Low Beam - too bright?

On my 2006 VFR800A the low beam seems to be really bright. For example during a 2 hour trip last night about 8-10 people flashed me like they were trying to tell me to turn off my high beams. It happens all the time! So, I usually flash the highs so that they can see that I'm using my lows & they get a bit of a surprise I'm sure ;o)
Anyone else have this problem on the 6th gen? Are they maybe aimed too high, is that possible, like in a car?

Thanks in advance!

 

just got 03 VFR and I get the same thing. O run the highbeams during the day and low beams at night and they still flash me. Mine are not pointed to high. They shine perfect. I guess we shouldn't complain...this means people see us and that is most important.

 

Yeah, I like being seen for sure! But seriously no one else has this problem? Any suggestions to fix it or do I just live with it as is?

 

I would say they may be aimed a little high. Ride up to a flat wall at night and stop at a reasonable distance away. While sitting on the bike see how high your low beams pattern is.

Action

 

could be that most other sporty bikes have only one headlihgt on at lowbeam setting, and the vfr has two. so they usually think your brights are on.

 

Split, check out this link and see where your stand on your headlight aim.

http://www.webmaster10.com/ldr/headlight_aiming.html

 

Yup, beams probably aimed a bit high. Important thing w/ bikes is to be sitting on it when evaluating height of beam on the wall. If you always ride w/ a passenger, it might help to compensate by adjusting even lower (or have passenger sit on the bike while measuring/adjusting).

 

I've had this problem on my '07, really noticable two up, so i lowered the beams a bit and problem solved.

 

Same with my bike. Too bright low beam. I adjust the lower knot, its OK now.

Just want to share a similar incident on high beam. A driver who refused to lower his light was shot by and irritated incoming driver. He followed the vehicle and as soon as he was alligned, he shot it with an automatic rifle. Its not a bigbike, otherwise he could not catch him.

 

69Rider

I got my 2007 model in May and noticed the beam was aimed high from the first night I rode it. I was going to lower it but, instead, I use it as a guide on how far to sit behind a car when I'm riding in city traffic. If the top edge of the beam is aligned with the bottom of the car's rear window then I'm about 2 seconds behind the car i.e. the recommended safe distance. I doubt if it was planned that way but hey, it works for me!

 

There are three things to consider about your head lights. Adjusting your heads will require some assistance to stablize the bike.

1. Make sure your suspension is properly set up.

2. Be sure to have your head lights adusted with a laden bike.

3. Take a consideration that riding two up can affect your head light aim.

For most of us, this tends to be a trial and error learning experience.

 

I have an '07. Replaced the low beams with two HID XENON lights, the things are now bright like you wouldnt believe. Soon to be replacing the high beams with Sylvania 8K bulbs to color match. Some people sweat the lights, but most get out of the way if I am behind them. I really dont get flashed often to turn em off.
Let me tell you, they make a WORLD of difference in visibility. I would never go back to the normal lights now...

 

NeverlosT
I like the idea of the HID Xenon lights, can you tell me which ones so I can find them online? Also, others have commented on replacing OEM brake and signal lights with aftermarkets such as LED, and resulting in battery drain. I assume you haven't electrical issues with the HID Xenon lights?
Thanks!
Tony

 

Tony,
LEDs, even high power ones draw less power than incandescent lights, so I cant imagine replacing brake and signal lights with them could result in battery issues.

My HID Xenon lights were bought on Ebay (there are a million vendors, half of which are selling the SAME chinese product). Just know that you DONT need to buy a motorcycle specific kit (which costs almost the same and only comes with one bulb/ballast!). Just get a car conversion kit for your H4 Low beams (I cant remember if the lows are H4 or H7?). I got 8K bulbs and they look awesome. The kit comes with two ballasts and the hardest part of the install is finding places to put them. I relocated a small fuse panel for one and slid one just inside and above one of the blinkers. I have pics if anyone is interested. It all fits great, looks terrific, and was not super hard.
For not big money this is a GREAT mod, makes you 5X as visible and makes your bike look way more trick with a super strong cool blue beam.

Suggestion: after you do the low beams, you will NEVER find room for two more ballasts to do the high beams, just replace the high beam bulbs with Sylvania cool blue or whatever bulbs to color match. Otherwise your low beams look awesome and your high beams look like two candles burning.

The HID xenon bulbs require some rediculous voltage to get them going, like 40,000 volts or something. This is where the ballast comes in. After the initial start up the lights actually draw less power than the stock lights. I have had no electrical issues with them.

Next up.... power commander, O2 eliminator, Laser Exhaust... then done...

 

Pictures please

Can you shown some pictures?

 

Plus 1 for HID, I have them as well, & B-4 them I ran 100 watt off road halogen bulbs :tongue:

I have to deal with deer & idiot drivers, so if they shy away from me because how bright my head lights are, "GREAT" !

As for stock bikes, ever since Halogen bulbs came out on bikes, I've had people flash me, & I've alway's have my beams @ the corrected hights.

So to answer your question: Yea your beams may be a little high, but mostly it's just a M/C thing that cages have a hard time adjusting to

 

Taz,

Dude, your garage must be huge! Nice stable.

 

I Get flashed all the time, Im leaning towards an HID kit just to give 'em something to complain about, but your lows have two filiments in them, one is not used at all, its not even connected to a wire. So you can make a "cheap" upgrade with a couple of 10A diodes (about 3$ for both) and some wire and connect your high beam circuit to your low beam's unused filiment. The diodes are needed so you dont back feed power to your high beams when on low(over draw your low beam circuit).

plan.

hi beam positive wire ========+=================hi beam bulb
||
||
\\ --- >|---
=====diode=========2nd low filliment

bulb ground wire=============================low beam common

low beam positive wire ==========================1st low filiment

crude drawing but apt.

you may also want to use a relay setup and just power the high beams and the 2nd low filiment from a dedicated circuit that you would add yourself, i suggest 12ga wire at the min and a 20A fuse as close to the batt as possible.

now the disclaimer.....

you do these mods at your own risk.
vfrworld, and its members can/will not be held liable for any damages that occur from using any modification ideas. (I am not a moderator, im just covering my ass incase you short out your bike)
If you do not understand what you are doing, please do not attempt the modifications. Get help before you damage your bike.