I decided that the factory headlight SUCKS!!! I either need to add the dual auxiliary lights or get a super bright replacement head light. The high beam is how the I think the low beam should be. Any suggestions from you all?

I work 2nd shift and it's pretty dark at midnight :laugh , especially down wooded roads! I put on the 2005 headlight and upgraded the bulb. That was a big improvement in itself. But the biggest was when I installed the auxiliary headlamps! :yikes Those light from curb-to-curb. Easily the best thing you can do to improve your night time driving and increase your visibility to others, day OR night.

I'm going to get a headlamp with replacable H4 bulb. You can get H4's in a few different wattages. I have them in my 80 camaro in a 55w lo and 65w high, and they make a hell of a difference. I think they go up to 85w lo and 100w high or more, but you have to make sure your wiring is up to snuff to handle that.

Make sure your headlight is adjusted correctly. My wifes headlight was adjusted too low so that the low beam was like not having a light at all. The high beam was like the low beam. A minor adustment upward solved the problem.

I use the 05 headlamp with an ion crystal bulb (80w/110w?).
Works awesome. :D
Be careful when you get the aftermarket bulb. Some of them produce too much heat in the wiring and could cause a melt-down. :yikes

I'm thinking about lowering the headlight and keeping it on high beam. Increased visibilty without blinding anybody.

I don't like the visibility of the factory low beam either. My solution is to leave the high beam on all the time.


I figure if a cager can legally drive with 2 headlights and 2 foglights on shining in my face, one little motorcycle light shining back at them ain't too bad.... :rolleyes:

After my last night ride, my next lighting upgrade will be a bug-light bug-zapper thingy.

I run the sylvania silver star bulb ,and it works great. :tour

I just leave my high beam on except when i pull behind someone at a stop light or if i'm riding behind them for a long time. I was noticeing that people were fiddling with their mirrors when i got behind them at the light because i was blinding them. I thought it was funny at first, but quickly began to feel bad because it used to happen to me when i was driving.

I just leave my high beam on except when i pull behind someone at a stop light or if i'm riding behind them for a long time. I was noticeing that people were fiddling with their mirrors when i got behind them at the light because i was blinding them. I thought it was funny at first, but quickly began to feel bad because it used to happen to me when i was driving.

Yeah, like you said, ya just gotta use a little common sense with the high beam. But most of the time you can leave it on.

I'm thinking about lowering the headlight and keeping it on high beam. Increased visibilty without blinding anybody.

I leave it on high beam all the time myself... No one yet's !flashed! their lights at me for being too bright - and I much prefer being to better able to see and be seen!

Definately high beam at night. Too bright with other bikes though. Can easily over-ride the low beam but high is fine for most posted speed limits. Have never had the first complaint by others either. One nice hard to see obstacle with the lowbeam and you will run on the highbeam also. May check into a replacement bulb for even better lighting. Have also been told to watch the heat. Maybe someone could post a good performance replacement bulb part # and pricing. Halogen or Xenon? I know most catalogs are full of them but which is best.
Lucifer

what wattages can I go up to on an 03 model w/o risking to much heat/juice on the wireing?

I was thinking about the 2 extra lamps on the front to cure that as well, they also look pretty slick to boot.

Anybody on a budget or wants something different? I've used wal-mart driving lights and fog lights. They run from $14.96 to 49.96 and work as good as the high dollar ones. I've mounted them anywhere from the fork tubes to crash bars and chin spoilers. They use H4 bulbs (55watt). And in this case they really do make the difference between night and day!

silver stars are the balls they been in my last 3 cars and 2 bikes you wont go back after u try 1

Anybody on a budget or wants something different? I've used wal-mart driving lights and fog lights. They run from $14.96 to 49.96 and work as good as the high dollar ones. I've mounted them anywhere from the fork tubes to crash bars and chin spoilers. They use H4 bulbs (55watt). And in this case they really do make the difference between night and day!

Ah, a fellow cheapskate :) Are those the Walmart lights in your profile pic?

Ah, a fellow cheapskate :) Are those the Walmart lights in your profile pic?
Yes the v4 magna picture in my profile are the $14.96 the cheapest. Hey they look great and have 55watt h4 bulbs. Plus they come with everything you need to install, wire, switch. ect. I did use a smaller switch than the one that came with it. Talk about lite up the road! To see and be seen! I did have to make a small bracket to fit to the triple tree. Those $14.96 lights have been on there over a year and going strong! I'am gonna be fabbing a chin spoiler out of 16ga. steel thats gonna have wal-mart fog lights sticking out on each side. I've mocked it up with cardboard and its gonna look good. It's gonna be for my sportster. Another good place to find nice looking driving or fog lights is autozone. It beats paying motorcycle only prices! :tour

what wattages can I go up to on an 03 model w/o risking to much heat/juice on the wireing?
I've got a 2003 and I've been running a 100w for almost two years now. I haven't had any issues (knock on wood).

One thing for everyone to keep in mind is that Wattage, while being somewhat of an indicator, is NOT the best indicator of how bright a bulb will be. Know the candlepower of the bulb.

I went with the passing lights. It was quit an investment, but I like the look, and it lights up the road great!

I have yet to have anyone flashing at me, but I keep my fingers crossed! If she is a flashin', I be a lookin'! :)

You won't get much better illumination than you can with the aux headlights. I just can't bear to see them on my Sporty! So much for being practical, lol!!!

Kim

I don't like the visibility of the factory low beam either. My solution is to leave the high beam on all the time.


I figure if a cager can legally drive with 2 headlights and 2 foglights on shining in my face, one little motorcycle light shining back at them ain't too bad.... :rolleyes:


That sounds like thae right idea to me also! :D

Thanks guys for all the input. I'm still not sure what I'm going to do yet but I at least have some great suggestions of which direction to head. :smoke

mordak ....

Before you spend lots of money on auxilary headlights, get a 2005 Sportster Halogen Headlamp assembly: P/N 68297-05

MSRP $74.00

$50.40 + shipping from: https://www.zanottimotor.com/shopping/partLookUp.html

The headlight will come with the same bulb as your stock 04 headlight, so go to AutoZone an get a Osram-Sylvania ‘SilverStar’ Halogen Headlight Bulb P/N 9003ST. I paid $19.95 + tax for mine.

Make sure you adjust your headlight per the instructions in the Service manual.

With these changes, I don't think you will need any auxilary headlights ... unless you just have your mind set on getting a set of them.

mordak ....

Before you spend lots of money on auxilary headlights, get a 2005 Sportster Halogen Headlamp assembly: P/N 68297-05

MSRP $74.00

$50.40 + shipping from: https://www.zanottimotor.com/shopping/partLookUp.html

The headlight will come with the same bulb as your stock 04 headlight, so go to AutoZone an get a Osram-Sylvania ‘SilverStar’ Halogen Headlight Bulb P/N 9003ST. I paid $19.95 + tax for mine.

Make sure you adjust your headlight per the instructions in the Service manual.

With these changes, I don't think you will need any auxilary headlights ... unless you just have your mind set on getting a set of them.


Excellent suggestion. I think that's the direction I will head. Thanks Turbota. :D

your very welcome! :)

You will notice a BIG difference ... I did

your very welcome! :)

You will notice a BIG difference ... I did
...and it's cheaper than buying the AUX lighting kit too. I am a bit of a cheap skate or I should say I like to get the MOST for my money. ;)

I think most of you guys are writing from the States, and maybe in a lot of cases the type of traffic you encounter is not too great.

However, speaking as a cager as well as a biker, permanent main beam use is selfish. If you are either behind another bike or car, or driving towards other vehicles.

If you are behind another vehicle the glare either into the mirrors or just into the cabin will be a distraction for that driver/Rider, and will create tension/anxiety which can impair their ability to drive safely.

If you are driving towards oncoming traffic you are blinding them, which may mean they will miss you, but be dazzled and hit something else.

Main beams are for when there is no street lights and there are not enough cars to form an opinion of the upcoming road, if you are creating a hazard by keeping your lights on all the time when other drivers/riders are being affected you are DANGEROUS. JMHO.

I have no idea about the laws governing bulbs in the States, but bulbs over 55/60 are not legal in the UK unless they are on pre '79 vehicles.

80/100's were used as Rally bulbs, and after fitting a relay I used them on old car I had once. I hasten to add after my comment, that the headlights were correctly aligned, and only used on main when there was nobody in a position to be blinded..... but they were sweet... :-)

Good point expat -- a year and a half too late, but a good point...

All new bikes come with headlights and I'm sure there
will be some owners of the 07's who will find their
lighting inadequate so bringing a thread such as this one
to the surface can be helpful.

All new bikes come with headlights

REALLY? :wonderlan




I'm sure there will be some owners of the 07's who will find their lighting inadequate

Then they ought to try riding an 04 or earlier model before they changed the assemblies. The new ones actually ROCK.

But yes, someone will always want more.

It's the nature of the beast no....

Good point expat -- a year and a half too late, but a good point...


If I had know'd earlier I would have written earlier... just a comparative newbie.. :-)

Give a guy a break... we are almost always at least 20 years behind with most things in the UK, 18 months was just about a record...