[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 ]

 

[AaronB]

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.

 

[AaronB]

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...

 

[BlackBeauty]

Duckie - even ABS Sprints can use the Motolights mounts that bolt to the front fender/mudguard bolt. There arealso specific kits to do the same with PIAA 1100XX lights.

I do ride at night but on very familiar and partially lit roads. Low beam is fine and much better than my 2000 Sprint - I do agree that even with adjusting the high beam is not of much use.

Take care - BB

 

[cm08]

I recently readjusted my lights and have a noticeable improvement. The low beam was aiming a good 20 degrees down originally.

Used general instructions that you can find on internet by searching "adjust motorcyle headlights", or follow this link.

adjust headlights

I used a different scaling, which allowed me to do adjustments in a confined dark area.

after checking motorcycle headlight height and marking horizontal line on wall, draw another line 26 mm below. Move motorcyle back 3 metres. Align low beams as per normal instructions and using lower line. This should give you about a 1/2 degree drop on the low beam.

I modified lights so I can now turn on both lights to hi and low beams which was it was not originally like, and set them so that they light as much of the road to the sides without taking away too much light from directly in front. This is a little subjective and required multiple night time drives and readjusts. To preserve the battery, I have added an extra switch to turn off the second light during the day.

If you think the lights are bad on the sprint, they are spotlights compared to my friends 916 ducati. Even though lights are now better, I must admit that my night vision isn't what it used to be, and it may also account in my case for some of the "light" problem. It's clear that I just have to slow down at night, and it is much worse at night in the rain. Judging from the average age thread of sprint drivers .........???????

CM

 

[gsbeamer]

Tuk.....Its Sean from Nana Glen.......Tankman has some answers on how to fix the lights....rgds gsbeamer
On 2007-01-11 16:45, tuk wrote:
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.
[/quote]

 

[tuk]

Hey Sean thanks for that and thanks to CM and others.

I spent last night working on the adjustments including removing the screen to get at the vertical main beam adjustment.

After a half dozen rides up and down the road for some minor adjustments, it does seem to make a difference but I'll need a longer ride to determine just how worthwhile the changes have been.

Still not what you'd call great but better.

Cheers,

 

[i_wolf]

I had/have the same problem. I adjusted mind as well as possible. Replaced the bulbs for silverstar osram H7's. Still ... due to the bad design decision of the light arrangement (a case of form taking over functionality) they are brutal at night still.
I am toying with a HID system... btu that would be very pricey... never mind the fact I am not sure the electrics would take it nor the light housing...

 

[Ironshoe]

I also was dissappointed with factory lighting on my 03 DAytona 955i so I tossed in Candlepower 55/100watt in each pot even though dealer rep said it would cook my lense.Ithen rode for 15 min. checked lense for bad side effects and found none.Checked wiring loom from connector to connector no over heated wires,1558 miles later all is well&theres no comparison for this cheap upgrade...Can you say TRACTOR BEAM!Now I can see safely at 100mph at night even in rainy weather

 

[frider]

I'm using the NightBreaker bulbs, in the RS lights seem good, main or dip

 

[PugCrank]

In stock form, I have only ridden one bike as of late that lights the road completely and throughly. The New BMW GT 1600 adaptive headlight system. Of course we don't have that on our Triumphs, but it would be nice if there was an aftermarket version we could use.

 

[Lugan]

Here's another idea, LED auxiliary lights, on the forks. Google them and check forums for off-road / adventure bikes for info. ADV...

One of my riding pals has 2 sets on his FJR. Very low wattage and amazing light output. Two weeks ago we rode through the Dragon / US 129 / Deals Gap and the night time riding back to our lodge was made much much safer with him in the lead lighting up the way.

One advantage of mounting them on the forks is they move in the direction of the forks vs the direction of your fairing (a step behind).

Simple, relatively inexpensive, and effective.

A couple sites I found online to give you an idea (can't vouch for them as I haven't bought from either.. do your own due diligence):

http://stores.intuitwebsites.com/hstrial-QualiRegResou/-strse-LED-Lights/Categories.bok

http://24x7diy.com/product_info.php/cPath/33/products_id/63

 

[KitNYC]

One advantage of mounting them on the forks is they move in the direction of the forks vs the direction of your fairing (a step behind).

If you don't think about it too hard it seems like that would be correct, but it isn't. Fork mounted lights will point the wrong way in a corner at speeds above about 5MPH due to counter-steering. That's why the complicated and expensive new BMW system is such big news, and also why every bike made doesn't already come with fork-mounted lights.

Cheers,
-Kit