Custom Dynamics headlamp question
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 42
Likes: 29
From: San Diego, CA
Custom Dynamics headlamp question
Question regarding the CD pro beam headlamp:
I have a 2021 RG CVO. In the process of making minor upgrades I decided to ‘upgrade’ to the CD headlamp based partially on glowing reviews on this and other forums. Perhaps I’m just doing something wrong here but the lamp has a major flaw. Yes, its bright. Yes, the high beam is fantastic. Yes, it looks good. Yes, when the bike is standing bolt upright the wide horizontal beam is fantastic. The problem is exactly that: the beam is vertically thin and narrow and wide. Think of this like a hand-held fan that is pointing staight in front of the bike.
The problem is that if you riding a dark road at night and go into a turn that narrow beam is now at 45 degrees or so (kinda like airplane wings) so the beam now totally lights up the ground to the left of the bike but there is practically no light ‘looking’ into the turn. And the high side of the bike is now lighting up the sky on the opposite side. These days, some lamp manufacturers have ‘auto-leveling’ beams that will ‘look into’ the turn as the bike leans into it. The CD does not. Maybe I am doing something wrong but I am considering going back to OEM as this seems a little dangerous.
Any thoughts or solutions?
I have a 2021 RG CVO. In the process of making minor upgrades I decided to ‘upgrade’ to the CD headlamp based partially on glowing reviews on this and other forums. Perhaps I’m just doing something wrong here but the lamp has a major flaw. Yes, its bright. Yes, the high beam is fantastic. Yes, it looks good. Yes, when the bike is standing bolt upright the wide horizontal beam is fantastic. The problem is exactly that: the beam is vertically thin and narrow and wide. Think of this like a hand-held fan that is pointing staight in front of the bike.
The problem is that if you riding a dark road at night and go into a turn that narrow beam is now at 45 degrees or so (kinda like airplane wings) so the beam now totally lights up the ground to the left of the bike but there is practically no light ‘looking’ into the turn. And the high side of the bike is now lighting up the sky on the opposite side. These days, some lamp manufacturers have ‘auto-leveling’ beams that will ‘look into’ the turn as the bike leans into it. The CD does not. Maybe I am doing something wrong but I am considering going back to OEM as this seems a little dangerous.
Any thoughts or solutions?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,029
Likes: 449
From: Michigan
Try pointing you headlight a little higher. I had the same problem with my Road Glide, for some reason they always set the head lights to point down in front of the bike and it's exacerbated by the cut off line on LED lights. I had to raise the headlights on both of my bikes (RGS and Springer Softail) after installing LEDs in them. You also might want to think about a set of driving lights or swap your front turn signals to the CD Pro Beams as they are a bright white LED until you hit the signal button. I found that the white Pro Beams fill in some of the area around the front of the bike at night.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 42
Likes: 29
From: San Diego, CA
Try pointing you headlight a little higher. I had the same problem with my Road Glide, for some reason they always set the head lights to point down in front of the bike and it's exacerbated by the cut off line on LED lights. I had to raise the headlights on both of my bikes (RGS and Springer Softail) after installing LEDs in them. You also might want to think about a set of driving lights or swap your front turn signals to the CD Pro Beams as they are a bright white LED until you hit the signal button. I found that the white Pro Beams fill in some of the area around the front of the bike at night.
I do have the CD halo turn signals. Indeed those are great.
I’ll try elevating the headlamp a bit and see if that helps.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 98
Likes: 45
From: Todd NC
I did that upgrade on my 2017 RGS and of course had to readjust the headlight up since work off shift and most of my riding was in the twisty mtn roads of NC. Even the stock headlight setup had to be raised. I also did the pro beam turn signal upgrade and the white drl setup added even more light to the sides of the front fender. I'd definitely readjust the CD headlight up and keep a t handle allen so you can readjust if needed at night to where you want the light. The side and front distance the CD light gives off is awesome and going back to stock will not be worth it. I sold that bike last season and picked up a 2020 RKS and immediately put on a CD Pro Beam headlight but not the adaptive version since the widespread light is what I needed. Once you readjust the headlight I'm sure you will enjoy it even more.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 42
Likes: 29
From: San Diego, CA
I did that upgrade on my 2017 RGS and of course had to readjust the headlight up since work off shift and most of my riding was in the twisty mtn roads of NC. Even the stock headlight setup had to be raised. I also did the pro beam turn signal upgrade and the white drl setup added even more light to the sides of the front fender. I'd definitely readjust the CD headlight up and keep a t handle allen so you can readjust if needed at night to where you want the light. The side and front distance the CD light gives off is awesome and going back to stock will not be worth it. I sold that bike last season and picked up a 2020 RKS and immediately put on a CD Pro Beam headlight but not the adaptive version since the widespread light is what I needed. Once you readjust the headlight I'm sure you will enjoy it even more.
Agree with MCSarge and NCmtnsrider; probably needs adjustment upwards. If you'd like one of our installers to help, feel free to give us a call at 800-382-1388 -- we're always glad to have the opportunity to support our products.
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