hardware for mounting

- Baja Designs Relay Harness

- Baja Designs Rear Harness w/fuse

- High Beam By-Pass Extension Wire Set

Part # 66-0057 –  SQUADRON ADVENTURE BIKE KIT

(Retail $699.95)

Part # 66-0055 –  SQUADRON LED DIMMER BOX KIT

(Retail $49.95)

For more information about the Squadron Adventure Bike Kit or other Baja Designs products, please visit www.bajadesigns. com or call 800-422-5292.  See latest news and photos on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/bajadesigns.motorcycleatv

You might have to give me a little bit of leeway on this story due to the fact that this is a 24-Hour race! I have a hard enough time remembering my H&H or EX races, let alone a 24-Hour one. It’s hard for me to remember how it all went down, but I’ll do my best.

This team was put together by Action Kawasaki, down in Florida, and they’ve been putting a team together for the last 9-years. They’d never been able to pull off an overall win, but we were hoping to change that for Jack! Kawasaki Team Green really helped out, and sent parts and whatever else they needed to make sure the bike would be good for all of us. This is a race I’ve heard a lot of great things about and had always wanted to do! Jason at Kawasaki asked if I would be interested in racing and I definitely couldn’t pass it up. I also had two of my west coast buddies (Gary Sutherlin and Jacob Argubright) come out and join our east coast teammates (Garrett Edmisten, Jon McCabe, and Mose Howard). We had a brand new 2012 KX450f that Bob built and we were able to ride it the day before the race to do the final prep.

The race was a little over 11-miles and actually had a lot of great terrain which included tight woods, grass tracks, MX, and jeep roads. We figured it would be best to have Garrett start and put in the first 3-laps.  Then when he would stop for gas, we’d switch riders for most of the 24-hours. It was about and hour and twenty minutes and seemed to work out perfect. Garrett wasn’t able to get the hole-shot and was behind the KTM team (that we would battle most of the race) for his three laps. It was pretty dusty and hard to pass when you have guys close to your speed. Then Gary got on the bike and had a great battle with John Dowd, and I believe on his last lap was able to make the pass and get us into the lead for the first time! Jon got on the bike and rode really well, but lost the lead again while still keeping us close. This was our first long pit stop and we had to change a tire and a filter, then I finally got to get on the bike for my three laps. My main goal was to ride smart and just put in good laps and save the bike (it’s a long race). I felt pretty good and right after my first lap I was able to get right back on the KTM team, and in the grass track I made the pass to put us back into the lead. By the time I got off I had about a 3-minute lead and handed the bike to Jacob. Jacob put in great laps and we started to pull away slowly. Our last teammate Mose rode solid and put in more good laps too. This was basically the cycle we went through except for some changes in the order when early AM came around. Before night we built up around a 14-minute lead and then they would bring it back down to 7 at times. They pretty much kept us honest and we were all just putting in good solid laps and everyone was sticking to the game plan. We had some great pits where we would change pads, bleed brakes, filters, tire changes, etc. pretty much your normal stuff. My second time on the bike was around 10:30 at night and I was really looking forward to racing at night (but a little nervous too). I got on with a little over a 13-minute lead and after my 3-laps I was about to get it to around 17-minutes. That was one of the best times I’ve had in a long time and the Baja Designs lights worked awesome! My pace was a little slower then during the day, but the lights were pretty amazing! I went to try and get some sleep (hint word tried) and when I finally felt like I was sleeping good they woke me up to start to get ready (around 4:30am, but 2:30 west coast . I was happy to hear Gary was able to lap second place and put a couple minutes on them. The lap times were averaging around 26-minutes so we had a nice gap plus they still would have to get back around us to put them on the same lap. Jon was right before me and he would be the last guy out in the dark before the sun came up. He put in more solid laps, but the KTM boys had some fast guys on and were able to get back around and put themselves back on the same lap (they really started to push it). When we pitted we pulled the lights off and did rear brakes. I took off and the course was starting to get beat up, but the moisture came up and the dirt was really good! Definitely the best time I had! I was able to close back on Dowd and get about 20-seconds behind, but he put a little time back on me on my last lap. We then had Gary get back on and he was on it and got back around the KTM guys while they were pitting. After he got off we just had Mose and then had Garrett take it into the finish. The checkered came out at 10:00 am and we came across the finish not much after that to take the overall win!

Overall Summary:

That was some of the most fun I’ve had in a long time! All of us rode really well and did exactly what we wanted to (WIN). The bike was pretty much flawless the whole time and the course was really good! I know I just talked about the second place KTM team, but there was another KTM team that was right behind them the whole time and really made it a three way battle for the entire 24-hours. We had to keep our focus on and knew it wasn’t over until we crossed the finish line.

Top Three Overall:

1^st Destry Abbott/ Gary Sutherlin/ Garrett Edmisten/ Jacob Argubright/ Jon McCabe/ Mose Howard

2^nd John Dowd/ Jeff Braico/ Mark Lewis/ Jase Lewis/ Dustin Gibson/ Jeff Cown

3^rd Cole Kirkpatrick/ Brian Johnson/ Josh Young/ Brad Krammer/ Steve Leivan/ Cameron Kirkpatrick

Other Notes:

One thing about a race like this is that it takes a lot of people to make it run smoothly. Jack O’Neill (Action Kawasaki) made all this happen and Bob did a great job building the KX450. There were so many other people that helped out with times, pitting, food or whatever else we needed! Great people and I’m really happy we were able to pull off the win!

The lights are a huge part of a 24-hour race and we didn’t have one problem with them (Baja Designs). I also ordered the new Double Stryk Kit for my helmet and was blown away by how good it was! Definitely would recommend getting one and I know I’ll be using it on my mountain bike too! Thanks to Alan for helping me out with one. The night racing was some of my favorite stuff!

What a first class race they put on! The Perry Mountain Club really knows what they’re doing and putting on a 24-hour race can’t be easy. They had a ton of spectators that showed up and everything was safe and the course was awesome! Some of the nicest people I’ve met and I can’t thank them enough for a great experience!

Action Kawasaki had another team in the expert class and they were all really good up and coming riders! They had a nice lead and I think they built up a couple laps on their competition, but with only a few laps to go had a fluke mechanical issue and weren’t able to pull off the win. I was bummed for them!

I took some photos I posted on my instagram (destryabbott) or ones I had Gary or Jacob take on my phone. Not the best, but I didn’t have my camera with me.

My story is later then usual, but from this race I flew up to Minnesota (Millville) for the 2013 250f bike launch! Perfect weather, best 250f I’ve ridden, and an awesome track, so this trip was really good! I had a big crash on Tuesday and you can see the YouTube video of it here http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=US&hl=en&client=mv-google&v=FQjF3k06V64&nomobile=1. Pretty sore after that one, but it was good to ride the next day. I also attached a picture (courtesy of Adam Campbell) riding the new 2013.

I’m home for a day and then it’s off to Sacramento for the second round of the Endurocross series. Definitely on the sore side, but I’m looking forward to it!

By Destry Abbott

For more information on this race or Destry Abbott go to Destryabbott.com

The Baja Designs Squadron Honda CRF/X LED Light Kit provides the latest in LED lighting technology while utilizing the factory headlight shell on all CRF250X and CRF450X Honda motorcycles. The Squadron LED Kit is designed specifically for aggressive night-time riding by combining amazing distance projection, wide peripheral spread and a smooth light pattern.

The Squadron light utilizes four CREE XML LEDs – the brightest, most efficient LEDs on the market with a blinding 3600 lumens. Not only is the Squadron the brightest LED light on the market, but it only draws 3.6 amps. If you’re looking for the ultimate lighting in the factory shell for your Honda, the Baja Designs Squadron is the answer!

Features & Specifications:

- Uses four T6 bin CREE XML LEDs at 5000K  – Waterproof, submersible to 3 meters
- User interchangeable Hard-coated, polycarbonate lens
- Lifetime warranty
- Total lumens: 3600
- Housing: Billet-machined housing with  stainless steel fasteners and mounts
- Power consumption: 44 watts
- 25,000 hour LED life expectancy
- 24oz net weight (light fixture, headlight shell, mount kit combined)

Part # 66-0054 – Squadron HONDA CRF/X Kit  (Retail $349.95)

For more information about the HONDA Squadron LED Lighting Kits or other Baja Designs products, please visit www.bajadesigns. com or call 800-422-5292.  See latest news and photos on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/bajadesigns.motorcycleatv

Features:

• Available in three configurations, using precision in house designed optics: Driving, Spot, and Flood
• Weight: 12oz
• Waterproof, submersible to 3 meters
• Hard coated polycarbonate lens
• Lifetime warranty

Specifications:

• Total Lumens: 3600
• Housing: Billet Machined housing with stainless steel fasteners and mounts.
• Front Lens: Hard coated Polycarbonate
• Power Consumption: 44 watts
• Uses four T6 Bin Cree XML LEDs at 5000K
• 25,000 hour LED life expectancy

For more info on LED Light specs and information click here.

One way to calculate different model LEDs is to calculate the Lumens/Watt. LED output is measured in “Lumens,” which is the total luminous power emitted from the light source. If you divide the total Lumen output of a light by the power draw of the light, you will get the Lumens/Watt. A high lumens/watt number means that you will get a brighter light for the draw. For example, the older 10watt Cree MCE and Seoul semiconductor P7 LEDs are rated at 75 lumens/watt. Contrast with the 5watt Cree XPG LEDs that produce greater than 100 lumens/watt or the latest 5watt Cree XML that produces 140 lumens/watt and you can see why newer LED lights are brighter/ more efficient.

Of equal importance, all LED models have a die size or footprint. The smaller the LED die(“bulb”) the easier it is to create the reflector and optics that put the light where it is needed the most. For example, the older 10watt Cree MCE and Seoul semiconductor p7 LED(long name:)) dies are very large which makes it virtually impossible to focus the light without wasting a significant portion of the light. The result is a dimmer and less efficient light for the power draw. On the other hand, the 5watt Cree XPG die is 85% smaller which allows for almost completely efficient use of the available light. This also allows the reflector to be half the size resulting in a much smaller overall lamp size.

Baja Designs is always researching emerging light technologies and maintains close relationships with LED manufacturers; BD is often one of the first companies to get new LED prototypes to test.

1. Let’s keep it simple and take the sun at its highest and brightest point in the sky: high noon. At noon, assuming no additional effects from weather and atmospheric conditions, the sun has a perceived color temperature anywhere between 5000K and 5400K.
2. Since the sun is our only external light source, our eyes have evolved to see best at this color temperature.
3. So, doesn’t it make sense to use LEDs that mimic this color temperature, thereby allowing our eyes to perform at their optimal level of receiving and processing light?  We sure think so.  In fact, once the color temperature surpasses 6500K, which many other LED light companies use, it now actually looks like twilight or the light that the sun would produce through cloudy conditions.
4. At Baja Designs, we not only select LEDs out of the highest lumen output bin but also accept only those LEDs with a color temperature of 5000K, thus producing a light that truly shines like the sun at midday.

Now, this selection doesn’t come without a price (literally). LEDs come in a wide array, and one of the sorting criteria is by color temperature.  5000K is more expensive than the bluer LEDs used by most other lighting companies.  Here is what Chuck Hovey, BITD and SCORE champion has to say: “When driving at night, fatigue is certainly a factor.  With a bluer LED, it is more difficult to process terrain at speed. Baja Designs has the perfect color temperature, therefore making it easier on the eyes and brain. When doing 120MPH down a dirt road at night, you need every advantage you can get.”

Bottom line, a light with the proper color temperature allows for optimal terrain recognition and less driver fatigue.

1) http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/color+temperature
2, 3, 4) Kip, Arthur. Fundamentals of Electricity and Magnetism, McGraw-Hill Series in Fundamentals of Physics