| Author | Message | ||
     Pigseye |
I just gotta know: Why all this nonsense with dual-headlight STREET-legal motorcycles with only one headlight on at a time? What is the purpose of this? Is it for less draw to the electrical system? Is it for 'fashion'? I would think that the purpose for the headlights is to provide adequate lighting for the rider when using the bike in its intended purpose. I would also think that it serves another purpose: Day and Night conspicuity(sp?) so that other road-users can see you. There are those who say, "I don't like riding much at night anyway, so its a non-issue with me." Fine. Don't ride at night, but there are those of us who commute or travel at night and desire superior lighting for safety and conspicuity. I know that motorcycles only require ONE headlight on, but if it has TWO, why not illuminate both at the same time ie. both on for low beams and both on for high beams? As a bonus, it asthetically pleasing and the 'cut-off' is not as severe when banking over at night. What's your take on this? | ||
| Smcnamara |
I could be wrong here, but I would guess this is a cost & complexity issue. The two lights operate independently, and are focused at different heights to provide for different light levels. In order to have both lights on for both high and low, you would need to have double bulb/reflector setups in both lights, much like a car headlight. My guess is that this part would be much more expensive than the simple bulb/reflector used currently. | ||
| Anonymous |
Heat overload due to the small space available. Check out the size of an automotive housing. You need space like a Goldwing to get rid of the heat of two modern headlights. | ||
| Stevenknapp |
How close to meltdown is the standard light housing? I've been pondering a HID "upgrade" for my low beam. While I know it's not DOT legal, I'm willing to accept that. Hey, how many aftermarket lighting options are... Anyways, the startup time of HID is longer, and the on/off cycles shorten their lives. I was going to mod the bike to leave both the HID lo and standard hi on at the same time. As I understand, the HID makes much less heat (about 1/2) of the standard bulb. Enough less that hours spent riding with the highbeam on won't cause trouble? Thoughts? | ||
| Chadhargis |
The lighting on the Uly is really poor. I've considered adding some additional lights in the event that I get caught out at night I can flip them on. With most new cars having daytime running lights, the daytime visability really reasoning doesn't make much sense to me. But being about to see at night, now there is a novel concept. | ||
| Stevenknapp |
The lighting on the Uly is really poor. Compared to what? I just got caught riding home in the dark w/ my tinted shield. Up or down, the lighting on the Uly is as good as any of the cars I was around. and as good or better than most bikes! I can't comment on the high beam tho, hardly get to use it. Is your light aimed right? Are the stock bulbs maybe no good? | ||
| Soloyosh |
Compared to what Lots of stuff... Candles Lite-up Light Sticks my cell phone.. If the HIDs make less heat I'd be interested. I had a Coyote run out in front of me and I almost cut him in half. The Uly, being somewhat of a touring rig, needs better lights. Cheers Brett | ||
| Lorazepam |
If you guys are interested in aux lighting, ping me an email, and I will send you information. I had hoped to have a website up by now, but alas, it isnt working yet. | ||
| Bosh |
Just change the stock bulbs out for something brighter. Easy, simple, cheap fix. I've had aftermarket bulbs in mine since September. No problems. HUGE difference in brightness. | ||
| Chadhargis |
Yeah, the stock light is poor compared to, lets see, every vehicle I've even owned except my BMW 1150GS, which might have had the worst headlight in the world. The issue isn't brightness or aim. I does an OK job lighting up what's in front of the bike, but it has not "fill" pattern to it. It's like a pencil beam versus a flood beam. It's truly an adventure making a turn even at low speeds. When I lowsided my Uly, a dog was standing in the road when I made a left hand turn. I could see ANYTHING, until I was already leaned into the turn. I was turning on the street in my neighborhood, so I'm talking about speeds around 20mph. Luckily, I don't ride much at night, but I'd hate to be caught out in the boondocks up in the mountians on the ultra twisties with that single pencil beam light. | ||
| Bosh |
"It's like a pencil beam versus a flood beam." Yup... you need some aux lights then. Someone had some mounted to the front turn signal stalks, best looking and cheapest mount I've seen. My lights don't seem any worse than any other bike I've had, actually better than most with the high output bulbs. I know what you mean with the beam pattern though. It would be nice to have a very broad pattern on low beam. Manufacturers are probably limited by motor vehicle code stuff to what they can do. | ||
| Stevenknapp |
The Uly is better than my RT, and probably equal to the GS. Aux lights can approach high-beam brightness, yet many don't think twice about having them on. Probably just me, my eyes are "broken" and glare is a big problem for me at night. I also upgraded the bulbs the day I got the bike home. It was $30ish. Well worth it IMHO. www.powerbulbs.co.uk But with the cost of HID kits nearing $100, that's tempting too. Plenty of room under the flyscreen for the ballast... | ||
| Tel |
Steven Did you upgrade the bulbs with higher wattage ones? | ||
| Lorazepam |
My last two BMW bikes had really bad stock lights. The Uly is better, but the addition of the euro silverstars and a set of driving lights (35w) it makes all the difference in the world. The aux lights fill in everything, and allow me to see the sides of the road much better. Going for 85 watt aux lights is like having loud pipes, it really annoys most folks. Using them for fill allows you to be able to run the lights all the time. | ||
| Chadhargis |
Guess I got used to my FJR. Those lights were awesome! On high beam, people walking down the street would burst into flames.  | ||
| Rubberdown |
The lights on my R12ST..... Holy Mother of God! Girls on the street strip nekkid thinking they can tan in front of them. Nocturnal creatures go to sleep when I ride at night. No need for add on lights here. | ||
| Lorazepam |
I posted a link to a bracket in the links section. to those who pre ordered, I will be sending the brackets out next week, and will give you information for payment at that time. Man, making a simple bracket and getting it into production, and all the other related tasks makes me glad I am not developing a whole motorcycle.  | ||
| Stevenknapp |
Did you upgrade the bulbs with higher wattage ones? I used euro-spec Osram Silverstars. They are stock wattage, but tests (including some at the Blitz to Branson), show them to be helpful. http://www.powerbulbs.co.uk/default.asp?prodtype.asp?PT_ID=92&strPageHistory=cat Google on Daniel Stern lighting for some good info on the various types of good/bad aftermarket bulbs. I can't comment much on the high beam, don't use it much. | ||
| Oldnotbold |
Could these be the same type that Buell sells (67563-05Y @ $29.95 US)? Dennis Golden | ||
| Stevenknapp |
The picture on the Buell site shows a blue tint. The euro versions have no such tint. From what I understand, the clear versions are better, produce more light. http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/blue/blue.html At least the stuff on that page made sense to me. | ||
| Pupu |
i have the ones from www.americansportbike.com, those are just fine, they have a blue coating, but the light is not the least bit blue, at least no when i am riding, and they are way brighter than the stock ones. here is a pic with the lights off, only cuz i happen to have in my puter, they look cool off with the blue. but i would recomend just getting these, the light was MUCH better than stock, and it gets rid of that yellow, orange look to a nice white one  although, mine is a xb12s, i dont know if the uly lights are the same | ||
| Omahastylee |
I always ride with both headlights on. day time/ and night time. |
