Is it me or are the headlights not good?

[Adam800GS]

Spent weeks looking and deciding Triumph, KTM or BMW. Finally decided on the latter, found a year old 800gs and here I am! After a 30 year break in motorcycling the whole first ride was a little daunting, but slowly it's all coming back! I love this bike, but on a few night rides 8 haven't been that impressed with the lights. I've been flashed a few times, so aware a bit of adjustment is required (simple enough). My question is are the lights not that great anyway? Are there upgrades that might help or is it purely because the adjustment is out? I'd be grateful for any input please.

 

[Bryn]

Welcome to the site Adam

Have a look in the 800 GS section, or ask the question again in there ....I'm sure you'll get some input

 

[Bounce]

Greetings & welcome to the forum.....

The OEM lights on my GS were useless, so I upgraded to a set of HiD's from Les Wassall......and they're magnifique....

http://www.hid50.com/

Or contact Les Wassall via a PM; or as Bryn says, do a search in the 800 section or post there & ask for feedback....

 

[Nutty]

BMW set the lights up low at the factory on all of their bikes, so try adjusting the height, before spending any money, and see what difference that makes.

 

[Giles]

BMW set the lights up low at the factory on all of their bikes, so try adjusting the height, before spending any money, and see what difference that makes.

Well as he's been flashed a few times already I'd guess his lights are too high.

I thought you were supposed to be intelligent ....

(Hello Adam .... )

 

[Nutty]

Well as he's been flashed a few times already I'd guess his lights are too high.

I thought you were supposed to be intelligent ....

(Hello Adam .... )

He didn't say if he's being flashed as they are too bright, or if they don't think his lights are on properly, smart arse!

 

[MikeO]

He didn't say if he's being flashed as they are too bright, or if they don't think his lights are on properly, smart arse!

Like that's ever happened in the history of headlights...

 

[Giles]

KTM lights are very good .....


(Just sayin' like ... )

 

[Nutty]

KTM lights are very good .....


(Just sayin' like ... )

Full LED?

 

[Adam800GS]

Thanks for the replies, think I'll upgrade!

 

[Count Pikey]

Don't go out at night.

 

[Kneeslider916]

Don't go out at night.

 

[steve hughes]

Plus 1 for Les at HID.com. Don't know why I didn't upgrade years ago. The main beam conversion he did for me floods the road with white light and no flashers from oncoming cars.

Steve

 

[v8legend]

I had dip beam go a couple of years back. Upgraded to Osram Nightrider (I think!). Made a big difference. Big enough for me not to bother with HID's. I'm sure the HID's are better, but I'm not going to melt the already fragile reflector. Ride magazine did a test a while back, I think the Osram came out top. Halford, and others, are often doing deals on pairs of bulbs. I think GSF or Euro Car Spares have got a deal on at the moment.

 

[Dean]

Plus 1 for Les at HID.com. Don't know why I didn't upgrade years ago. The main beam conversion he did for me floods the road with white light and no flashers from oncoming cars.

Steve

Hello & welcome Adam800GS

I to prefer the bright star to the dim candle

HID from Les Wassal for me too with hella micro DE cloud lights (on the light bar)

The superior upgrade is also fitted to ktm, triumph, etc - just saying http://www.hid50.com/index.html

 

[ferrol]

Welcome,

Nip to your local bike garage and get them to check alignment.

After thats done if you still want a better, brighter, safer lights, go see Les. HIDs make a huge difference when filtering for me, and they stand out a lot.

1. They pass through MOT's just fine.
2. I can ride in France quiet happily.
3. Police have no issue here for me either.

Would recommend Les on here happily.

ferrol.

 

[ymfb]

If you want to ride at night, don't waste money on auxiliary lights or new bulbs, do what many of the above have done and get a set from Les Wassall. I bought my first dip unit off eBay as recommended by someone on here. That started me on changing the beam, which I bought from Les, my dip failed and I replaced that with a new unit from Les.

Job done

 

[snappo]

Another HID50 recommendation, Les is a Top Man and makes a decent brew as well!

 

[Keith Chapman]

Compared to the 1150GS the lights on the 800GS are much better. Not great compared to some, but at least they show the way ahead.

 

[Micky]

Welcome to UKGSer Adam

The lights on the 800GS aren't particularly good ... I just have an aux HID to supplement main beam, and a 55w fog light pattern aux light which is on all the time

Works for me .... but then I try not to be on the road in the dark