Brighter Head Light Ideas

[straxcla]

Alright so as spring sets in and I start doing some night-time riding I am now reminded of the fact that I can't see Jack with the stock headlight. Unless the high beam is on the thing is next to downright useless, I also have a nasty habit of "out-riding" the light. What sort of bulbs / mods / extra lights do people put on the GS500's to increase visibility? Preferably cheap and easy mods (electrical projects scare me).

Thanks

[robfriedenberger]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000AM8BN6?pc_redir=1399678357&robot_redir=1 you would be amazed what a new bulb can do, I ride primarily at night, on roads with out lights, this dose great!


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[Atesz792]

Philips also offers the Xtreme +50, +80 and +100 series bulbs, and also there's the Osram Nightbreaker. These are brighter than stock with a sacrifice in bulb longevity.
I think I'll go with one of these when I have to replace mine, though not sure about the availability here...

[prmas]

I have the Phillips +100s in both of my bikes, the GS and a Honda NT700 Deauville. It is a HUGE improvement in both cases and well worth the cost of about $75/pair.   

Macka

[ohgood]

if the reflecter will not dazzle other drivers with this led setup, it may be a good idea:

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=976670

[Atesz792]

I have the Phillips +100s in both of my bikes, the GS and a Honda NT700 Deauville. It is a HUGE improvement in both cases and well worth the cost of about $75/pair.   

Macka

Do you happen to know how much worse their longevity is?

[robfriedenberger]

I put mine in about 3 months ago, and ride almost every day or 50+ miles, so I'm not concerned if it would go tomorrow


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[straxcla]

Thanks for the advice, I think putting one of the above mentioned bulbs in is gonna be the game plan. I'll have to see if I can find $75 in change tucked in my seat cushions....

[robfriedenberger]

The one I suggested is a good and cheap upgrade


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[Wagoneer]

I switched to dual dominator headlights with Phillips +100 bulbs and the difference was night and day. They do rob some power though. If you're running anything extra off your battery you'll notice them dim at idle.

[Janx101]

Note on the dual dominator sets. .. you get what you pay for!, the PO of my bike bought the el cheapo ones. .. the beam pattern and spread is just NOT the same as the good ones. .. still useable but they do lack in the view of light area!

sent by willpower and a phone

[fetor56]

I like the idea of these LED's,but cos of the depth don't know if they'll fit in a naked headlight bucket.....anyone had experience.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/131039275849?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

Sent by mere though,with no instrumentality,just like the Krell.

[robfriedenberger]

The LED should fit the bucket but its going to be tight.....IDK about LED headlights. I wouldn't think the beam is not going to be the same as a regular halogen...But Im not an expert

[Janx101]

Would very depend on bucket/reflector size and depth ...

And 6000k colour temp? ... That's waaaay up into the blue/purple I think? ... Bright white-ish light ... But it will still get eaten by low frequency colour temp backgrounds ... I tried 4300k bulbs and while great close in ... The distance greenery and roadside dirt etc did NOT show the light back to me very well at all... White lines and marker posts and reflective signs were awesome showup however!

Overall effect is like turning the contrast down on the TV while the brightness is set high??

Put the 4300k bulbs in ute now and twin light setup with a wide centre gap is more tolerable ... Twin lights on a bike MIGHT be ok ? .. 

[rexpepper651]

5000-5500k is white white light. 6500k should be like washed out blue. blue is bad.rainy/wet roads will make life hell i use this type of light in my hid projectors in my car and also the same light but full spectrum which is closes to daylight in my fully planted aquariums. . heres a nice chart

[Buckmaw]

I also do quite a bit of night riding due to the nature of my job.  I was looking for a way to see and be seen at night.  Here is what I did.

I placed a set of these on the side mount of my windscreen.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2Pcs-10W-8-Cree-LED-Work-Light-Spot-Beam-Fog-Lamp-Car-Jeep-Motorcycle-Truck-/230981198065?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item35c78d60f1&vxp=mtr


And they work GREAT!  They are not a flood beam but a 8deg spot and they really reach out there and light up the road.  They operate off a separate switch mounted to the handlebar.


I have them adjusted where they do not blind oncoming traffic.

I also have one of those LED bulbs with a fan in as my headlight.  The Hi/Lo beam does work but I am not at all impressed with the bulb in my old style, round headlight bucket. 

But in tandem, they both work well together.

[Janx101]

My bad on the colour temps... The 4300k bulbs I have are also tinted glass which is a mid-light blue... Which I misidentified last post ... The light out on the road is white .... But it needs to be slightly more yellow.... When I did some testing I ended up with a Phillips 100+ in the F headlight giving the current best viewable area and penetration ...

Additional light sources like Buckmaw's (I use the full flood ones just like that as work lights in my trucks) and Adidasguy's favorite fork mounted units... Which I can't think of the name of right this second...    ... Will give better visibility on both ends... Rider and drivers

[rexpepper651]

i really like those spot lights. ive been looking at getting a single one to mount lower down on the forks 2 for 60 isnt bad at all!

im with you on the yellow tint a bit to the headlight. it seems to make things more visible but i do like how the 5500k light really makes the painted lines and signed really pop. its a hard toss up for me. i dont think i will go with a led headlight just for the fact the reflector isnt good at and the glass i feel would scatter  the light. have you ever seen hid lights in a non-projector housing? its horrid. does anyone of of a hid/projector lens mod for the gs? i think this is going to be the best bet over leds and possibly the upgraded standard bulb.

[Janx101]

Weedahoe is your HID retrofit chap! ... He does lighting and can put together a kit IIRC?

[rexpepper651]

is that only for the F headlight tho? i have a E...