High Beam/Main Beam whatever headlight - ***!!!!!!!

[tuk]

OK, so I know heaps has been written and complained about regarding the Sprint's headlight but it wasn't until I finally did a short night ride last night that I realised what you guys have been talking about.

The high beam/main beam, whatever you call it where you are, is appalling, atrocious, piss-poor, dreadful, s**t. I don't think I've ever seen a light that bad, even going back to the bikes I owned in the 70's!

I went out with a mate who also has a new 07 model and we both couldn't believe what we (weren't) seeing. It's beyond me how a manufacturer, particularly one from England where I'm sure the conditions would often demand good lighting, can make such a fundamental error. Particularly since the low beam/dipped beam lights are fine.

So, I'll now trawl my way through the forum and find out what some of you have done to address the problem but any suggestions would be welcome. I'm not sure it's as simple as replacing a globe as I was recently told that good headlights are mostly about the reflector design as, after all, the globes are basically the same.

If anyone at Triumph is reading this - I'd love an explanation.

I guess serious night riding is off the agenda.

[Beach]

Like most things you get used to it.

The idea of a pencil beam for high beam is bit of an odd for me on a motorcycle, to say the least. I would love to question the designer on that one.

The best I have come up with for adjustment (my high beam was pointing at the sky when I got the bike, maybe its for alerting nearby aircraft???) is to adjust the "spot" of the high beam so the top half only sits above the cut off of the low beam.

Of course there is the problem of people thinking youre flashing them as you go over bumps, or the slight red/blue caused by the edges of the reflectors giving the impression of police lights.

I do a lot of night riding and while I do want to add some more lights and improve things, I reckon the candle power is better than the 99 ST I had and being so bright on this bike means people notice youre there.

Brett.

[NikosR]

Fundamental design problem with the projectors. Both low (too harsh cut-off) and main (pencil) beam but mainly the latter. Things you can try (if you don't want to go the accesory lights route):

1. Re-aim low beams as far up and as wide as you possibly can without blinding other traffic.

Re-aim main beam as per previous poster's advice

2. Replace all 3 bulbs with Osram Silverstars or Phillips Vision Plus. Marginal improvement.

3. Go the HID route especially with the main beam. I expect some improvement, although the basic projector design fault will remain.

4. Try to replace main projector assembly with a larger (50mm?) one and HID. No clue if a larger projector will fit. If anybody knows I would be interested to know.

5. Limit your night riding in the twisties.

I've done 1. and 2. above and still find I have to do the 5th.

It is my MAIN gripe with this bike.

[ This message was edited by: NikosR on 2007-01-12 00:24 ]

[triumphite]

I had both models and put about 30,000 on my '01, and now have 14,000 on my '05. I must say during my commutes to work, which is in the dark one way, the new light have been awesome

compared to the old ones, I can actually see in front of me.
I'm wondering if something happened at the factory when the installed your lights, which makes the "off" somehow.

weird.

However, I did adjust the high beam down slightly. When I first got it, the beam was pointing to the top of the trees :-D


wonderful now.

I'm telling you, the old OEM lights on a 2001 Sprint could not compare to these ones.

[NikosR]

triumphite,

I respect your opinion, but I think you're in the minority here. Maybe you don't have to ride any real dark twisties in moonless nights where you live?

Anyhow, I'll be investigating the HID route for the mainbeam next, as I have sorted out, sort of (excuse the pun), the low beams by installing Silverstars and re-aiming them to semi-legal heights.



[ This message was edited by: NikosR on 2007-01-12 11:52 ]

[duckie]

How about adding motolights or something similar? I know it's not the same as adding more power to the main/high beam but you are adding more light overall...
Has this helped anyone? :???:

[smartin108]

What is telling to me is that I have riden mine at night with the high beam on and NEVER been "dipped" by oncoming vehicles.

[triumphite]

To quote NikosR

"Maybe you don't have to ride any real dark twisties in moonless nights where you live?"



Paradise

I would trade my lousy headlights, and sh*t commute for a week with your moonless twisties in Greece any day

[boreilly]

Duckie,
I wish the Motolights were the answer, but please read the thread "Bike pulls to one side under braking."

- Bruce

[duckie]

Thanks Boreilly

I see the problem! But it does look like there might be alternative mounting methods unless you have an abs sprint...