Author Topic: glee headlamps (poor)  (Read 4112 times)

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Offline zippy

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glee headlamps (poor)
« on: September 18, 2014, 15:05:58 »
hi all , well after a weekend at Scarborough for the gold cup racing I have come to the conclusion that the glee headlights are not the best. rode to and from  in the dark , I am looking to make them better don't want to go hid is there a better way ???
had a look on stromtrooper and they seem to fit a wiring kit with relays that says it makes it much better can somebody please explain please and has anybody done this mod and has it been worth while
thoughts please
thanks Jason  :ty:

Offline Juvecu

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Re: glee headlamps (poor)
« Reply #1 on: September 18, 2014, 15:23:07 »
That's a topic subject I never expected to see. I thought the lights were excellent, as good as the ones on the old Vee/Wee even.

As for the relays, the idea is that you power the headlights via relays that put power on the bulb terminals directly from the battery connections using thicker gauge wire. This then means there is less (almost no) voltage drop for the bulb and they burn at their full potential. If you're not electrickery savvy it's easiest to just but the kit from Eastern Beaver, installation is decently straight forward, it's very neat and you can remove it when you sell the bike.

Alternatively you can start with better quality bulbs. The Philips bulbs are usually getting good reviews, I use the MotoVision ones myself, they give a slight orange tint which makes your headlight reflectors look orange and it seems to get me noticed better than a high vis jacket ever did.  Osram Nightbreaker bulbs are also frequently mentioned. Try to stay away from bulbs that have very white/blueish light, they look brighter than they really are to people coming towards you and might cause them to flash their hi beam at you, you can't afford to be blinded when all you really want it to see better. I hardly ever get flashed at with the orange looking bulbs.
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Offline greywolf

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Re: glee headlamps (poor)
« Reply #2 on: September 18, 2014, 15:24:01 »
Check the aim and lens clarity. The lights are good. Adding relays will lengthen the life of the contacts and connectors plus get about an additional volt to the lights, enough to see the difference. That volt is lost to heat in the stock contacts and connectors, causing many bikes to eventually lose their headlights. At this point, 84 riders reported headlights going out at http://www.stromtrooper.com/information ... oblem.html
Pat- 2007 DL650A was ridden to all 48 contiguous states. 2012 DL650A outlasted me.
Nicknames I use to lessen typing, Vee = 2002-2012 (K2-L2) DL1000s. Veek=2014+ (L4+) DL1000s. Wee = 2004-2011 (K4-L1) DL650s. Glee = 2012+ (L2+) DL650s

Offline Retraite

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Re: glee headlamps (poor)
« Reply #3 on: September 18, 2014, 15:27:12 »
I too was surprised by the OP

The standard lights on my bike are the best I've ever had on two-wheels.

Check the alignment as others have said.
"Autocorrect is my greatest enema."

Offline Mitch

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Re: glee headlamps (poor)
« Reply #4 on: September 18, 2014, 16:50:53 »
You have the same lighting power, lens area as a family car, infact better than some cars!. (are they pointing where they should be??)
I have to say the light output is excellent on the Glee, Possibly one of the best on the market.
I did find that Osram Nightbreaker lamps give you even more output (also stands out more during daylight). short life span though (5000 hours I think)
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Offline james.t

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Re: glee headlamps (poor)
« Reply #5 on: September 18, 2014, 19:47:44 »
I have the relay set up and its very good at night .on my old bike (1 headlight) I fitted  Osram Nightbreaker.
and they were most excellent :clap:
j

Offline Jacksnipe

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Re: glee headlamps (poor)
« Reply #6 on: September 18, 2014, 20:01:46 »
I always fit Osram Nightbreaker plus to my bikes and cars if I can. Superb and last loads more than the ones without the plus. The plus denotes longer life.Fitted to all my bikes including the Glee and no problems just brilliant light and vision.

WM

WM

Offline awicks

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Re: glee headlamps (poor)
« Reply #7 on: September 19, 2014, 13:34:55 »
I am not that impressed with the headlight performance on my Glee, but I think that is largely down to them not being adjusted properly - lighting more of the sky than the road in front of me. I just need to work out how to adjust them and then find the time to do it.

Andy

Offline Oop North John

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Re: glee headlamps (poor)
« Reply #8 on: September 19, 2014, 14:11:15 »
Adjusting the rear pre-load makes a big difference to what gets lit up.

Online Fat Rat

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Re: glee headlamps (poor)
« Reply #9 on: September 19, 2014, 19:31:07 »
Consider some auxiliary lighting as well, it not only improves your visibility (it gives you width), it makes it easier to be seen.. Talk to Kirky  :thumb:
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Offline suzukiboy

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Re: glee headlamps (poor)
« Reply #10 on: September 20, 2014, 13:45:37 »
Another plus from me for Nightbreakers, use them in all my vehicles, need to adjust my glee headlight a little as well.

Offline zippy

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Re: glee headlamps (poor)
« Reply #11 on: September 20, 2014, 19:30:43 »
hi blokes many thanks for the replies and comments I am going to try the new bulbs (nightbreakers)first and go from there
I would like to do the eastern beaver wiring kit but with postage and then possible import duty etc make it kind off expensive is there nobody in uk or Europe that does not do a kit ??
thanks Jason

Offline Pedro41

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Re: glee headlamps (poor)
« Reply #12 on: September 20, 2014, 20:06:52 »
'Ride' magazine did a big shoot out on bulbs back in 2010. All very scientific it was.....

The 'Osram Nightbreaker' was up the top. I put some in my car and they were great.

 Some of the recommendations are discontinued now.(Superseded)

But here it is(in essence) for what its worth. Plus a 'Which' car bulb test I came across

http://www.motobulbs.co.uk/2012/06/the- ... -put-test/

http://www.which.co.uk/cars/driving/sat ... ght-bulbs/

Offline ziggy

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Re: glee headlamps (poor)
« Reply #13 on: September 20, 2014, 20:46:25 »
My suggestion is a little pricey but buy a 2014 DL1000 ABS, excellent lights.

 :)
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Offline greywolf

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Re: glee headlamps (poor)
« Reply #14 on: September 20, 2014, 22:15:57 »
The Glee has two H4 bulbs with 55W low and 60W high each totaling 110W on low beam and 120W on high beam. The Veek has one H7 55W low beam bulb and one H9 65W high beam bulb. That doesn't sound like a light upgrade.
Pat- 2007 DL650A was ridden to all 48 contiguous states. 2012 DL650A outlasted me.
Nicknames I use to lessen typing, Vee = 2002-2012 (K2-L2) DL1000s. Veek=2014+ (L4+) DL1000s. Wee = 2004-2011 (K4-L1) DL650s. Glee = 2012+ (L2+) DL650s

Offline tallpaul

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Re: glee headlamps (poor)
« Reply #15 on: September 20, 2014, 22:19:27 »
I bet the alternator's pleased though...
Old enough to know better, but still too young to care...

Offline greywolf

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Re: glee headlamps (poor)
« Reply #16 on: September 20, 2014, 22:58:03 »
It's a 490W alternator. I don't think it cares. It's good thing the Veek has a series rectifier instead of a shunt type or it would put a lot of heat into the stator.
Pat- 2007 DL650A was ridden to all 48 contiguous states. 2012 DL650A outlasted me.
Nicknames I use to lessen typing, Vee = 2002-2012 (K2-L2) DL1000s. Veek=2014+ (L4+) DL1000s. Wee = 2004-2011 (K4-L1) DL650s. Glee = 2012+ (L2+) DL650s

Offline Juvecu

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Re: glee headlamps (poor)
« Reply #17 on: September 21, 2014, 00:39:13 »
Quote from: "Pedro41"
The 'Osram Nightbreaker' was up the top. I put some in my car and they were great.
Just had a look at the Ride magazine article you linked. The Osram bulb was 3rd, after two Philips bulbs.
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Offline Pedro41

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Re: glee headlamps (poor)
« Reply #18 on: September 21, 2014, 19:53:05 »
Correct Juv,The Phillips bulb won the shoot out, but was always pricey and is now discontinued.

The Osram 'Night Racer' twin pack H4 (for around £22) was the one that came 3rd- see link to buy.

They were specifically designed for motorcycles and Osram claim they last longer when vibration can affect filament life.   The 'Night Breaker' was the car derived version which I still use.....

http://www.msa-direct.co.uk/osram-night ... us-h4.html

Offline Mr Nick

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Re: glee headlamps (poor)
« Reply #19 on: September 21, 2014, 22:02:14 »
What would I give to have lights like my old Glee again????

The lights on Katie are frankly dire but were improved with Osram Nightbreakers no end.

They're still shit in comparison though....
Seems pearl asbo orange is faster after all....

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