Date: 28-03-24  Time: 11:39 am

Author Topic: Headlights are awfully dim  (Read 2609 times)

FatRakoon

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Headlights are awfully dim
« on: 21 November 2019, 08:54:06 am »
Hi guys.
Only just bought the Fazer 600 ( 2000 Model ) a couple of weeks ago.

Now, I see that it works with one light being DIP and the other light being full beam, however, the amount of light that they produce is close to useless.

I live in North Wales and I use lots of windy roads, and while I am not a fast rider anymore anyway, the light I do use, means that Im riding around at a possibly dangerously slow speed.
Even on the expressway, on full beam, I can ride right behind a car, with my lights in the rear window, and it does not blind the driver ( yes, I tested it with a mate, not a stranger LOL )

Ok, so enough whinging, is this normal? Surely not, and what are the best / brightest bulbs I can put into the Fazer, without any stress on the electrics?

I am considering a few toys for the Fazer, forward controls ( or at least footpegs ) , rear rack , and extra lights, but Id rather simply put proper decend bulbs in to be honest.
 

F4celess

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Re: Headlights are awfully dim
« Reply #1 on: 21 November 2019, 10:12:00 am »
There are various Philips / RING 100% brighter Halogen bulbs out there, that might improve intensity. Can pick these up online or Halfords etc.

Alternatively, look here :)  http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php?topic=25744.0

Frosties

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Re: Headlights are awfully dim
« Reply #2 on: 21 November 2019, 10:33:22 am »
Hiya fella, this link to fitting spot lights is worth a read. Pics also show headlight mod.


http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php?topic=21527.0


Good luck
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Anquetil

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Re: Headlights are awfully dim
« Reply #3 on: 21 November 2019, 11:07:39 am »
Hi FatRakoon, Welcome from a fellow North Walian ! Hope that you get the lights sorted. It's not much fun with the ' candles ' is it ?

Fazerider

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Re: Headlights are awfully dim
« Reply #4 on: 21 November 2019, 12:09:34 pm »

Unfortunately it is a feature of the FZX600 that the headlights are piss-poor.
To make matters worse, the shroud over thee H1 bulb can rattle, producing a lot of fine white dust that covers the reflector and inside of the transparent plastic cover.
There are options for improving the light. The one that most people have done is to add a wire from the loom box under the tank to the dipped filament on the H4 bulb.
Beyond that, some have retro-fitted HID bulbs, LED “bulbs” or auxiliary lamps mounted on the radiator, though I don’t like the latter as they usually don’t control the light well enough to avoid dazzle IMHO.


http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php?topic=181.0

BBROWN1664

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Re: Headlights are awfully dim
« Reply #5 on: 22 November 2019, 09:14:50 pm »
Another ex-Fazer rider that is a foccer again

Rich27

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Re: Headlights are awfully dim
« Reply #6 on: 25 November 2019, 07:16:50 pm »
Have you thought of a sidelight upgrade?


Before:


After :



And a linky https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/273961011231?ul_noapp=true




« Last Edit: 25 November 2019, 07:25:06 pm by Rich27 »

Steve3351

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Re: Headlights are awfully dim
« Reply #7 on: 01 December 2019, 06:09:03 pm »
Hi Foccers
I fitted TWO sets of cheap Chinese spotlights to my FZS600...
a silver set on the rad ends are in the dipped position...a big help.
The black ones on the fairing are connected to the main beam...AMAZING...!      8) :rollin :lol
« Last Edit: 01 December 2019, 06:10:40 pm by Steve3351 »

fazersharp

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Re: Headlights are awfully dim
« Reply #8 on: 01 December 2019, 06:44:04 pm »
Hi Foccers
I fitted TWO sets of cheap Chinese spotlights to my FZS600...
a silver set on the rad ends are in the dipped position...a big help.
The black ones on the fairing are connected to the main beam...AMAZING...!      8) :rollin :lol
It looks like close encounters  :lol
I don't do rain or threat there of. dry rider only with no shame.

Trebus

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Re: Headlights are awfully dim
« Reply #9 on: 01 December 2019, 08:09:48 pm »
Hi Foccers
I fitted TWO sets of cheap Chinese spotlights to my FZS600...
a silver set on the rad ends are in the dipped position...a big help.
The black ones on the fairing are connected to the main beam...AMAZING...!      8) :rollin :lol

Just make sure they don’t overpower the indicators

fazersharp

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Re: Headlights are awfully dim
« Reply #10 on: 01 December 2019, 08:44:45 pm »
Whats going on with your forks, they are black and shiny at the bottom and look like crepe paper at the top
I don't do rain or threat there of. dry rider only with no shame.

Steve3351

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Re: Headlights are awfully dim
« Reply #11 on: 01 December 2019, 10:54:34 pm »
ERF
yes the forks are a bit rusty, all weather bike kept out in the rain.
They just look black because of the light...I wrapped some aluminium tape around the worst bit...
I need to get my forks rechromed...but then I need lots of other stuff as well...like a spotless carbed 1000....???!! :'(

FatRakoon

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Re: Headlights are awfully dim
« Reply #12 on: 02 December 2019, 12:02:01 am »
Ok, quick reply to EVERYONE.
I have left this post up for a few days, hoping that I can come back to it and there will be a few posts, and you have NOT let me down, so thanks very much guys.

I have NOT read any posts yet, and I am just about to...

This is a quick post to thank you for the replies.

FatRakoon

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Re: Headlights are awfully dim
« Reply #13 on: 02 December 2019, 12:17:13 am »
Hi FatRakoon, Welcome from a fellow North Walian ! Hope that you get the lights sorted. It's not much fun with the ' candles ' is it ?

Hello Neighbour. No its not. I wont lie, but I was fairly shocked at how poor they are.
Im back on the road after a serious accident, and so Im not needing to see into the future, but I do need to see at least the road as a bare minimum.


Unfortunately it is a feature of the FZX600 that the headlights are piss-poor.
To make matters worse, the shroud over thee H1 bulb can rattle, producing a lot of fine white dust that covers the reflector and inside of the transparent plastic cover.
There are options for improving the light. The one that most people have done is to add a wire from the loom box under the tank to the dipped filament on the H4 bulb.

Piss poor is being rather kind I feel.
I have a VW1600 Trike that has 3 headlamps on it, and going from that, to the Yam, I might as well not bother with the lights, its more of a P@lecabo effect rather than allowing me to see anything.

Yes, I think tahts the rattle that I have on this... Absolutely irritating because this bike, is one of the quietest bikes that I have ever owned, and its a new experience for me... I just sold off a Harley 1200 Trike, before that, I  had an SZR660 with some weird modified Ducati can that made each pop sound like a bloody hand grenade and I was in love with that, I just bought a CB400 and a GSXF600 and they both sound loud as hell ( The CB400 sounds like an F1 car when it goes under Conwy tunnel and its just an orgasm to the ears ) but this Fazer is near to silent at about 40 and about 80 and weirdly, I love it.... But the bloody fairing has a niggly rattle that gets on my moobs.


Hi Foccers
I fitted TWO sets of cheap Chinese spotlights to my FZS600...
a silver set on the rad ends are in the dipped position...a big help.
The black ones on the fairing are connected to the main beam...AMAZING...!   

I have been looking at those things.
You often see them on BMW GS bikes dont you?
I think thats quite likely to be the choice I will have to take.

Have you thought of a sidelight upgrade?

Yes, this seems to be a sensible option.

I was ( lets be honest here ) hoping that I could simply replace the inserty bit into the current headlamps that will take bulbs that have the HI/LO on them and just re-wire the fitting to take the FULL/DIP to both sides.

--

Ok,  thanks for the links everyone... I will go on a little trip and then weigh up my options.

Thank you very much guys.
 

Arfurloin

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Re: Headlights are awfully dim
« Reply #14 on: 02 December 2019, 09:32:43 pm »
Hi. I fitted a pair of these. Cheap and easy to install. They have a smaller fan housing so no problems with fitting. Bright and seem pretty good so far. https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F123939511078

FLINT

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Re: Headlights are awfully dim
« Reply #15 on: 03 December 2019, 10:11:16 pm »



Lots of options but I plumbed for one of these from Ebay. 312765751860,  just fits in the gap in the fairing.
« Last Edit: 08 December 2019, 08:14:39 pm by FLINT »

darrsi

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Re: Headlights are awfully dim
« Reply #16 on: 04 December 2019, 06:23:45 am »
Hi. I fitted a pair of these. Cheap and easy to install. They have a smaller fan housing so no problems with fitting. Bright and seem pretty good so far. https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F123939511078

They wont't fit on any 98-01 models without modifying one of the bulb holders to an H4, which is not exactly a straightforward or easy thing to do.

(You need to put your model/year of bike in your profile, for reasons like the above)
« Last Edit: 04 December 2019, 06:27:43 am by darrsi »
More people are born because of alcohol than will ever die from it.

darrsi

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Re: Headlights are awfully dim
« Reply #17 on: 04 December 2019, 06:33:44 am »



Lots of options but I plumbed for one of these from Ebay. 312765751860,  just fits in the gap in the fairing.


Just spotted the Ebay link number for these, i'm not awake yet?  :lol
« Last Edit: 04 December 2019, 06:39:00 am by darrsi »
More people are born because of alcohol than will ever die from it.

Frosties

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Re: Headlights are awfully dim
« Reply #18 on: 04 December 2019, 10:59:25 pm »
Hi Foccers
I fitted TWO sets of cheap Chinese spotlights to my FZS600...
a silver set on the rad ends are in the dipped position...a big help.
The black ones on the fairing are connected to the main beam...AMAZING...!      8) :rollin :lol


Someone's been reading back - looks great fella. :thumbup
Those are my principles...if you don't like them I have others.

darrsi

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Re: Headlights are awfully dim
« Reply #19 on: 05 December 2019, 06:27:25 am »
I'm really interested in that LED strip light under the fairing, but already have spotlights, headlights, and heated grips on at the same time as it is.
D'ya reckon that would be a bit too much for the battery if i added even more?  :look


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Re: Headlights are awfully dim
« Reply #20 on: 05 December 2019, 01:16:18 pm »
I'm really interested in that LED strip light under the fairing, but already have spotlights, headlights, and heated grips on at the same time as it is.
D'ya reckon that would be a bit too much for the battery if i added even more?  :look
I think they are only a daylight running light so wont help much at night and as your bike is already lit up like a Christmas tree I don't think you need any more  :pokefun
I don't do rain or threat there of. dry rider only with no shame.