Bright eyes?

[Mudfart]

Im about to buy a new bike, and ive been reading all the mags for about 2 years now.
I ride alot in the dark, rain or very heavy fog. I have never read of any bike reviews talking about how good a job any certain bikes lights are.
Im going for an R1, 990 superduke, GSXR750, street triple, MT-01 or slight chance of a thruxton or peanut 48.
Are all lights born equal?, coz its very hard to test ride a bike in the dark, the shops are usually closed!
Do any of you modify your lights eg xenon bulbs or sum such to improve their performance?
Are there bulbs that work better in fog?
I find this interesting as I really do ride in the dark every night.

[SMOKEU]

I know that the standard (as far as I'm aware) headlights are more than adequate on the open road at 100kmh on my CBR, and that's a 21 year old bike. The modern bikes should have better headlights.

[kewwig]

I have a 1250 Bandit and the headlight is adequate for normal riding. I upgraded the bulbs to Narva Platinums. Not so much to improve the light output, but they appear much whiter and make the bike stand out more. I have LED markers as well, so the bike looks wider and brighter (anything to make cagers look).

The best lights I have had were on a DL650 VStrom with a light bar and a couple of extra running lights on it. Lighting is quite subjective, so you will really need to try them, or do a lot of on line research.

Some people in the US upgrade to HIDs, but they are illegal to fit to a bike not originally fitted with them

[MSTRS]

....
I find this interesting as I really do ride in the dark every night.

I find it's dark most nights...
The lights on my SRAD are the best of any bike I've had, and better than a lot of cars.

[george formby]

I have a 1250 Bandit and the headlight is adequate for normal riding. I upgraded the bulbs to Narva Platinums. Not so much to improve the light output, but they appear much whiter and make the bike stand out more. I have LED markers as well, so the bike looks wider and brighter (anything to make cagers look).

The best lights I have had were on a DL650 VStrom with a light bar and a couple of extra running lights on it. Lighting is quite subjective, so you will really need to try them, or do a lot of on line research.

Some people in the US upgrade to HIDs, but they are illegal to fit to a bike not originally fitted with them

:shit: I never knew that. Was thinking of converting my bike to HID's. The kits are reasonably cheap & give a brilliant (scuse the pun) result.

[Gremlin]

headlight shape affects the beam, naturally a round headlight is the best in most situations. I put hella +50% or +90% bulbs in all my bikes

[Blackbird]

Street Triple long-term review here: http://geoffjames.blogspot.com/2010/08/triumph-street-triple-review-revisited.html. Lights are specifically commented on.

Hope it's of some help.

[slofox]

Re the GSX-R750. I have a K8 GSX-R600 which for all intents and purposes is the same as the 750 (engine aside).

Headlights on main beam are excellent in bog standard form. Different story on dip. There is a horizontal line above which there is no light. Fine in a straight line but in a corner I find I am riding into a black spot. Not very confidence inspiring...

[Jonno.]

Some people in the US upgrade to HIDs, but they are illegal to fit to a bike not originally fitted with them

:shit: I never knew that. Was thinking of converting my bike to HID's. The kits are reasonably cheap & give a brilliant (scuse the pun) result.
Being bright gives the illusion of being good.

http://www.tamparacing.com/forums/general-car-chat/400304-truth-about-hid-kits-very-good-read.html

[Maha]

I find it's dark most nights...
The lights on my SRAD are the best of any bike I've had, and better than a lot of cars.

Its light during the nights hours at Scott Base for about 3 months of the year, but if you ride a bike there your concern would about anti-freeze not bulbs.

[Mudfart]

now i see the hondas have had huge price reductions, so i need to add them to the list too, 600 hornet or the predator.
interesting read about the stripple. i guess ill just have to pick my bike based on everything except lighting capabilities, and then mod the lights to suit.

[St_Gabriel]

Are all lights born equal?, coz its very hard to test ride a bike in the dark, the shops are usually closed!

Ever thought of asking for a test ride overnight? Pick up at end of day and drop back the next. Explain the reason why and I couldnt see why the shop would say no.