Need more road illumination...Recommendations?

[jabster]

I have come to the realization that the Valk headlight is not nearly enough for night riding.

I was driving to Detroit the other day (well...night), and a crotch rocket passed me. His headlight lit up all three lanes. It was so much light I thought a car was passing me, and was shocked to see it was a motorcycle.

So...any recommendations? Fork mounted on either side of the main head lamp? Crash bar mounted? Entire head light replacement?

Or something as simple as a new, better bulb?

What do you folks use to really light up the road when you're in the middle of nowhere?

Thanks,
John

[westsidevalk]

I recent bought a PIAA 005 kit 74228 designed for the Valkyrie on Ebay for around $200 bucks. These mount on the forks and create a triangle of light. PIAA discontinued the Valk specific kit, but probably the Multi fit kits will work with modification.
I think the 005 looks real sharp and compliments the Bike, the housing is all chrome and the lights are 35w each
I heard the 1100x is brighter,etc, but I dont think they look  anywhere near as nice as the 005.

Probably if you just want more light you can go to Walmart and mount their lights on your crashbar with kury clamps.

Here is a link for some Valk specific kits.

http://www.spoiledbiker.com/74228.html#200
This same seller lists them on Ebay for considerably less, you might ask if he will  be listing  the 74228


Probably these lights are more for being seen at 35 watts. the 1100x at 70watts does a better job of lighting up the road.

[dubsider]

I have these:
http://www.amazon.com/automotive/dp/B000WJJBQI

they will burn a hole in the night.

[wiggydotcom]

This topic will be similar to tires or oil. There will be lots of opinions. Many run Silvania SilverStar. I've run them and they're plenty bright, but I could never get them to last in my Interstate. I currently run PIAA 15224 H4 Style Xtreme White 12V 60/55=110/100-Watt Bulb - Twin Pack and have had them in for 2 and a half yrs.  53 bucks buys a pair..

[Former BMW Guy]

I recently installed this: PIAA 15214 H4 Xtreme White Plus Bulb

Seems to do a good job.

JP

[The emperor has no clothes]

You can get a brighter bulb @ napa. I think they are 100/90 watt for offroad riding. It`s in the shoptalk section. They made alot of difference for me and it`s cheap. But you can only ride offroad now!

[PhredValk]

I have an IS and went from the stock 45/45 watt H4s to 60/60 watt. Huge difference in foreward lighting. I have the PIAA multi-fit setup, but haven't installed it yet.
Fred.

[Jess from VA]

You don't say, but it sounds like you have a headlight bucket and not a fairing.

Interstates can run 80/100 or 90/100 H4 offroad bulbs in the well vented fairing with no mods, but you cannot in a std/tourer bucket without upgrading the wiring/bulb sockets.

The best lights I've ever seen for night riding are the PIAA 1100X 50 watt, but rated at 70 watt.  They are brighter than my interstate brights when I ran 55/60 H4 bulbs.  There is no specific kit for Valkyrie, but they are small and can go many places.... mine are mounted to my fork wings below the fairing.  The PIAA 005s are all metal chrome and look better for sure, but the plastic 1100Xs are brighter and cheaper.





http://www.amazon.com/PIAA-74224-1100X-Multi-Lamp/dp/B000J464PM/ref=sr_1_8/189-8534868-4742909?ie=UTF8&qid=1372132939&sr=8-8&keywords=piaa+1100x

[The Anvil]

Spread and pattern are a property of the reflector, not the lamp. So upping the lamp wattage will only make it brighter. You may gain some distance but side-to-side coverage will be pretty much the same. You'll need auxiliary lights to get a broader pattern of light (or better penetration and distance if that's what you need).

Remember, lens technology was different back when these dinosaurs were originally built. These new bikes now have two or even three high intensity lamps and I think the latest BMW is coming with HID's. They're a world apart.

[MarkT]

I upgraded Deerslayer's headlight bucket wiring with relays - it only takes a couple hours and costs little - around $20 for 2 relays and  heavier wire and a fuse holder.  Also a good idea to replace the bulb socket but I ran the stock one for years before I had to replace it.  That's running a 130/90 bulb from competition accessories.  That's probably the most bang for the buck in getting a HUGE increase in light, not just a little bit.  Bonus, that will take the load off the starter switch since the standard & tourer run the full headlight power through the switch - no relay from the factory.
http://www.horseapple.com/Valkyrie/Tech_Tips/Headlight_Upgrade/headlight_upgrade.html

I've been running this 130/90 bulb since 1998 and have not hurt the lens or the reflector - so no, the big bulb won't melt or fog them.  

As for me, I like to tinker then write tech articles, so I also have two 55 watt small spots on my crash bars for visibility (triangle of light), and also added spots on the fork - which I changed to aircraft landing lights when I came across a supply of them.  Now my bike lights up the road like daytime for a measured half mile.  But just the headlight wiring mod above with 130/90 bulb from Compacc will give you all the light you need.  I think for visibility you should have additional spots anyway to make a bigger profile from the front.  http://www.compacc.com/p/Kuryakyn-Replacement-Headlight-Bulbs

[shortleg]

  Here you go
http://bogiesreviews.webs.com/Review%20-%20Phase%207%20LED%20Headlights%20&%20Passing%20Lamps.pdf
  shortleg[Dave]

[BF]

I'm a firm believer that you can't have too many lights on your ride.  











Specifically, my setup is this light bar.....

http://www.bigbikeparts.com/Inventory/Navision/55-312?catalogNo=

with these driving lights mounting on that light bar.....

http://cobrausa.com/access_detail.php?model_id=156&make_id=2&category_id=15&product_id=2531&model=VT1300CX%20Fury&product_type=Motorcycle%20Accessories&product_name=Spotlight%20Assembly%20w/Visor

with these mini driving lights mounted on the upper part of the crash bar.....

http://www.bigbikeparts.com/Inventory/Navision/16-104A?catalogNo=1

I ride/commute a lot at night.....and with the four driving lights I've added, I've got way more than plenty of light to brighten up the night.  They cast a wide and bright path and I very highly recommend them.  

However, the headlght I've got isn't that great.  The headlight is an Adjure 7" Iron Cross headlight.  

It mounts in the OEM headlight bucket.....but it's not a very easy modification.  I don't recommend it for lighting....it's NOT any brighter than the OEM headlight.....and maybe even not as bright, but it looks sorta cool.  

http://www.adjureinc.com/t7adircrmohe.html

The driving lights more than make up the difference of the Adjure.  I wouldn't do the Adjure again.  

[john]

       
"  I have come to the realization that the Valk headlight is not nearly enough for night riding."           
                 an understatement         
                     silverstar is a huge improvement ...          
         auxiliary lighting is the answer            
        two  55 watt halogen bulbs          
         and on coming traffic will flash their lights at  you
                      your choices are many ....          ???          
                light bars are three hundred bucks ...  a classic look
      mount auxiliary lighting to your engine guard  ... it's an option    

[fordmano]

I'm a firm believer that you can't have too many lights on your ride.   

Can't agree more!

[salty1]

These have worked very well for me. But probably not as bright as those with multiple lightning systems. Be sure and aim the light source correctly for maximum effectiveness.
 
http://www.phatperformanceparts.com/Show_Chrome_Accessories_3_1_2_Inch_Halogen_Spot_Li_p/16-35a.htm

[jabster]

Thanks for the replies.

After a bit of research, I've decided to start by just replacing my bulb with a Silvania XV. The silverstars, per the packaging anyways, seemed to be brighter, but at a significant loss of lifetime.

I discovered, for one thing, that halogens don't just burn out, but get dimmer as they age. And I'm still running my original bulb. From 1998.

I also found a little pair of lights in my garage that I bought probably 15 years ago and just never got around to installing. I think they were on clearance somewhere so I just grabbed them on an impulse buy. Küryakyn. For Harley, but figured I'd find some way to mount them. And promptly set about never getting around to it. :-)

-john

[Bone]

Changed headlight bulb in my 98 Tourer when I bought it in "05". 
Point it at a garage or house wall before and after the change you will be pleasantly surprised.
The bulb output goes away more than you realize it's so gradual.

[Jess from VA]

For those following the thread, the same is true for our 1156/7 signal bulbs as well. Plus there are bulbs that have better output.

[Trynt]

I upgraded Deerslayer's headlight bucket wiring with relays - it only takes a couple hours and costs little - around $20 for 2 relays and  heavier wire and a fuse holder.  Also a good idea to replace the bulb socket but I ran the stock one for years before I had to replace it.  That's running a 130/90 bulb from competition accessories.  That's probably the most bang for the buck in getting a HUGE increase in light, not just a little bit.  Bonus, that will take the load off the starter switch since the standard & tourer run the full headlight power through the switch - no relay from the factory.
http://www.horseapple.com/Valkyrie/Tech_Tips/Headlight_Upgrade/headlight_upgrade.html

I've been running this 130/90 bulb since 1998 and have not hurt the lens or the reflector - so no, the big bulb won't melt or fog them.  

As for me, I like to tinker then write tech articles, so I also have two 55 watt small spots on my crash bars for visibility (triangle of light), and also added spots on the fork - which I changed to aircraft landing lights when I came across a supply of them.  Now my bike lights up the road like daytime for a measured half mile.  But just the headlight wiring mod above with 130/90 bulb from Compacc will give you all the light you need.  I think for visibility you should have additional spots anyway to make a bigger profile from the front.  http://www.compacc.com/p/Kuryakyn-Replacement-Headlight-Bulbs

+1 This really works!!  I had previously installed a set of PIAA lights and they helped but not nearly as much as MarkT's mod.

[ricoman]

This topic will be similar to tires or oil. There will be lots of opinions. Many run Silvania SilverStar. I've run them and they're plenty bright, but I could never get them to last in my Interstate. I currently run PIAA 15224 H4 Style Xtreme White 12V 60/55=110/100-Watt Bulb - Twin Pack and have had them in for 2 and a half yrs.  53 bucks buys a pair..

Silvertar come in a couple different types.
I have used what used to be the mid-range (now the plain SilverStar) for several years with excellent results, noticably brighter than the stock bulb.
The SilverStar Ultra is the brightest but has a shorter life.
I cannot remember ever having a headlight bulb burn out.

[Rio Wil]

These have worked very well for me. But probably not as bright as those with multiple lightning systems. Be sure and aim the light source correctly for maximum effectiveness.
 
http://www.phatperformanceparts.com/Show_Chrome_Accessories_3_1_2_Inch_Halogen_Spot_Li_p/16-35a.htm

Dang!!!....how do you keep it so flipp'in shiney! No little chip/pock marks anywhere, the foot pegs have no hint of grunge.....I'm envious

I have a I/S and tried upgrading my head lights form the obvious reasons and went to 100/80 bulbs on the first attempt.  Boy, was that an experience, the reflective road/freeway signs looked like flashbulbs going off as you passed them. Next dropped down to 60/55 watts and that worked real well....still a bit of flash on the signs, but a definite improvement over the stock 45/45 bulbs.  The lights now are as good or better than my F150 at night.

[jabster]

While I didn't take any pics, the new bulb is definitely a massive improvement.

-john

[fudgie]

Altho pricey moto lights or moto something makes good lights. They mount on the lower forks. I may get a set in Sturgis this yr if they are there.
I make it a habbit not to ride after dark on a trip unless I have to. Around home its not to bad.