Best 7" round headlight?

[tri boy]

Heres the skinny,
The 51/2" headlight on the scrambler is a pathetic pile of crap, with a shocking beam spread, and less penetration than a fat man with a chod.

The favoured change out unit in forums I frequent is a 7"round SV1000/650 unit.
I think any 7" unit would be a vast improvement, but would like to keep the visual style of the Triumph scrambler intact, hence a chrome ring,and chrome, or black bucket.

Yours please...........

[Blackbird]

Are you using the standard bulb? The 5 1/2" OEM headlights on my Street Triple were shockers so I fitted Osram Nightbreakers of the same wattage and got a big improvement. I recently fitted Ring Automotive +120's (same wattage again) and got a further gain. You can do that improvement whether you fit an SV headlight or not of course. Some pics of the improvements here: http://geoffjames.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/let-there-be-light-lots-of-it-and-there.html.

[sidecar bob]

Something off a '80's BMW boxer, R80 r100.
7 inch with standard H4 bulb, chrome ring, black bucket. Sounds exactly like what you are looking for.
I have done many K's after dark behind one, they put out a great beam!
In fact, I removed one off my classic race bike this very afternoon.

[tri boy]

Thanks for the suggestions guys.
Geoff, I think the big problem with the oem unit is the reflector, and the lens, as I have tried aftermarket bulbs, but that just gives a brighter blob.

Never thought about an R80/100 unit.Thanks for that:cool:

The research shall continue.

[sidecar bob]

Thanks for the suggestions guys.
Geoff, I think the big problem with the oem unit is the reflector, and the lens, as I have tried aftermarket bulbs, but that just gives a brighter blob.

Never thought about an R80/100 unit.Thanks for that:cool:

The research shall continue.

The one I removed today is for sale.
P.M if interested.

[Motu]

I hate H4's on a motorcycle, totally stupid to have a horizontal beam in corners. The old 7'' with the 35/35 was great - a centred beam that dipped straight down...but 35W would be laughed at these days.

[tri boy]

So I finally got around to changing out fatty's headlight unit.
Bought a Xanadu 7" unit from HD cycles the other day while I was mooching around Te Rapa.
The unit received the Hella bulb that was in the original 53/4" piece of crap. (I had fitted one of those 30% brighter bulb thingies).

Result: Fricken great light.:yes:
Beam spread is good, and Hi beam is deep n wide.
$100 and Fatty is ready for the evening commute out to Te Pahu during winter.

Note. Its a Taiwanese unit, and as such hasn't got all of the guff stamped on the lens, but dips the right way, and if need be, a Hella insert will slot right in.
Running 65/55w H4.

[tri boy]

As things usually happen in a random manner,
the very model headlight I have been chasing down for the last year or so, shows up on trade me. (2004 SV650 round jobby).
Further more it was at a very good price, in excellent nick, and came with brackets and front indicators.
So it would have been rude not to buy it.:wings:
Now I have 3 headlights for fatty:facepalm:
Hopefully I'll get a chance to fit it, and compare beam spread etc.
Stay tuned................

[Woodman]

As things usually happen in a random manner,
the very model headlight I have been chasing down for the last year or so, shows up on trade me. (2004 SV650 round jobby).
Further more it was at a very good price, in excellent nick, and came with brackets and front indicators.
So it would have been rude not to buy it.:wings:
Now I have 3 headlights for fatty:facepalm:
Hopefully I'll get a chance to fit it, and compare beam spread etc.
Stay tuned................

Bastard, was looking at one of them for the klr. Nordie has one and its pretty good.

[carburator]

if you want to part with the SV650 one drop me a line at somepoint..

[AllanB]

Hornet 900 CB1300 (same light) is another for consideration.

[BMWST?]

i have got a cibie H4 fitment reflector round here somewhere.I think i had it in my cb900(and maybe z1000J

[ducatilover]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2005-2012-Triumph-Bonneville-T100-HID-Xenon-High-Low-Motorcycle-Conversion-Kit-/110621844152 would something like this be an option?

[Mooch]

Go bi Xenon HID in a E approved lens (No Wof issues) Have Hid in the car and blows away some 100 watt spotlights I used to have. Only needs 35 watts as well so easier on the electrics. Seriously considering a conversion for the Duc.

e.g http://www.futurevisionhid.com/products/headlights/h6024-projector-headlight.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFF2XoZJIBo

[clint640]

A bit of info that may be useful for those with 7" round lights, Narva now do a plastic one - part # 72000 -$104 at Repco (no bulb incl) takes an H4 bulb. The 'freeform' reflector should do a lot better than older style sealed & semi-sealed lights too. I'm currently building a 'baja race light' style light mount to replace the woeful stock item on my bike & decided that the lightness & indestructability of polycarbonate would be worth the $$$ on an Adv bike.

Cheers
Clint

[Erelyes]

Go bi Xenon HID in a E approved lens (No Wof issues) Have Hid in the car and blows away some 100 watt spotlights I used to have. Only needs 35 watts as well so easier on the electrics. Seriously considering a conversion for the Duc.

The WOF wording is a bit, let's say, vague?
http://vehicleinspection.nzta.govt.nz/virms/in-service-wof/motorcycles/lighting/headlamps

12. When switched on, a headlamp emits light that is:
e) too bright causing significant dazzle to other road users, eg due to an incorrect light source, or
f) altered, eg due to damage or modification.

Under e) one could argue that if they meant for non-OEM HIDs to be banned they've have said 'non-original' rather than 'incorrect'.
But to me it seems f) infers that the only legal HID headlamp would be an replacement OEM/aftermarket assembly designed for HID bulbs from the outset. Any headlamp designed for a standard bulb, that has an HID kit, has been 'modified' and the light is 'aletered' and hence is a fail. But a replacement headlamp is considered on its own merits!

However you can get an HID kit for pretty cheap these days (this is a 35w kit)... which is tempting. Anyone tried this?

http://jaycar.co.nz/productView.asp?ID=SL3368

Draws the same wattage as my Scorpio's headlamp! And I'm sure would be twice as bright. Bit of a gamble as to whether beam pattern would be kosher though.

One could probably switch to a standard H4 bulb for WOF time.

If a policeman ever picked it up, you would be pretty unlucky to get pink/green stickered. You might get compliance. Best case scenario is that he agrees your stock headlight is poo, the HID one is better, and have a nice day.

Personally I think that if it meets performance requirements (beam pattern being pointed at the right place, and doesn't dazzle other road users), you can have at it. Pity the WOF legs and regs appear to say otherwise.

Certainly a lot easier doing one of those kits, than trying to upgrade my bike's electrics to take a 55/60w bulb.