Hey guys and gals, I'm looking into to picking up a new headlight for my 2013 Fatboy. I do a lot of riding in the Texas Hill Country, which is 99% unlit winding roads. I'm wanting to get headlights STRICTLY for visibility. I don't give a hoot how they look. All I have now is the stock light, and it's terrible.

I've been looking a lot at the online stores, and I have no idea whether to get LED or Halogen or passing lights or no passing lights....etc. Can any of ya'll with more knowledge of the subject en"lighten" me (I know, it was a cheap pun)? Maybe tell me what you have on your bikes, and tell me what you like and don't like about it. Also, about what did ya'll pay to upgrade your lights?

 

http://www.headwinds.com/
I have a Headwinds Mariah Concours Rocket Headlight and tri-bar headlamp with a 55/100 H4. The shell body is longer than stock, so I also needed their headlight mount.
I also have their matching 2" 35W spotlights in side mount configuration I'm going to mount below the footpegs in the pre-drilled crash bar mounting holes.

I just need to quit being so lazy.

 

Thanks for sharing the link, but I have no idea what to even consider. They have the following options: LED, HID, Xenon, Halogen, and sealed beam. Sorry if I wasn't super clear, but what I really want to know is what are the best options as far as visibility. I also want to know if I should stick with the single headlight or get the two smaller lights (i think they are called passing lights) on either side of the headlight. I've heard they help with lighting a wider stretch of road, which would definitely help on those curves I mentioned.

 

Plenty of choices out there.

 

My son put HID kits in his Deluxe. I installed the TruckLite LED headlight and auxiliary lights. Both are less expensive alternatives than the LED conversions offered by the MOCO. I guess you could also go with an aftermarket replacement for your headlight bulb. Good luck...

 

If your main concern is visibility, it will come down to HID versus LED. There is an ongoing argument whether HID is brighter than LED with support for each side.

HID
Pros:
Less expensive

Cons:
Draw more amperage from the battery than LED
Require a ballast and possibly a delay relay installed or a switch for the headlight

LED
Pros:
Usually plug 'n play (may require a load equalizer wired in)

Cons:
More expensive

Additionally, if you are looking for more light, the passing lamps will help. They will assist in lighting the peripheral areas better.

The first decision you need to make is whether you want to go HID or LED. For that, I would research each online. You can also search this forum for previous threads on each type of lighting system.

Once you make the decision for HID or LED lighting on your bike, you can post back for recommendations on brand and even wiring in the passing lamps.

Personally, I chose HD LED lights all around on my 2012 Heritage (headlight, passing lamps, turn signals and even fender tips). There are less expensive LED lights from other companies. My fender tip lamps are from Custon Dynamics.

 

I'm thinking I would really like a setup like yours, how much did it cost for the headlight and the passing lamps (including the housings, brackets, etc.)?

 

I have the Kuryakyn leds on both mine. They are great on straight line or slight curves. They suck on switchbacks. You are basically turning into the dark. You will see the deer better though.

 

I went with a HID kit that was less then $30 and it works great. Sure they draw more amp's but were not powering up a touring bike with all the goodies. I installed an on/off switch inline on the headlight power wire so when I start the bike I can shut off the light thus eliminating any chance of blowing a fuse. You can do the same thing with a relay.

Just to add to the list of pro's and con's for the LED light a big con to me is if something should happen and the light stops working your stuck with no light . With the Hid I carry my stock bulb in a bag and can replace a burned out or broken light in less then 5 min on the side of the road. Just something to think about.

 

I have gone totally LED, Brake, turn signal, headlight and running lights. Below is pic of the LED headlight and the LED front turn signal and the OEM running lights. I took the pic before I put the running lights in. They are incredible. Even when riding in the daylight the headlight will reflect the roadsigns. At night is like riding down a lit up road. I highly recommend them.

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