Only one headlight

[Ixion]

Only one light by default, neat and you still can see at night, awesome.
Must be more than 25w then. I got flashed at last weekend too, but for other reasons, read on:

Started out with two working bulbs, went down to one and then none within 48hrs. Mutter, mutter, lost both low and high beam. All elements blown. At least they wore out at the sametime.

Bike shop won't have replacement bulbs for another day or so. I think they might have cheapo's but I'm not intereted in those. That's what just blew with less than 6 months usage.

Late last year when I put in new bulbs, biker sixth sense kicked in and I actually kept the old ones (hi-beam still worked). Kept them just encase they might come in handy as an in-between spare set. And I was right!

OBTW, nice looking bike.

Always keep a spare bulb in a plastic bag tucked behind the fairing or taped to the rear of the headlight. And a spare taillight bulb taped to the numberplate bracket. Wrap the bulbs in foam or bubblewrap. Just the same sort of provisioning as keeping spare clutch and throttle cables taped in parallel (Seal the ends with grease and the end of a condom)

[Ixion]

I can see the point of it, but commuting after dark last year I noticed something that made me believe it's best to have two headlights:
If its real dark and there is a fair bit of traffic coming towards you a single-headlight-bike can appear to be one of the headlights of the car behind it (in the right situation). It's a known fact that the brain 'interprets' what it sees. It makes a descision on what it is looking at, and then that is what you will "see" until the brain decides otherwise. Several times last winter I noticed that the car coming towards me started to look odd, with one headlight appearing higher than the other. Then the old grey matter went "CLUNK!" and realised there was a bike infront of the car and showed it as such. The scary part is that with me being tired, the brain continued to believe in the illusion until the bike headlight was well out of line with the car headlight.

Of course, twin head lights can also look like a car in the distance...

This is completely correct. It is for this reason that I ahve fitted two extra position lights (parking lights) to the BMW , replacing the original. You are allowed two. They are beneath the headlamp and well apart and as bright as possible. So it appears as three lights, triangulated. I have had comments about it looking "odd" and distinctive, which is what I want. People see it and identify it as "something different" . Otherwsie as you say the single light "merges" with traffic behind it .

[James Deuce]

I don't mind the comments from the general public, it's the smart comments from riding partners who should know better.

You guys remember this?

http://www.highbimmin.com/olddesign/Ultimate.htm

[Zapf]

I can see the point of it, but commuting after dark last year I noticed something that made me believe it's best to have two headlights:
If its real dark and there is a fair bit of traffic coming towards you a single-headlight-bike can appear to be one of the headlights of the car behind it (in the right situation). It's a known fact that the brain 'interprets' what it sees. It makes a descision on what it is looking at, and then that is what you will "see" until the brain decides otherwise. Several times last winter I noticed that the car coming towards me started to look odd, with one headlight appearing higher than the other. Then the old grey matter went "CLUNK!" and realised there was a bike infront of the car and showed it as such. The scary part is that with me being tired, the brain continued to believe in the illusion until the bike headlight was well out of line with the car headlight.

Of course, twin head lights can also look like a car in the distance...

thats why I get different colour head light bulbs... hopefully the colour will make the drivers click that it is not from the car behind and its something else.

[Waylander]

Ya do know that some go their entire biking lifes with only one headlight.

[erik]

Yes I know its normal, but my question is for other people with the same problem. On dipped I only have one light going, Im already noticing people waving and flashing their lights at me.
(a) Im a incredible rider and they are showing their appreciation for my skill.
(b) They think Im nut and are gently pointing that out.
(c) Im going that slow they think I haven fallen asleep.
(d) They love Kawasaki 636's (who doesnt)
(e) The are kindly pointing out that one of my headlights isnt going.

Do I bother doing a wiring mod to eliminate the problem?
Or just wave back at people.

Just wave back

I reckon if it makes people look twice, it's a good thing. Maybe it'll help people notice you more.

[JohnBoy]

i just think its a trap for the ignorant!!!
i have the same set up on my Zed and i like it. it helps me identify morons before i speak to them, just like the time when i had an old 600ss and some idiot boy racer said to his mate "check that out man!! that bikes lowered on king springs!" just beacuse the coil on the rear shock was yellow!!

keep it, looks good in my books