Having done some recent rather OTT experimentations with various lighting
options, I feel morally obliged to report on just how bloody good these
particular lights are!
For a unit that it so small, the light that they give out is quite amazing.
The beam is more of a spot than a drive beam to be honest, but as a
supplement to the bikes OE main beam headlight they are superb. However,
and like all additional lights fitted, you do need to spend some time
setting them up for optimum perfection. I have found them having them about
5 to 10 degrees offset to the bike gives a good "funnel" of light.
Of course the performance of the light is greater assisted by the technology
that has gone into developing the bulb. These particular units came as
standard from good ole' Nippy Normans with the 'PowerSport Superwhite' 35w
bulbs, which on face value would not appear to be very effective.....WRONG!
Although only rated at just 35w, it is claimed that they give of the
equivalent light to a 60w bulb. Indeed, they are very, very effective and
give of a very "white" beam which totally outshines the bikes OE lights. As
a compulsive and obsessive tinkerer, I needed to improve them just one step
further, so I have now fitted the PIAA 'PowerSport Superwhite' 55w bulbs
that give of the equivalent light to a 110w bulb...........wow!
They certainly get the BTBR seal of approval now, nothing short of
staggering performance to be quite honest.
The 35 bulbs have now been re-fitted into the Micro DE's, and this has given
them a significant ramp up in performance as well.
The next thing that will greater influence the effectiveness of the lights
is of course where and how they are mounted, the higher that you can get
them the better. As great as the MiGSel bar is, it is not really suited for
mounting PIAA lights.
Yes, you can mount them on the bar, but if you mount them above the bar they
will encroach on the indicators, plus they will vibrate very badly.
Therefore, this will give you two problems, a beam that is vibrating and
wobbling all the time and could maybe cause premature failure of the bulb,
and a very expensive bulb at that!
That said, the latter problem can be overcome by welding a couple of gussets
to the bar, but for some, the more than partial covering of the indicator
lense will be the more important concern.
Mounting them underneath does cure the afore mentioned problems, but again,
I would really suggest the additional of some strengthen gussets. BUT, they
are really to low down to be that effective to be honest. After spending so
much money on lights, personally I would want to get the best from them,
unless of course you are fitting them just for show?
IMHO, the best way to mount them would therefore be the GMTMoto light
brackets, feckin' expensive I know, but an excellent way in which to gain
that optimum performance from your lights. These just replace the stock
indicator stalks, so the lights are exaclty the same height as the bikes
headlights. Especially great when filtering, right on eye level contact
with car drivers mirrors!
In summary then, again IMHO the best lighting combination for the money is
the Hella FF50's for main beam and Micro DE's for dip. BUT, if you are
serious about night time riding and you want the best, then replace the
FF50's for the PIAA 510's would be my personal recommendation.
BTBR
options, I feel morally obliged to report on just how bloody good these
particular lights are!
For a unit that it so small, the light that they give out is quite amazing.
The beam is more of a spot than a drive beam to be honest, but as a
supplement to the bikes OE main beam headlight they are superb. However,
and like all additional lights fitted, you do need to spend some time
setting them up for optimum perfection. I have found them having them about
5 to 10 degrees offset to the bike gives a good "funnel" of light.
Of course the performance of the light is greater assisted by the technology
that has gone into developing the bulb. These particular units came as
standard from good ole' Nippy Normans with the 'PowerSport Superwhite' 35w
bulbs, which on face value would not appear to be very effective.....WRONG!
Although only rated at just 35w, it is claimed that they give of the
equivalent light to a 60w bulb. Indeed, they are very, very effective and
give of a very "white" beam which totally outshines the bikes OE lights. As
a compulsive and obsessive tinkerer, I needed to improve them just one step
further, so I have now fitted the PIAA 'PowerSport Superwhite' 55w bulbs
that give of the equivalent light to a 110w bulb...........wow!
They certainly get the BTBR seal of approval now, nothing short of
staggering performance to be quite honest.
The 35 bulbs have now been re-fitted into the Micro DE's, and this has given
them a significant ramp up in performance as well.
The next thing that will greater influence the effectiveness of the lights
is of course where and how they are mounted, the higher that you can get
them the better. As great as the MiGSel bar is, it is not really suited for
mounting PIAA lights.
Yes, you can mount them on the bar, but if you mount them above the bar they
will encroach on the indicators, plus they will vibrate very badly.
Therefore, this will give you two problems, a beam that is vibrating and
wobbling all the time and could maybe cause premature failure of the bulb,
and a very expensive bulb at that!
That said, the latter problem can be overcome by welding a couple of gussets
to the bar, but for some, the more than partial covering of the indicator
lense will be the more important concern.
Mounting them underneath does cure the afore mentioned problems, but again,
I would really suggest the additional of some strengthen gussets. BUT, they
are really to low down to be that effective to be honest. After spending so
much money on lights, personally I would want to get the best from them,
unless of course you are fitting them just for show?
IMHO, the best way to mount them would therefore be the GMTMoto light
brackets, feckin' expensive I know, but an excellent way in which to gain
that optimum performance from your lights. These just replace the stock
indicator stalks, so the lights are exaclty the same height as the bikes
headlights. Especially great when filtering, right on eye level contact
with car drivers mirrors!
In summary then, again IMHO the best lighting combination for the money is
the Hella FF50's for main beam and Micro DE's for dip. BUT, if you are
serious about night time riding and you want the best, then replace the
FF50's for the PIAA 510's would be my personal recommendation.
BTBR
