Riding the Sprint at night...

[Blue Steel]

I am buying a new Sprint. Coming over from a Tiger. I am a commuter and I ride everyday. Rain or shine, I ride in the dark every morning all the way to work. I have been hearing rumblings about the headlights on the Sprint not being up to the task. Is that true with the 07's?

My Tigers headlights were great. I hope that this is not going to be an issue.


I loved the Tiger, But it was just too tall. I rode a Sprint a few months back, good Lord it fit me like a glove! I havent slept since. I have been laying awake at night trying to figure out how to convince the wife that I need to trade in my 06 Tiger for a newbike

If the lights are going to be an issue I would like to address it (as inexpensively as possible) before I even pick the bike up.

[ElTigre1]

I haven't ridden the latest edition Sprint at night, but my '02 had p***-poor headlights, even though both lights worked on low and high beam. My night vision isn't very good and bad headlights would be a deal-killer for me. I'm sure somebody has posted a cure on this forum, though.

[congo_181]

Hi Phantom - Ive just changed from an 06 Tiger to an 07 Sprint - just fancied a change

The headlamps are not the best I dont think, and Ive changed my mains (the outer 2) for Philips XP which I picked up off eBay.

They are certainly brighter (Philips say 80% so), and as soon as Ive ridden at night I'll give you a comparison with the Tiger.

Incidentally, had you done the Tiger twin headlamp relay conversion so I know what your comparing with.

[Blue Steel]

Thanks, I really want to have the bike set up when I pick it up. All info would be great.

[NotSoFast]

Hi Blackphantom-There are many threads about headlights here. Most, including mine point to HID conversion for the high beam. It will transform the bike for night riding. The stock projectors are part of the problem, but unless you are willing to change them our to something different the HID conversion does wonders. I converted mine to run a D2S bulb about 6 mos ago and the difference is amazing.

Make sure you get a quality ballast, OEM auto or Japanese is what I gathered from my research. Do not but the cheap Chinese kits that many people sell. Mine is mounted below the headlights in the hollow above the front wheel.

[congo_181]

BlackPhantom...

Having now ridden my Sprint in the dark, I can confirm that with the Philips XP bulbs fitted, the 07s headlights are much brighter than my '06 Tigers were.

Hope this is what you wanted to hear.

PS, I shall now be changing the centre lamp as soon as I have a small child to send up into the fairing again.

[whoosh]

perhaps I'm being a bit dim, but I can't see "philips XP" bulbs on Fleabay ?

[congo_181]

Sorry - 'XP' is whats stamped on the lamp base.

The lamps full title is:

Philips X-treme Power H7 12v 55W (Racing performance)

I bought mine from http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/highintensitydischarge

I paid £25 for a pair (+£1.50 P+P) which was about the cheapest I could find.

Hope that helps...

PS - does the 'Racing Performance' bit mean you go faster too???

[whoosh]

Cheers

PS the only things that make your bike "go faster" are:-
washing it
polishing it
fitting an "accessory" (even if it makes it heavier)
putting a sticker on it
new tyres
topping up the oil
filling the Scottoiler
checking the tyre pressures
new gloves/jacket/helmet/boots/trousers/socks etc
new tax disk or holder

[Blue Steel]

Whoosh! That last bit was too funny!


Worst part is we all know it's true!