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.
H7 Headlight question
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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
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2,470 Posts
It's always good to add the correct information to this kind of thread. I gave a serious look at HID conversion, but thankfully there was enough good information out there that I made the correct choice, and will stay away from HID bulb-only conversions. Now if someone makes a DOT legal full capsule setup for the GL1800, I would embrace that, but my guess is that only Honda has the capitol to do that.
That said, the GL1800 has the best set of headlights I've ever owned, and I have a modern quad Hella projector setup(all DOT legal) on my Impala.
One thing to add;
If you don't like your headlights, make sure they are aimed correctly. The best headlights in the world won't be worth a darn if they are incorrectly aimed...
Has anyone tried using the Philips X-treme power H7 bulbs?
http://www.powerbulbs.co.uk/product_detail.asp?prod=81
this place claims they are really good, I wonder if they are better than the silver light or PIAA Xtreme white?
Also the Narva, what about those, anyone compare those to the others?
BTW I am using the PIAA xtreme white in the high beams and the sylvania / osram silverlight ultra in the low. I would use the PIAA in both but they don't last long and cost a lot more... then again I do not get one summer out of the sylvania either, BUT I found them for $23 a pair, new on Ebay and keep a spare with me.
the only problem I have is the high beams seem to only enhance the low beams... I would like them to point just a tad higher and outward to light the "down the road" more, not the ground in front of me.
One thing I can say about those PIAAs... when I have the highbeams on and a speed limit sign is near.... that sign will blind you from the reflection! those babies are bright!
http://www.powerbulbs.co.uk/product_detail.asp?prod=81
this place claims they are really good, I wonder if they are better than the silver light or PIAA Xtreme white?
Also the Narva, what about those, anyone compare those to the others?
BTW I am using the PIAA xtreme white in the high beams and the sylvania / osram silverlight ultra in the low. I would use the PIAA in both but they don't last long and cost a lot more... then again I do not get one summer out of the sylvania either, BUT I found them for $23 a pair, new on Ebay and keep a spare with me.
the only problem I have is the high beams seem to only enhance the low beams... I would like them to point just a tad higher and outward to light the "down the road" more, not the ground in front of me.
One thing I can say about those PIAAs... when I have the highbeams on and a speed limit sign is near.... that sign will blind you from the reflection! those babies are bright!
I don't know if it is a matter of available capital. The problem is demand. The Wing is fairly low production, and since the headlights are already great, there simply would never be enough demand to justify the investment.
I searched high and low for HID headlights for my Grand Prix. It has absolutely the worst headlights ever put on a car. But even a high production car like the the GP doesn't seem to have anything available that has an HID specific reflector. I am really tempted to go with a kit, but I am skeptical that the stock reflector will control the dispersion properly.
I searched high and low for HID headlights for my Grand Prix. It has absolutely the worst headlights ever put on a car. But even a high production car like the the GP doesn't seem to have anything available that has an HID specific reflector. I am really tempted to go with a kit, but I am skeptical that the stock reflector will control the dispersion properly.
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It won't.
GM actually had a decent Euro-spec capsule set for the '90s B-Bodies, but it was unobtanium after 2001. Technically illegal in the US, but it actually had a better cut-off and less glare than the DOT-spec headlight.
There was enough demand though, that an enthusiast put together a capsule using Hella incandescent or HID DOT or Euro-Spec headlight assemblies. Expensive, but well worth it. I went with incandescent DOTs, since they are head and shoulders above the GM stockers, and even a good deal better than the GM Euro-spec lights. Of course, the HIDs would be even better, but now we are talking fractionally better for a lot more money...
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I could not agree with you more, Larry. As I read that some here are contemplating installing (or already have installed) headlamps with higher wattage than the OEM system was designed to handle, Stu Oltman's caveat keeps running through my mind: "If you think education is expensive, just wait till you experience the price of ignorance". If you want significant increase in lighting, I think one should go with a true HID kit conversion, or with a 55/110 bright bulb, which would still stay within the OEM watt design.
And by the way, it used to be against Federal Law to install aftermarket headlamps (i.e., HID kits) that were not equivalent to stock replacements. I just found this important update on the Specialty Equipment Market Association (http://www.sema.org/main/semaorghome.aspx?id=54267):
"FEDERAL UPDATE:
Aftermarket Lighting: Following a challenge by SEMA, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has withdrawn a controversial interpretation of the federal lighting standard. SEMA disputed NHTSA’s constitutional and statutory authority to prohibit vehicle headlamp-replacement systems that are different from the headlamps and components that came with the original vehicle. The agency’s latest action reverses this ruling. In a notice published in early November, NHTSA agreed with SEMA that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108 is a performance standard that allows for different types of replacement headlamp systems, lamps and sources so long as the system meets the photometry and functionality requirements of the standard. It had been NHTSA’s contention that replacement headlamps must comply with all applicable photometry requirements using the same light source as the original equipment. This interpretation would have prohibited, for example, replacing a halogen-based system with high intensity discharge (HID) headlamps that otherwise meet all requirements of FMVSS 108. SEMA welcomed NHTSA’s reversal and will continue to work with the agency to ensure fair and accurate implementation of this new interpretation."
I didn't know about that one Buzz. Good post.
One marketing scam that these HID kit companies spew is that they claim their kits are DOT legal, which is not true. Most of them use Philips components which are DOT legal, but the conversion itself is not. Philips even issued a press release stating that they do not manufacturer aftermarket HID kits.
When it comes to HID, the fact that the NHTSA bans modifiying the headlights doesn't bother me. I trust my own common sense. In the case of my Grand Prix, If I could be sure that the lights did not cause a hazard to oncoming traffic, I would use them. Unfortunately, many owners don't have the same common sense. Hence, the laws banning them.
With all the safety crap that the government makes auto makers go through, I find it quite ironic that something as simple as a headlight can be approved for production when it performs so poorly. If the government is going to ban modifications, they have to make sure the OEM ones work correctly to begin with. They are the ones who put me in the position of having to do something to correct the problem.
As far as the Wing goes, I can't imagine why anyone would need to modify those flamethrowers.
One marketing scam that these HID kit companies spew is that they claim their kits are DOT legal, which is not true. Most of them use Philips components which are DOT legal, but the conversion itself is not. Philips even issued a press release stating that they do not manufacturer aftermarket HID kits.
When it comes to HID, the fact that the NHTSA bans modifiying the headlights doesn't bother me. I trust my own common sense. In the case of my Grand Prix, If I could be sure that the lights did not cause a hazard to oncoming traffic, I would use them. Unfortunately, many owners don't have the same common sense. Hence, the laws banning them.
With all the safety crap that the government makes auto makers go through, I find it quite ironic that something as simple as a headlight can be approved for production when it performs so poorly. If the government is going to ban modifications, they have to make sure the OEM ones work correctly to begin with. They are the ones who put me in the position of having to do something to correct the problem.
As far as the Wing goes, I can't imagine why anyone would need to modify those flamethrowers.
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Because, unlike you:bow:, those of us that don't think they're adequate are just Stupid!
Sleddog
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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
You have your facts wrong bud! If you go back and look at the original post, he asked about interpreting the brightness claims of aftermarket replacement bulbs. It was later on that posts inevitably popped up about HID, just like they always do. Those posts had nothing to do with the topic. My comments were in response to the HID posts. I think it is an unnecessary modification, not to mention irresponsible.
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.
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?
There are a lot of accessories that you can buy out there. Some are good. And others seem like a good idea at the time, and it isn't until you have it that you realize it wasn't worth the time or money. There are far more useless accessories out there than useful ones.
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11,396 Posts
I'll chime in here too.
I rode with guys with the stock bulbs and guys who had brighter bulbs as well.
Who stood out in the pack more than others no matter where or how far back in the group?? "The guys with the brighter bulbs"
I found out what bulbs they are using "Piaa 4000K kevlin 55/110w" just like the bulbs Waldo is using..
I've had stock bulbs burn out rather quickly,and I've had these Piaa's burn out as well,Sure they are a little more money than stock bulbs..
But for me it's not what they cost,It's do they help me see better at night?? "Yes",and do they help me be more visible in the day time?? "Yes again"
I've run these Piaa's for two years now and there is no issue with the bikes wiring now and heat damage...
I also use my headlight dimmer set to it's lowest setting for daytime use..
I also always run both the Hi/Lo beams and my driving lights at the same time.I have a digital voltmeter so I always know what my system is doing,and it does just fine even when I have all my lights (incandescent & LED's) turned on at night..
I also run a headlight modulator when I think it's needed...
It pisses me off when someone starts preaching to the masses why they think someone chooses to go with brighter bulbs..It's none of your dam business why I do what I do!!
Don't give me links to government sites,Them Washington bastards screwed up this great country and you want me to listen to them dopes about what light intensity I should be using to keep me safe when them bastards are getting drunk and driving on the same roads I am on!!
I am very respectful of the people I share the road with!
If I want to go with a little higher wattage bulb to help me not only see a little better,But be seen a little better,Than it's none of your dam business..
I respect everyone else-Why don't you??? :shrug:
As far as useless accessories go?
I carry a bottle of Kaopectate around for some of you guys should I ever meet some of you??
The Directions on the bottle are pretty clear!!!
The problem is the government won't allow Kaopectate to print these instructions on the bottle! "Some should be forced to drink from the bottle" if they won't willingly!!
Because we all know those Washington bastards would have it shoved down their throats ever five minutes!! So I guess you can thank Washington for that!! :nojoke:
I now return you to your scheduled programming..
Have a nice day :thumbup:
I rode with guys with the stock bulbs and guys who had brighter bulbs as well.
Who stood out in the pack more than others no matter where or how far back in the group?? "The guys with the brighter bulbs"
I found out what bulbs they are using "Piaa 4000K kevlin 55/110w" just like the bulbs Waldo is using..
I've had stock bulbs burn out rather quickly,and I've had these Piaa's burn out as well,Sure they are a little more money than stock bulbs..
But for me it's not what they cost,It's do they help me see better at night?? "Yes",and do they help me be more visible in the day time?? "Yes again"
I've run these Piaa's for two years now and there is no issue with the bikes wiring now and heat damage...
I also use my headlight dimmer set to it's lowest setting for daytime use..
I also always run both the Hi/Lo beams and my driving lights at the same time.I have a digital voltmeter so I always know what my system is doing,and it does just fine even when I have all my lights (incandescent & LED's) turned on at night..
I also run a headlight modulator when I think it's needed...
It pisses me off when someone starts preaching to the masses why they think someone chooses to go with brighter bulbs..It's none of your dam business why I do what I do!!
Don't give me links to government sites,Them Washington bastards screwed up this great country and you want me to listen to them dopes about what light intensity I should be using to keep me safe when them bastards are getting drunk and driving on the same roads I am on!!
I am very respectful of the people I share the road with!
If I want to go with a little higher wattage bulb to help me not only see a little better,But be seen a little better,Than it's none of your dam business..
I respect everyone else-Why don't you??? :shrug:
As far as useless accessories go?
I carry a bottle of Kaopectate around for some of you guys should I ever meet some of you??
The Directions on the bottle are pretty clear!!!
The problem is the government won't allow Kaopectate to print these instructions on the bottle! "Some should be forced to drink from the bottle" if they won't willingly!!
Because we all know those Washington bastards would have it shoved down their throats ever five minutes!! So I guess you can thank Washington for that!! :nojoke:
I now return you to your scheduled programming..
Have a nice day :thumbup:
Again, my comments were with HID, not anything else. I haven't looked back at all the posts, but I don't think anyone complained about just using brighter bulbs. If you want to just run brighter bulbs, that's fine. It doesn't affect the cutoff. But when someone runs those poorly designed HID kits, it blinds oncoming traffic. At that point, it DOES indeed become my business when I am one of the victims of their reckless choice. I have no respect for people who do things for themselves at the expense of everyone around them.
i am running the same PIAA bulbs but only in the lowbeam position, yes they seem a little brighter, once i find out how long they actually last i will make a decision about buying them again, it doesn't pay to get so worked up over such a miner issue, i hope the rest of your day is a little more relaxed
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Hey cycle dude,don't get worked up yourself..
How do you know I wasn't ROTFLMAO when I posted the above?? You don't! he he he
Didn't you see my :thumbup: (thumbs up) at the end??
I didn't post a middle finger did I? -nope!
Thumbs up is good.Middle finger not good! lol
BTW:
My bulbs last a little over a year,But that depends on the type of roads I ride over too.
LarryM.I rode with a friend a couple weeks ago who turned me onto the Piaa's.
I was leading and saw that he stood out in the pack..I asked him what he was now using for bulbs??
He told me HID bulbs..
I got to say that although he had a more visible bulb,even when he was right behind me carving up some twistys,they never bothered me in my mirrors..So I'd disagree that HID bulbs are to bright for on coming traffic..
While no one should have any lights out of proper adjustment.
I tell those that say some lights bother them.?To "stop staring at them" that's called "Fixation" and any motorcycle rider should know better!
well i guess i missed the thumbs up thing :lol:
the type of roads u have been riding affect the life of your head lite bulbs ? I've never noticed that but now that u mention it it does seem possible. have u been riding really rough roads or what ?
for some reason i find Britte lites following me very annoying, especially those modulating ones, had a guy following me once for about a half hour with the Britte modulating lites until i finally refused to ride in front of him, befor that day modulating head lites never really bothered me but i never did like them
the type of roads u have been riding affect the life of your head lite bulbs ? I've never noticed that but now that u mention it it does seem possible. have u been riding really rough roads or what ?
for some reason i find Britte lites following me very annoying, especially those modulating ones, had a guy following me once for about a half hour with the Britte modulating lites until i finally refused to ride in front of him, befor that day modulating head lites never really bothered me but i never did like them
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I ride on all types of roads so it does vary some when a bulb has had enough and goes to eternal sleep..
I can certainly understand what you are saying about riding in front of bright lights.
Most guys just don't lower the beams with the headlight adjuster in front of the left knee,Some I've talked to wondered what that switch was for..Go figure-Wonder what they do with the owners manual??
I'm sorry that guy behind you didn't have sense enough to turn off his modulator while in a group..
No one and I mean no one should run a modulator if riding in a group unless they are the leader..:wrong:!!
I carry the headlight modulator etiquette with me for rookie modulator owners who don't know when to turn it off in a group..http://users.snip.net/~WCLAMB/MODULATOR.HTM
I see them quite a bit when I'm out riding and they certainly help a guy with a single headlight be seen from a distance,I'm sure it helps him stay a bit safer,Not hearing a vehicle driver saying "I didn't see him" If they pulled out in front of him,causing an accident or worse.??
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