Headlight advise...

[krause95]

I just got a firebolt XB9R last week and have been driving it nonstop ever since, its great.... only one issue i have with it.... I cant see anything at night!! Do the headlights just plain suck or are my headlights completely out of adjustment... I readjusted them tonight and I still feel like im driving with my eyes closed... if you guys could post some pics(how well it lights up the road) and some links of what you did and what you got would be awesome. Thanks!

 

[ahfunaki]

What year is your bike? There was a recall on the headlights for certain years. You can go here to check if your bike falls under the recall: https://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm...rvice_checkup.jsp?locale=en_US&bmLocale=en_US

This will give you an idea if you have the 'bad' headlights, I'm not sure if Harley will still replace them for free though...

 

[redbolt04]

ahfunaki is right, there was a recall on the headlights. Personally I have a HID setup from ddm tuning in my bike. they rock.

 

[jimijeans]

Yes There is a recall on the newer XB bikes mostly 08-2010 depending on your dealer. You can remove GENTLY,or alter the defuser on the inner low beam cause I as well didn't like the Lack of vison at night. BUT make sure to see first if you have a (newer) bike theres a recall on yours before you start anything.This way it is covered.I let them replace mine and waited a couple of weeks of daily riding so as to get the most of the warranty that was left.Then I took it apart and altered it . A lot of people will put a brighter bulb in it and that will work for a while. Make sure to put the small rubber plug in the bottom so moisture and the cool air doesn't pop the bulb. Pay close attention to how you do this so no problems LIKE melting of the light [Rear half] and Clip mesh together. Oil free rag of course for keeping the bulb from blowing out from handling w/ fingers.Watch the bulb flange cause it goes in only one way.If you go with a Brighter Maybe see if a high beam bulb will fit. The light assembly isn't parted you have to buy it (NEW one) completely as a whole assembly.Try the light defuser area first and see how you like that. Remember you can easily out run the lights on ANY vechicle at night.Even the bright beam.Ride safe! ~Jimi

 

[jeepin79]

It was a service bulletin not a recall on the headlights. 2 different things. I have an 03 XB9R and when I spoke with my dealer and Harley customer service they both told me the bulletin had expired. I pushed the issue with CS and said it was a safety issue and she gave me some "case" number and said when I took the bike in to give them this number. Basically, the way I understood it, they would make a judgment call as to if they were gonna fix it or not. I just replaced the low beam with a newer one that I picked up for a couple bucks and put HID's from DDM instead of even messing with the dealer.

 

[krause95]

its a 03' Thanks for all the advise!....Is this the HID kit you guys are running? http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/DDM-HID-Kit-Slim-Ballast-35W-or-55W I was thinking 35watt with 5000k bulbs? would that work or would that wreck anything?

 

[jeepin79]

its a 03' Thanks for all the advise!....Is this the HID kit you guys are running? http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/DDM-HID-Kit ... I was thinking 35watt with 5000k bulbs? would that work or would that wreck anything?

Yes, this is the kit i used, I have the 35w kit with 4500k bulbs. Very clean bright light. Well worth the $45 bucks.

 

[BuellerPilot]

HID's won't fix anything if your reflectors are flaking off or fogged over.

~Mike....

 

[2004xb12s]

I have terrible "side of the road lighting". I thought about mounting a set of fog lights on the bottom of the fork using the mounting points used for the front fender. I just haven't found the right set of lights yet

 

[J_Undisputed]

2004xb12s,
Someone did a set up for cornering lights that should illuminate the sides of the road.
cornering lights