08 Road Glide HD lights suck
#11
06-02-2008, 05:54 PM
RE: 08 Road Glide HD lights suck
Posted by Blackisfast:
The Harley part number for the European-spec headlamp optic for use on the RH side of the road (as we drive in North America) is 68995-01, and its beam patterns, both low and high, are much better focused: longer, wider and more effective. This headlamp uses the same configuration (twin reflectors with twin H4 bulbs) but the actual reflector optic surfaces are different.
Once you've swapped in the better optic, put in better bulbs. If you're after maximum nighttime seeing only (my choice), use a pair of Osram ultra high efficacy 70/65W Osram Plus 50: $22/ea at Daniel Stern Lighting
If you need a large improvement in nighttime seeing *and* you need other road users to see you earlier (so they don't do dumb things like pulling out in front of you), put in one Osram 70/65w and one Narva Rangepower+50 ($17/ea) with a CPI reusable selective yellow snap-on balloon ($9).
If you are on a tight budget, you can do the bulb swaps as described above in your existing lamp optic. This will not alter the poorly-focused beam pattern (light distribution) of your headlamps, but there will be more light within the beam.
Like he says, put in whatever brighter bulb you want, but the euro upgrade focuses more light in front of you instead of fanning out so far to the sides.
The Harley part number for the European-spec headlamp optic for use on the RH side of the road (as we drive in North America) is 68995-01, and its beam patterns, both low and high, are much better focused: longer, wider and more effective. This headlamp uses the same configuration (twin reflectors with twin H4 bulbs) but the actual reflector optic surfaces are different.
Once you've swapped in the better optic, put in better bulbs. If you're after maximum nighttime seeing only (my choice), use a pair of Osram ultra high efficacy 70/65W Osram Plus 50: $22/ea at Daniel Stern Lighting
If you need a large improvement in nighttime seeing *and* you need other road users to see you earlier (so they don't do dumb things like pulling out in front of you), put in one Osram 70/65w and one Narva Rangepower+50 ($17/ea) with a CPI reusable selective yellow snap-on balloon ($9).
If you are on a tight budget, you can do the bulb swaps as described above in your existing lamp optic. This will not alter the poorly-focused beam pattern (light distribution) of your headlamps, but there will be more light within the beam.
Like he says, put in whatever brighter bulb you want, but the euro upgrade focuses more light in front of you instead of fanning out so far to the sides.
#12
06-02-2008, 05:58 PM
#15
06-02-2008, 08:40 PM
Road Master
RE: 08 Road Glide HD lights suck
i have an 08 road glide, that i just got and havent ridden at night yet. all my buddies tell me the lites look real faint in the daytime..when i took it in for 1000 mile check i asked the dealer to check the adjustment .he assured me everything was fine... does everyone elses lites look faint compared to other harleys ????
#18
06-03-2008, 07:32 AM
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RE: 08 Road Glide HD lights suck
A recap of what Beemervet posted.
I saved this from the Road Glide Groups. It was posted some time ago and comes up every now and than. Quite simply it is the Euro reflector conversion making our dual headlights a lot brighter. I thought since the Road Glide population is growing here there may be some interest in it.
I saved this from the Road Glide Groups. It was posted some time ago and comes up every now and than. Quite simply it is the Euro reflector conversion making our dual headlights a lot brighter. I thought since the Road Glide population is growing here there may be some interest in it.
My hat's off to Nasty of the VNV MC. I did exactly what he said, and
it worked perfectly. I don't know how he figured all this out, as the
parts mentioned are pretty obscure and nobody knows what you're
talking about. My local dealers thought I was crazy. Euro
headlights? Because the original thread went so long, I am recapping
as promised.
My headlights on my 2005 were not good, and got progressively worse as
the reflective material on the headlight reflectors started coming
off. The dealer said that I was using my high beams too much (I was)
and it's not covered under warranty. $200 for a new assembly, please.
Then I read Nasty's thread about the Euro headlight assembly for the
RoadGlide. Because Euro laws allow headlight beams to have different
patterns than US, the light tends to be more focused and put a little
more light in that dark spot directly in front of you. I have no
affiliation with either of the companies mentioned. Buy the stuff
anywhere you want. I will say both of the companies mentioned treated
me right.
Step 1. Purchase the Euro-style headlight assembly from Zanotti HD in
Butler, PA. http://www.zanottim otor.com/ . Part number is 68995-01.
Retail is $198.00, Zanotti sells it on the internet for $134.08. A
huge savings, and I had it within a week - even though they did not
have it in stock. Faster and cheaper than my local dealers.
Step 2. Get some decent bulbs. Decent bulbs are important, but they
won't compensate for the goofy light pattern on our stock lights. I'd
say both are equally important. I went to
http://www.danielst ernlighting. com/. and ordered 2 Osram 70/65W H4
bulbs. There's some great headlight research on his web site, you
should read it. The bulbs were $22/each. You might want to ask him
which bulb is right for you, based on your type of riding. You have
to be careful that you don't get a bulb too hot. And, there's a
compromise between intensity and longevity.
Step 3. Put them in. Pulling that fairing off is not the end of the
world, neither is it a whole lot of fun. It took me over an hour to
get the job done. I recommend reading your shop manual before pulling
it. There is a small "pilot light" that for some reason is on the
Euro light assembly, I guess to provide some light in the event of a
total headlight failure. There were two wires hanging on the stock
harness, the connectors matched, so I hooked it up. Looks kind of cool.
Conclusion. Best money I have spent on my Glide. I was seriously
considering some aftermarket driving lights - but no more. Not
needed, and this retrofit was cheaper than a good set of driving
lights. The low beam difference is incredible. It's better than my
high beams were. Not as high, I am not lighting up the trees. But, I
can see just as far down the road and that spot directly in front of
the bike is neither too bright nor too dark. The high beams are
incredible as well. It's better than the projector headlights on my
new Dodge pickup. It's like having a great set of Piaa driving lights[/align]
it worked perfectly. I don't know how he figured all this out, as the
parts mentioned are pretty obscure and nobody knows what you're
talking about. My local dealers thought I was crazy. Euro
headlights? Because the original thread went so long, I am recapping
as promised.
My headlights on my 2005 were not good, and got progressively worse as
the reflective material on the headlight reflectors started coming
off. The dealer said that I was using my high beams too much (I was)
and it's not covered under warranty. $200 for a new assembly, please.
Then I read Nasty's thread about the Euro headlight assembly for the
RoadGlide. Because Euro laws allow headlight beams to have different
patterns than US, the light tends to be more focused and put a little
more light in that dark spot directly in front of you. I have no
affiliation with either of the companies mentioned. Buy the stuff
anywhere you want. I will say both of the companies mentioned treated
me right.
Step 1. Purchase the Euro-style headlight assembly from Zanotti HD in
Butler, PA. http://www.zanottim otor.com/ . Part number is 68995-01.
Retail is $198.00, Zanotti sells it on the internet for $134.08. A
huge savings, and I had it within a week - even though they did not
have it in stock. Faster and cheaper than my local dealers.
Step 2. Get some decent bulbs. Decent bulbs are important, but they
won't compensate for the goofy light pattern on our stock lights. I'd
say both are equally important. I went to
http://www.danielst ernlighting. com/. and ordered 2 Osram 70/65W H4
bulbs. There's some great headlight research on his web site, you
should read it. The bulbs were $22/each. You might want to ask him
which bulb is right for you, based on your type of riding. You have
to be careful that you don't get a bulb too hot. And, there's a
compromise between intensity and longevity.
Step 3. Put them in. Pulling that fairing off is not the end of the
world, neither is it a whole lot of fun. It took me over an hour to
get the job done. I recommend reading your shop manual before pulling
it. There is a small "pilot light" that for some reason is on the
Euro light assembly, I guess to provide some light in the event of a
total headlight failure. There were two wires hanging on the stock
harness, the connectors matched, so I hooked it up. Looks kind of cool.
Conclusion. Best money I have spent on my Glide. I was seriously
considering some aftermarket driving lights - but no more. Not
needed, and this retrofit was cheaper than a good set of driving
lights. The low beam difference is incredible. It's better than my
high beams were. Not as high, I am not lighting up the trees. But, I
can see just as far down the road and that spot directly in front of
the bike is neither too bright nor too dark. The high beams are
incredible as well. It's better than the projector headlights on my
new Dodge pickup. It's like having a great set of Piaa driving lights[/align]
#19
06-03-2008, 07:34 AM
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#20
06-03-2008, 08:17 AM
Road Warrior