Lighting Upgrade

RavenstoneGSA · Post by **RavenstoneGSA** » Sun Dec 06, 2015 10:20 pm

Hi All,

Leaving an HID conversion to one side, any ideas on improving lighting output on a 2009 BMW R1200GS Adventure???

LED upgrades don't seem viable at the moment and I'm cautious about spending £30 on a light bulb that could blow in a few weeks.

Cheers,

John.

92kk k100lt 193214 · Post by **92kk k100lt 193214** » Mon Dec 07, 2015 12:22 am

I tried LED and it was a waste of money. Bad lighting.

They may improve though. But so far my efforts have been in vain.

Andi_Archer · Post by **Andi_Archer** » Mon Dec 07, 2015 12:33 am

Have you considered installing additional led units or are they over your budget?
i.e. https://www.clearwaterlights.com/products2_pp.html

picos mestizo · Post by **picos mestizo** » Mon Dec 07, 2015 12:54 am

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Super-Bright- ... SwyQtVlQDg
Superb CREE units.
Also available in other H types.
These do exactly as stated.

AustinW · Post by **AustinW** » Mon Dec 07, 2015 10:11 am

I know you said leaving hid aside, but I have an Hid set up for the GSA I want to move on. It's one of HID50's BMW GS kits and includes the mounting bracket, two bulbs, and three ballasts, and the bulb holder covers. Cheap too.

DaveCon · Post by **DaveCon** » Mon Dec 07, 2015 11:07 am

92kk k100lt 193214 wrote:I tried LED and it was a waste of money. Bad lighting.

They may improve though. But so far my efforts have been in vain.

Yep, my experience too. They didn't have any focus, just generally made things a bit brighter with a blue glow. I wanted a 'spot light' effect lighting up the way ahead so went back to normal illumination.

picos mestizo · Post by **picos mestizo** » Mon Dec 07, 2015 11:10 am

DaveCon wrote:
92kk k100lt 193214 wrote:I tried LED and it was a waste of money. Bad lighting.

They may improve though. But so far my efforts have been in vain.
Yep, my experience too. They didn't have any focus, just generally made things a bit brighter with a blue glow. I wanted a 'spot light' effect lighting up the way ahead so went back to normal illumination.

Propper CREE units solve all those problems & pass the MOT.
Most new vehicles fitted with them now.

catcitrus · Post by **catcitrus** » Mon Dec 07, 2015 11:14 am

picos mestizo wrote:http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Super-Bright- ... SwyQtVlQDg
Superb CREE units.
Also available in other H types.
These do exactly as stated.

I have similar on my Yam--H4 (with less actual LEDs--just three in total I think--more focussed)--just done the Devon bash including dunking in a stream (and its been in for ages now with numerous jet washes)--and is fine and passed its MOT with a great light.
I have junked the HIDs that came with my Tiger 1050--although they were an improvement on the stock H7 and H9--and fitted CREE LED alternatives--a great improvement --if you have just one or two LEDs in the right place exactly where the incandescent filament was--to make the reflector work as intended and focus the light. They are now standard on lots of cars.

picos mestizo · Post by **picos mestizo** » Mon Dec 07, 2015 11:46 am

catcitrus wrote:
picos mestizo wrote:http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Super-Bright- ... SwyQtVlQDg
Superb CREE units.
Also available in other H types.
These do exactly as stated.
I have similar on my Yam--H4 (with less actual LEDs--just three in total I think--more focussed)--just done the Devon bash including dunking in a stream (and its been in for ages now with numerous jet washes)--and is fine and passed its MOT with a great light.
I have junked the HIDs that came with my Tiger 1050--although they were an improvement on the stock H7 and H9--and fitted CREE LED alternatives--a great improvement --if you have just one or two LEDs in the right place exactly where the incandescent filament was--to make the reflector work as intended and focus the light. They are now standard on lots of cars.

These have only got 3 x CREE units.
Focus up & cut off very well.

Andi_Archer · Post by **Andi_Archer** » Mon Dec 07, 2015 12:32 pm

The problem in the UK is unless the light unit was specifically designed for HIDs they contravene the road traffic acts [MOT failure].Yes I know many still do fit them just look for dazzling lights coming towards you on the road as they are unfocused.Theres also the possibilty of it melting the lens/reflector through heat disipation its not designed for.