October 27th, 2014, 10:22 PM | #1 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: TC
Location: Hawaii
Join Date: Sep 2013 Motorcycle(s): A lot. Posts: A lot.
|
Really freaking bright headlights!
Hey guys I just thought I'd share this. I've tried many different off-the-shelf hi/lo beam bulbs in the ninja and none of them seem to give the throw and flood and output that I've become accustomed with from my modified flashlights.
I came up with the clever idea of buying go-pro handlebar mounts, 3M VHB double stick adhesive, and the right assortment of fasteners, safety wire, and cable ties -- and with a bit of work I've mounted a few very bright flashlights on the front of my bike via removable quick-release mounts. Does anyone know of a better way to get more illumination on the front of our bikes? Modifying the headlight to fit a different bulb doesn't seem to be very effective, and seems like a lot of work. What I did with the flashlights is working very well, I just have to remember to take my flashlights off the bike and throw them in a backpack every time I park so no one steals them.
__________________________________________________
Just batshit crazy. All his posts are endless diatribes. Some are actually entertaining but mostly batshit crazy. |
|
October 28th, 2014, 01:13 AM | #2 |
in your machine
Name: Scott
Location: Summer Shade, Ky.
Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 98 Ninja 250/F12 aka ZX-2R "SERENITY", 91 Ninja 500/A5 aka ZX-5R "Phoenix", 84 Honda GL1200A "SIREN" Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 25
MOTM - Jun '17, May '16, Mar '15
|
There are a inumber of options you have available,
First is using a better conventional filament bulb, like an Sylvania ultra silver star, etc.... A little bit brighter and whiter light. Second option is a CREE LED bulb, much brighter than filament bulb, less amperage draw from electrical system. Third option is a HID conversion kit(http://www.ddmtuning.com/Product-Cat...-Kits-Lighting) a lot brighter brighter, and less amperage draw from electrical system. Forth option is a projector style headlight housing, but this means fabricating/modify the headlight One thing to keep in mind is that brightness of the lights now a days is rated and has been always in lumens, the old school wattage system means nothing with modern technology. I personally have the DDM TUNING kits in both of my bikes, and I'm am extremely pleased with the results. They are great quality kits, along with customer support.. Hope this gives you some helpful ideas.
__________________________________________________
violente et ignorantia ZX-2R BLOG Twitter and Instagram = Ghostt_Scott I'm not here to change your mind, just to inform. |
1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
October 28th, 2014, 07:46 AM | #3 |
Certified looney toon
Name: Teri
Location: 39°52'40.7"N 118°23'53.8"W (Northern NV)
Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250, 102k+ miles -- 2014 CB500X, 42k+ miles Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 16
MOTM Jul '13, Jul '14
|
Pick up some LED aux lights
Denali, MondoMoto, ClearWater, Rigid, LEDrider, etc. Tons of options to get some additional punch down the road at night.
__________________________________________________
<-- Linky Hey Unregistered! The code [you] shows the username currently logged in. IBA # 56020 AMA # 521481 Fun Rides! ][ My Videos ][ My Gear Hold yourself to the same rules you expect others to follow. |
2 out of 2 members found this post helpful. |
October 28th, 2014, 07:49 AM | #4 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Lane
Location: Medford, OR
Join Date: May 2014 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 (trackbike), CBR600RR, GS500F Posts: 588
|
Keep in mind, there's a trade off at some point. You may be able to see better, but the drivers coming at you might be blinded.....
|
|
October 28th, 2014, 07:56 AM | #5 |
Certifiable nontundrum
Name: Harper
Location: NC Milkshake stand
Join Date: Mar 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2013 SE NINJA 300 Posts: Too much.
MOTM - Sep '13, Sep '16
|
Two words "day lighters" yea the lights that used to be on Bigfoot with the big ol KC covers!!! You see them in the baja, the Dakar rally, etc. if you want something a bit smaller there are some made for bikes, but smaller ones for cars would work just as well... There is a thread around here about auxiliary lights, fog lights an such
__________________________________________________
|
|
October 28th, 2014, 08:00 AM | #6 | |
in your machine
Name: Scott
Location: Summer Shade, Ky.
Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 98 Ninja 250/F12 aka ZX-2R "SERENITY", 91 Ninja 500/A5 aka ZX-5R "Phoenix", 84 Honda GL1200A "SIREN" Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 25
MOTM - Jun '17, May '16, Mar '15
|
Quote:
I myself have the DDM TUNING KIT (55w/5k) which put out about 5,000 lumens, compared to the OEM bulb @ about 800 lumens, I very rarely get the old high beam flip from oncoming traffic. I did readjust my headlight slightly for better lighting performance, due to the factory sets it low on purpose.
__________________________________________________
violente et ignorantia ZX-2R BLOG Twitter and Instagram = Ghostt_Scott I'm not here to change your mind, just to inform. |
|
|
October 28th, 2014, 08:07 AM | #7 |
RIP Alex
Name: Cuong
Location: Houston, TX
Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): '10 250r, '09 265r Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 2
|
The Retrofit Source
/thread
__________________________________________________
HalfFast Racing Team Serving Greater Houston Area Riders:WFO Riders MotoHouston HPC CMRA Ride Smart Fastline Lone Star Track Days |
|
October 28th, 2014, 05:04 PM | #8 |
Threadkiller
Name: Mick
Location: Monongahela, Pa.
Join Date: Apr 2014 Motorcycle(s): Yellow '04 stocker, '89 FJ1200, '87 Ducati Paso, '71 Yamaha XS1b, '99 KLR650, '81 FXE 80, '97 KTM 200EXC , etc Posts: 430
|
Just remember, the brighter the bulb, the shorter the life.
You can always run the stock bulb through a relay, it will give you slightly more voltage to the stock bulb for a brighter light. I think my '04 has a great headlight, it's much better than a lot of bikes I have.
__________________________________________________
Advantages are taken, not handed out. MSF 138637 |
|
October 28th, 2014, 05:19 PM | #9 | |
in your machine
Name: Scott
Location: Summer Shade, Ky.
Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 98 Ninja 250/F12 aka ZX-2R "SERENITY", 91 Ninja 500/A5 aka ZX-5R "Phoenix", 84 Honda GL1200A "SIREN" Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 25
MOTM - Jun '17, May '16, Mar '15
|
Quote:
Filament, HID, and CREE LED are all totally and completely different style of ways to make light, I've seen CREE LEDs bulbs that are 2,000 lumens, HID up to 5,000 lumens, filament bulb s like Sylvania ultra silver star about 1,200 lumens, which the Sylvania has the shortest life span.
__________________________________________________
violente et ignorantia ZX-2R BLOG Twitter and Instagram = Ghostt_Scott I'm not here to change your mind, just to inform. |
|
|
October 28th, 2014, 05:31 PM | #10 |
Threadkiller
Name: Mick
Location: Monongahela, Pa.
Join Date: Apr 2014 Motorcycle(s): Yellow '04 stocker, '89 FJ1200, '87 Ducati Paso, '71 Yamaha XS1b, '99 KLR650, '81 FXE 80, '97 KTM 200EXC , etc Posts: 430
|
Okay, but when I used the fancy-shmancy bulbs, they always seem to burn out quicker. :shrug:
OEM bulbs for me, not that I ever have to replace them.... Edit- I've never used the ones you describe, though. Linky?
__________________________________________________
Advantages are taken, not handed out. MSF 138637 |
|
October 28th, 2014, 05:36 PM | #11 | |
in your machine
Name: Scott
Location: Summer Shade, Ky.
Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 98 Ninja 250/F12 aka ZX-2R "SERENITY", 91 Ninja 500/A5 aka ZX-5R "Phoenix", 84 Honda GL1200A "SIREN" Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 25
MOTM - Jun '17, May '16, Mar '15
|
Quote:
I would recommend that you look into. CREE LED headlight bulb, you will be pleasantly surprised.
__________________________________________________
violente et ignorantia ZX-2R BLOG Twitter and Instagram = Ghostt_Scott I'm not here to change your mind, just to inform. |
|
|
October 28th, 2014, 09:44 PM | #12 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: TC
Location: Hawaii
Join Date: Sep 2013 Motorcycle(s): A lot. Posts: A lot.
|
For now I have to keep doing this on the cheap cheap because I don't have the $ to spend on OEM-fitment parts (or ones that can be mcgyver'd into OEM housings).
For now I'm stuck with a 500lumen flashlight on a gopro mount on the left side of the bike, and an 800lumen spotlight on the right side of the bike (also on gopro mount.) Wondering what the hands-down best setup is.. With two flashlights, it's hard to reach my hands down in front of the bars to click off TWO bright flashlights when encountering oncoming traffic -- and it takes a second. I'd rather not modify the surefire lights I'm using because I'll void the warranties (lol wait, now that I think about it -- I've already voided the warranty on one when I turned it on a lathe to widen the battery tube for a beefier battery..) What kinds of setups are you guys running? Bonus points for pictures. Thanks everyone!
__________________________________________________
Just batshit crazy. All his posts are endless diatribes. Some are actually entertaining but mostly batshit crazy. |
|
October 28th, 2014, 11:44 PM | #13 |
in your machine
Name: Scott
Location: Summer Shade, Ky.
Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 98 Ninja 250/F12 aka ZX-2R "SERENITY", 91 Ninja 500/A5 aka ZX-5R "Phoenix", 84 Honda GL1200A "SIREN" Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 25
MOTM - Jun '17, May '16, Mar '15
|
I had the DDM TUNING HID KIT in both my bikes and cars. It's a plug-n-play installation.
I have my SUV which is next on the upgrade list, so I'm gonna to install CREE LED headlight bulbs.
__________________________________________________
violente et ignorantia ZX-2R BLOG Twitter and Instagram = Ghostt_Scott I'm not here to change your mind, just to inform. |
|
October 29th, 2014, 10:53 PM | #14 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: TC
Location: Hawaii
Join Date: Sep 2013 Motorcycle(s): A lot. Posts: A lot.
|
^^ Yeh, I've been running that DDM kit on my car for a few years now. Honestly it seems a little heavy to install on the bike and seems a little difficult to install. The shape of the bike headlight housing is definitely a different animal compared to an automotive headlight.
Time for me to do some more research. Thanks everyone.
__________________________________________________
Just batshit crazy. All his posts are endless diatribes. Some are actually entertaining but mostly batshit crazy. |
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Science is freaking AWESOME! | NevadaWolf | Off-Topic | 100 | November 15th, 2014 01:03 AM |
Stunt rider - freaking hilarious | wandyhee | Videos | 13 | November 22nd, 2011 01:14 AM |
I got my freaking bike!!!! | DarkNinja52 | General Motorcycling Discussion | 38 | July 29th, 2009 04:34 PM |
this is freaking hilarious.. | tinng321 | General Motorcycling Discussion | 14 | July 29th, 2009 01:47 PM |
|
|