| Author | Message | ||
     Acav80 |
I now have in my possession a 2-pack of the supposed "latest and greatest" halogen bulb the try in the uly, all the way from across the pond. Philips Extreme Power, claimed to output 80% more light than standard bulbs. Won't be installed till after Christmas, but I'll report back on the outcome. I hope they're good, I'm pretty tired of riding at night feeling like I've got two mini-mag lights taped to my handlebar. If they're bogus then HID is the next step. I'd do it now but the $40 pair of bulbs was the logical first try. | ||
| Debueller |
Are they 55 watt? (Message edited by debueller on December 18, 2008) | ||
| Hangetsu |
Regarding the relative uselessness of the Uly's high beam, I think the fault lies as much in the reflector as in the output of the bulb. More power just may mean more light in all the wrong places. I actually find the low-beam tolerable in most situations. | ||
| Rwven |
Have any of you re-aimed your headlights a bit higher than the factory setting? It works wonders. | ||
| Xbimmer |
The XB headlight sucks period. Poor light control, you can't replace the reflector when it goes bad. Auxiliary and/or HID is the way to get satisfactory lighting up front. Hotter bulbs may cause more problems... http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/422581.html?1229615202 | ||
| Acav80 |
These are 55 watts. I'm pretty sure added heat won't be an issue. Apparently these are being used with success by some of the BMW crowd on GS bikes, you know how they are with the latest tech gadgets. I read some about peoples' reflectors being the real problem, I'll see if this makes a suitable improvement and if not I'll be moving on to that sort of solution. It's not that the stock lights are ENTIRELY useless, just that it's easy to overrun them when traveling at night, so I'm hoping these bulbs will cast a longer beam. With the stockers, say doing 55 on a rural highway at night, my detailed calculations show that I'd have about 0.002 nanoseconds to swerve once I saw a deer in my headlights. | ||
| Bosh |
I've been running 100w bulbs in both high and low beams since Nov 2005 with no issues whatsoever. | ||
| Pontlee77 |
if you need extra light i Know a spanish company that makes a pair of small lights the add to the bike i'm sure they could be attached to the screws of the fender. http://lahore.es/pop.asp?foto=a17Hx4_brl0370.jpg&t itulo=Microcruise%20lite worth a look, saw a friend with a bmw using them | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I prefer the dual HID benefits of roasted deer. | ||
| Acav80 |
Burning bald patches on deer a**es everywhere you go! I've seen your setup in the lighting threads. Nice work. I'll let everyone know how the Philips Extreme Powers do once I get 'em in. Headed to Buffalo for Christmas tomorrow in the cage so it'll be a bit before I can report. | ||
| Jepann |
there was a thread a while back that had the part # for the european headlight reflectors that were supposed to direct the light better. Has anybody tried this solution? I purchased the Silverstar Ultra on sale. I haven't tried them either. It seems to be 50/50 on the automotive sites whether they are worth it or not. Seems like the light is better when there is no streetlights and much better on the highway out of town. | ||
| Florida_lime |
I've used Silverstars on several bikes in the past. They have always given a noticeable improvement in night vision, but they do tend to burn out more often than some. I have had NO problems with my Osram 65W (high beam). | ||
| Cityxslicker |
You want light on your ULy talk to treadmarks. His deathray set up is the midnight sun answer you need. (spendy, but damn nice output) | ||
| Florida_lime |
You want light on your ULy talk to treadmarks. His deathray set up is the midnight sun answer you need. (spendy, but damn nice output) Actually, I did some post searching yesterday for the original posting of the deathray set-up. With my low reflector starting to fade away, I was considering going that route. I couldn't find the original post, but figured after the holidays, I might try to arrange a get together with Treadmarks to see it in person.  | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Original "Death Ray" thread: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/257385.html | ||
| Rotorhead |
My solution is this.  Once I figure out how to get it mounted I'll get it posted. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I'm anxious to see that. I would like a different option for front fairing. This might just be it. I'm afraid, though, that it ain't gonna be easy. | ||
| Rotorhead |
It won't be easy and I'll have to modify something to keep the use of my Madstad setup. Truly a science project. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
How're you gonna relocate the ignition switch? How're you gonna relocate the gauge cluster? | ||
| Florida_lime |
Thanks Fatty !  | ||
| Rotorhead |
Those are great questions!!! I tried to get a look at a CR parts manual and no joy at my remote HD Buell dealer. I'm hoping that I can figure a way to keep everything ULY but the fly screen and light thats all I have. From what I got on the 1125 pages it only mounts with 4 screws. I know if have to work some kind of bracketry. The HID still has to fit in there too.  | ||
| Slowride |
Rotorhead, I was watching that on ebay. It said it didn't sale. Did you buy it? That setup was going to be my stealth setup for the S3 "Trailer Trash" project I am working on. | ||
| Slowride |
BTW, any of you that didn't get to see my Uly with twin HID's at TWO during Buelltoberfest can't even begin to appreciate the magnitude of light that I was throwing. Ask anyone there and they will let you know, the HID is the way to go. | ||
| Rotorhead |
I PM'd the guy who was selling it. Paid less than he wanted but still paid$$. It will be worth the $$ if it mounts up with sweat and hopefully no tears. If it doesn't work I'll keep you in mind. Those $70 ebay HID's rock. They actually flood out my PIAA's. It's over $100 for a new ULY headlight assembly so I figure lets try something before someone beats me to it.  | ||
| Slowride |
Interesting, I was considering doing the same thing with that seller, but let it slip by. Please keep me in mind even if it does work. Seeing how your putting it on a Uly and I will be trying to mount it up to a S3, I would be very interested to see your work when your done. | ||
| Oddball |
google search pulls up a couple pages of links to deathray on here. http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=safari&r ls=en-us&q=%2Bdeathray+%2Bheadlight+site%3Abadweat herbikers.com&btnG=Search | ||
| Acav80 |
AND NOW, THE UPDATE YOU'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR FOR FOR!... Got the new bulbs in yesterday and went for a spin last night to check out the difference. First off, I was amazed at how easy the swap was...sheesh! It took all of about 3 minutes. A recap...these are Philips Extreme Power 55W halogen bulbs I'm talking about here. I couldn't find a seller in U.S. so I ordered from Motorbulbs.com in the UK with good success. They were $40 shipped for a package of 2. Comparing to stock (sorry, no 10 step photo documentation to post up), I would say they are a great improvement and well worth the $$$. The low beam is now approximately as bright as my old high beam, with a much brighter "halo" that lights up the periphery better. The high beam is significantly brighter than stock, with an estimated 75 to 100 feet of extended vision. I aimed the lights up a bit higher from stock which also helps lenghten the view. Overall, if you're looking to stay halogen rather than go HID (money being the only real reason for it) then these may do the trick for you as well. If they burn out quickly I will definitely post up to let eveyrone know, but I've read that the Philips bulbs are supposed to last pretty well. Ta-daaa! | ||
| Treadmarks |
I might try to arrange a get together with Treadmarks to see it in person. Come on down Scott, love to meetcha. Almost 2 years on the DeathRay setup and it still kicks ass. Very modular and durable. Pick and choose different reflectors and bulb temps and watts. Currently running 100 watt 3200k driving(yellow) on low and 130 watt 5000k spot (white with blue tint) on high. I have been thru a few reflectors back when I had the stock beak as it would allow rocks to chip away at the glass. Have not had a chip since installing EVO fender mod. Replacements are like 20 bucks and easy to replace/align. If you're in the area give me a shout and we will pull the cowl off to get a better look inside.  (Message edited by treadmarks on January 05, 2009) | ||
| Treadmarks |
Ha ha...I'm google-able. Remember, the DeathRay is for off road use only.....and never look into the beam.  | ||
| Fubar |
I got the cheapo-Chinese HIDs and had them installed for a while. The amount of light was amazing, but the focus was very bad. I was *really* afraid of attracting undue LEO attn. I might have lived with it if it was reliable, but after 2 failures in a month I went back to stock...and then to Silver Star Ultras. So far so good. | ||
| Skinstains |
Hey Treadmarks, what kind of bag is on your Triple Tail in those earlier photos ? I'm rocking a Kreiga and liking it but it is kinda small. |
