Lets talk about headlights
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 345
Likes: 19
From: Houston
Lets talk about headlights
Ive riden my new to me standard to work a few times now and the headlight SUCKS! The hrs I work im always going one way or the other in the dark so ive got to change this. All my vehicles have either HIDs or LED headlights/foglights so im used to good light output. I don't hate the stock headlight housing but im not in love with it either. So what have you guys used that is priced reasonable and has good light output? Either full assembly or plug and play will work. Any input appreciated 
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 604
Likes: 22
lighin
I'm on the search myself as my Crossbones with it's 5 3/4 is lame I've narrowed it down to a JW Speaker headlight. Have not purchased it yet but read several good reviews and the only drawback is the price. Only have to miss one deer to make that 385$ seem cheap.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 100,455
Likes: 19,811
From: Centennial, CO
My first lighting mod was an Adjure reflector with a Osram Nightbreaker bulb in the stock bucket. A world better than stock.
Next was the drop-in LED in the Adjure reflector in an Adjure bucket cuz the LED would not fit in the stock bucket. Lots more light, but the pattern is very diffuse, so I had a hard time getting used to it.
I have just put in a H-D Daymaker I bought from a Forum member for 1/2 price from new, which makes it reasonably expensive instead of prohibitively so. Installed this in the stock bucket as it would not fit the Adjure bucket. This puts out the same amount of light as the drop-in, but the pattern is more focused which I like. It does have it's issues though. If it blows, breaks or stops working, I'll get another drop-in.
Next was the drop-in LED in the Adjure reflector in an Adjure bucket cuz the LED would not fit in the stock bucket. Lots more light, but the pattern is very diffuse, so I had a hard time getting used to it.
I have just put in a H-D Daymaker I bought from a Forum member for 1/2 price from new, which makes it reasonably expensive instead of prohibitively so. Installed this in the stock bucket as it would not fit the Adjure bucket. This puts out the same amount of light as the drop-in, but the pattern is more focused which I like. It does have it's issues though. If it blows, breaks or stops working, I'll get another drop-in.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 2,414
Likes: 433
From: Arkansas
I had the OPT7 H4 Hi-Lo Blitz 35w Single Motorcycle HID Kit on my 2005 Deluxe and it worked great, but the ballasts kept failing so I switched to the OPT7 LED Headlight Bulbs w/ Clear Arc-Beam Kit - H4 kit with the fan and it works great so far, the only weirdness with it is that the high beams are just a secondary LED that makes the light really bright without actually raising the beam level.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 100,455
Likes: 19,811
From: Centennial, CO
I had the OPT7 H4 Hi-Lo Blitz 35w Single Motorcycle HID Kit on my 2005 Deluxe and it worked great, but the ballasts kept failing so I switched to the OPT7 LED Headlight Bulbs w/ Clear Arc-Beam Kit - H4 kit with the fan and it works great so far, the only weirdness with it is that the high beams are just a secondary LED that makes the light really bright without actually raising the beam level.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 2,414
Likes: 433
From: Arkansas
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 50
From: Louisville, KY
Just a point to note when upgrading to the LED lamps, they are a lot heavier than the stock lamp and for this reason you need to stiffen up the soft rubber mounts, or the LED light beam dances all over the road with the slightest bumps.
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Advanced
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 98
Likes: 7
From: Dorr,MI
I put in the JW Speaker 8690 Adaptive LED and LOVE IT! Fit the stock 5 3/4 bucket perfect. Light output is great. Low beam as a nice wide pattern and very good reach, enough that at times I forget to use the high beam. The high beam pattern is just a bit narrow for my tastes, but not bad. The reach on high beam will light up road signs easily half mile away. The "cornering" lights work perfect. As soon as you either begin a turn or lean in for a turn it lights up the inside of your turn. Expensive yes, but hitting a deer is more expensive!
