CBF500 2004 poor headlight

[RogerD]

Hi out there

Am struggling with what to do about the dire headlight on my CBF500.

 

Dipped beam at night with cars around is “okay” but otherwise really poor. Main beam helps but obviously not when other cars around. Am currently using 55/60w halogen but need to look at other options……..LED?  Seems they are available but bulb swop isn’t street legal (I believe….) so need to change the complete unit, and so the costs start going up, currently about £150 from LEDPerf for completely new headlight, fittings etc.

 

Has anyone any experience of this they can share please?

Man thanks .

Roger

[RideWithStyles]

You can get many upgraded versions of Halo’s which might just work of £10-30quid, how much better will depended on what’s it’s using already and how old it is?

Things that don’t help is if the HL lens has yellowed or fog on it?

 

Yes leds are not meant nor to be used in re flective headlight units like yours.

they provide and emit their light in a totally different manner so to retro fit that bulb to it makes it an mot fail.

 

Also you’d be recommended to notify your insurance of any HL unit changes, some may not bother, others may do.

If you think that unit you have now is that bad then that cost is worth it as you’ll end up paying out way more to change the bike. if you want much more from it your gonna have to pay for it.

 

[Fiddlesticks]

I put Osram Night Breakers on the Explorer. Not LED, but made quite a difference.

Edited January 20 by Fiddlesticks

[Punts]

 

There was an addition to the MOT regulations about changing to brighter bulb systems, 01/01/23,  Motorcycle LED Lights: UK Laws (2023) changing was not allowed, and under section 4.1.4.b and would be an MOT failure.

 

This was amended two months later, 01/03/23, [Withdrawn] MOT special notice 01-21: headlamp conversions - GOV.UK, 4.1.4.b (you need to scroll down) and motorcycles were exempt and the rule "Not in use". 

As long as your conversion dips and does not dazzle oncoming drivers when tested at the MOT, it'll pass.

 

The rule still applies to cars.

Edited January 20 by Punts

[Simon Davey]

@RogerD

As well as a very effective bulb change such as @Fiddlesticks mentions above, along with maybe Halfords 200% brighter etc. Make sure the headlight lens is clear, it might just need a polish, and also check it's not pointing down. 

[Old-codger]

5 hours ago, Fiddlesticks said:

I put Osram Night Breakers on the Explorer. Not LED, but made quite a difference.

As Fiddlesticks says use osram Night breaker they are a vast improvement.

[Mississippi Bullfrog]

My CBF500 had the same issue. We live in a rural area so the single headlight on unlit rural roads was an issue.

 

I fitted a Halfords 200% bulb which improved things enough not to need to worry about more radical suggestions. 

 

I was told these bulbs tend not to last very long but it's been in for nearly 6 years now and still works fine. 

[V650]

Why not add a couple of spotlight's / Auxiliary Lights ? 

[RogerD]

Thanks to you all for your helpful suggestions. Proves again the value of the Forum.

Roger.

[Simon Davey]

1 hour ago, RogerD said:

Thanks to you all for your helpful suggestions. Proves again the value of the Forum.

Roger.

 

Please let us know how you get on Roger.

Cheers

[billysugger]

Little bit late to this party but here goes. My CBF600SA had a really poor headlight set up, and when on the way home on back roads from work at night it was pretty horrendous. I looked online and found a HALO set up designed to fit the bike so I bought 2. I fitted one in the dipped beam side and tucked the slave unit in the gap between the frame and front fairing. What a difference!!! The bike has been MOT'd 3 times since, and has passed the beam test each time.

Since then I have also fitted 2 LED spots low down, and these cover the area below the output of the HALO, so the road in front is well lit without dazzling oncoming traffic, unless I hit a rise in the road

 

[RogerD]

Thanks for the message, and interesting to hear your experience with the Halo.

Ashamed to say I have not moved this on with my own lights, but ……….hopefully soon.

Thanks again.

Roger