Head lights
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: NE PA
Any bulb that you use will only change the color or intensity of the already bad pattern the stock headlight will throw.
The stock headlamp assembly has a reflector optic setup which has an incomplete pattern of light on the road.
A better setup would be a quality lense optic assembly which produces a fuller pattern on the road which is what you can use.
I got some great info at this site.
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/
As I have gotten older (50's) my eyes need better road illumination than I used to , to be comfortable riding at night.
I went with his recommendations on the Cibie 7" assembly and an Osram 70/65 bulb.
That's a 70 watt low beam and a 65 watt high beam filament.
This cost around $100.00 total and has improved my night vision in a big way.
Here's what it looks like mounted on the bike.
The euro beam in this case is a E2 (France) right side of the road setup.
It gets rid of the usual black hole in the road just in front of the bike and fills my lane without flashing oncoming traffic because of the sharp beam cutoff.
I light up road signs on the right probably 300% over stock and the high beam is just sick , as if you would need it anyway.
The beam is just focused better than most US spec lights.
I finally burnt out the Osram bulb a few weeks ago and put the stock 55/60 in the housing , and it is still way better than the stock pattern was.
These guys have some good stuff also.
http://store.candlepower.com/7inchheadlamps.html
A few Forum members also run Hella E-Code assemblies with great results too.
I feel these are the best bang for the buck (around $100.00 or less) that you can do to improve night vision and riding safety.
Mick
The stock headlamp assembly has a reflector optic setup which has an incomplete pattern of light on the road.
A better setup would be a quality lense optic assembly which produces a fuller pattern on the road which is what you can use.
I got some great info at this site.
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/
As I have gotten older (50's) my eyes need better road illumination than I used to , to be comfortable riding at night.
I went with his recommendations on the Cibie 7" assembly and an Osram 70/65 bulb.
That's a 70 watt low beam and a 65 watt high beam filament.
This cost around $100.00 total and has improved my night vision in a big way.
Here's what it looks like mounted on the bike.
The euro beam in this case is a E2 (France) right side of the road setup.
It gets rid of the usual black hole in the road just in front of the bike and fills my lane without flashing oncoming traffic because of the sharp beam cutoff.
I light up road signs on the right probably 300% over stock and the high beam is just sick , as if you would need it anyway.
The beam is just focused better than most US spec lights.
I finally burnt out the Osram bulb a few weeks ago and put the stock 55/60 in the housing , and it is still way better than the stock pattern was.
These guys have some good stuff also.
http://store.candlepower.com/7inchheadlamps.html
A few Forum members also run Hella E-Code assemblies with great results too.
I feel these are the best bang for the buck (around $100.00 or less) that you can do to improve night vision and riding safety.
Mick
Thanks for posting the info, I'm getting ready to do this shortly!
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 71
Likes: 2
Rather than spend $$ on an LED headlight, I opted to replace the headlamp with the PIAA; I called them and acquired a 100/110 hi-lo beam replacement lamp. I made sure the required current didn't exceed the wiring/circuit capacity and installed it.
No, I didn't change the reflector - stock headlight assembly.
No, I don't have a heat problem or melted wires.
HUGE difference, and cost about $30.
BTW, while you have your stock headlamp assembly off it's a good time to clean up the inside of the the lens...takes some doing but worth it.
For those of you that like to mod your passing lamps to stay on with the high beam...in some states that will get you a ticket...just sayin'...
No, I didn't change the reflector - stock headlight assembly.
No, I don't have a heat problem or melted wires.
HUGE difference, and cost about $30.
BTW, while you have your stock headlamp assembly off it's a good time to clean up the inside of the the lens...takes some doing but worth it.
For those of you that like to mod your passing lamps to stay on with the high beam...in some states that will get you a ticket...just sayin'...
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
I agree with Mick about the limitations of the stock non-fluted headlight, but I would also look into replacing them with a Hella E-code headlight. Like the Cibie sold by Stern, the Hellas cost about half as much from Susquehanna Motorsports and work very well. Compared to stock, the high-beam of E-code headlights provide a much longer "seeing distance" and the low-beam gives a much better pattern along the entire road, not just the right side. I also upgraded to the Hella 80-100W bulbs and I'm very happy with the result, especially for the <$40 investment.
Hella E-code headlight
80-100W H4 bulbs
You might order more than one bulb, as they will eventually burn-out, but I find these high-output Hella bulbs will last for years. My present bulb has been in service since I bought my '07 (4½ years) and were in my old RK for quite a while before that. I do use a modulator for high-beams which increases the life of the high-beam filament.
Hella E-code headlight
80-100W H4 bulbs
You might order more than one bulb, as they will eventually burn-out, but I find these high-output Hella bulbs will last for years. My present bulb has been in service since I bought my '07 (4½ years) and were in my old RK for quite a while before that. I do use a modulator for high-beams which increases the life of the high-beam filament.
Last edited by iclick; Jul 2, 2011 at 12:43 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 954
Likes: 3
From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
I put one of those on my bike a couple of months ago and the difference is AMAZING! Everybody else's headlight looks yellow. One of the best upgrades I've made on my bike!! I ordered it directly from Truck-Lite and saved about $40 over Kuryakyn.
Last edited by hawg08; Jul 2, 2011 at 03:21 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
Thanks iClick! I really appreciate your feedback/suggestions on this - and all the other useful posts I've read of yours. Ordered the E-Code headlamp and Hella bulbs just now...
I agree with Mick about the limitations of the stock non-fluted headlight, but I would also look into replacing them with a Hella E-code headlight. Like the Cibie sold by Stern, the Hellas cost about half as much from Susquehanna Motorsports and work very well. Compared to stock, the high-beam of E-code headlights provide a much longer "seeing distance" and the low-beam gives a much better pattern along the entire road, not just the right side. I also upgraded to the Hella 80-100W bulbs and I'm very happy with the result, especially for the <$40 investment.
You might order more than one bulb, as they will eventually burn-out, but I find these high-output Hella bulbs will last for years. My present bulb has been in service since I bought my '07 (4½ years) and were in my old RK for quite a while before that. I do use a modulator for high-beams which increases the life of the high-beam filament.[/QUOTE]
I agree with Mick about the limitations of the stock non-fluted headlight, but I would also look into replacing them with a Hella E-code headlight. Like the Cibie sold by Stern, the Hellas cost about half as much from Susquehanna Motorsports and work very well. Compared to stock, the high-beam of E-code headlights provide a much longer "seeing distance" and the low-beam gives a much better pattern along the entire road, not just the right side. I also upgraded to the Hella 80-100W bulbs and I'm very happy with the result, especially for the <$40 investment.
You might order more than one bulb, as they will eventually burn-out, but I find these high-output Hella bulbs will last for years. My present bulb has been in service since I bought my '07 (4½ years) and were in my old RK for quite a while before that. I do use a modulator for high-beams which increases the life of the high-beam filament.[/QUOTE]
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