Need a brighter headlight

[Jumpinjacks]

Right I need a brighter headlight as my bike failed the mot as having too dim a light, I have searched on here and it seems everyone is recommending an ar headlight instead of the one I have. But is there any cheaper option to get it brighter other than buying a complete new headlight?
Thanks,
Adam.

[knackeredMk1]

Sorry Adam remind us all of what Mk you have .

[Jumpinjacks]

mk 2.2

[knackeredMk1]

Your current headlight (sorry about the pun ) has a 35 watt bulb but if you use a more powerful one it will melt the plastic lens. You can buy an AR lens (glass) that will take 55 W or higher but it will cost ~ £110. It is also difficult to get an AR lens to fit the standard Mk2 surround.

There are other headlight surrounds that might be better priced (£30-50) made by Acerbis, UFO etc.............. You can find them on eBay under 'enduro headlights'. Some have glass lenses and/or 'e' marked for road legality.

I use a system from Trail Tech that gives really good lighting but you will need to change the speedo setup and remove a lot of the wiring circuitry from around the back of the light to get it to fit.

[fallenmikethebike]

How about a day time MOT.
Or take the bike to a more, reasonable , MOT station.
Mike

[Jumpinjacks]

Thanks for the replys guys, I am going to ring up to ask if I can do the daytime mot first I think. hopefully that wont involve a whole retest. Which will then give me more time to sort ut a better light etc

[Jumpinjacks]

I looked at my mates enduro style twin spotlight headlight unit that he uses just off road, and I didn't think that it would work. How would high and low beam work on that style of light?

[Jumpinjacks]

[quote="knackeredMk1"]Your current headlight (sorry about the pun :roll: ) has a 35 watt bulb but if you use a more powerful one it will melt the plastic lens. You can buy an AR lens (glass) that will take 55 W or higher but it will cost ~ £110. It is also difficult to get an AR lens to fit the standard Mk2 surround.

There are other headlight surrounds that might be better priced (£30-50) made by Acerbis, UFO etc.............. You can find them on eBay under 'enduro headlights'. Some have glass lenses and/or 'e' marked for road legality.

I use a system from Trail Tech that gives really good lighting but you will need to change the speedo setup and remove a lot of the wiring circuitry from around the back of the light to get it to fit.[/quote]
I just had a look at the bulb im using and it says that its a 25W bulb. But my local bike shop said that that bulb should be bright enough, and that it must be that the bikes not putting out enough power

[knackeredMk1]

Change the bulb. LT has them for a few quid. The bike puts out quite enough power unless there is a problem.

Just change the bulb at the moment it could be the best £3 you spent .

[AlanH]

+1

Bulbs go dim with old age. It may just need a new one.

[xander77]

Yes on LT I bought a halogen bulb for my Mk3 and it is noticeably brighter! Get one of those if it’s still dim there’s and electrical problem!

[Jumpinjacks]

I bought a 35w bulb earlier tonight, it didn't make any difference from the 25w I had in it. Maybe a halogen one will be better

[knackeredMk1]

Halogen will be better but you risk melting your lens.

[fallenmikethebike]

Halogen will be better but you risk melting your lens.

What about just popping the Halogen in just for the MOT?
Mike

[Mudfacetony]

My Mk3 has an AR headlight and is much better. On my mk2.2 I had an aftermarket halogen but it got broken by a stone. Both are much brighter than thr std one but you need to rig up a cover similar to LT used to sell.