High Beam or Low Beam

[BlackburnD]

I noticed the first time I rode my Kat at night that my low beam isn't very bright. It seems to be aimed properly and what not, but it's just not very bright. Of course if I hit my high beam I can see great. I don't know if my bulb is going bad, the Kat has poopy low beams and most kat riders ride with high beam, or what is going on . So my question(s) is do most of you ride with you high beam on, and if not can you suggest a good bright replacement bulb? All I know is that I didn't have this problem on my Yamaha. Thanks all.

[JaxKatana600]

Re: High Beam or Low Beam

I noticed the first time I rode my Kat at night that my low beam isn't very bright. It seems to be aimed properly and what not, but it's just not very bright. Of course if I hit my high beam I can see great. I don't know if my bulb is going bad, the Kat has poopy low beams and most kat riders ride with high beam, or what is going on . So my question(s) is do most of you ride with you high beam on, and if not can you suggest a good bright replacement bulb? All I know is that I didn't have this problem on my Yamaha. Thanks all.

I ride with highbeams all day everyday. I use any method possible for cagers to see me.

[Black_peter]

I agree.. High beams all the time..
I tend to adjust mine on the fly though..

One advantage to my Streetfighter.

[Range]

ride with NO lights....I DARE you!

[suzukisportrider2004]

i ride with my highs during the day, i have ben thinking about molding some fog lights into the turn signal pockets tho

[Yellow2002Kat]

The stock bulbs in my '02 were pretty poor so you're not alone. Based on the advice of many here on KR, I upgraded to Sylvania Silverstars about 8 months ago. While I still run my brights during the day, I always run my low beams at night. As I'm usually riding in traffic, brights in the evening really isn't an option.

I find these bulbs put a lot more light on the road when compared to the stock bulbs. It's an inexpensive upgrade and I think you'll be happy with the results. If memory serves me correctly the bulbs cost about $40.

[KatanaSoldier]

I got some like these and they made a big difference. I run em bright day and night too.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/8500K-XENON-H4-HEADLIGHTS-SUZUKI-GSXR-600-750-1000-1100_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ36476QQihZ014QQitemZ330067680809QQrdZ1

[Anonymous]

Brights - Day

Lows - Night

Freeway riding - Flashing Brights

[FloridaKat]

Low beam during nights, high beams all day

[iwannadie]

i just leave mine on low. most big suvs and what not sit up to high to make a difference in low/high beams. that and living in the land of the rising sun...

i hate bikes(cars) that ride with highs at night, my car sits low and basically eye level. sure ill see them but doesnt help if i wreck into them cause im blinded.

[sphinxman]

I agree with the high days and low nights policy. I do ride back roads at night, so anytime I'd use highs in my car I use them on my bike too.

[The CyberPoet]

If you want to read a lot about lighting, check out my motorcycle lighting webpage here:
CyberPoet's "Understanding Motorcycle Lighting, Bulbs, Upgrades, Options".

Generally:
You want to find a xenon-halogen filled H4/HB2/9003 bulb that is rated at 55/60 watts in the actual imprint in the metal ring around the bulb. Running one that has a higher imprint without upgrading the wiring is asking for a wiring melt-down. The xenon-blend in the halogen gas will allow the tungsten filament to burn brighter (although hours-to-burn-out will be reduced).

Particularly good choices are:
Silvania SilverStars (9003) -- any auto parts store, wally world (about $40/pair or $20 each)
or
HELLA Part Number 8GJ 002 525-821 <<-- My preference. Get 'em here:

http://www.rallylights.com/hella/H4.asp

OR
Hella PN# H83140272 as Hella High Performance Xenon Blue Bulbs
or
PIAA H4 Xtreme White Plus in a 55/60 rating.

Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet

[tzortn]

I found that you gain a lot by adjusting the direction of the lights. the stock position was way to low for me.

http://www.katriders.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12081&

[KRAZYKAT]

I found that you gain a lot by adjusting the direction of the lights. the stock position was way to low for me.

http://www.katriders.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12081&

I agree. i adjusted mine and it worked out well. although i did go a lil overboard, my brights are a bit too high. but if u do yours correctly, you will be very happy.

[meanstrk]

High beams. ALWAYS!