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Message started by ToesNose on 09/13/12 at 18:24:11

Title: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by ToesNose on 09/13/12 at 18:24:11

Being a stay at home Dad with a wife that travels out of town alot for work I don't get out at night very often these days :-? So last night I finally was out after dark on the bike and OMG the stock headlight is terrible :o

Wound up ordering myself one of these from Demon's for $48.99-

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy206/bcrx2/Demonsheadlight.jpg

I'll update once it arives and makes it on the bike ;)

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by CaptialThumper on 09/13/12 at 18:48:21

Are you sure your light is properly aligned?

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by ralfyguy on 09/13/12 at 19:21:48

Ever since I put in a Sylvania Silverstar in there some four years ago, I'm pretty happy with the stock light.

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by Gyrobob on 09/13/12 at 19:38:03

I'm converting to HID in the stock headlight shell.

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by rfw2003 on 09/13/12 at 19:46:10

I did the HID conversion in the stock bucket. One day I might change out the bucket to one of the bullet types with a better reflector, but right now with just the HID in there it's a world of difference.

R.F.

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by EJID on 09/13/12 at 20:43:46

I don't ride much after dark either, and always thought mine was messed up. One day I took it apart to have a look and notice the previous owner had rotated the bulb 180^o for who knows what reason. After rotating it back to the correct location I think it works much better. The fact that it's a plastic shell concerns me, but if that shell holds up, I doubt I will modify it. 8-)

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by verslagen1 on 09/13/12 at 21:11:52

I used a gs750 bucket with my HID.

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by wambr on 09/13/12 at 22:53:11

guys, excuse me, if something is not understood... but you are going to like replace the lamp of head light...
so, that's the most important thing, so that the lamp housing and glass in it was not done of plastic. because there is a negative experience, when the high temperature of the lamp headlight melted glass and lamp housing

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 09/13/12 at 23:11:42

Paladin had the answer.. I miss that dude... His lite looked like he stole it off a steam engine,,it was Huge!

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by Joe F on 09/14/12 at 04:13:44

Maruader Headlamp :-) Larger, compatible with the holes and plugs on the bike. Looks OEM, because it is. Well sortof :-)

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by ToesNose on 09/14/12 at 04:27:29

For me I'm compairing it to headlights of bikes I've owned or ridden in the past. This is the first bike I've had since moving to NC and compaired to LongIsland, NY where I used to live there are no street lights here on most roads or any ambient light from homes/buildings which makes for an entirely different night ride too. There's also ALOT of deer and they are everywhere at night always running across the road :-?

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by Gyrobob on 09/14/12 at 04:54:23

3C28397C7E7E7D4E0 wrote:

Which HID kit did you use?

Did it use the H4 setup that has two beams in one HID unit? My understanding is that rather than using two elements, the hi/low beam HID setups use a relay that actually triggers a solenoid that moves the element up and down. This way they don't need two bulbs, two ballasts, etc.

Where did you hide the ballast?

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by Gyrobob on 09/14/12 at 04:57:29

The xv920r virago (enclosed chain drive version), some years of the zook Gs1100/1150, and the Yamaha xv650r had 9" buckets with an 8" diameter lens. I have been trying to find one of those for the RYCA. They are quite rare and priced accordingly,.... hundreds of bucks for well-used versions.

It is pretty easy to find something with an 8" bucket and a 7" lens for less than $50.

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by rfw2003 on 09/14/12 at 05:41:37

556B607D707D70120 wrote:

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by Gyrobob on 09/14/12 at 06:07:24

34203174767675460 wrote:

[quote author=556B607D707D70120 link=1347585851/0#11 date=1347623663]
Which HID kit did you use?

Did it use the H4 setup that has two beams in one HID unit? My understanding is that rather than using two elements, the hi/low beam HID setups use a relay that actually triggers a solenoid that moves the element up and down. This way they don't need two bulbs, two ballasts, etc.

Where did you hide the ballast?

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by rfw2003 on 09/14/12 at 07:32:22

5B656E737E737E1C0 wrote:

[quote author=34203174767675460 link=1347585851/0#13 date=1347626497][quote author=556B607D707D70120 link=1347585851/0#11 date=1347623663]
Which HID kit did you use?

Did it use the H4 setup that has two beams in one HID unit? My understanding is that rather than using two elements, the hi/low beam HID setups use a relay that actually triggers a solenoid that moves the element up and down. This way they don't need two bulbs, two ballasts, etc.

Where did you hide the ballast?

Well I went with a little more expensive kit then most here do, but I could have used the cheaper one just as easily. I got mine from customdynamics.com Yes it's a Hi/Lo H4 that has the moving bulb in it. I hid the ballast under the fuel tank on the right side of the frame, it tucks in there like it was meant to be there.

R.F.[/quote]

What was the rationale for spending a little more? We are not talking megabucks, here.

Did your kit have one of the really small ballasts?

[/quote]
It was advertised with a very small ballast, said foot print was comparable to a credit card, but after receiving it I took some measurements and looked at some of the other less expensive kits and those that have the slim digital ballasts are about the same size.

I should have paid more attention when I was looking at them to see what the actual measurements were before I spent the extra money, I was trying to find the smallest one I could.
It's almost small enough to fit the whole ballast in the stock headlight bucket. If I was to upgrade the bucket to one of the bullet types it would definitely fit as there was less then 1/4" lacking to assemble the headlamp back together with the ballast in the bucket.

If I had it to do over again I would have gone with one of the cheaper kits.

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by Gyrobob on 09/14/12 at 18:50:30

rfw2003, do you think the ballast and relay for an H4 kit would fit in this headlight?

http://www.flyncycle.com/Motorcycle_Headlight_Yamaha_p/hlyrd250.htm

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by rfw2003 on 09/14/12 at 19:02:20

023C372A272A27450 wrote:

rfw2003, do you think the ballast and relay for an H4 kit would fit in this headlight?

http://www.flyncycle.com/Motorcycle_Headlight_Yamaha_p/hlyrd250.htm

Can't really tell from those pics. Looks like the bigger part of it hugs the glass lamp fairly tightly so the only free area would be the square box part on the back. Depending on how big that is on the inside it might.

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by WD on 09/15/12 at 12:42:43

Mine broke within a couple months of buying the bike. Tool roll on the handlebar, hard bounce, cheap plastic headlight housing...

Swapped on the unit from Lisa's old 450 Rebel. Worked great until her son crashed my bike and bent the shell.

Now run the Emgo sourced Lucas replica 7" sidemount. The thing can actually be aimed! And throws 2x the light of the stock housing. And mounted as high as possible it actually looks like a designed in part of the bike. Instead of the stock after thought unit.

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by bill67 on 09/15/12 at 15:43:31

I thought the stock light was good,I put a H-4 50w80 in mine.In mine and wifes GR650s we had 80w110w in them,That really lit up the road with 2 bikes.

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by Gyrobob on 09/15/12 at 19:18:52

190A4E0 wrote:

Is that a 7" bucket with a 6" lens, or an 8" bucket with a 7" lens? How about some pics?

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by Cavi Mike on 09/15/12 at 20:18:03

687B3F0 wrote:

Now run the Emgo sourced Lucas replica 7" sidemount. The thing can actually be aimed!

The stock light can be aimed, there are two adjusters on the bottom. I don't think a headlight can even be DOT approved if it can't be aimed.

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by J C Stokes on 09/15/12 at 23:28:02

Stock seems ok to me, just under two years woith no problems.

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by prsavage on 09/16/12 at 23:08:27

Bothmy Savage and my Intruder 800 headlights were weak. On each I would ride with the switch right in between high and low beam which would turn on both high and low at the same time. No overheating problems on either bike.

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by WD on 09/17/12 at 07:40:19

7 inch lens in a mounting collar.

This one can be aimed a lot more readily and accurately than I ever got out of the stock Savage light. Or Lisa's 800 Intruder light (same thing and still on her bike). Much larger light pattern where the beam intersects the roadway, much larger pattern to the shoulder and road center.

I'll have to get on the other computer for pics. Maybe later.

Okay, it's later...
http://ravenscroftart.net/watchtower/2010rebuild03.jpg

http://ravenscroftart.net/watchtower/pokeydone1.jpg

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by Bock on 09/17/12 at 21:47:55

I rode my bike in the dark for the first time a few weeks ago. I had to put my brights on because I couldn't see 10 feet in front of me with the dims! Must not be aligned right....or the stock headlight just plain sucks.

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by Arnold on 09/18/12 at 08:32:41

Just bought an old headlight and a classic car show, it's yellow, can't wait to put it on.

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by ToesNose on 09/18/12 at 08:43:59

The headlight from Demon's came yesterday, it's alot nicer then I was expecting for the price as far as quality and finish. I found an old commercial grade heavy duty fire extinguisher mount in one of my tool boxes which I promptly started cutting and grinding to fit as a mount. I decided to use the mounting holes that the retainer for the front brake line and wires uses, as they have a deep enough thread. I'll take a picture of the mount when it finishes drying, but here's the headlight temporarily on just to check for position and clearances.

I went for the larger 6 1/4" x 8 1/4" thinking I'll eventually go HID and want extra room in the bucket, they also have the same design in 5" x 6 3/4" for $38.99 ;)

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy206/bcrx2/IMG_20120918_110121.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy206/bcrx2/IMG_20120918_110050.jpg

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by Gyrobob on 09/18/12 at 10:09:22

This review in Webbikeworld says converting to HID doesn't have any advantages except for using 20 less watts.

This is counter to all the opinions I have heard about HID systems being so much brighter.

Any comments?

http://www.webbikeworld.com/suzuki-dr650/hid-headlight/

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by ToesNose on 09/18/12 at 11:14:28

One major problem is that they kept the original lens, to get the full effect of HID a clear lens or optimally a projector lens is needed.

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by verslagen1 on 09/18/12 at 11:38:42

I bought the cheapist HID kit I could find.
At the time, the motorizied shield for the hi/lo were new, so I went with HID lo and Halogen Hi beam, dual element bulb.
It went right into the GS650 bucket with no problems and was definitely brighter than a stock 55/60w bulb. The DR650 they had was rectangular, so maybe there is an issue with that or with the bulb itself. And I would count that as a bad review of the bikemaster kit for performance.

The only problem I've had is the low beam shield broke off. it was a bit flimsy for a m/c. the one on the bike master look pretty hefty.

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by rfw2003 on 09/18/12 at 12:15:17

714A40566B4A5640250 wrote:

Let me know how this one works out for ya. At that price I may just go ahead and get one soon. Love the looks of it on there.

R.F.

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by Gyrobob on 09/18/12 at 12:53:05

I'm still looking for an 8" headlight like what was on a Suzuki GS1100 or a Yamaha xj650r. I drove the Yamaha at night once, and it was like the sun had come out.

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by verslagen1 on 09/18/12 at 13:20:37

142A213C313C31530 wrote:

I'm still looking for an 8" headlight like what was on a Suzuki GS1100 or a Yamaha xj650r. I drove the Yamaha at night once, and it was like the sun had come out.

I got a gs 8" bucket, just needs fillin'

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by Gyrobob on 09/18/12 at 13:24:21

63706766797472707B24150 wrote:

[quote author=142A213C313C31530 link=1347585851/30#32 date=1347997985]I'm still looking for an 8" headlight like what was on a Suzuki GS1100 or a Yamaha xj650r. I drove the Yamaha at night once, and it was like the sun had come out.

I got a gs 8" bucket, just needs fillin'[/quote]

I wonder if this lens/reflector would fit:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/130459171522?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by rfw2003 on 09/18/12 at 13:44:06

I'm sure it would, most lenses are fairly universal as far as the class sizing go. So a 7" should fit in pretty much any 7" bucket, 8" should fit in pretty much any 8" bucket and so on. It's pretty rare to run across one offs in the different class lenses for headlamps.

R.F.

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by verslagen1 on 09/18/12 at 13:50:28

You'd need the bezel and aiming brackets too.

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by ToesNose on 09/19/12 at 16:22:43

Well the new headlight is on, I just need to wait till dark to adjust it.

Here's the modified fire extinguiser mount I used-
http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy206/bcrx2/IMG_3859_zps95172550.jpg

And here's what it looked like before attaching the bucket-
http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy206/bcrx2/IMG_3860_zpsa12cfc51.jpg

All together-
http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy206/bcrx2/IMG_3866_zps124a223a.jpg

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by ToesNose on 09/19/12 at 16:24:58

And a couple of full shots just for the heck of it :D

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy206/bcrx2/IMG_3864_zps391eda3d.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy206/bcrx2/IMG_3865_zps5d4d90ae.jpg

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by WD on 09/20/12 at 06:03:26

Looks good, you should be pleasantly surprised by how much more useful the light pattern is. Something about mounting them high increases their output. And they look a whole lot nicer to boot.

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by ToesNose on 09/20/12 at 06:24:22

Yea WD I took it for a ride last night and it's ALOT better, brighter and crisper with the clear lens and it spreads out more to the sides which is great for all the deer around here!

These pics were taken in the same amount of darkness, notice how much more of the driveway and garages you can see. Riding on country roads with no street lights or ambient light from homes or businesses it makes a tremendous difference.

Stock headlight-
http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy206/bcrx2/IMG_3856_zps89ad9249.jpg

New Bucket-
http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy206/bcrx2/new1_zpsa752d556.jpg

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by Pine on 09/20/12 at 07:48:04

OK ... offically jealous of Toes bike...
Headlight check
Speedo check
tach check
xbrace check

I could actually ride that thing a while .. even at night ( which I dont do on mine)

GOOD JOB!!

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by ToesNose on 09/20/12 at 08:19:11

LOL Pine no X-Brace, maybe the lower fork brace now looks like it because I moved the headlight up so much ;D

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by Dave on 09/20/12 at 11:58:13

I like the looks of this headlight - I would hope the quality is good as the shipping cost from Germany is a bit too high to send it back.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/180656656381?_trksid=p5197.c0.m619

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by ToesNose on 09/20/12 at 12:10:38

Check this out Dave, very similar design for alot less. Then just get yourself whatever 7" lamp/lens you want =D

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Side-Mount-Motorcycle-Headlight-Shell-7-Black-Cafe-Chopper-Bobber-Honda-Yamaha-/170805753678?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27c4d0f74e&vxp=mtr

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by Gyrobob on 09/20/12 at 12:14:08

A 7" shell only holds a 6" headlight.

This one is an 8" shell that holds a 7" headlight, and it looks like that boxy bucket might have room enough for an HID ballast and relay.

http://www.flyncycle.com/Motorcycle_Headlight_Yamaha_p/hlyrd250.htm

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by Dave on 09/20/12 at 12:54:36

6F515A474A474A280 wrote:

The link is not working......and a search on their site did not bring up a Yamaha headlight.

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by Gyrobob on 09/20/12 at 18:22:16

Drat. That link worked this morning. I was going to order one. They must have sold out.

This is the only link I can find at the moment that has an 8" diam light.

http://www.wemoto.com/parts/picture/HL-379700/

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by Dave on 09/25/12 at 09:52:13

Here is a link that provides Yamah XS650 sytle healights and mounts. I thinkg this might work for me - but I need to check the fork tube diameter and spread to see if the mounts will fit correctly.

http://www.mikesxs.net/products-77.html#products

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by Gyrobob on 09/25/12 at 13:11:54

0A313C2B3A362D2B3038352A590 wrote:

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by Savage_Rob on 09/25/12 at 15:17:55

While it wasn't one of the first things I replaced, once the plastic bucket cracked it was time.

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by Dave on 09/26/12 at 05:36:08

6C5259444944492B0 wrote:

[quote author=0A313C2B3A362D2B3038352A590 link=1347585851/45#48 date=1348591933]Here is a link that provides Yamah XS650 sytle healights and mounts. I thinkg this might work for me - but I need to check the fork tube diameter and spread to see if the mounts will fit correctly.

http://www.mikesxs.net/products-77.html#products

Those are pretty good, but keep in mind a 7" bucket holds a 6" light. When they say 7" you'd best find out what they really mean.
I just bought a 9" bucket with an 8" headlight in it. I paid too much, and it will require some work, but at least I got something huge now.[/quote]

An 8" headlight would be nice......but it is an exclusive club that I just don't think I can afford to get into right now. The cost of 8" headlights and the fact that many are either NOS and expensive......or beat up and projects has kept me from buying one. I believe the XS650 style will work fine until I come across an affordable 8" one.

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by EJID on 10/16/13 at 07:57:50

26292A27630 wrote:

My stock bucket just broke yesterday >:( so now it's time to replace it. I really like the one that ToesNoes went with, just trying to find the bigger one like he bought in Chrome it looks like the Demon's website only has the larger size in black now.

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by ToesNose on 10/16/13 at 17:16:48

Check their EBAY listings too, when I bought mine they offered different stock there then on their website ;)

If you can't find it shoot me an email, I've been hording parts in preparation of a standard/café-ish conversion. I could possibly be persuaded to part with it LOL ::)

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by Ed L. on 10/16/13 at 19:43:07

The stock bucket cracked on mine about four years ago and I replaced the entire headlight assembly with a 9 inch long one. Looks ok but the ring that holds the lense in has started to corrode, don't know if I'll be able to get it apart unless I use a hammer on it. :D
Buying a headlight is a lot like buying a pair of boots without trying them on, you don't know if they will work for you untill you go out and stomp around in them. By then you can't take them back.
Oh yeah, I would like to know what genius ran all those wires up into the bucket and then back out again. It made it a PIA to replace the unit.

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight?
Post by SkyHigh on 10/17/13 at 22:17:55

I've got a 2011 S40 and the stock headlight works just fine for me. At night on a lonely two-lane highway here, where the speed limit is 55 MPH, I turn on the brights on the bike when there are no oncoming cars -- and the road is lit up almost a 1/4-mile down the road, with plenty of light sprayed out to the sides.

But I've been riding only a couple years now and am wondering what is detrimental or lacking in the stock headlight. If you think it's a "bad" headlight, unsafe, or lacking in some respects, please state why so that those of us who think the stock headlight is fine can be enlightened. :) Thanks.

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight?
Post by EJID on 10/18/13 at 07:28:45

6F574574555B543C0 wrote:

Light-wise, I've always considered it adequate but could be brighter. My problem with the light is the plastic bucket that broke on me earlier this week. No prior signs of problems, no identifiable impact or rough patch of road, just snapped off for no reason :(

http://i1030.photobucket.com/albums/y366/ericandmaggie/IMG_20131015_160929_061_zpsd469c370.jpg (http://s1030.photobucket.com/user/ericandmaggie/media/IMG_20131015_160929_061_zpsd469c370.jpg.html)

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by SkyHigh on 10/18/13 at 10:49:49

Wow, EJID, the possibility of the stock headlight snapping off is definitely something for those of us who have one to be wary of.

So some detriments of the stock headlight are these so far:
1. Some feel it could be brighter (I think the brightness is fine, though).
2. Some housings have cracked.
3. At least one has actually snapped off.

The extremes of weather and road conditions may account for cracked housings. I suppose it's fine to stick with the stock headlight if one finds it adequate (as I do, at least for now). But replacing it with a more "robust" one is always an option for anyone.

Safe riding to all! 8-)

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by latony007 on 10/18/13 at 12:10:09

realize this thread is old but I see a few of you switched to HID kits which I am very interested in. I also have a Yamaha FZ6R that I want to do it on but thought it would test with a cheaper kit on my savage. You can just replace the bulb with an HID and add the ballast and that's about it? is it easy to do?
I almost had someone do it for my Yamaha but they wanted over 200 bucks for the projector and everything and its just out of my price range right now. a kit cost 30-50 bucks and now have some bi xenon that will do hi and low in HID without the halogen.

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by verslagen1 on 10/18/13 at 12:40:37

depends on where you live, if you have inspections... tread lightly.
Proper way is to replace the lens assembly with the projector lens type.
There's a thread somewhere showing how.

You can get ones that'll drop right in, but entirely legal to do so.
as the law requires that if it's not factory equipment, can't be done.
Pay attention to how it's aimed, aim it lower than normal and you shouldn't be any worse than everyone else that's doing it.

and yeah, it says right on the package for off road use only... right.

Title: Re: What are your thoughts on the stock headlight
Post by ToesNose on 10/19/13 at 06:14:19

Latony have you ever been blinded by oncoming vehicles with HID/xenon headlights? It's because they just put an HID bulb into an H4 housing, as Versey pointed out and has been discussed earlier in this thread you need a projector lens to disperse and direct the high intensity light effectively. Otherwise you just become one of those people who just blind oncoming traffic, also LEO doesn't like the blinding lights and will gladly write you a citation.