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Bikes, Hints'n'Tips => FZS600 Fazer => Topic started by: JZS 600 on 08 February 2012, 08:06:43 pm

Title: Blue headlights
Post by: 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.
Title: Re: Blue headlights
Post by: Major Rant 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.
 
 
Title: Re: Blue headlights
Post by: richfzs 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.
Title: Re: Blue headlights
Post by: Major Rant 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.
Title: Re: Blue headlights
Post by: JZS 600 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!   :eek   
 
Also considering yellow headlight covers but ascetically, mmmm.
Title: Re: Blue headlights
Post by: JonathonBeedie 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! :)
Title: Re: Blue headlights
Post by: JZS 600 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 (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.
Title: Re: Blue headlights
Post by: bikerboys on 09 February 2012, 11:53:55 am
they lasted 3 months  :rolleyes the dip in them went  :o
Title: Re: Blue headlights
Post by: JonathonBeedie on 09 February 2012, 12:10:44 pm
3months is enough to see through Winter for me!! :)
Title: Re: Blue headlights
Post by: JZS 600 on 09 February 2012, 12:29:50 pm
Interesting,,, I'll keep a set of spares on me!
Title: Re: Blue headlights
Post by: JZS 600 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 (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)
 
 
Title: Re: Blue headlights
Post by: solorider 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
Title: Re: Blue headlights
Post by: JZS 600 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.
Title: Re: Blue headlights
Post by: bikerboys on 09 February 2012, 10:10:33 pm
just going to fit hid kit  insted of these  ;)
Title: Re: Blue headlights
Post by: JZS 600 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!
Title: Re: Blue headlights
Post by: JonathonBeedie on 15 February 2012, 08:16:53 pm
Fitted mine the other day, but not had much real chance to use yet!
Title: Re: Blue headlights
Post by: xrigger 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".
Title: Re: Blue headlights
Post by: Major Rant 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.
 
Title: Re: Blue headlights
Post by: xrigger 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??
Title: Re: Blue headlights
Post by: bikerboys on 17 February 2012, 04:52:58 pm
hids-direct.co.uk (http://www.hids-direct.co.uk/pages/terms-and-conditions.html)
"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 :rollin :rollin

or get some of these  :lol http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/100x-CE-Logo-Stickers-Labels-25mm-Permanent-Adhesive-/170784798679 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/100x-CE-Logo-Stickers-Labels-25mm-Permanent-Adhesive-/170784798679)
Title: Re: Blue headlights
Post by: xrigger 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.
Title: Re: Blue headlights
Post by: Major Rant 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.
Title: Re: Blue headlights
Post by: Fazerider 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.
Title: Re: Blue headlights
Post by: 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?
Title: Re: Blue headlights
Post by: Fazerider on 18 February 2012, 11:58:46 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.
Title: Re: Blue headlights
Post by: JZS 600 on 18 February 2012, 02:43:25 pm
"cool" (blue!)
 
When I took the old lamps out I noticed that one of the fliaments on the RHS head light was rolling around the bottom of the lamp. Must have been the dip beam,,
 
Lets see how it goes.
Title: Re: Blue headlights
Post by: Major Rant on 18 February 2012, 06:08:37 pm
Quote
Major: I don't understand, why not have the left beam on all the time?

Because after you've adjusted it to point straight ahead you wouldn't want it still lit when you're supposed to be on dip beam.
In any case; seeing what's on the road 20 meters ahead isn't the problem. One filament is good enough for that.
Its spotting deer in the undergrowth that's the problem. :eek
Title: Re: Blue headlights
Post by: Fazerider on 19 February 2012, 09:01:32 am
Quote
Major: I don't understand, why not have the left beam on all the time?

 
Because after you've adjusted it to point straight ahead you wouldn't want it still lit when you're supposed to be on dip beam.
In any case; seeing what's on the road 20 meters ahead isn't the problem. One filament is good enough for that.
Its spotting deer in the undergrowth that's the problem. :eek

I guess you must live in a more remote area or ride at quieter times than me. As a shift worker half my riding is at night, but there is still enough traffic that I rarely have the opportunity to use main beam for more than a few seconds at a time... a good dip beam is far more important from my point of view.
I agree deer are a menace though, one ended my brother's motorcycling... and I was glad the snowy weather caused me to use the cage a couple of weeks back:


(http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/n543/nerdybiker/P1060456.jpg)
Title: Re: Blue headlights
Post by: JZS 600 on 19 February 2012, 10:52:09 am
Yum, bambi burgers!
Title: Re: Blue headlights
Post by: xrigger on 19 February 2012, 12:22:12 pm
Down in darkest cornwall virtualy no street lighting and road markings are generaly covered in mud. Soon as your lights go on they seem to be absorbed by the bushes, hedges and trees, hence the need for good lighting.
Also in recent years,  the deer have become so common they almost graze like cattle in the fields. Very dodgy at night, there have been lots of incidences just recently. Do Halfords do a clip on body heat detector ?
Title: visibility
Post by: Lumpy on 20 February 2012, 09:53:04 am
I use yellow H4 bulbs in mine as it differentiates from the normal car light colours. If another orad user doens't look it won't make a blind bit of difference. Blue bulbs will normally fail an MoT too if the tester finds them too blue. HID is the way to go illegal or not and an MoT tester will rarely fail a bike on having HIDs fitted.
Title: Re: Blue headlights
Post by: JZS 600 on 23 February 2012, 06:41:21 pm
Well I can't really say for certain but it seems like the cars I'm filtering through on the way to work seem to notice a little more and some even move over slightly... Could be psychosomatic but...