Author Topic: Blue headlights (Read 6553 times)

JZS 600 · « **on:** 08 February 2012, 08:06:43 pm »

Any opinions? I've just bought a pair from Passion Automotive (under £7 a pair) so will report back when fitted.

Major Rant · « **Reply #1 on:** 08 February 2012, 09:09:20 pm »

They're not illegal and they do draw attention to you, so less people will say "Sorry Mate, I didn't see you" as you lie bleeding in the back of the ambulance.

On the other hand, they can be bloody annoying. Consider this:

I am driving (in a car) in a dip on an A road and I'm about to overtake a car,driven by "42MPH man" that I've been forced to follow for miles. Road is clear at last.
A wobbly blue light appears over the brow of the hill 1/4 mile ahead: I think... I wonder if that's an ambulance? - and I back off from overtaking.
As it approaches it turns out to be a Fireblade with a badly mounted blue headlight that might (just might) be flashing in the distance.
He's lucky I didn't drive into him deliberately.

So, it all depends on your priorities and how you want to attract attention.

richfzs · « **Reply #2 on:** 08 February 2012, 09:19:27 pm »

I thought showing any blue light was ilegal? Sure there's been folks on here, had a tug on account of blue lights.

Major Rant · « **Reply #3 on:** 08 February 2012, 11:30:46 pm »

I think they're only actually illegal if they flash but certainly they are likely to be plod-magnets.

JZS 600 · « **Reply #4 on:** 09 February 2012, 08:39:17 am »

As it was ME in the ambulance last year recieving a very sincere "sorry mate, didn't see you" (the guy was in bits, like myself) I rather like the idea of attracting attention in the right way!

Also considering yellow headlight covers but ascetically, mmmm.

JonathonBeedie · « **Reply #5 on:** 09 February 2012, 10:07:25 am »

Have you got the link to where you bought them? As might get a pair myself as I find when cars are coming the other way at night I can see about as much as a bat!! Cheers!

JZS 600 · « **Reply #6 on:** 09 February 2012, 10:23:42 am »

http://www.passionauto.co.uk/products/yamaha-fzs-600-98-03-ice-blue-motorbike-headlight-bulbs.html

Try this, they are on Amazon as well. For the money, it's worth a go I thought.

bikerboys · « **Reply #7 on:** 09 February 2012, 11:53:55 am »

they lasted 3 months

the dip in them went

JonathonBeedie · « **Reply #8 on:** 09 February 2012, 12:10:44 pm »

3months is enough to see through Winter for me!!

JZS 600 · « **Reply #9 on:** 09 February 2012, 12:29:50 pm »

Interesting,,, I'll keep a set of spares on me!

JZS 600 · « **Reply #10 on:** 09 February 2012, 12:50:57 pm »

And when all else fails

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-12342-BVUSM-Vision-Headlight-Bulbs/dp/B00440CWDK/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1328791567&sr=1-1

solorider · « **Reply #11 on:** 09 February 2012, 06:23:38 pm »

while having a headlight giving out a blue rather than a white light is not an offence the police can still pull you over and book you for a non endorsable fine,i was watching a police program a few weeks a go and that is what they did to a bloke,i think they did hime for a faulty headlight or something similar

JZS 600 · « **Reply #12 on:** 09 February 2012, 07:00:19 pm »

I keep seeing 100% legal in the bumph that comes with them, don't think they are actually "blue", just a blusih tinge to the lamp and when you take a good look around, there are a few about.

bikerboys · « **Reply #13 on:** 09 February 2012, 10:10:33 pm »

just going to fit hid kit insted of these

JZS 600 · « **Reply #14 on:** 10 February 2012, 07:35:34 pm »

Well, they came today so will have a fiddle tomorow after I've washed all the salt off from this morning, had to follow a gritter for 6 miles!

JonathonBeedie · « **Reply #15 on:** 15 February 2012, 08:16:53 pm »

Fitted mine the other day, but not had much real chance to use yet!

xrigger · « **Reply #16 on:** 16 February 2012, 08:46:01 pm »

Just spotted this thread on lights and would be interested to see if there are any Fazer jockeys who ride faster than 60 mph at night on unlit roads.
I ride a '99 er, the lights of which can only be described as barely adequate even though both are wired up to come on together.
I can remember a BSA 250 centuaries ago that I would gladly swap lights with!!
Was speaking to a ministry gentleman last week who put me off the HID conversion kits which he said are illegal as a retro fit.
What can be done to "let there be light".

Major Rant · « **Reply #17 on:** 17 February 2012, 03:48:14 pm »

Retro fitted HIDs are illegal (there's a recent decision from VOSA that says so).

That said. I recently fitted one and I intend to revert the bike to standard at MOT time.

Aside from HIDs. the Philips/Osram "100percent Brighter" bulbs are good, but they don't last the full 1000 hours of a bog-standard Quartz Halogen bulb.

10 years ago I arranged mine to have both bulbs lit on main beam and only the lower H4 (right hand light) lit on dip.
That made things a whole lot better but it needed a relay and a lot of screwing about with the aim of the left hand H1 to get it up and to the right.

xrigger · « **Reply #18 on:** 17 February 2012, 04:23:45 pm »

Yes, just had it confirmed, deffo illegal.
Mechanic at local test station reckons upgrading to 100w bulbs could do the trick, he's going to check with sparky tomorrow.
Might be a much cheaper option, though I haven't looked at the "100 %" brighter ones yet.
There is also a HIR type bulb which is halogen infra red. This is supposed to be loads brighter without the ballast needed for HID or the legality problem. More sniffing on the interweb needed!
Interestingly, MOT man said that the problem with HID fitted into halogen reflector is they are not designed the same as a HID lamp and so would possibly not give correct light pattern and therefore would be a fail. However, if the beam pattern was ok and they were adjusted correctly (spot on), he would pass.
He who dares??

bikerboys · « **Reply #19 on:** 17 February 2012, 04:52:58 pm »

hids-direct.co.uk
"Please remember; it is your responsibility to ensure that the items purchased are suitable for your vehicle make/model and that the use of said items complies with all applicable laws in your Country. Please also note that under UK regulations HID kits are not yet approved road legal, this is because HID kits are not e-marked approved in their entirety. Until UK regulations are changed or up-dated our HID kits are sold for off road and show use only."

look like I will be doing a lot more off road

or get some of these

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/100x-CE-Logo-Stickers-Labels-25mm-Permanent-Adhesive-/170784798679

xrigger · « **Reply #20 on:** 17 February 2012, 06:21:20 pm »

In reply to major rant, my lights are wired opposite way, right hand is 60/55 and left is 55. Both lights on full beam. Passed its test that way too.
Any way, whichever way you wire them you won't get much more light than a parrafin lamp.

Major Rant · « **Reply #21 on:** 17 February 2012, 09:30:12 pm »

Quote

my lights are wired opposite way, right hand is 60/55 and left is 55.

That's the same as mine ... I arranged for ONLY the lower H4 (the one on the right) to be lit on dip and the left hand bulb (the H1) to be on ONLY for main beam along with the upper H4.

That way you get 2 beams pointing straight ahead for main beam and one pointing at the road for dip.

Its a more sensible set-up for anyone who rides on dark roads at night. I think.

Fazerider · « **Reply #22 on:** 18 February 2012, 09:28:21 am »

Major: I don't understand, why not have the left beam on all the time?
Agreed the H4 dip is better than the H1, but the two added together puts more light on the road... particularly important when you go from a clear road lit by both to a situation with oncoming traffic. Nearly halving your useful light output at the same time as being dazzled doesn't sound the best option.

JZS 600 · « **Reply #23 on:** 18 February 2012, 11:36:10 am »

Well, fitted the lamps and looking good in the garage anyway.

I got a pair of H4's and they seem ok, both light on dip and main beam. As a new Fazer rider, is this OK or should I have gotten an H1 and an H4?

Fazerider · « **Reply #24 on:** 18 February 2012, 11:58:46 am »

Quote from: JZS 600 on 18 February 2012, 11:36:10 am

Well, fitted the lamps and looking good in the garage anyway.

I got a pair of H4's and they seem ok, both light on dip and main beam. As a new Fazer rider, is this OK or should I have gotten an H1 and an H4?

Not if you've the more recent "foxeye" version. That uses two H4s and has much better lighting as a result.