SPECS · PICS · REVIEWS · RATING
SPECS · PICS · RATING
|
Honda CB 1000 discussion forum:RE: jags |
| RE: jags |
| Andy said 2007-10-06 10:57 |
| Totally agree and would much prefer an H4 bulb setup with two light on for each of dip and full beam, looks better as well as better to see with (and be seen). I believe that the CBF1000 alternator output is 330w max so this would need to be increased to run dual filament bulbs (A Honda cost cutting exercise ?, don´t know but anyway we shouldn´t complain too much given the amazing value of the bike in the first place). The standard light output is ok but it can be significantly improved. Either a better quality 55w bulb such as Phillips xtreme power or Vision plus or higher wattage ´rally´ type bulbs. The Phillips xtreme power bulbs (or the Osram equivalent) really are much brighter than standard offerings and offer an excellent beam pattern. Phillips and Osram manufacture to very high tolerances and much of the improvement is a result of the filament allignment within the bulb and hence also in relation to the reflector which in turn puts the light where you need it on the road (not ramdomly dispersing the light). Higher wattage bulbs (80w instead of the standard 55w)sound good and indeed will be physically brighter but there are real potential downsides. Whilst the alternator will probably supply sufficient output to power the higher wattage bulbs just wacking them in will not necessarily solve your issues. First they run considerably hotter. Second the additional current still has to travel down the existing wiring loom and whilst I have not yet checked the wiring capacity it may need to be upgraded to heavier duty stuff. Generally the thicker the wiring the lower the resistance which = more current reaching the bulb. Then there are the weak points in wiring loom being any connection in the wiring particularly the spade connection on the bulb where even a marginally loose connection will lead to a resistance and loss of output at the bulb. Does this make a difference to light output, too damn right it does. Third, the CBF 1000 has a 20w fuse protecting the lighting circuit and whilst this should be sufficient for the higher wattage bulbs I would certainly carry a spare fuse with me. Fourth, as far as I can tell they are not road legal in the UK and Europe but then, are we really bovvered? Fifth, importantly if anything did go aray with the wiring/charging circuit, always assuming the Honda techies notice, using the higher wattage bulbs would almost certainly invalidate the warranty. Again both Phillips and Osram make very high quality ´rally´ bulbs i.e. 80w H7. I keep banging on about Osram and Phillips but like Mr Kipling making exceedingly good cakes Phillips and Osram make extremely good bulbs and all bulbs are most definately not equal. I am not saying that other manufacturers offerings are no good but from my personal experience of others particularly Ring and the Halfords brands, which whilst certainly bright gave an relatively indecisive beam structure and hence loose much of the bulbs potential (they seemed to spread the light everywhere and even the light pattern varied bulb to bulb as well!) Lastly get the lights allignment set up right. My Honda dealer has had two goes on their beam setter but failed to get it right leaving high beam too high and dip marginally low resulting in a dark band between high and dip beam when on full beam - really annoying that. The easiest way to deal with this I recon is to set the final height adjustment yourself in live conditions on the road. Bye the way I suggest you forget the ´ blue´ bulbs, they might look cool but blue light does not illuminate wet roads as well as white light. So there you have it. My choice was the Phillips X-treme 55w bulbs, no wiring, warranty issues or other downsides and are a HUGE improvement over the original and very much worth the £34 cost. Andy |
| <<Previous Answer Discussion overview Report spam Next>> |
You can post your question, answer or comment as a guest. Or
enter your e-mail to join the forum and get notifcations of new messages.
|
Enter a comment or answer to this message