1150 headlights

[David Thorpe]

Hi
I agree the lights are not the best but before fitting extra lights will wait 'til the BMF Rally to see how others have tackled this.
In the meantime I'd like to get hold of one of these supercharged PIAA bulbs.
Can you only buy them in pairs? (for cars I presume)
If not where can I obtain a single bulb?
Or is there another suitable bulb improvement out there?

Thanks

 

[Jimb]

The wisdom is the PIAA's are not reliable, probably due to more vibration on a Bike and they are voltage sensitive.
The best option is Philips Vision plus 50 % brighter, you will see the difference, £20.00 a pair from www.powerbulbs.com.

 

[Jam]

just to comment on these hi vis bulbs.............i fitted them to my car and had problems with them blowing every 6 weeks (drive with my lights on all the time 6 weeks = 4k miles......salesman) When i complained i was told that this was the price ypu paid fro having them....................anyone else come across this?

 

[MikeO]

I had problems with straight 100w bulbs from Halfords blowing after a few days in the dipped headlamp (always on). I now run with fog lights and side lights on, and use Phillips Vision Plus, which seem to be lasting OK. I've got to say, though, that I haven't noticed any appreciable difference in the amount of usable light, no matter what bulbs are fitted.

Top tip - clean your lights - you'll be amazed at how much difference it makes, especially at this time of year....


MikeO

 

[Timolgra]

Top tip - clean your lights - you'll be amazed at how much difference it makes, especially at this time of year....


MikeO

Wow, hadn't thought of that
Tim

 

[David Thorpe]

1150GS lights

Hi

Many thanks for replies ~ very helpful and so I'll probably try the suggested alternative to PIAA.

I was actually being a twit, I now realise you do need 2 bulbs! Still thanks for info.

David T

 

[David Thorpe]

1150GS Headlights

Just fitted Philips bulbs as per advice (thanks) as opposed to PIAA.
What a job!
I am not over sized in the hand department but doing it the BMW service book way is a bugger. Theres no room to get at the holders with all but the merest fingertips and certainly no way you can see what you're doing and as for the suggestion you hold the bulb in cloth to avoid fingermarks to insert them all I can say is 'fat chance Noddy'!
Have I got this all wrong or, belatedly, was there an easier way?

On the plus side they are much brighter.

David T

 

[Roge]

Re: 1150GS Headlights

Just fitted Philips bulbs as per advice (thanks) as opposed to PIAA.
What a job!
I am not over sized in the hand department but doing it the BMW service book way is a bugger. Theres no room to get at the holders with all but the merest fingertips and certainly no way you can see what you're doing and as for the suggestion you hold the bulb in cloth to avoid fingermarks to insert them all I can say is 'fat chance Noddy'!
Have I got this all wrong or, belatedly, was there an easier way?

On the plus side they are much brighter.

David T

You are not wrong the main beam is a complete T**t to get at and the dip beam unit is not much better, I hope they never blow away from my garage. To finish the job change the position lamp for the dame bulbs its brighter and not that mucky dim light that the standard lamp glimmers with

 

[Roge]

Re: 1150GS Headlights

Just fitted Philips bulbs as per advice (thanks) as opposed to PIAA.
What a job!
I am not over sized in the hand department but doing it the BMW service book way is a bugger. Theres no room to get at the holders with all but the merest fingertips and certainly no way you can see what you're doing and as for the suggestion you hold the bulb in cloth to avoid fingermarks to insert them all I can say is 'fat chance Noddy'!
Have I got this all wrong or, belatedly, was there an easier way?

On the plus side they are much brighter.

David T

You are not wrong the main beam id a complete T**t to get at and the dip beam unit is not much better, I hope they never blow away from my garage. To finish the job change the position lamp for the dame bulbs its brighter and not that mucky dim light that the standard lamp glimmers with

 

[jenks]

I now run with fog lights and side lights on, and use Phillips Vision Plus, which seem to be lasting OK. I've got to say, though, that I haven't noticed any appreciable difference in the amount of usable light, no matter what bulbs are fitted.


Mike,

I hope you are NOT one of the growing number of car drivers that run with FOG lights on all the time, Did you realise that you are dazzerling oncoming drivers. Especially at dusk/night, when your headlights on?

And to boot, it IS illegal.

Just keep dazzerling us with your wit and superior intelligance, and keep your fog lights for what they are designed for.........driving in the fog

Andrew

 

[MikeO]

Jenks,

I ride with the fog lights on, although I acknowledge that they're illegal to use other than in fog or falling snow. They have a flat topped beam pattern which I have adjusted to match that of the dipped beam, to ensure I don't dazzle oncoming traffic. Because of the unusual configuration of the lights (further apart & lower than people would normally expect to see on a bike), I think they make the bike more visible and obvious. They also add 'width' (although I do this by myself ).
My car, pile of rust that it is, doesn't have fog lights fitted, nor would I use them if it did.
I've not been stopped for mis-use of fog lights so far, but I'm willing to take the chance, as I'm confident it enhances my safety without compromising that of others by dazzling them.....


MikeO

 

[MiGSel]

I usually ride with fog lights on too, for the same reasons Mike says. Like this:

As far as I have ever noticed, nobody seems to mind, no cagers or cops. What I do notice is that people seem to see me and not confuse the GS with a moped doing 40.


On dark roads and when there's no oncoming traffic, I use the Hella FF50 spots, for plenty of light:

If I keep these pointed low enough, it's still possible to leave them on when there's oncoming traffic. For max light, point them higher but then you have to trurn 'm off, unless you want to see cars end up in the ditch. Or worse, on your lane.

I've tried 100W bulb in my dipped beam too: pretty useless if you ask me.