Changing the headlight on an SV650n

[SVrach]

The only thing i don't like about the SV is the round headlight. I would like something a bit more modern,i've had a look round the web,but i can't seem to find much other than the small round twin lights.
Does anyone know of anywhere? :)

[SoulKiss]

Partway down the page

http://www.toolparts.co.uk/acatalog/Front_Lights.html

Google and "Streetfighter Headlights" are your friends in this :)

[Stig]

They are all crap. None of them produce any decent light when riding in the dark. One of the reasons I have gone back to the single bowl headlight. I got fed up of not seeing anything when riding on unlit roads.

Your going to have to spend some serious money to get proper street fighter look with half decent illumination.

[SVrach]

I live out in the sticks so most of my riding is on unlit country roads..mmmm maybe not such a good idea then.
Can't you just change the bulbs?

[Stig]

The majority of the fighter type headlights have low wattage bulbs and plastic lens's. Up grading the bulbs will just melt the plastic or the wires.

[northwind]

You might want to look at a KTM Duke 2 headlight unit, or maybe the Pyramid Plastics Mantis in a similiar vein... Both use similiar projector headlights which are small and attractive, and pretty efficient. With halogens, really the ideal is a big round headlight, you get a very efficient beam with that- the SV-N standard headlight gives comparable light to the twin headlights in the S despite having half as much actual output.

Or, the last Hornet before the current one had a pretty cool round headlight, sort of like a modernised version of the old favourite.

Other'n that, I totally agree with Big Ape, these streetfighter headlights are made to look good not to work well.

[SVrach]

Thanks for your help guy's but i think i'm better off sticking to mi round one by the sounds of it. :thumright:

[the_lone_wolf]

what about the twin setup from the triumph speed/street triple?

lots of DRZ riders use that kind of thing for desert riding at night

[SVrach]

I don't really like the look of the speed triple lights,my hubby has just bought a new Z1000 and i wanted something along the lines of that kind of look.

[Luckypants]

Upgrade the bulb will get more light out of the unit, something like Phillips X-treme? Straight replacement and they are a LOT brighter than standard.

Take a look at yorkie's thread (http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=107745) about fitting a HID kit to a naked for another alternative?

[northwind]

I don't really like the look of the speed triple lights,my hubby has just bought a new Z1000 and i wanted something along the lines of that kind of look.

Speed triple lights look silly enough on a speed triple, on an SV they just look ridiculous... If you like the Z thou light, then you could probably figure out how to fit one.

[the_lone_wolf]

Speed triple lights look silly enough on a speed triple, on an SV they just look ridiculous...

what would you know? you ride a curvy with gold wheels daaahling:p

[andyharding]

I think the easiest way to make the front ent of a naked sv look better is to get one of these.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Suzuki-SV650s-Front-Fairing-SV-650-s-SV650-s-99-02_W0QQitemZ320237699656QQihZ011QQcategoryZ10534QQ rdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQ_trksidZp1638.m118.l1247QQc mdZViewItem

:smt046

[Stig]

I don't think it he wants to change the light because of the lack of illumination. He wants to change the light because he wants something better looking. Just the better looking ones don't illuminate as well. You can't put one of those HID units in any of the streetfighter type lights. At least none of the less expensive ones.

I've looked at the headlight on the GSR but noticed there would be serious modding to get it to fit.

[MrMessy]

Hayabusa or GSXR units are apparently used by a lot of Streetfighter`s.

[SVrach]

I don't think it he wants to change the light because of the lack of illumination. He wants to change the light because he wants something better looking.

HE.........is a SHE! lol ;)

[zunkus]

I don't really like the look of the speed triple lights,my hubby has just bought a new Z1000 and i wanted something along the lines of that kind of look.

Then go and get a Z1000 headlight. I think it's doable. Should look really wicked!

[Stig]

HE.........is a SHE! lol ;)

I want proof. :wink:

[yorkie_chris]

You can't put one of those HID units in any of the streetfighter type lights. At least none of the less expensive ones.

Why?

[zunkus]

Why?

They'd melt the plastics!

[zunkus]

Why?

They'd melt the plastics!

[Jase22]

There's only really the Simpson Detour Predator fairing that I'm keen on right now, but that's about 200 of your English pounds so not cheap. The projectors that Simpson detour make are good though.

Other than that, what about a pair of Bates headlights? You get better light spread than the small dominator lights.

[northwind]

HIDs generally release less heat ;) But, a lot of those streetfighter headlights don't use normal automotive bulbs

[Jase22]

Yep streetfighter headlights use bulbs like scooter bulbs or old design that Honda used to use. Maximum wattage I think is about 35W, and they're not overly bright (I had one fitted and was ok in the summer, not quite as ok when it got darker).

[northwind]

Some of the Acerbis ones use the same lamps as you find in Ikea lights :cool:

[markmoto]

my sv has got twin dominator streetfighter style headlights on it fitted with 55watt bulbs and as big ape says the light output is pants due to the size of the reflectors, one of the best ive seen on a naked bike is a gsxr headlight unit looked ace il try and find a picture to show you im thinking about one of these for mine.

[yorkie_chris]

Why?

They'd melt the plastics!

HIDs run cooler than halogens but produce more light.

The H4 hi/lo ones won't be good in a streetfighery light, however, one of the lights which has split hi/lo bulbs would be perfect, as you don't need the big space at the back for the dip/high solenoid bit.

I'd advise using HID dip, halogen high though with a relay to keep the dip on at the same time as the high. HID is noticeably brighter after a minute or so, so not good for high beam when its on and off all the time.

P.s. The HID capsule in mine takes up little room, its the big reflector at the front, and the big solenoid at the back which is the problem, it #just# fits into the pointy naked headlamp shell, I had to make a small cutout for the wire in the shell.

[SVrach]

Whats your opinions on this?...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=300213924480&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=020

[Jase22]

Whats your opinions on this?...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=300213924480&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=020

I wouldn't, as it's low wattage bulbs, and as I've got one which didn't suit the purpose for me commuting on my bike. Would probably suit summer riding and daytime riding tho.

[Stig]

It's made of plastic. This equates to low wattage bulbs. Otherwise it'll melt. Looks cool though.

[yorkie_chris]

The OEM gixxer or busa one looks better IMO. Likely miles better quality too.