Best headlights on a bike?
Discussion
I always think this is such a critical yet overlooked of bike design. Having had cars and bikes (big bang R1) with bad headlights, there is nothing more frustrating (or potentially dangerous) than not being able to see what's in front of you at night. Of course you can do bulb upgrades or fit nasty auxiliary lights, but it will never be as good as a well designed light in the first place. My old V-Strom is completely standard, but has two lights on dipped beam with a good strong pattern that means I don't have to slow down meaningfully at night. On full beam it's even better, but obviously it's the dipped beam that matters most, as you can continually see where you're going without blinding everyone else.
What's the best standard headlight you've had on a bike?
What's the best standard headlight you've had on a bike?
The cornering lights on the Africa Twin Adventure Sport are very impressive. As you lean you get 1, 2, then 3 brightnesses/angles depending on how far you're leant over. So you can see "through" the corner.
Granted, there wasn't much else to like about the AT, but i did like those lights...
Granted, there wasn't much else to like about the AT, but i did like those lights...
PTF said:
The cornering lights on the Africa Twin Adventure Sport are very impressive. As you lean you get 1, 2, then 3 brightnesses/angles depending on how far you're leant over. So you can see "through" the corner.
Granted, there wasn't much else to like about the AT, but i did like those lights...
I'm not impressed with the H2 SX cornering lights either. I can tell they are coming on and they do a good job of lighting the verge beside me but they don't have any real range so I "outrun" them at anything over about 25mph. Granted, there wasn't much else to like about the AT, but i did like those lights...
KTMsm said:
Probably overlooked as the vast majority buy on looks / pricing and rarely ride at night
However that you think it's important will overjoy my son in law - a headlight designer !
You can let your son in law know that good headlights and twin headlights are one of the main features I look for in a bike!However that you think it's important will overjoy my son in law - a headlight designer !
KTMsm said:
Probably overlooked as the vast majority buy on looks / pricing and rarely ride at night
However that you think it's important will overjoy my son in law - a headlight designer !
It's one of those elements that will be overlooked (who does a test ride at night?) but will make a big difference to the ownership experience. However that you think it's important will overjoy my son in law - a headlight designer !
ker Lights" with mine set at 30% its fairly good on a black dark night on a Scottish B Road. Put them on 100% and it is honestly like daylight. Dont care if someone thinks I look like a dick, as that means that they saw me.The LED headlight on my R1200GS was pretty good (which made up for it being hideous), but the LED reflector unit on my 2021 R NineT (shared with the R18 I believe?) is unbelievable considering I expected it to be "form over function". Easily gives modern LED car headlights a run for their money. The adaptive cornering thing is a bit of a gimmick though, unless you especially want to be staring at the verge immediately either side of you when you're cornering in the dark for some reason.
Makes a nice change from my previous R NineT with the halogen unit which wasn't great, and the Ducati Supersport which for some inexplicable reason still used halogen bulbs on a bike which was released in 2017
Makes a nice change from my previous R NineT with the halogen unit which wasn't great, and the Ducati Supersport which for some inexplicable reason still used halogen bulbs on a bike which was released in 2017
Headlights on Harley's are all pretty much like holding a candle out infront of you they are so woeful! Aftermarket LED 'daymakers' - even the chinese clone ones costing £35 are pretty damn decent.
I was quite impressed with the MT07 headlight when I briefly owned one; was good at a lean as well.
I was quite impressed with the MT07 headlight when I briefly owned one; was good at a lean as well.
Iminquarantine said:
KTMsm said:
Probably overlooked as the vast majority buy on looks / pricing and rarely ride at night
However that you think it's important will overjoy my son in law - a headlight designer !
You can let your son in law know that good headlights and twin headlights are one of the main features I look for in a bike!However that you think it's important will overjoy my son in law - a headlight designer !
the ones on the ninja 1000sx are very good, i have been impressed with their brightness on the times i used it in the dark
contrast with the one on zzr previously owned they really were pants despite the set up
i have considered wally lights on my tiger as they are pants but its just time for fitting, the expense and splicing into the electrics, diy mechanics not my forte
contrast with the one on zzr previously owned they really were pants despite the set up
i have considered wally lights on my tiger as they are pants but its just time for fitting, the expense and splicing into the electrics, diy mechanics not my forte
It was the first thing I changed on my 2012 monster. Went for a single round led unit from visionx in the states. Highly recommended, much pricier than a generic unit but the output and spread is superb. I ride a lot out in the desert at night (have to I order to get my kicks in summer) and full beam is awesome. Also the low/high split creates an artificial horizon which is amusing for checking your bank angle 
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