[Sleddog]

ldr_doug

I agree the HID's are bright & probably the way to go.

I was going to put PIAA 910's under the mirrors until I talked to a few LD riders & they suggested 80 watt Phillips Rally bulbs

I put 80 watt Phillips Rally bulbs in the high beams last spring. The rally bulbs along with PIAA 1100X's would almost start forest fires. Problem was when I had to dim to the lows I couldn't see anything. I tried the PIAA 55/80's in the lows, it wasn't what I wanted, they were still too dim. So, I put the 80's in the lows. WOW! What a difference. It's exactly what I was looking for.

 

[Sleddog]

WinginHunk,

I too was concerencd about the extra amp draw, & any detremental effect on componants. I talked to several people that had been using them in Gold Wings for an extended amount of time. Based on conversations with them, I decided to give it a try. I put them in the High beams at the beginning of '08 riding season, since March of '08 I now have over 40,000 miles without any issues. Based on having no problems with them in the highs, I decided to put them in the low beams. At this time I only have about 700 miles using them in the low's.

I do make sure the connections are tight where the lamps plug in. Any loose connection will cause increased load & heat build up. After installing them I reached down & felt the plugs/wires, if I could have felt any thing warm, I would have removed them. I cannot feel any heat at all.

In the end any one trying them has to make their own decision if they are willing to take the risk.

Sleddog

 

[Sleddog]

---ldr Doug. I went with 4 of the Osrams 65w rally bulbs. If you need more light than these bulbs put out. Wait until the sun comes up!!:22yikes: :lol: Iam very pleased with mine!! Hope this helps.:doorag:

If you're impressed with 4 65watt bulbs, just imagine what 4 80's are like!:shock:

I did forget to dim my lights late one evening & got pulled over in Adair, OK. I had 80's in the high beams, PIAA 50/80's in the lows & PIAA 1100x's under the fairing. The officer walked up to me & said (In the best Roscoe P. Coaltrane accent) "Ya know wa I plled ya over"? I knew I hadn't been speeding so I said "No officer I don't" He replied with "cuse thims the brightest damn lights I ever saw on a motorsicle" I apologised & said I'd pay more attention. He said "Whal figerd it's late at night, & youer prolly tared, so id jes brngit to yer tension, wat kinda sicle is this anyway" I said a Goldwing. He said "we mus not haf any round here cause I aint never seen lights that bright" I said "ya most guys probably ride Harleys around here" He said "ya they do, thas prolly it, you be safe & pay tension to them lights"

Sleddog

 

[Sleddog]

Ya, Sleddog, yu kin mak fun uf ar talkin down here in Okla, but at least we ain't got that liberal tax cheat Tom Daschel down here.

Hey Roy, I wusnt maken fun o y'all, ice jes trin ta talk like Roscoe

I never have been able to figure out how a conservative state like SD seems to be able keep liberals around! McGovern:wrong: Daschel:wrong: Johnson:wrong:

Sleddog

 

[Sleddog]

As far as the Wing goes, I can't imagine why anyone would need to modify those flamethrowers.

Because, unlike you:bow:, those of us that don't think they're adequate are just Stupid!

Sleddog

 

[Sleddog]

Sleddog, don't put words in my mouth. You said that, not me.

Larry, it's when someone comes to the board, asks a question & others start preaching there is no need to change. Hell, there are aftermarket companies that make their living selling parts that no one needs.
How many times have you read that "I have x amount of miles on my stock seat & it's the best I've ever ridden" or "I have x miles on stock suspension & see no need to change" or "I get xx,xxx miles out of brand x tires & they're the best, no need to change"

Obviously, some don't feel the stock lighting is adequate. If they want to change to something different, how does that effect you? Do you really thing quoting some Government BS is going to change anything?

Sleddog

 

[Sleddog]

As far as the Wing goes, I can't imagine why anyone would need to modify those flamethrowers.

I read this as you saying there is no need to modify the lights

I actually don't have a problem with higher wattage bulbs, and I stated that in an earlier post. My concern was aimed specifically at the technical problems involved in higher wattage bulbs, which is the reason I haven't done it myself. That's a legitimite concern & needs to be discussed. But look at the above quote. You said there is no reason to modify.

Regardless, I don't see a problem with someone making a post downplaying a modification to a bike, whether it's lights, suspension or whatever. If you can state what you think is a good reason, then it is a useful post. Most posters want to hear the good, the bad, and the ugly. If a person only wanted to hear the good, why bother posting? :shock: They may as well just go out and buy it, because according to your posting preferences, nobody is going to tell them not to. Would that make any sense at all?

I agree, if you want to debate because of concerns of what affect the modifications will have, that's good. But to say there is no need to change because stock is good enough is BS. No matter if it's bulbs, seats, tires, oil, etc.

Larry, it's when someone comes to the board, asks a question & others start preaching there is no need to change. Hell, there are aftermarket companies that make their living selling parts that no one needs.
How many times have you read that "I have x amount of miles on my stock seat & it's the best I've ever ridden" or "I have x miles on stock suspension & see no need to change" or "I get xx,xxx miles out of brand x tires & they're the best, no need to change"

You're partially correct about my posting preferences. Ask a question, listen to the good, bad & ugly & make a decision. But I'm not going to listen to someone that has not tried it, because in their opinion it's not needed.

And remember what I said "You have to make the decision if it's worth the risk"

Sleddog

 

[Sleddog]

HID - You can have WAY too much light. light will end up feeding your retina too much information and contrast and you'll miss that raccoon sitting there staring at you because he's not wearing an orange vest with yellow reflective stripes.

This is rich.....TOO much light, OMG!

On the way home tonight (using my bright 80's) I saw a racoon sitting on the edge of the road with a sign that said "Where's Waldo"

Sleddog

 

[Sleddog]

HID guys don't fool me. They aren't installing these kits because they have a hard time seeing or because they want to be seen better. They do it because they are obsessed, and can't stand the thought that other vehicles have brighter headlights than they do. Some people claim that they do it because they will do anything to be more visible, regardless of the consequences on traffic around them. If this really is true, then these people need to find a new hobby, because their intense fear is just creating an unnecessary hazard on the roadways.
That, my friend, is the kind of BS comment I refer to.
There may be a few that install HID's for the reason you state, but I've ridden with too many bikes that have HID's that are adjusted properly, don't get flashed by oncoming traffic. In fact, a few weeks ago I rode several hundred miles, during the night, with a friend on a VFR that had HID's installed. I had to keep looking for him behind me. I was surprised that the HID's were not "in my mirrors". I even asked him at one fuel stop if they were HID's. He said they were, but keeps them adjusted so as not to blind oncoming traffic.:yes1:
Not all HID users are jerks

I think that is very shortsighted to ignore people just because they haven't tried something. I will give you an example.

About a year ago, on the electronics board, a number of people suggested that a poster use a Y cable to connect his mp3 player and radar detector to the aux input at the same time. I strongly urged against doing this, because with my experience in electronics I knew that there was a very strong possibility of damaging both units. Now keep in mind I gave this warning even though I had never done it before.

No, you gave advise based on facts. You didn't say "the GW has the best radio & sound system, I don't see why anyone would want to hook up an mp3 player"
Larry, are you getting what I'm trying to say? I'm all for debating the issues of modifications, changes, alterations. I just don't want to listen to "experts" that in their opinion think I don't need to change something.
Again an example....
"The Goldwing has the best lighting of any motorcycle, I don't see any reason why someone would want to add higher wattage bulbs or HID's"

Sleddog

 

[Sleddog]

Keep addin' lights there fella and you'll reach the point where they are more a hazard than help.

You betcha Waldo, I'll keep that in mind.......TOO MUCH LIGHT, TOO MUCH light, TOO much light, too much....l-i-g-h-t, tooooo, mmmuch, l-i,i,i,g,h,t,zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

 

[Sleddog]

I find that interesting. With my stock headlights and EC foglights, even I get flashed now and then unless I have the adjustment at midpoint. How is it that a supposedly brighter light doesn't get flashed at all even though you say yours have a farther reach? Does that mean my stock lights are brighter than your HIDs?

Yes Larry, that's it your lights are brighter.

Man oh man. I go away for a few days and this technical discussion about the pros and cons of different headlight setups gets all personal, heated and angry! Are all you snow bound people out there going nuts because you can't ride in all that white stuff? Geez. Chill out...literally!:roll:

Mark, nothing personal, heated, or angry here. Just a few guys standing around the parking lot kicking tires & giving each other guff. Geez !

Sleddog