Bosch Headlight

[Minus Juan]

Just got an 88 K-75 S and noticed that the low beam headlight is not quite as bright as I would have hoped for. Is this a typical issue. When I flipped to high beam it seemed to be proper but normal low beam just seemed a little dull.
If this is a typical issue, is there a aftermarket headlamp that throws a better group of lumens?
Thanks in advance,
minus

[frankenduck]

Stoop down a little lower.  K bikes have a pretty sharp beam cutoff on the low beam.

How to make your headlight brighter: Headlight Relays   

[combatmmuter]

i enjoy the extra output of an HID, H-4 bulb in the K1100RS. more light, sharp cutoff still visible and no extra lamps hanging around.
got mine here:      http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/DDM-35W-55W-Single-HiLo-Motorcycle-HID-Kit] [url]http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/DDM-35W-55W-Single-HiLo-Motorcycle-HID-Kit[/url]
 and less costly than one of those incandescent high watt things that blow out the handlebar switches.
you know how i know.

[Rick G]

Put the relays in I think you will like the extra light you get and regardless of what bulb you have the handlebar switches will give out sooner than later too

[Minus Juan]

Combat,
You wouldn't know if that would work in my 75s would you? If it would, does it require adding some beefier wireing and/or a relay?
Thanks to all for the comments and help, it is really great to have this much expertise available to tap.

[frankenduck]

Combat,
You wouldn't know if that would work in my 75s would you? If it would, does it require adding some beefier wireing and/or a relay?
Thanks to all for the comments and help, it is really great to have this much expertise available to tap.

Combat's post looks like he's most likely a spammer.  Be VERY wary of anybody who has only one post and is plugging a product.

HIDs work best with headlight reflectors/lenses that are specifically designed for HID - which K bike headlights aren't.  HID "upgrades" in non-HID headlights usually emit light scatter - which is why they're illegal and can get you a ticket.

[DRxBMW]

and less costly than one of those incandescent high watt things that blow out the handlebar switches.
you know how i know.

If you use a dual relay wiring harness for the OEM headlight,30% brighter light from the get go. I run a super PIAA 140/75W H4 in my K 75 whip, most excellent lumen output.

PLUS ! your switchgear will NEVER DIE from excessive voltage bleed off.

If I were converting to HID, these Trailtech lights below would be my first choice. 50% less than than the EXPENSIVE Touratech model, almost a direct clone. Internal ballast, Paul has them on his K 100 RS,impressive. He runs one driving,one fog there that bright. Wired/tapped into his high beam, read easy to dip for oncoming traffic. 



http://trailtech.net/single_hid_sc4.html

aux lighting is a debatable subject, go here for more info.

http://faq.f650.com/FAQs/AftermarketLightsFAQ.htm

FWIW, Pep Boys Auto has driving lights priced at $35.00 each. If your on a budget,equal to the $300.00 PIAA's. They work well, enough said.



LED's is the future of lighting, NOT for me yet but the technology is getting better as time progresses.

[frankenduck]

What's the part number for your PIAA 140W bulb?

[DRxBMW]

What's the part number for your PIAA 140W bulb?

opps, wrong wattage factor quoted.   Plus, there NOT PIAA branded, my bad, had the extra one stashed in a PIAA box. Seem to hold up OK, reasonable in cost, been 9 months since R&R.

CEC H4 90/130 Watt (High Output Low Beam and High Beam) Clear Replacement Bulbs (2 bulbs) Part # CECH413090W
Item# CECH413090W



http://www.highperformancebulbs.com/h4bulbs.html

http://www.highperformancebulbs.com/headlight-and-foglight-bulbs.html

FWIW, the blue tint is strictly to "imitate" HID cosmetic image factor. In reality terms, it does absolutely nothing for brightness other than looking cool.


If I were really a cool cat K, I be running a custom bricKhead yellow HL to stand out in the crowd, 

[wmax351]

I like the Selective Yellow bulbs. Really make you stand out, and also lower glare for other drivers.

[CRASH]

Combat,
You wouldn't know if that would work in my 75s would you? If it would, does it require adding some beefier wireing and/or a relay?
Thanks to all for the comments and help, it is really great to have this much expertise available to tap.

The DDM unit should work in your bike and you should not have to do any wiring upgrades, but if what I am hearing I understand, you may want to regardless (relays and such). (full disclosure, I have had mine on my K1200GT for about 2 years and love them but do have a beefier alternator)  I have DDM in high and low, the high takes a little time to warm up, but if you flip it off and then on for on coming cars, it is fine. I usual suggest folks try out the low beam and see what they think, with the low and a standard high beam, you should be very happy with the light.

[frankenduck]

FWIW, the blue tint is strictly to "imitate" HID cosmetic image factor. In reality terms, it does absolutely nothing for brightness other than looking cool.

That's not exactly true.  The blue tint makes Xenon bulbs whiter, not bluer.  I run the xenon X4s with a blue tinted bulb in all of my bikes and the light has virtually no blue tint to it at all and looks nothing like HID.