Hi Folks,
Due to pick up a 2010 next weekend, been poking around this forum, checking out the farkles 'n stuff.
Would like to fit some brighter peepers, and don't want to go down the aggro' of HID's.
Anyone fitted a pair of 100/80, 130/90 or 160/90w bulbs? Can the battery/wiring/headlamp take that output/heat?
I have a 225mm Carbon Oval Delkevic to fit, and would like a F + R set of extenders from Larry (Blue One).
I think I'd like a RAM(?) ball mount, for the Zumo, fitted into the centre steering bolt, will I still be able to see it
with a tank bag?
Pictures to follow...
Thanks again,
Nick.
Well Nick I'm afraid I haven't got a scooby about your lighting questions but there are plenty on here who will be along soon and tell you all you need to know ! Oh .... And Welcome to this forum ....
!00 Watts @ 12Volts = 8.3 Amps.
130 Watts @ 12 Volts = 10.8 Amps.
160 Watts @ 12 Volts = 13.3 Amps.
And......... If you double this as there are two lights it gives nearly 27Amps at 12 Volts........ Not for me I'm afraid, since the wiring would need uprating to sustain the higher currents. :nono:
Just go for the super whites 60/55w, give ample vision for night riding I've found....
and not too bright for other road users during the day :scooter:
If you want to fit illegal bulbs then you will need to fit relays, heavy duty wire and I would recommend ceramic bulb connectors.
I have no idea how the reflectors would cope with the extra heat either.
Years ago I fitted a 100W/80W bulb to my GTR1000 and it melted the connector and damaged (scorched) the reflector.
I went with the Philips X-treme Vision bulbs on the 1400 and they are good.
That said the GTR headlights are pretty good anyway, even with the OEM bulbs.
I just converted my GTR1000 to HID. The single headlight is just too wimpy.
Yes fitting the ballast and wires is a pain, but the extra light is spectacular.
Cost me £35 for the single bulb Hi/Lo beam system.
Xenon Max from Ring bulbs are suitable for a swap :yes:
Told you so ! :yes: :yes: :mfr_lol:
I have a Versys 650 at the moment (amongst others) and I have run 2 x 80/80 bulbs in them with no problems,
Am I right in thinking that the headlights on a GTR are plastic and not glass then?
Thanks for your help and input (no pun intended!).
Has anyone used LED H4 headlamps? The are technically illegal as not e marked, but would produce a white light. I have seen many sets on eBay but can't decide whether to take the plunge or not.
Daz
Be aware that most of the H4 LED headlamp bulbs out there are DIPPED BEAM ONLY.
They are mostly used in fog lights and such.
The reflector on the 1400 is plastic.
Not sure about the lens but shouldn't be a problem even if it is plastic as it is a long way from the bulb and is clear.
Excess heat would mess up the reflector quite badly.
Quote from: Boomer on October 16, 2013, 11:12:35 AM
Be aware that most of the H4 LED headlamp bulbs out there are DIPPED BEAM ONLY.
They are mostly used in fog lights and such.
The reflector on the 1400 is plastic.
Not sure about the lens but shouldn't be a problem even if it is plastic as it is a long way from the bulb and is clear.
Excess heat would mess up the reflector quite badly.
I always thought that LED bulbs didn't get as hot as the standard ones? I know the HID bulbs do get hot..
How about these?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-H4-60-55W-HI-LO-BEAM-XBD-CREE-SMD-12-5W-HI-POWER-CANBUS-LED-SUPER-BRIGHT-LED-/271259145131?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3f284e13ab
Have Put those. Are great and much better than standard bulbs .
http://www.rad.eu/nl/c/p/34963-philips-h4-philips-xtreme-vision-moto.htm
Re the link Debs posted: - yes that's what I was looking towards.
I don't use the bike in the dark very often, but I'm not a fair weather rider. I'd be keen to be seen rather than use for seeing if that makes sense?
Daz
Hi in reply to your question about upgrades to your lights i ride a lot in the dark on country roads and have been using osram night racers they really do make a huge difference for about twenty pounds a pair they are a no brainer
Quote from: Debs on October 16, 2013, 01:04:48 PM
I always thought that LED bulbs didn't get as hot as the standard ones? I know the HID bulbs do get hot..
They don't, but I was referring to the 100/130/160W bulbs mentioned earlier.
QuoteHow about these?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-H4-60-55W-HI-LO-BEAM-XBD-CREE-SMD-12-5W-HI-POWER-CANBUS-LED-SUPER-BRIGHT-LED-/271259145131?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3f284e13ab
Looks good, but not road legal,... yet.
Price will come down lots once they are legalised.
Quote from: gwocni on October 15, 2013, 01:22:29 AM
!00 Watts @ 12Volts = 8.3 Amps.
130 Watts @ 12 Volts = 10.8 Amps.
160 Watts @ 12 Volts = 13.3 Amps.
And......... If you double this as there are two lights it gives nearly 27Amps at 12 Volts........ Not for me I'm afraid, since the wiring would need uprating to sustain the higher currents. :nono:
when the bike is running the volts are at 14.4, that brings the ampage down to 11a per bulb, that's not a lots and im sure the wires are plenty thick enough
160w? wouldn't that defeat the object by blinding everyone coming the other way? That's a big jump in wattage.
I'm not sure what the rectifier is rated at either, but would imagine its already working hard with heated grips and the like switched on.
Quote from: viper on October 27, 2013, 06:21:16 PM
when the bike is running the volts are at 14.4, that brings the ampage down to 11a per bulb, that's not a lots and im sure the wires are plenty thick enough
That's correct (the calculation) but the point, as I see it, would be that even 11A is almost three times more than the 4A of 60W @ 14.4V for a normal filament. Just my opinion but I wouldn't do it. Another thing that may matter a bit is that, regardless of dash indication, normal alternator output is about 13.8V and over 14V would normally be considered high. BTW don't bank on companies putting anything (like wiring) but the bare minimum in their goods. Again this is only imho I don't want to start an argument.
Quote from: gwocni on October 28, 2013, 01:02:05 AM
BTW don't bank on companies putting anything (like wiring) but the bare minimum in their goods. Again this is only imho I don't want to start an argument.
I would agree with that. The Vstrom forums seemed to regularly have people posting about failed headlights. The problem was almost always the penny pinching size of the wiring, causing localised overheating of the connector blocks/pins and cable.
My 1000 used to have an 80/130W bulb fitted.
I did fit the ceramic connector (after the original melted) and wired the power directly from the battery via 2 relays and 30A rated cabling.
One relay was for lights on/off, the other for low/high beam.
Not had a failure since although now running a 35W HID.
I do have two 100W spotlights that are wired into the high beam relay.
With those and the HID the high beam pattern is as good or better than the 1400GTR.
Dipped beam is nowhere near as good as the 1400 though.
As for the higher wattage bulbs, so far as I can tell they are not illegal as there is no legal limit w.r.t. a maximum, just minimums.
Perhaps one of our Law Enforcement Brethren can enlighten us on this?