Replacing High Beam/Main Bulb - '07 ST

[Simmo]

Hi folks. Some years ago I changed my high beam. Freaked out initially abt removing the cockpit. But rolled up the sleeves and started the job. From memory the biggest pita was taking the mirrors off. The rest of it was plain sailing, quite easy really. And it didn't take all that long. Easier than groping around blind.
Cheers, Simmo

[MrMessy]

Unhelpful post follows :
All the above is why my high beam is still a stock globe lol...
The day i have to go in there to replace it because it is BLOWN or i have something else to do under all that lot, THEN ill replace it lol.
Sounds like too damn much work otherwise!

Meantime my D2D's on high beam are usually a treat - though i dont even have them on the bike right now .

[Rider14]

Originally Posted by MrMessy

Unhelpful post follows :
All the above is why my high beam is still a stock globe lol...
The day i have to go in there to replace it because it is BLOWN or i have something else to do under all that lot, THEN ill replace it lol.
Sounds like too damn much work otherwise!

Meantime my D2D's on high beam are usually a treat - though i dont even have them on the bike right now .

My thoughts are that I should change it to HID for better night riding - my only complaint about this bike. But I haven't done it. Maybe I will when the high beam bulb dies, but when will that be?

-Dan

[JPTL]

Originally Posted by Rider14

My thoughts are that I should change it to HID for better night riding - my only complaint about this bike. But I haven't done it. Maybe I will when the high beam bulb dies, but when will that be?

-Dan

Before you consider going to HID for your high beam, you might want to re-read Bruce C's comment in post #10 where he talks about the 're-strike' period for an HID fixture. This is why I went with a high performance, non-HID 'Xtreme' bulb for the high beam.
I really like HID's in the two dipped lights, however.

[Rider14]

Originally Posted by JPTL

Before you consider going to HID for your high beam, you might want to re-read Bruce C's comment in post #10 where he talks about the 're-strike' period for an HID fixture. This is why I went with a high performance, non-HID 'Xtreme' bulb for the high beam.
I really like HID's in the two dipped lights, however.

HID's make such a difference on my regular lights that I would think the high beam would be better for night riding, as I can't see anything ahead when leaned in the dark.

Strike time is no worry - I don't flash people with the highbeam. At worst, I'd turn it off until the random car passed, then turn it back on. The projector cut offs are my worry - they will impair the scope of the light, HID or not, and I still can't see around turns AT ALL in the dark.

-Dan

[JPTL]

I see what you're saying about using the high beam as supplemental light when on a windy road without a steady flow of oncoming traffic. If that's most of the night riding that you do, strike time wouldn't be a concern, since your high beam will be on most of the time.
I agree with the cut-off point with our dipped beams being extreme, however without some degree of cut-off, an HID's beam wouldn't be contained enough to not blind oncoming cars.
I admit I haven't had a chance to try out the new Xtreme bulb in my high beam as of yet. I'm curious to see how much of an improvement it will be over the stock halogen.

[Rider14]

Let us know how it does! I'm always looking for an inexpensive upgrade to the bike!

-Dan

[Simmo]

My extreme bulb wasn't much improvement over stock, I doubt worth it. Care with aiming gives acceptable result but I reckon hid for high beam will be a good move.
Simmo

[MrMessy]

You need to look at a set of aftermarket lights if you want to flood the area some.
Like i say i have twisted throttles D2D lights and they are just fab. I have one set on spot and one set on diffuse, though it would work better if both were set the same it has to be said, my riding varies enough to call for both.

The projectors simply cant be set for flood lighting because under normal riding any oncoming car would be dazzled, and in most countries thats illegal. The D2D's are convenient with wiring for both high and low beam modes, and their own separate hard switch.
Cost a bit of money though (~US$300 i think), thats the only downside. Maybe a group buy would drop them some. I really cant rate them highly enough, but the sprint really needs a custom bracket made up to fit them (bit of DIY skills sees to it easily enough).

[Rider14]

Originally Posted by MrMessy

You need to look at a set of aftermarket lights if you want to flood the area some.
Like i say i have twisted throttles D2D lights and they are just fab. I have one set on spot and one set on diffuse, though it would work better if both were set the same it has to be said, my riding varies enough to call for both.

The projectors simply cant be set for flood lighting because under normal riding any oncoming car would be dazzled, and in most countries thats illegal. The D2D's are convenient with wiring for both high and low beam modes, and their own separate hard switch.
Cost a bit of money though (~US$300 i think), thats the only downside. Maybe a group buy would drop them some. I really cant rate them highly enough, but the sprint really needs a custom bracket made up to fit them (bit of DIY skills sees to it easily enough).

Can you show us some pics? And does it really help see down the road when leaned over in a turn?

I bought some auxiliary lights, just havent wired them up yet. Plan to mount on the forward most fairing bolt.