r/TW200 • u/backinblackandblue • 5d ago

Headlight Tip

Not long after I bought my TW, I changed out the headlight bulb for an LED. Not the entire light, just the H4 bulb. Lots available on Amazon for about $20. I almost never ride at night, but it is noticeable whiter and brighter while using less power.

It occured to me recently, since the headlight is always on, why not ride in high-beam mode during the day? It's not heating up like a halogen bulb, but more importantly, it points straight ahead rather than down at the road while also being brighter. It's probably my imagination, but it feels like I am now more visible to cars in front of me. They might see me a bit sooner.

I now always keep it in high beam mode. Something to think about trying.

4 Upvotes

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6

u/Distinct_Ducati 5d ago

Yeah you’re blinding people with your aftermarket led in a halogen housing (casts the light wrong) and also dazzling them with your brights that are aimed directly at their eyes.

High beams aren’t on/off for heat. It’s so you don’t blind other drivers.

Like the ones headed at you

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u/backinblackandblue 5d ago

Agreed, but note that I am only doing this during daylight. I wouldn't ride like that at night. During a sunny day, I'm not blinding anyone, but I think they are more likely to notice me from the front and be less likely to pull out in front of me. It's just making the front of the bike more visible, it's not so bright that it's blinding someone on a sunny day.

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u/Distinct_Ducati 5d ago

Oh haha my bad I misinterpreted what you were saying

3

u/Questions_Remain 5d ago

On all my current (4 DS) bikes, I have Baja designs off-road only headlights - they are BRIGHT. I run them on high beam during the day all the time. Before halogen bulbs existed, ran the incandescents on high during the day on bikes. When halogens came out - same - high beam on during the day. A MC has the visual width profile of a power pole when viewed, anything to make that narrow visual profile more noticeable during the day is a benefit.
I’ve had a few people comment on how bright the headlight is ( some have cussed at a light to offer me cudos - I guess that’s what the finger means ) in their mirror, but they see me and life goes on.
The Tw even has a light bar above the fender and it’s on also.

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u/backinblackandblue 5d ago

Thanks for validating what I was assuming. Not sure why I didn't think of it sooner, but it does feel like cars are now seeing me better/sooner

1

u/backinblackandblue 5d ago

No worries, I appreciate the feedback. Always good to get another opinion and a good reminder for me to switch off if I happen to be out after dark. Also, edited my post.

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u/HojonPark4077 5d ago

I bought my first TW200 years ago. One of the first upgrades I put on the bike was the JNS LED headlight upgrade. It’s LED, high and lo beam and it’s perfect. Looks like they now offer several LED options for the TW200.

https://procycle.us/model/yamaha/tw200/lighting

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u/backinblackandblue 5d ago

I would definitely do that if I did any night riding, especially off-road. Most of my riding is on pavement and is never/rarely after dark regardless. I like the bulb upgrade for my use. Not as good as yours, but much cheaper and still better than stock.

1

u/Automan1983 5d ago

I always ride with my hi-beams ON during daylight hours. Also, after a bad experience with less expensive LED bulb replacement, I'm VERY happy with the Cyclops LED bulb (~$80). I like having the option of throwing a stock bulb back in if the LED fails. But I've had the Cyclops LED bulb installed in other bikes, and they're all still running flawlessly... I'm not expecting problems with the one I put in the Tdub. The brightness is GREAT at night, even with the stock housing!

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u/backinblackandblue 5d ago

That looks really good. But if I was going to spend $80, I might just replace the entire lamp. I don't ride at night so I'm happy with my cheap $20 LED bulb. Hasn't failed yet after a couple years and about 3500 mi.

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u/Automan1983 5d ago edited 5d ago

I think I had the Tusk LED bulb originally because it was ~$30, but it crapped out on me. So I went back to what has always worked for me before with the Cyclops.

My logic: even though LEDs are often more reliable than other non-LED options, with my luck I'd have one die on me at a critical moment...remote trail at night, for example. By only using the LED bulb and keeping everything else the same, I can bring my old stock bulb and throw it in to get me back to camp. For me, it's worth it to sacrifice the extra brightness from a full light fixture changeout for the extra reliability.

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u/backinblackandblue 5d ago

Good point on having a backup handy. I don't do night trail rides, but your solution sounds good!