Anyone with an Across would know about this: the headlight is remarkably dim. High beam is passable but low-beam is about as bright as a Dolphin Torch. Anyone know of a decent/bright/modern replacement bulb? Are there two bulbs? How the hell do you get into the rear of the headlight? It's pretty cramped behind there!!
Hey Brad, couldn't agree with you more the across headlight is very dull. Have heard of higher output globes available but something tells me that the electric package on the across will handle only X amount. I will check this out and get back to you. As for access, you're correct, it is tight but it can be done without removing fairings. I'll be in touch. Phil
Hey Brad, it's as I thought the voltage regulator won't handle the extra load, looks like we're stuck with the dim light. Sorry I couldn't get you some more light . Cheers Phil
In general, it is voltage drops in the cables and connectors that produce dim/yellow lights. Bulbs are designed to operate at around 13.6 Volts which is typically what the battery will sit at when the engine is running. Unfortunately often manufacturers aren't too clever when it comes to getting the 13.6 battery voltage to the bulb. The wires often run a long way through the harness to the handlebar switch, then through more routes and connectors to the bulb. Often these wires are small, long and have high resistance. Resistance is the evil that causes voltage drops. As a general rule, every volt lost reduces light output by 20%. I know from experience on my Ducati, which is why I made my own "heavy duty" slave wiring to bypass the OEM harness. There is info on how to in the tech tips section. Even if your alternator was up to running higher wattage bulbs, there is little point as you still have the same resistance and indeed will have higher voltage drops due to the higher wattage. There is info on other alternatives in that thread as well. Richard
Mine are not dull at all :S Mind you I'm slowly discovering things here and there the last owner did that were not initially obvious
you could do like the genius who owned the gsx250f before me did, put a 130 watt H4 bulb in the headlight and then melt the connector. stupid me, i didnt check before i bought it. i just looked at the headlight,and said, yep its working. wasnt till a few weeks later i had no headlight and a bad burning smell. had to cut off the old H4 connector and buy a new one from a local car part shop for about $15 and cut the old one out and solder the new one in to place. having said that, the best alternative i have discovered is a true H.I.D kit. some years ago i set one up on my K1200LT and it was magic. the stock light on the K1200LT is just as bad if not worse then the GSX250F. You can get hit kits off ebay for around $100
i know this is an old thread but i put a phillips vision plus 90 globe in my across and it has made a world of difference and only using the standard wattage the original globe had
run separate relays to hi/lo beam and use battery as power souce. use existing wiring as trigger. clean earths.
