R1100GS Twin headlight Conversion

[Bruce]

I was considering the above on my bike, mainly for cosmetic reasons, and secondly to improve the headlights.
Has anyone done this conversion is there a proprietry kit available etc etc. Any feedback greatly received thanks

Bruce

 

[richie]

Touratech do one but only in LHD. I have one and it does improve the lights but not by much. It is also quite expensive.

Do a search here as someone made their own with secondhand lights of a 400cc suzuki. I think it set him back about 40£

Cheers

 

[Greg Masters]

The general consensus is that if you're considering the Touratech item - Don't do it!.

The bulbs are only 35w and because the whole bulb-mount and reflector are plastic, it all ends up as a gooey mess if you put bigger bulbs in!

Greg

 

[richie]

Not quite true Greg, they have two models. Mine is the metal mounted twin 55W system. No melt downs and been on the bike for three years.

Still reckon though that the best thing would be to make one yourself. Wish I had, how difficult can it be. Metal plate with two holes. Bit of wiring etc...

 

[MrIFan]

Despite Den taking the p*** out of those who accessorise their bikes
The best way to improve the lighting is to fit a set of auxiliary lights.
All the kit is avaliable cheaply off this very forum and will make a much bigger improvement than changing the std headlamp.
Try a search for BTBR, or extra lights, all the info you need should be there.

HTH

Ian

 

[richie]

Very true....

 

[Greg Masters]

Not quite true Greg, they have two models.

Yes, you're absolutely right. But I recall looking at these when I had an 1100GS and concluding that the plastic set is ££££s and the decent set are £££££££££s!



Greg

 

[richie]

tis correct

 

[J-P]

I also have the twin-light conversion and I was rather dissappointed with the result, although it looks rather good. In addition I mounted 2 Hella lights on a MiGSel bar, that was a major improvement. Last week I installed 2 PIAA extrem white bulbs H4 lightbulbs in my twin headlight and that`s 100% better. I discovered however that my PLASTIC bulb mount and worse the connectors are fried and toast.

As I was already waiting for my new dashboard-kit to mount my IMO100R300 and RB-TT roadbook I will also be forced to buy the friggin` DE-lights. Smart move by TT... Luckily I don`t have to deal with TT_UK. TT-germany has always been very helpfull and fast.

 

[RadioActive]

I'm not great fan of TT because of their prices in the UK, but I put a metal double 55W conversion on my 1100 last summer and I've found it quite an improvement during the country lanes section of my commute this winter. I'm still a bit doubtful about the headlamp switch carrying double the normal current but it's not packed up yet and the lamps haven't melted either. As Richie said, it probably wouldn't be that hard to make it yourself. I didn't pick up on the unit being only LHD until I switched it on but perhaps I'm a bit dim. Not now though

 

[Lou Can]

I'm pretty much convinced to go down the HID route on my 1150. I've got a price of £150 which seems fair (should last the lifetime of the bike). Anyone else done this ? If so are you still alive to tell about it ?

LC

 

[richie]

I'm pretty much convinced to go down the HID route on my 1150. I've got a price of £150 which seems fair (should last the lifetime of the bike). Anyone else done this ? If so are you still alive to tell about it ?

LC

Adamski maybe did this for a 1100S

 

[trotsky]

Any feedback greatly received thanks

Bruce

Bruce

drivers in Essex and East London will flash you constantly to tell you that your lights are pointing the wrong way, despite the fact they are running on one sidelight and a main beam that's pointing upwards at 45 degrees. It's such a pain in the arse that I'll be reverting to the original light and a MiGSel light bar with hella spots in a couple of weeks once it gets warmer - I have to do all this sort of stuff outside y'see and my bit of Essex has been twinned with Siberia recently, as you may have noticed.

If you really want a set we may be able to come to some arrangement and you could have mine cheap to try out.

 

[Bikergary]

I got hold of the TT ones second hand, and cheap, as I needed the failsafe of a second light in case a bulb blows at night.
Of course to discover they dipped the wrong way. So I managed to remove the actual lights and replace them with 100mm VFR400 lights (If I remeber correctly), and sandwiched them in between the TT plates,made up myself a double wireing harnes and plug into the exsisting light socket.
They give decent enough light (with twin 55w 50% brighter bulbs) for dipped riding, But I still added added extra spots for night riding, which I do a lot off especially in the winter.
I did first worry that running two 55w bulbs would melt something, but when I checked the TT catalogue, these lights cam with 2 x 55 bulbs so was satisfied, 6 months later, and after running the lights on every day and night, I haven't had a problem.