Disappointed in FJR headlights

[Harald]

I love my FeeJay and had the opportunity to ride her a few times in the dark. I like the light output, I think that the FJR comes with a decent light, yet I decided to replace my bulbs with the OSRAM Night Breaker PLUS and found they serve me better.

V

RPK

Ditto what he said.

I had some of the old Nightbreakers and they only lasted 9months and 1 year for the 2 bulbs. Because I liked the additional light, I took a chance on the improved version that claims longer life. They are running for about 1.5 years now with no failure (hope I didn't just jinx myself).

I also notice that if I actually bother to clean the headlight lense after weeks of riding in the rain, that the light output increases considerably.

 

[dcarver]

I agree w op. compared to dl650 fjr lights suck. Same as compared to the Harley.

 

[RadioHowie]

****, dc, your Feej has been apart so many times, the chances your lights are aimed right are slim to none....and slim left the premises MONTHS ago!

 

[SkooterG]

I agree w op. compared to dl650 fjr lights suck. Same as compared to the Harley.

You're smoking that funny Kali **** again. The Harley???? Puleeease! Sometimes I really wonder about you...........

 

[bluesdog]

My first night ride on the feej coincided with a heavy rainstorm. I thought my eyeballs were gonna melt from the intense reflection from the road signs!
IMO, the stock FJR headlights are superior to those of most cars I've driven, and far better than those on any bike I've ever owned. That being said, I live in deer and goat infested country, and regularly drive to work in the dark, so I intend to add some additional lights on the bike soon

Please send pictures of the goats...

'K

 

[FJRAust]

My first night ride on the feej coincided with a heavy rainstorm. I thought my eyeballs were gonna melt from the intense reflection from the road signs!
IMO, the stock FJR headlights are superior to those of most cars I've driven, and far better than those on any bike I've ever owned. That being said, I live in deer and goat infested country, and regularly drive to work in the dark, so I intend to add some additional lights on the bike soon

Please send pictures of the goats...

'K

NICE, much easier on the eye than a Kangaroo.

 

[beemerdons]

My first night ride on the feej coincided with a heavy rainstorm. I thought my eyeballs were gonna melt from the intense reflection from the road signs!
IMO, the stock FJR headlights are superior to those of most cars I've driven, and far better than those on any bike I've ever owned. That being said, I live in deer and goat infested country, and regularly drive to work in the dark, so I intend to add some additional lights on the bike soon

Please send pictures of the goats...

'K

NICE, much easier on the eye than a Kangaroo.

That's news to we Los Americanos FJRAust, we thought that Surly and Thug LOVED the Roo's!

 

[deanw]

I agree w op. compared to dl650 fjr lights suck. Same as compared to the Harley.

You're smoking that funny Kali **** again. The Harley???? Puleeease! Sometimes I really wonder about you...........

Harley Davidson knows it's target market- older... with bad eyes.

Seriously, HD has LED headlights and driving lights that are supposed to be da bomb. They're HD priced, of course.

 

[SkooterG]

I agree w op. compared to dl650 fjr lights suck. Same as compared to the Harley.

You're smoking that funny Kali **** again. The Harley???? Puleeease! Sometimes I really wonder about you...........

Harley Davidson knows it's target market- older... with bad eyes.

Seriously, HD has LED headlights and driving lights that are supposed to be da bomb. They're HD priced, of course.

Ok, I'll put that under 'to be reviewed'. The headlight on my old '95 Heritage Softail was absolutely horrendous. I know they have made other improvements since then, perhaps they have done so to the headlights too.

 

[Fingerflicker]

My headlights were pointed down to about 6 feet in front of the bike when I bought it from the dealership. I adjust my high beams to where I want them, just skirting the road ahead, then that puts the low beams in good position for me. I ride home from work at night and have not felt like i needed additional light, but additional lights do look pretty cool.

 

[leclairk]

Did a google search and couldn't find the answer so thought I would expand this thread. One headlight is brighter than the other and the beams are adjusted correctly. Haven't noticed this before. Safe to assume I need to replace the bulbs?

 

[Denver_FJR]

Did a google search and couldn't find the answer so thought I would expand this thread. One headlight is brighter than the other and the beams are adjusted correctly. Haven't noticed this before. Safe to assume I need to replace the bulbs?

Probably better to start a new thread, but...

I normally hate "swapping parts" as a means as troubleshooting but considering how cheap this would be, I would start with new bulb(s).

 

[Bustanut joker]

Some of us here actually owned and road bikes with Lucas electrics.... We were too poor or just wanted 'em.

You ain't going to hear any of us yap aboot the FJR's headlights.

 

[leclairk]

Nevermind, my son likes to sit on my bike and had turned the adjustment knob. Problem fixed.

 

[Niehart]

Nevermind, my son likes to sit on my bike and had turned the adjustment knob. Problem fixed.

Now that's just too funny and a easy fix.

 

[Hudson]

I installed the HID kit with slim ballasts that was advertised on the forum several years ago. Agree with the OP that the stock headlights are not adequate for night riding, especially in the forested part of the country. As good as the HID kit was, adding the Clearwater Darla lights made quite the big difference.

 

[supertankerm60a3]

I find the lights to be quite adequate... until I turn, leaning causes the Beam to become too short, until I switch to high. Then they are fine at any speed I have ridden. I have considered trying to set up a gyroscope (gravity based lean angle switches would not be effective) to detect lean and automatically swich from low to high beam. Of course an override switch would be included. The problem is, it would need time to spin up and set vertical reference every time I start the thing.

During my total knuckle-dragger moments I have thought about simply using a model airplane gyro, linked to a servo, touching a microswitch. Gain would then be adjustable. Unfortunately, it still leaves setting the reference angle EVERY time I start it.

 

[mcatrophy]

... it still leaves setting the reference angle EVERY time I start it.

Make it self learn; if the bike is not in neutral and at a given "angle" for longer than (say) 30 seconds, this is its new vertical datum.

(You are not the only one who drags knuckles

)

 

[mtnhigh]

I'm happy with my lighting. As mentioned, sharp turns could leave a 4 legged rat in the shadows, but i'm rarely going fast enough at night for it to be to much of an issue for me.

Sorry about the vibration. This video was made with a camera mounted on the mirror stalk. Can't handle all the vibration of the FJR.

 

[Mihalis fjr]

I'm happy with my lighting. As mentioned, sharp turns could leave a 4 legged rat in the shadows, but i'm rarely going fast enough at night for it to be to much of an issue for me.

Sorry about the vibration. This video was made with a camera mounted on the mirror stalk. Can't handle all the vibration of the FJR.

Aaahhhhh those damn fjr vibrations...

ΒTW,i am very happy with the fjr headlights!Especially from when i installed these bulbs:

https://www.philips.co.uk/c-p/12342BVUSM/-/overview

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR7.TRC0.A0.H0.Xphillips+blue+vision+h4&_nkw=phillips+blue+vision+h4&_sacat=0&_from=R40