The headlight sucks!!!

[Gumby1976]

Well I'm new to riding and well the headlight on my M50 seems to suffer from flashlight syndrome (bright on the outside dark in the middle). I checked out the light bars but wanted to know if the really make a difference? The way it is now I don't feel safe riding at night at all. Any suggestions are MUCH appreciated, I love my bike and really do not want to be limited to day riding only.
Thanks,
Brian

[SNAFU]

Do a search on light bars.

[ILm50]

I put in a Sulverstar bulb, and adjusted the aim higher. Made a world of difference (for about 20 bucks)...

[cvillechopper]

Originally Posted by ILm50

I put in a Sulverstar bulb, and adjusted the aim higher. Made a world of difference (for about 20 bucks)...

+1 with the aim higher. I haven't replaced the bulb yet but getting the aim a little higher made a HUGE difference.

[digitalbroccoli]

I re-aimed mine a bit as well, and I'm actually suprised how bright my high beam is. I travel a lot of backroads without streetlights, and I never feel like I'm underlighted.

[Copronymous]

My problem is that it points down so far the light goes about 15 feet in front of me and that's it. I can't adjust it high enough to have any forward visibility.

[outlaw]

copronymous, if you can't get it adjusted higher with the adjustment screws the try some washers up under the front two bolts on the mount that attaches the light to the lower triple tree. it shouldn't take but two or three washers to bring that thing right up. i've tried several different light configurations and have settled on dual headlights. they are "tha heat" as they say. i did have the silverstar in mine with the stock fixture and it was great.

[mtalicarox]

Keep your high beams on... no one can really tell a difference when the bikes driving at them anyways.. haha, but thats just a temporary solution

[Copronymous]

Originally Posted by outlaw

copronymous, if you can't get it adjusted higher with the adjustment screws the try some washers up under the front two bolts on the mount that attaches the light to the lower triple tree. it shouldn't take but two or three washers to bring that thing right up. i've tried several different light configurations and have settled on dual headlights. they are "tha heat" as they say. i did have the silverstar in mine with the stock fixture and it was great.

I had actually considered that. It's good to know I was thinking rightly
Thanks!

[peter-reebok]

Brighter bulbs are easily available.

Handy tip - save the original, and take it with you on a long ride - cant see - cant ride.

[mrcandyman]

I replaced my stock bulb with a 6000k HID. What a HUGE difference that made. It was hard riding tehsteve's bike at night since I had gotten so used to mine. That is the first and only upgrade I've done to my bike, but it will always be the best I'm sure.

[ranger04]

aim the light higher-ride with high beam on, you get a full beam and not a line of light
also change the bulb, i have a Plasma Ultra white bulb from apc #H4/H9003 HB-2
makes a big differance and will no longer need a lightbar for your bike, cost be $5 at a swap meet-probably get it from auto zone for not much more
(also are you getting the right screws for adjustment? i was trying to spin the wrong screws the first time i tried)

[Copronymous]

Originally Posted by ranger04

(also are you getting the right screws for adjustment? i was trying to spin the wrong screws the first time i tried)

Good question. I only see 2 screws for adjustment, and they don't do vertical. And since I STILL don't have the mutherfrackin manual from the dealer, I don't have any way to know about full adjustments.

When I took it in for 600 mile service, I asked them to adjust it up. They said it can't be adjusted up.

[mrcandyman]

if looking at the headlight from the front, it is the bottom right screw

[ranger04]

Originally Posted by Copronymous

Good question. I only see 2 screws for adjustment, and they don't do vertical. And since I STILL don't have the mutherfrackin manual from the dealer, I don't have any way to know about full adjustments.

When I took it in for 600 mile service, I asked them to adjust it up. They said it can't be adjusted up.

it can be done, look under the front of your headlight, you should see two (bronze color if i correct) screws-one is horizontal-one vertical-starring into the light the one on the right is vertical
(might not recommend starring into the light with it on of course)

[DeRiggi]

Originally Posted by Copronymous

.

When I took it in for 600 mile service, I asked them to adjust it up. They said it can't be adjusted up.

Well i'm going to have to call Bravo Sierra on that one!!



If it can't be adjusted, i wonder what i was doing to mine when i adjusted it LOL


I would suggest finding another Stealer if they can't help you adjust a head light.....sounds like they really don't give 2 _ _ _ _ s....

[Mavman]

Originally Posted by DeRiggi

Well i'm going to have to call Bravo Sierra on that one!!



If it can't be adjusted, i wonder what i was doing to mine when i adjusted it LOL


I would suggest finding another Stealer if they can't help you adjust a head light.....sounds like they really don't give 2 _ _ _ _ s....

what the he$$ , I guess we all that have deserve a mechanic commendation of some sort for getting it done then. And further more.......what's this crap about no manual......it's supposed to come with the bike upon purchase!!

I here-by second the recommendation for a new dealer.

[Copronymous]

I got a great deal on the bike, but these guys have been a pain in my a$& otherwise.
Bought the bike and waited 45 minutes for them, while they looked for the manual. Didn't have one for some reason. My guess is that the stealer took one along the way, and replaced until I bought the last bike they had.
SO they ordered me one. They have it, but I don't have time to ride there and get it (wife, kid, real job, starting a business, and teaching a college class). I asked them before I left town last week to MAIL it to me. Still no manual. I'm pretty racked over it.

On the the headlight adjust...I mucked with both of those adjustment screws after my first night ride. I guess it's possible that I mis-understood what the dealer said. Maybe it was "We can't adjust it more". I dunno. The adjustment is at it maximum...won't go any higher. I guess I'll have to put the washers on there after all.

Thanks for y'all's help.

[outlaw]

maybe its adjusted too high Copronymous. there is a secondary bright spot if it's adjusted too high that will fool you into thinking it is the actual focal point. try running it down the other way until it's bottomed and then bring it back up. have it focused on a wall from about 15 feet back when you do this so you can see the focal ring as it moves.

[DeRiggi]

Once i got to a certain point adjusting it, i had to really work that screw to get it higher and to the point i wanted it. Also put in the SilverStar, world of difference....