Has anyone got any experience of trying out, or any expertise to pass judgement, on the use of LED replacement bulbs? Amazon.co.uk: h11 led canbus: Automotive H8,H9 and H11 LED headlight bulb 3200 lumen I really want to improve my dull lights mainly for daylight running as I get quite a few cars pulling out on me. If I was to change, I would be concerned that the beam spread may cause an MOT fail. And could there be Canbus issues? The Cyclops look ideal but at quite a price.
True. Plus the ones that you can find this very moment are a bit different from the layout that was described in the thread (they are on backorder anyway I believe)
Hi Kirky - you're getting pulled out on alot? Please don't take this the wrong way, but it could be your riding style, possibly? I did an advanced riding course (ROSPA same as the Police bikers do - cost £250) earlier in the year and improved my riding style and gave me confidence riding on unknown roads and riding defensively. Many riders don't think about spending cash on improving their riding, andno matter how good a rider thinks they are there is always room for improvement. BIKESAFE is also a good point for refresher training
What you need are HID bulbs. Got my kit for the dipped beams on e bay for something approaching £18. Don't bother with the fancy Canbus compliant versions. The cheap ones work just as good Dead easy fit, just needs a bit of thought as to where the ballasts go. Worked brilliantly for 2 years with eyeball searing light. Osram Night breakers for the main beam. Much better than standard
OK "a lot" may be an exaggeration. I agree that the way you ride can influence the behaviour of others and none of us are too good to decline training. Having done a bit of advanced riding myself and ensuring that I am maximising both my, and the car that's at the junction's, ability to see and be seen. As I approach a car waiting at a junction, a little voice goes off in my head asking me what my plan is if they pull out, covering the brakes and often bringing the speed down in advance. My theory is that a dull headlight is easier to "miss" or be seen to be going slower and perhaps harder to judge the speed, when compared with a bike with additional spots, or at least superbright headlights. I get really annoyed as a driver, when I see a bike or scooter with no headlight and the rider in black, add the sun behind them and...... They are often demonstrably some of the worst riders and inappropriate speed and positioning puts them at high risk of the pull out or lane changer.
Having done thousands of night kms, I can testify that there is no substitute for good lighting. No matter how trained you are or how experienced, ample lighting is always appreciated. I can't really comment for other countries but here in Greece, where lines on the road are often non existent (and I am talking about country roads mainly), wildlife is abundant and believe it or not drivers CAN and WILL be out on a moonless night WITHOUT their lights on, more light can be a life saver. I have gone myself for the HID solution and the light is great but installing them is a pain in the MTS. Even with slim ballasts. LEDs would be the way to go but for now, their harsh lighting may not be compatible with the reflectors and their longevity (given that high output diodes do get really hot) is an unknown. P.S. Do get advanced training as often as your wallet permits. It can be a life saver too.
Brighter headlights do 'startle' people into that brief moment of staying put, hence the rabbit in headlights term. If you're about to change lanes and suddenly glimpse some bright headlights you weren't expecting, instinct would be to freeze for a second.
I have HIDs in projector lights on my 848. I have spent loads of time doing research and I do not believe that there are any LED bulb replacements that are worthwhile. LEDs are only used in headlights when they are used with a complex reflector that is designed as a whole unit as some car manufacturers do and as Ducati and BMW do. LEDs are great for being visible but are only any good for lighting the road ahead if they were designed to do that. You will get the people who have spent £100s on them telling you that they are great, but consider, they are not going to say that they are rubbish when they will look a fool for spending all that money on something that does not work very well are they?
I'm probably just going to end up going for some aux lights on a switch. With the dual beam mod and nightbreakers, I am quite happy but don't really do a lot of night riding. If I can get 2 aux lights that are as good as my Cree torch, I'd be ecstatic.
OK, training never hurts, but I have ridden quite a few miles following behind Kirky and in my opinion his riding style is excellent. Alert, thoughtful, controlled, well-positioned, careful but makes good progress. He could teach riding skills. In my opinion.
Cheers Pete Always a pleasure to ride with you and sorry we haven't got any Mutley rides over the Summer. Maybe October.....
Dave, It's been a long time! What are you riding? I'm still on the old 2010 and it's still going really well.
hello mate well you lot are proving the 2010 bike to be the real deal , just got rid of a z1000sx which was fantastic and did 8000 miles on it in a year i had a deal lined up for the bmw s1000xr but she was a bit too wide to get into my back garden an absolute missile though and fantastic quick shifter but starting to get drawn in to the new multi and with the new lower seat option its become even more attractive
