Dark Ride

John Diakonis · 05-02-2006, 04:25 PM

Well I finally took my first ride at night and I can confirm what every one already knows, the stock lights Suck! I rode in town traffic with my high beams on and no one flashed me. I'll make sure they're adjusted, but I can't wait to install the Motolights. I forgot how much light I had on the last bike. Let's see... more lights, louder horn, flashing brake light....

Migs · 05-02-2006, 04:34 PM

I set off a ground illuminator at every intersection myself

Actually, when I got my 1st S, I thought the lights were great!! Coming from diff experience I guess...not a "lot" of light from a 68 Shovel ya'know

jweicht · 02:57 AM

That's funny, I leave my house at 4am every morning for a 58 mile commute (each way) and have no problem with the stock headlight. I'd check your adjustment, make sure the little adjustment lever isn't flipped to the position meant to be for when the back end is heavily loaded, as this will throw the beam toward the ground if you're normally loaded. My bike's lever was set wrong when I bought the bike, which was immediately apparent during the first night ride. I stopped alongside the road, reached up and flipped the lever to the correct position and it made all the difference. Now oncoming cars will flash their lights at me immediately if I've got my high beams on.

on2wheels52 · on2wheels52's Garage

The S has the best headlight of my fleet of 9 bikes, though some are a bit primitive. I don't do much night riding so won't upgrade. More candlepower would be a comfort if I did.
Jim

powert · 05-03-2006, 04:02 AM

I just came off a KTM 950 WITH the Euro headlight and the "S" is lacking comparativley. I see HID in my future.

Rootboy · 05-03-2006, 05:12 AM

Once you go HID, you'll never go back. Anything else is not worth the time/materials you are going to have to shell out. I installed mine after the first group buy from this board and they have performed flawlessly. I think it took me less than two hours to install...including removing the plastic.

Moybin · 05-03-2006, 05:23 AM

What jweicht said: check your alignment. Bought mine used, got it in the garage and taped a line on the door for reference. Was WAY LOW, so either the previous owner had weighed like 400 pounds or it was never correct.

As a side note: last winter I installed a bright blue LED in the Parking Lamp socket. My wife says it is VERY noticable in the rear view mirror of our cage. I seem to sense a different behavior in the cage drivers ahead of me. They certainly seem to know I'm there for a change. Time will tell if this is placebo effect or real.

Anton · 05-03-2006, 06:55 AM

Stock headlights rock.

I've been caught out in the middle of nowhere before and used the rear preload to get the beam adjusted just right. Not a long term solution, but it will get you home.

blsuedeshu · 05-03-2006, 07:20 AM

I too always thought the stock S lighting was lacking. I ride 80 miles round trip daily here in Kali and depending the time of year, half the commute is in darkness. Good lighting is vital for me. I installed a PIAA/Sylvania Silverstar combo to replace the stockers and have been quite pleased. HID offer only a few more candle power compared to this setup. Got'em at Bob's BMW.

JonyRR · 05-03-2006, 09:07 AM

'HID offer only a few more candle power compared to this setup.'

I respectfully beg to differ.
there is NO comparison. HID is so far superior to halogen of ANY wattage or kelvin temprature it's absolutely no contest.
Of course, halogen is way cheaper, but that deal of the century of $110.00 per bulb is a dynomite buy.
I'll never buy a new vehicle without HID lights.
I have grey-market superblue 90 watt lo and 130 watt hi 9005/9006 bulbs in my bimmer cage and my HID beemer blows all 4 halogen bulbs awaaaayyyyy

Flatbutt1 · 05-03-2006, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Moybin
As a side note: last winter I installed a bright blue LED in the Parking Lamp socket.

Plug 'n play bulb? Got any info on it? I'd like to do that too.

John Diakonis · 05-03-2006, 11:23 AM

Great input guys! Thanks. That blue light special sounds interesting Moybin.Let us know.

Moybin · 05-04-2006, 07:44 AM

Flatbutt et al:

Here is a link to the forum discussion about LEDs that I posted some time back. It has all the Digikey part numbers for the different color LED bulbs that will plug & play in your parking light socket.

Instru. cluster LED conversion specifics