My headlights are so weak

[Checker]

I suppose I have stock lights on my '98 K12RS because the lights are pretty dim. I don't ride much at night, but both high and low beams look dim even during the daytime. I run a Kisan PathBlazer headlight modulator on the high beam and I have PIAA lights mounted inside the front of the side covers so I can be seen.

Are there any better bulbs that I can "plug and play" without doing any more rewiring that would give respectable illumination? If so, where can I find them?

[98lee]

http://www.casporttouring.com/store/merchant.mvc?page=CST/CTGY/replabulb

Both the Phillips and the Osram are supposed to be 50% brighter than stock. I've been using the Osram.

That would only replace your high beam (H7) as your low beam is an H3.


:dance :dance :dance

[BuddingGeezer]

I don't know about the later K bikes, but the earlier ones had (IMO) too small wire gauge for the headlight circuit. There is too much voltage drop between the battery and light plug. The lights are even wired through the high/low beam switch placing undue strain on the switch. I might be wrong, but I'll bet yours is wired the same way. Many, including my self have wired the headlight through relays directly to the battery using heavier awg wire. There is a noticeable difference in the light.

Ralph Sims

[Beemer01]

plug and play. Available for BMWs from Eastern Beaver.

http://www.easternbeaver.com/

They work quite well, increasingly stock bulb brightness.

[eric2]

I don't know about the later K bikes, but the earlier ones had (IMO) too small wire gauge for the headlight circuit. There is too much voltage drop between the battery and light plug. The lights are even wired through the high/low beam switch placing undue strain on the switch. I might be wrong, but I'll bet yours is wired the same way. Many, including my self have wired the headlight through relays directly to the battery using heavier awg wire. There is a noticeable difference in the light.

Ralph Sims

Yes, the later ones are wired the same way (weak). There is also a known weak spot on the headlight assy connector losing ground. your best bet is to add some relays and go HID. You can get kits much cheaper than when i did mine (http://www.k-bikes.com/ubbthreads/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Board=technical&Number=26031&Search=true&Forum=technical&Words=HID&Match=Entire%20Phrase&Searchpage=1&Limit=25&Old=allposts&Main=26031)

[eric2]

plug and play. Available for BMWs from Eastern Beaver.

http://www.easternbeaver.com/

They work quite well, increasingly stock bulb brightness.

Bzzzzzzt. The k12rs has h3/h7 lights, not h4. Jim does have a relay kit
that will work but its not plug n play

[riderR1150GSAdv]

I don't know about the later K bikes, but the earlier ones had (IMO) too small wire gauge for the headlight circuit. There is too much voltage drop between the battery and light plug. The lights are even wired through the high/low beam switch placing undue strain on the switch. I might be wrong, but I'll bet yours is wired the same way. Many, including my self have wired the headlight through relays directly to the battery using heavier awg wire. There is a noticeable difference in the light.

Ralph Sims

+2!

Rather than trying those 'miracle' bulbs that somehow produce more light than physics allow :laugh , I'd upgrade the low beam, at least, to an HID set-up after rewiring the stock K-mart wiring...;)

[Paul_F]

The difference was amazing when I replaced the wiring to the headlight.

[68820]

I added a set of Hella Optilux 1500 (http://www.hella.com/produktion/Optilux/WebSite/AuxiliaryLights/DrivingLamps/Model_1500/Model_1500.jsp) driving lights to my 2001 K12RS. They were pretty easy to install once I peeled the Tupperware off the bike. I followed the guide (http://www.gunsmoke.com/motorcycling/k1200rs/lights/index.html) at Scot Marburger's great web site.

Another alternative is to add Motolights (http://www.motolight.com/). They are great for creating a triangle of light on the front of your bike. Not only is the bike easier to see, but you also have more light in front when you're riding.

[GregFeeler]

http://www.casporttouring.com/store/merchant.mvc?page=CST/CTGY/replabulb

Both the Phillips and the Osram are supposed to be 50% brighter than stock. I've been using the Osram.

That would only replace your high beam (H7) as your low beam is an H3.


:dance :dance :dance

I don't think the headlight on my K1200RS is that bad, but OTOH, I have pretty good night vision (still). I have used the Eastern Beaver wiring harnesses (not for headlights - other things) and they are first rate. Everyone I know who has used one for their headlights say they get much more light, and often longer bulb life.

Speaking of specialty bulbs, I have used the Sylvania SilverStar bulbs and they do seem brighter, although some say it's just the color spectrum they produce. Sylvania is an Osram brand and the word on the street is that the Osram high output bulbs from Europe are brighter than the SilverStars you get from Sylvania in N.A. because they don't have the color-spectrum shifting coating of the SilverStars. I did find that the SilverStars didn't last nearly as long as stock bulbs, however. Supposedly the new SilverStar ULTRA bulbs are to last much longer and be even brighter. :dunno