I can't see shit at night

**Headbanger** · 25th October 2011, 08:55

Seriously, riding at night, Its like staring into the abyss, add a bit of rain and I can't even see the abyss (right, thats a tad fucked up....meh)

I figured the lights on the Speed Triple were just shit, so when I broke one I replaced them with a local available equivalent as suggested by fellow Kiwibikers.

I figured these would light up the way ahead just fine as I presume they are also used in cars. Whatever, I'm an ignorant fucker on many levels.

So, the bike has been bought back to life for summer, New headlights, a rego, a warrant and I sold my wagon so this is it, Back to just a bike for transport. At the testing station they made me lower the angle of the headlights as they say it was too high on dip.

So, Friday night I'm heading from Wanganui to Masterton, I'm going over the Pahitaua track, its dark, its drizzly, the cloud is low, My headlights are on, I can see a square of light about 12 feet in front of the bike, and nothing else, FUCK, Im nearly run over by a car for fucks sake, and I'm stressing about not being able to see the corners, or the road, fuck all of anything. I'm going slow enough to be a danger to others on the road, I pull over and let the car through, Their headlights light up the road like its Christmas, hell yeah, Lets boogie, But fuck, My headlights can't even light up the road between us and I fall behind.

I flick on high beam, its better, but why the fuck am I lighting up all the trees on either side of the road, I could have someone on the back shooting possums in that light, then there is a black patch on either side of the beam, and a fuckin horrible distorted pattern of light further down the road, I'm riding at 100km/h but the distance being illuminated still makes this dangerous, Have a few arse clenching moments where I can't make out the curve of the road.

Once I'm back on the main road its a bit more settled, cruising at 100k, get passed by a v8 ute with the mean set of headlights, I tuck in behind and we cruise the rest of the way at a good clip.

Fuck I enjoyed that ride, short but fucking epic.

Now, what to do about some lights that can compare with a wagon?

**MSTRS:Me** · 25th October 2011, 09:00

Sounds like more the reflector design than the bulb/s.
Can you fit accessory HI running lights?

**Headbanger** · 25th October 2011, 09:02

Originally Posted by MSTRS

Sounds like more the reflector design than the bulb/s.
Can you fit accessory HI running lights?

I have no idea what you said right there.

**MSTRS:Me** · 25th October 2011, 09:09

The headlight unit is poorly shaped/designed, so no matter how strong a bulb you fit, it won't really help. I have the same problem with my car...
HI (high intensity) accessory lights which, if fittable, will act like running lights and improve matters no end. They wire into the light circuit and remain on, regardless of high or low beam at the switch.

**Headbanger** · 25th October 2011, 09:11

Originally Posted by MSTRS

The headlight unit is poorly shaped/designed, so no matter how strong a bulb you fit, it won't really help. I have the same problem with my car...
HI (high intensity) accessory lights which, if fittable, will act like running lights and improve matters no end. They wire into the light circuit and remain on, regardless of high or low beam at the switch.

Thank you Sir,

I'm now more enlightened then I was a mere few seconds ago.

**baffa** · 25th October 2011, 09:35

This is a job for Gremlin!

(I'm only going to say that once).

**Gremlin** · 25th October 2011, 09:40

Nothing to do with your eyes?
Visor was tinted or clear? And condition? Heavily scratched?
I wouldn't trust the testing station either, last time they wanted my lights adjusted they were waaaaaaay off, and I adjusted them myself properly. Check them yourself, using a blank wall.

**nzspokes** · 25th October 2011, 09:45

Originally Posted by Gremlin

Nothing to do with your eyes?
Visor was tinted or clear? And condition? Heavily scratched?
I wouldn't trust the testing station either, last time they wanted my lights adjusted they were waaaaaaay off, and I adjusted them myself properly. Check them yourself, using a blank wall.

next time you come to SASS can you check mine. I also cant see shit.

**Headbanger** · 25th October 2011, 10:03

Originally Posted by Gremlin

Nothing to do with your eyes? Visor was tinted or clear? And condition? Heavily scratched? I wouldn't trust the testing station either, last time they wanted my lights adjusted they were waaaaaaay off, and I adjusted them myself properly. Check them yourself, using a blank wall.

Visor was open. Definitely going to have a crack at adjusting them myself.

**pritch** · 25th October 2011, 10:09

Originally Posted by Headbanger

I can see a square of light about 12 feet in front of the bike, and nothing else,

Hmmm that's about what mine are like; quite scary. Doesn't exactly encourage night rides.

**Headbanger** · 25th October 2011, 10:52

ffs, what wanker changed the thread title?

How the fuck is a person meant to have their own personality conveyed around here when this moronic conformity is forced on us? Whoever you are, You're a dick.

If my thread is somehow wrong, then delete the cunt, otherwise keep your filthy hands off it. wanker.

And evidently I can't change it back.ffs.

**Parlane** · 25th October 2011, 11:34

Go get your eyes tested. Are you finding it hard to see the writing on street signs in the day time? It's amazing how much bad focus affects lighting conditions. (Slightly offtopic rant: Riding with glasses and a neck wind breaker is terrible!)

**Headbanger** · 25th October 2011, 11:40

Yeah, Not concerned about the state of my eyes, Give me suitable lighting and I can see just fine.

Give me not enough and well...its not enough.

Denial is one of my strengths, that and diplomacy.

**bogan** · 25th October 2011, 11:45

Some headlights are just shit, time for an upgrade

**Reckless** · 25th October 2011, 12:18

Originally Posted by Headbanger

ffs, what wanker changed the thread title?

How the fuck is a person meant to have their own personality conveyed around here when this moronic conformity is forced on us? Whoever you are, You're a dick.

If my thread is somehow wrong, then delete the cunt, otherwise keep your filthy hands off it. wanker.

And evidently I can't change it back.ffs.

oh now that was pure KB gold right there LMAO!!

Thanks for the smile