| Author | Message | ||
     No_rice |
has anyone else noticed the molded in rough spots in the center of the lens of each headlight? i'm trying to figure out what purpose that would serve. maybe dulling the headlight a little for oncoming traffic? | ||
| Snackbar64 |
The R headlights have always sucked and are the main reason that I don't do much night riding. I'm so embarrassed when I ride with my buddies and all of their lights shine so much brighter and light up the road. They need to go with a new design and larger bulb housing in my opinion. The current headlights look great in the bumble bee fairing, but are not nearly as functional as the headlight on my Blast. | ||
| Diablobrian |
They should go HID on the low beam. That would help a lot. It's on my list of future mods when I can scrape together the cash for it. | ||
| 99buellx1 |
I believe that is not new to the '07. I think the '06 models had it too, or at least some of them. I think it is intended as a light diffuser to help spread the beam out a bit. | ||
| No_rice |
they easily could have been on some of the 06's also, this R has been sitting 5' in front of my computer for the last few days and i just finally noticed the headlights are different today. thats just because i was taking a really close look at the quality of the cherry bomb rims and happened to look up. | ||
| Daves |
I didn't have any 06 bikes with that headlight? | ||
| Samiam |
My '06 has that. Sam | ||
| Samiam |
 Here's a pic | ||
| 99buellx1 |
HA! I was right! I win nothing! WooHoo! | ||
| Samiam |
Congrats! Here's your nothing:  Sam | ||
| No_rice |
lol, congrats craig, enjoy your nothingness to its fullest extent. but sam, it looks like that spot is only on one of your headlights? or is it just the angle of the pic? | ||
| Barker |
The rough area is to defuse the light. It is use to soften the beam, not lower intesisty/dim it, just less of an hard edge on the on the beam. Yes, the firebolt lites stink. I am currently working on a custom lens for my low beam, a fresnel lens. I will let yall know how it goes. | ||
| Daves |
I'll double your prize Craig! Must have been a late, running change? | ||
| Seattle_bueller |
I noticed that little spot on my 05 9R when I was switching to the Silverstar lamps as well. it drove me crazy trying to figure out what it was for. One thing is that my bike was built in May of 05, so maybe the change came sometime during the 05 model year? | ||
| Nutsnbolt |
I'v got an 05 9r and I don't have that rough spot. What I did have was that STUPID metal thing in my running light. SOOO, after about 8 minutes of work I removed said object and since that day, I have RARELY used my brights. My lights ROCK since taking out that junk. I understand it's purpose... to dim the light but it created blind spots mostly when i made left turns. Plus, the lights just sucked. BUT.... Like I said, removed that little bugger and all is well. Rode with my neighbor to bike night last night and he's got an Aprilia Futura and my lights were so much brighter than his that I pretty much led the whole way home. Now that's something you don't hear often... "XB leading because it has brighter lights." SO, chew on that for a bit. If you haven't done it already, I highly suggest starting there. It solved my ragging about it. Mark | ||
| Snackbar64 |
I've also removed that little piece as well. Are you saying that the low beam becomes a high without it? | ||
| Cruisin |
An easy upgrade- Hella 90mm headlamps. Get the kit from http://www.rallylights.com/ - Used some JB weld to build up the bracket - they bolt in nicely and wire right in. open the fairing holes slightly and voila! My low beam overshines the cars I'm following. The high beam makes it seem like daytime (well, almost). Let me scrounge up the pics.     | ||
| Bueaddicted |
I have a 07 R and I don't understand what you guys mean by the lights sucking! The other night I went out with some friends, and they were all amazed at how bright my lights were. One had a Harley with 2 large globes, the other had a Triumph - they even thought I had HID. Every time I was behind them they could see the light pattern of my headlight in front of their bikes. I just don't get it...  | ||
| 99buellx1 |
HID conversion that a friend of mine did. http://www.ifmracing.com/modules.php?name=Forums&f ile=viewtopic&t=148 | ||
| Slaughter |
Hey Cruisin, you know you got a headlight out? . . . .  | ||
| Pwnzor |
For about $40.00 at almost any auto parts store you can replace both your headlamps with Sylvania Silverstars (H3). They make a world of difference. The hazy spot on the glass came in mid year 2005 because I've seen '05's with and without it. When I replaced my low beam housing it came with that hazy spot so I swapped my original lens into the new unit and I'm good to go. Sylvania Silverstar H3's. Do yourself a favor. World of difference. For real. Oh yeah and take out that metal shield in the low beam. Double high beams are the way to go. (Message edited by pwnzor on November 17, 2006) | ||
| Tx05xb12s |
You can also bridge the lowbeam wire to the constant hot so when you turn on the highbeams, both lights stay on. But you're right, the lights are too dim. I have the same problem on my S. | ||
| Pwnzor |
R models have both lights on with the highbeam switch engaged, S models are either-or. | ||
| Blake |
"R models have both lights on with the highbeam switch engaged" Are you certain of this? | ||
| Bueaddicted |
My 07 R has both lights on when I change to highbeam... Pwnzor: Thanks for the hint about the H3 Silverstars. I have the same type in my car, and you're absolutely right - they make a huge difference! | ||
| Pwnzor |
Are you certain of this? You're funny sometimes Blake. I've owned an XB12R for longer than... well... anybody except maybe Erik... I assume he owns either serial number 1 or 2 (Message edited by pwnzor on November 18, 2006) | ||
| No_rice |
yes both R headlights are on when on high. and the S's are one at a time. | ||
| Diablobrian |
I'm certain both headlights are on when High beam is selected too. | ||
| Pwnzor |
As long as we're on the subject of lights, anyone got a recommendation for aftermarket spotlights that clamp to the fork legs? Two lights are good, but four is better! I'm looking for something similar in profile to the stock R headlights that come with mounting hardware to the forks. Or perhaps post mounted versions to go in place of the front turn signals. Gotta be small though, I don't want big PIAA lights out there, unobtrusive is the key. | ||
| Blake |
Good to know; thanks for the confirmation. I'm sorry and I apologize; I really didn't mean to insult you with my request. (Message edited by Blake on November 18, 2006) |
