| Author | Message | ||
     Jkrank |
I am in need of some advice. Just so you know, I just bought my first Buell about two weeks ago, a 2009 1125CR. I don't know anything about Buell motorcycles at all and the one advisor I had on Buell motorcycles passed away last month. He's the one that suggested this bike to me. He was familiar with my preferences in motorcycles and thought it would be a good choice for me, since he had one and was familiar with it. The bike had about 950 miles on it and the previous owner said it was all factory parts on it. I live in the country and am going to need to do a fair amount of riding at night. After the past two weeks I have come to the conclusion that the headlight doesn't illuminate the road very far in front of me, especially on the dim setting. That plastic piece above the headlight( think it's called a fairing) seems to be blocking the light from traveling very far in front of me. It's just a guess, but I'm going to say the dim light only travels maybe 10 to 15 feet in front of me. The high beam is a little better, but still not satisfactory. Where I live the deer are so overpopulated that I need as much of a chance as possible of spotting them before our paths intersect. I was hoping someone could tell me if they make a different style of fairing that would allow the light to travel further and illuminate a larger area? It just doesn't seem to be very practical to me the way it is. I am hoping someone here might know and be able to tell me someplace to check. A sort of windshield/bug reflector would be nice too, but the headlight issue is definitely my main priority Any information you could offer me will be greatly appreciated. Thank you | ||
| Sparky |
First of all, the headlights are U.S. DOT approved and adequate for normal driving within limits. If they didn't meet those minimum requirements, that model couldn't be sold. Maybe the headlight just needs to be adjusted higher. That would be the first thing I would check. Have you tried that? If not, a simple way to check it is to point the bike about 25 ft from a wall or garage door at night and note where the beam seems to be centered with you on the bike. Then turn the headlight adjusting screw one way or the other until the beam raises. | ||
| Xbimmer |
One post in six months and no response to your answer, hope the newbie made it. | ||
| Jkrank |
Sorry, I just figured most of the people on here knew more about these bikes than me, and surely one would know an answer. But if only one person attempts to answer my questions or give any input, which I do appreciate him doing, then I don't see much point spending much time here. | ||
| Fasted |
your headlight is adjusted wrong, which was already posted.... if you want a windshield,the cr was not the best choice they are great bikes, but need to be adjusted correctly (just like your car) to function properly....RAISE THE BEAM the cr was never meant to offer much wind protection....it is a "street fighter" type bike....lotsa fun, but not a tourer design didn;t mean to ignore you, but it kinda seems like common sense stuff....sorry | ||
| Jkrank |
Thank you. I did after Sparky's reply, and it helped some. | ||
| Mesozoic |
I've got an '08 XB12Ss and I tour with it regularly. I did install a 4.5" taller flyscreen which makes it a bit better. I find the streetfighter position is actually better for touring than a more hunched over sport position. As far as lights go, I can't recommend running HIDs more. DDM Tuning sells dual lamp kits for any style bulb and they're very affordable. Their kits are incredibly high quality considering the origin of their manufacture and I haven't had any trouble with mine since installing them over a year ago. Prior to that, the stock H7 bulbs would go out every 6-9 months, but I do ride almost everyday. HIDs all the way! Also increases your visibility to others which is a plus. | ||
| Terrys1980 |
The only problem with installing HIDs on a Lightning is that the headlamp housing is not designed for HIDs and does not do a good job of dispersing the light properly. HIDs need to be installed in a projector style housing. | ||
| Mesozoic |
I hear a lot of people saying this, but my lamps in the stock housing have a clearly defined cutoff and have excellent propagation and dispersion. Maybe the '08 and newer housings are different, I do not know. All I know is that I ride EVERYDAY (commuting) with a night/evening return commute and I see much better than stock, have better bulb performance and reliability than stock, and the cops never complain. | ||
| Froggy |
The CR likes the HID better than the Lightning based on my experience. While neither housing is designed for HID, the CR was easier to dial in to get the right angle without causing visibility issues with oncoming traffic. The low beam on the CR really keeps the light focused to the right side of the road, unlike the XB Lightning which aims a lot more to the left. I do agree projectors is the way to go, but that is not cheap nor easy. | ||
| Terrys1980 |
The HIDs work ok on my Firebolt but I need to either switch to 2 hi or 2 low beam lenses. I haven't decided which yet. I ride with hi beams on at all times and my hi beam flasher is now my garage door opener. | ||
| Mesozoic |
Terry, garage door opener control, please explain! I recently lost my garage door opener on a ride (I have the Buell tank bra and it flew out of the pocket). My garage door opener is Z-wave compatible, etc. | ||
| Terrys1980 |
This is my thread. http://badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/3842/64 2168.html?1310738290 This other thread covers it also. They mounted a remote momentary switch instead. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/605100.html?1291506413 |
