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Jstfkndi
Posted on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 - 08:18 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I'm sure it must have been mentioned before and if so, can someone direct me to the thread, but last night (first night ride) on my XB12R), I noticed that the lights....well... Suck!! I am not sure if they are just not positioned right or what, but I could see a grand total lighted are of only about 7 to 8 feet ahead of me. The brights seem to illuminate ok, but I don't really want to roll around with my brights on. Is this a serious stock issue? Should I replace the bulbs? My old bike had a really nice lighting kit installed and I guess I took it for granted, but I don't feel safe riding unless my brights are on! Any ideas or directions? Thanks!
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Glitch
Posted on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 - 08:39 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Look inside the Low Beam.
There's a half circle covering part of the bulb.
Remove and bathe in the light.

Yes the R lights suck.

Riding with the brights on is what I do most of the time, and I have an S. Always have.
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Mikef5000
Posted on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 - 09:42 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

HID's are a cheap and effect way to increase light output.

If the housing is not effective, they're only going to help so much, but they are going to help.

vvme.com is the cheapest, but there's another brand (froggy help me out here) that's not much more, and appears to be of better quality.
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Xbgeorge
Posted on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 - 10:16 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

You can adjust the lights also. The adjuster bolt is under the fairing, behind the light. It made a world of difference, when I adjusted mine.
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4cammer
Posted on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 - 10:27 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

+1 on what Glitch said. Did that last year and was much better at night and two high beams on in the day might just help you to be seen just a bit more.
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Froggy
Posted on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 - 10:35 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Did the reflector issues apply to the 04's?

I'd take the lens apart and inspect the reflectors to make sure they are still in tact. After that, get a HID kit from DDMtuning

http://www.ddmtuning.com/index.php?p=product&id=10 1&parent=85
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Ryan954
Posted on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 - 12:23 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Will the DDM kit work with the stock plugs? Thanks in advance.
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Jstfkndi
Posted on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 - 03:06 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Good info guys, thanks! I am seeing the half circle on the ground, so I think that may be it. I will look into an HID!
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Froggy
Posted on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 - 04:52 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

The DDM kit will work with any vehicle, just make sure you order the right bulbs. I have done at least half a dozen installs.
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Hogs
Posted on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 - 05:54 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Jstfkndi,

Pardon me for jumping in here, But just a quick ? for Froggy...

Can one wire a dual set up High/and Low and the grounds for the relays say, install a Toggle switch Of Good Quality and turn off the Grounds. Start the bike, once started and warmed up Ready to go Hit Toggle Now have Lights??

Or ya know of another way more simple etc.Just thinking of 1 not having the Draw for the starter when starting the bike, and 2 Maybe a little better for them Ballast etc.. Thanks
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Froggy
Posted on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 - 06:39 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Its just needless complexity being added, but it can be done if thats what you desire. It takes longer for the check engine light to turn off than for the ballasts to warm up, plus even if you somehow managed to kill a light they are as cheap as normal bulbs to replace.
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Gunut75
Posted on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 - 06:44 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Glitch, I never noticed the half circle before. I'll have to try that.
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Hogs
Posted on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 - 07:21 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

HEy Froggy,
I think you are missing the whole point..But thats cool
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Mikef5000
Posted on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 - 10:26 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Hogs, you can certainly add a switch, but add a relay as well, and wire the switch to the low power side of the relay. It'd be pretty simple if you've ever messed with this type of stuff before.

You're other option is to add a timer, which will delay the startup of the lights. I've done this with both my bikes. I have 20 seconds from the time I hit the key till the low beam HID kicks on. Google 528T pulse timer.
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Firebolt32
Posted on Wednesday, March 24, 2010 - 06:08 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Glitch, I never noticed the half circle before. I'll have to try that.

That's why I went to two highbeam housings. I took the spoon off but when shining on the garage the light was uneven. One housing is oval the other is circle. Seriously doubt anyone would notice on the fly but I did staring at the garage. I'm a douche with things like that!
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Gunut75
Posted on Wednesday, March 24, 2010 - 06:28 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I'll F with it today.
I'm a douche with things like that!
It's 5;30 am, and that was funny. Now if my darn kid would wake up.
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