Problem with Daymaker... maybe?
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 98
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From: Greensboro
Problem with Daymaker... maybe?
I got to ride at night for the first time yesterday and the Daymaker was quite underwhelming. However i think this is an adjustment issue as the first 50 or so feet in front of the bike is literally daylight but thats it. This is on low beam.
Then when I hit high beam it stretches out more to approx 75-80 feet and there is a distinct square light pattern on the roadway, but visibilty is really poor. I went straight home as it was not safe to ride like that.
What have you guys seen? I checked manual for ways to adjust beam up/higher so it would reach further, which is straightforward, but it still seemed pretty puny on high beam.
lastly, looks like the spotlight adjustment is the mounting bolt which is in a bucket type setup to rotate the light upwards, however there is a wire running through the center, for power I am sure, how do you guys loosen these? Cant get box wrench or socket on as wire is there and its countersunk so cant use open ended wrench either...
What is everyone else experiencing?
Then when I hit high beam it stretches out more to approx 75-80 feet and there is a distinct square light pattern on the roadway, but visibilty is really poor. I went straight home as it was not safe to ride like that.
What have you guys seen? I checked manual for ways to adjust beam up/higher so it would reach further, which is straightforward, but it still seemed pretty puny on high beam.
lastly, looks like the spotlight adjustment is the mounting bolt which is in a bucket type setup to rotate the light upwards, however there is a wire running through the center, for power I am sure, how do you guys loosen these? Cant get box wrench or socket on as wire is there and its countersunk so cant use open ended wrench either...
What is everyone else experiencing?
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 404
Likes: 2
From: Virginia
Many on here are mentioning their need to raise the light adjustment a bit from stock. Seems to bring it where it needs to be and coverage is then what's expected. I raised mine a little also and provides great light and coverage for me, especially with the passing lamps (which were programmed to stay on with high beams). Try raising a bit at a time and see what you think.
In my opinion the Daymaker that comes standard on the Ultra and Ultra Limited is in no way suited for a motorcycle. Mine has been adjusted every way imaginable and even with the spotlights programmed for high beam it still is not good. Try riding out on the country roads at night when your lights are the only source of light there is and go into a few dark curves.
I replaced mine with the Daymaker Reflector. It's not the perfect headlight but it's much better than the Projector type. High beam is a joke on both. A concentrated narrow beam right down the middle may be great for highways and interstates but not in most real life situations at night.
I know a lot of the guys may disagree but I can see better at night on the country roads with the stock halogen headlight on my wife's 883 than the Daymaker that came on my Limited. It's all in the light pattern and they simply missed it.......
I replaced mine with the Daymaker Reflector. It's not the perfect headlight but it's much better than the Projector type. High beam is a joke on both. A concentrated narrow beam right down the middle may be great for highways and interstates but not in most real life situations at night.
I know a lot of the guys may disagree but I can see better at night on the country roads with the stock halogen headlight on my wife's 883 than the Daymaker that came on my Limited. It's all in the light pattern and they simply missed it.......
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,619
Likes: 57
From: New York
I assume that the OP is talking about the projector style and not the reflector. I have the phase 7 and it's a huge improvement over stock which is similar to the reflector...and cheaper than either Daymaker.
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Joined: Jan 2013
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From: Greensboro
I have the new LED version on my 2014 Limited, this is called the Daymaker, correct? I thought I saw it called that in the Rushmore literature, maybe I am wrong.
I agree with nchogfan, my 2010 Ultra with regular Halogen was WAY better. I was riding country roads when it was dark and it was actually quite dangerous in my opinion....
Is there a way to get both low and high beam (in the headlight, not spots) to come on while high beam is on? I know this was a no-no with old school bulbs, because heat and power consumption started melting things. But with LED heat and power use is minimal....
I agree with nchogfan, my 2010 Ultra with regular Halogen was WAY better. I was riding country roads when it was dark and it was actually quite dangerous in my opinion....
Is there a way to get both low and high beam (in the headlight, not spots) to come on while high beam is on? I know this was a no-no with old school bulbs, because heat and power consumption started melting things. But with LED heat and power use is minimal....
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 496
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From: Plainview, NY
I hate the headlight, I haven't yet aimed it up but it's on my list of things to do. I was in an unlit cloverleaf and I couldn't see a damn thing! It didn't matter with the passing lights on (mine stay on with the high beam) or the high beam...
On a ride a few weeks ago during the day I had a few guys in front of me tell me it looked like the headlight was off.
On a ride a few weeks ago during the day I had a few guys in front of me tell me it looked like the headlight was off.
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I also agree with nchogfan. The daymaker lights on my 2014 FLHTKSE are in no way up to the task of providing a safe ride at night. I ride an international model so the passing lights stay on with high beam. But this is not enough. I have tried adjusting the beam with no real improvement. HID lights on my 2010 were much better. The only positive and the reason why i keep the daymakers, is because others will see you very well during the day.
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 97
Likes: 3
From: Leicestershire
You can adjust the auxillary lights by getting the right size socket and cutting a grove into the side wider than the wire but not the full length of the socket. The socket will then fit onto the nut below the lamp and the wire will go through the middle of the socket and then out the grove. I have seen the same thing done with what we call a ring spanner (wrench) but it probably won't be as strong. You will only be able to turn the nut a bit at a time but it is effective.
Last edited by Pewter; May 28, 2014 at 05:22 PM.