Headlights Refresher

Jay51

Jay51

Joined
Dec 28, 2016
Messages
186
Location
Orange County California
Bike
2006 ST1300A
Hi Guys,

I have had my ST1300 in storage for 3 years as I have moved around the country for work.

I've changed the oil and fluids and fired it up. All is good, except I need a refresher on how the headlights should light up.

1. On low beams, should one or both sides light up? Only one side is lighting up.

On high beams, both sides light up.

Thanks for the refresher...

-Jay
 
Both low beams illuminate at all times when on low beam. Both high beams illuminate at all times when on high beam.
This assumes that this is a North American market ST1300 that has not been modified.
 
Good time to upgrade to LED's.

Headlight LED -- F2 vs F3 vs NB35 | Lighting / Visibility

There are LED bulbs that have more power than the F2 LED bulb. F2 is 33 watts. F3 is 44 watts. NB35 is 44 watts. They both produce 33% more power than the F2. So they are brighter but.... You cannot compare these by which has the highest peak brightness. The F2 and the F3 have about the same...
www.st-owners.com www.st-owners.com
 
drrod said:
Good time to upgrade to LED's.
Click to expand...
Agreed. LEDs are a huge improvement. Also you may remember that both headlight are turned off while the starter button is depressed. And if so – disregard. And if they go out but don't comeback on try a shot or two of plastic safe electrical contact cleaner. Follow this up with a disassembly to clean and lightly grease. And if you're already aware of that – again disregard. :)

Also it's always a good idea to ensure your headlights are properly aimed. The whiteness to blue-whiteness of LEDs can annoying some people even when they're properly aimed. Excessive brightness will also cause problems so I avoid claimed high output bulbs.

I've had LED bulbs in my ST and car for years without being 'flashed'. But very recently I was at the limit line in the #1 lane on a red light on an incline. The driver of the car in the #1 lane directly opposite me flashed his high beams. This was the first time ever. I attribute that to adjusting my high beams a touch below what is required and doing so fully fueled.

Not wanting him to feel ignored I responded in kind. It was impressive how bright the high beams are on my old forum-approved G2 bulbs. He was not amused.

The reality is that me being on an incline raised the point of incidence to the driver's face. I understand how this would be annoying. But the same happens with incan lights properly aimed. But being LEDs 'was a problem'. I got over it soon enough.
 
ST Gui said:
.....I attribute that to adjusting my high beams a touch below what is required and doing so fully fueled.
Click to expand...

On "bouncy" roads, the headlight adjustment motor comes in handy to lower the beams a notch or two.
 
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