NLC
Registered user
Worth upgrading the OEM bulbs in a 2010 GS to some of the brighter ones that Nippy Normans sells or just stick with the factory ones? Also thinking of adding some more spots any advice on that welcome.
Worth changing 2010 GS light bulbs
- Thread starter NLC
- Start date
Suggest you start with an HID 50W from Les - then you will see the night sky lit up! You can then be guided from there - I am currently looking at LED`s as running lights.
Mr K
Registered user
Suggest checking your headlight adjustment first: Too many bikes come out of dealers with headlights shining at the sky or 10 feet in front of the bike.
NLC
Registered user
What the best method to check the headlight adjustment? Thanks
Mr K
Registered user
Measure the height of the centre of the headlamp.
Park the bike 20 yards from a wall and mark the headlamp measurement on the wall.
Sit on the bike and adjust the beam cut-off so it's just below the mark.
Not exactly scientific, passes MOTs.
PS: Or just keep adjusting it up a bit 'til car drivers flash you or put their hands over their rear view mirrors a lot.
I have a similar question but since I don't plan to do a lot of riding in the dark I wondered if a HID upgrade is worth it. So after a bit of research I decided to try xenon lamps in stead of OE halogen on both my bikes. In Ride magazine April 2010 they rated the Philips X-treme Power as best buy in H7 and H4. The legality of HID is also a contraversy but since they don't test for a constant beam pattern or light intensity (you need a goniometer for that I think) when MOT'd it's up to the owner. Don't forget that it is a modification, so clear it with BMW waranty dep. as it might invalidate any waranty regarding the electrics or electronics. There is other more experianced tossers
that will give some more advice on this subject and if you do a search on HID you will see that it is a popular topic.
AshR1
Registered user
Mine was set way too high from new and I had lots of flashing and hands over the rear-view mirrors in an Oscar worthy fashion as they do.
I've been gently screwing it
downwards over the last few days to the point where only very low sports cars (MX5, etc) seem to complain.
I've been gently screwing it
downwards over the last few days to the point where only very low sports cars (MX5, etc) seem to complain.
I have set of Hella spots and Sw motec spots
still in the box in the garage
Because after fitting a set of 50w dipped/main HID's I don't need anything else
They realy are the best thing i've fitted so far
Cheers Duncan
still in the box in the garage
Because after fitting a set of 50w dipped/main HID's I don't need anything else
They realy are the best thing i've fitted so far
Cheers Duncan
+1 FOR LES,S lighting kits, the standard lights on gs1200/ are imho are a complete disgrace for a machine at this price . I put on his 50w main 50w did and 35,s into the wee side lights Now i can ride at night , and as important dozy vehicle drivers are alerted to the fact i am there. This is the only mod i have done as, rest of it is very very good straight oot o the box 
Lights
Why on earth should it be necessary to put decent lights on a £14000 bike!!!"
you wouldednt need to do it on a car if the car cost £2000! so why the hell do we put up with it?.
dave GS
Why on earth should it be necessary to put decent lights on a £14000 bike!!!"
you wouldednt need to do it on a car if the car cost £2000! so why the hell do we put up with it?.
dave GS
Bobbyspit
Registered user
I have a 2008 GS with its original set up and I have no complaints in the dark, its as good as my Fireblade's lights.
I do fancy the driving light/fogs but only because they look good
I do fancy the driving light/fogs but only because they look good
Keitht
Guest
Also have Les' HID kit on my 2010 GSA.
Used to have a 105db exhaust on my ZZR1400, which made people take notice. These HIDs make more of an impact and get me noticed more than the exhaust ever did (could also be the massive, white bike). Excellent mod, definitely recommended.
Used to have a 105db exhaust on my ZZR1400, which made people take notice. These HIDs make more of an impact and get me noticed more than the exhaust ever did (could also be the massive, white bike
). Excellent mod, definitely recommended.
NLC
Registered user
Does installing the HID kit invalidate the warranty?
I had a word with the guys at Wollaston. When you fit a non approved part to a bike under warenty and something goes wrong with it that can be traced to the instalation or the non approved part then the warenty would be void. For example: HID kit installed and the engine blew up then the warenty is valid but if you fry a wiring loom and the fault is traced to the HID kit then it's on your pocket to get it fixed. A grey area and best to speak to your local dealer.
NLC
Registered user
Fitted the Phillips X-treme power to the big and noticed a big difference. Not as bright as an HID but for £18.99 for the pair a little bit cheaper. Will consider adding LEDs or HID running lights at some point. Even bought a pair for the car. Got them from Amazon with free shipping. Cheaper than Nippy N.
Achim
Registered user
Hi Corey,
In my experience the Phillips bulbs are good but their life expectancy is short (same output as the standard bulbs but running at a higher operating temperature which makes them brighter). Mine never lasted more than six months. I installed Les Wassall's HID kit (bought pre-owned from someone in this parish) and it's brilliant. Properly adjusted nobody complains about the kit.
The only "downside" is that when I turn on my (standard) high beam at night, the difference in extra "reach" is rather marginal. The high beam reaches further up but not much further out.
My friendly dealer told me to keep an eye on the reflector as it "may" get damaged. As the kit does not run at a higher wattage I don't foresee any problems, especially as other BMW bikes are now available with Xenon lights.
Achim
