Triumphrat

jaak · 10-07-2006, 04:18 PM

The days are getting shorter and the chronic problem of almost any motorcycle becomes very apparent on the Tiger - poor lights!

I searched through most of the past threads on lighing upgrades. Xenon, HID, other expensive stuff...

Has anyone tried a 55W/100W bulb?
http://www.autobarn.net/hellah4.html $7.99 a pop!

I normally use high beams daytime to be more visible. Naturally, this has to stop with 2x100W. I figure I adjust the lights a touch higher, w/o becoming blinding. I'll be legal&visible daytime w/lows and light up the night w/ highs on those empty backroads.
I'd upgrade the fuses to 20A (even though thoretically stock 15A should do, a bulb always draws higher than nominal at the moment of being switched on - that could blow the 15A).

The two concerns I have are wire melting from increased current and the bulb heat damaging the caseing / wires.
I strongly doubt that the wireing is calculated w/o a hefty reserve, thus I don't worry too much about that.

The bulb HEAT... I'm trying to convince myself that since I'll only be using the 2x100W highs nighttime and out of town, the airflow will be sufficient to cool it. I've been stuck in traffic jams for up to 1 hr, barely moving, high beams on. The 2x60W doesn't melt/burn a thing. If I'm moving at min 30 mph nightime, would 2x100W burn the caseing/wires?

I have almost convinced myself to try it, but..

Has anyone done it before? Problems / successes?

Thanks guys!

jaak · 10-07-2006, 05:16 PM

OK, right after posting it I did some further reasearch and found this
http://www.webbikeworld.com/t2/headl...ight-relay.htm
There are potential hazards to wireing associated, just need to cough up some extra cash for the relays... Then again, I found confirmation that my logic about sufficient cooling when moving holds water.

Still - anyone has practiacal experience w/ high wattage bulbs on Tiger?

KuzzinKenny · 10-07-2006, 07:50 PM

hi jaak !! sorry couldn`t resist that !! :razz: anyway, 100w bulbs in a small headlight will get very hot. as for the fuse, 100w divided by 12v = nearly 9amps !! and you are going to have 2 bulbs on. i did think of this 100w option but went for the Zenon 50% brighter bulbs for the standard wattage.

just my thoughts !!

KK

Anthouse · 10-07-2006, 09:11 PM

I may be stepping in something here but it probably better to NOT run high beams during the day. High beams not only annoy other drivers, even in the day, but can mask your oncoming distance and speed. I use my high beam blipper to call attention to myself when I need to but run with my lows on.
A set of driving lights can be much more effective for both night driving and day time visibility although, as you already know, the good ones are rather pricy. An inexpensive pair of 35 watt halogen side lights can help illuminate the road quite a bit and give you a triangular front profile. There must be some other modestly priced solutions.
Overheated electrics may not fail right away but they tend to wear out faster and then just when you are in the middle of somehing...

jaak · 10-07-2006, 09:38 PM

KK, I looked into the many xenon/krypton/whatever options they have out there. A lot of them are obvious scams (just blue tinted halogens). Did you actually notice a 50% added brightness? If yes, please let me know which brand you are using, also, how much lifetime have you gotten out of them.

About amps - there are two 15A fuses for headlights (#1 and 9). I havent looked into the book to figure out whether they are one per headlight, or one lows / other highs. If the latter, then yes, I'd be drawing 200W/12V =~ 17 A, risking blowing a 20A fuse with the switch-on-draw.

Do you know what current are the stock relays rated for?

High beams daytime - it's the Motorcycle Safety Foundation course recommendation. I've heard a lot reasons NOT to do it on this forum. So no more,starting tomorrow!

thanks!

[ This message was edited by: jaak on 2006-10-07 19:44 ]

Tigerfeet · 10-08-2006, 05:14 AM

Hi.

I fitted 100w55w bulbs to my Tiger, they are an improvement over the stock bulbs but I still yearn for more light output for night time riding.

I hav'nt uprated the fuses and not experienced any problems with blown fuses or with overheating.

Philips Motovision bulbs were fitted by me to my Rocket 3, Again these Improve the light output, more importantly they get you noticed more by myopic motorists because of the unique colouring of the bulbs.

But I still seem to think that the light output could be a lot better in both cases.

TF.
All bulbs were supplied by:

Â*http://www.triumphtiger-online.co.uk/</p>

JRO · 10-08-2006, 08:48 AM

I found that properly adjusting the Tiger's headlights (factory settings are useless), gives one plenty of light. I end up doing a lot of night riding, there are deer all over my local roads, and I HATE not being able to see well. I have a set of PIAA's in my garage, but I have yet to mount the things. Reason being - I find the Tiger's lights do rather well. Try adjusting those beams higher, and give them a wider spread. I think you'll be surprised.

10-08-2006, 09:33 AM

I work nights and commute in the darkness. I too had difficulty seeing with the stock lights. I just installed a set of PIA 1100X. I used the side marker placement on the forks. They are low, but they throw out great lighting. Basically doubles the amount of light. I mounted the switch on the instrument console in place of the heated grip switch. ( I do not have heated grips as of yet) This arrangement is working for me. :???:

tyrebyter · 10-08-2006, 02:25 PM

JRO,
I've tried adjusting the stock lamps to best utilize their pattern with little success. Heck, I can't even figure out what their pattern is. Considered those spiffy add-on lamps on the forks and then had to ask myself if there could possibly be a worse place for them, adding unsprung weight and providing no road shock isolation for the bulbs. I'm leary of going higher wattage on the bulbs since the charging system is marginal anyway. I've had to face up to the reality; I've got CSS (can't see $h1t). This getting old thing bites. Looks like I'll just have to adjust my speed to match visibility.

nehpetsthegrey · 10-08-2006, 03:43 PM

I too have tried the 100W headlight bulbs (both on at once) and found them lacking. I think the problem is that the optics of the headlight are overpowered by these and all you get is increased scatter. The units are designed for std wattage bulbs and cant handle the uprated stuff. I have found that the phillips bluer colour bulbs are as good as any. Next step is to fit auxilliary units. :hammer: