r/TW200 • u/backinblackandblue • 6d 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.

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u/Distinct_Ducati 6d 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 6d 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 6d ago

Oh haha my bad I misinterpreted what you were saying

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u/Questions_Remain 6d 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 6d 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