Dual Headlights on the New Swing

Here is a link to the new Swing (400) with a guy riding it on youtube. They show only 1 of the 2 headlamps on. While not the 600 I would assume that it is the same. They must not study the competition very much. This was a sore point for many on the restyled Burgman 400 back in 2007. I hope Honda fixes that. I would probably just run with the brights on so that both are on. I don't like the one headlight on at a time deal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3P62IX0VZE

ronjr009 wrote:

Here is a link to the new Swing (400) with a guy riding it on youtube. They show only 1 of the 2 headlamps on. While not the 600 I would assume that it is the same. They must not study the competition very much. This was a sore point for many on the restyled Burgman 400 back in 2007. I hope Honda fixes that. I would probably just run with the brights on so that both are on. I don't like the one headlight on at a time deal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3P62IX0VZE

I doubt it ... I would be shocked.

The Honda SWing comes from the factory with the low/high intentionally aimed low.

The Honda SWing has the worst low beam vertical cutoff (even after adjusting). I switched to HID headlights to resolve. BTW my Honda Accord also has a low beam vertical cutoff.

So Honda has done everything and designed everything to prevent blinding oncoming traffic ... maybe legal concerns.

Bill, I think you may have inadvertently answered my question as to why I hate riding in the wet at night problem.

I never thought of the headlamps being set too low. Now you have mentioned it, I will go away and re-address that particular problem and see how I get along.

Cheers, Doug :not worthy:

You know...with one side headlight on, this new honda scooter will quickly gain a nic name......."WINKEE"!

Waspie wrote:

I think you may have inadvertently answered my question as to why I hate riding in the wet at night problem.

I never thought of the headlamps being set too low. Now you have mentioned it, I will go away and re-address that particular problem and see how I get along.

Originally, my dealer suggested running high beam the entire time with the original factory setting. Until I changed to HID headlights I did run high beam all the time (even at night) ... when a car was oncoming I would position the SWing on the outside 1/3 of the lane and surprisingly I had very very few oncoming vehicles complain ( 0.05% ). With the high beam, it provided better side lighting and better normal driving.

I would not suggest running high beams all the time if the headlights have been readjusted from the factory setting.

To readjust the headlights I turned on the high beam and adjust the headlights to maximize the high beam visibility. Then I then turned off the high beam and checked the low beam ... I would say I received better low beam visibility further away which was the greatest danger.

Looks like a TMAX from the front.

The reflex also has the dual headlight arrangement. I personally like it. Although they operate one high one low, they were easy to optimize aiming.

I would prefer that they are both hi/lo similar to the Goldwing. Which I feel has the BEST oem lights I have ever ridden behind. If Honda did that, It would be a very excellent lighting system.

MaxB

I have used Sylvania Silverstar lamps in other bikes. The reason is twofold.
1. Better color/ quality/ quantity of light.
2. How the light is aimed onto the road.

http://www.osram.com/osram_com/Consumer/Automotive_Lighting/Products/Headlights/SILVERSTAR/index.html

The light is a higher K number (5000K) which is a whiter light and is more easily seem by me and lights up the road better and a lot farther. By about 40% on some estimates. I also agree.
The light spread is controlled by shielding in the lamp itself, and the bikes reflector. Much better than regular lamps.

Cons:
1. High beam life is shorter. Mine last about two years or 30K miles.
2. Cost of lamp. I justify this by better quality of light produced.

They also have a lower K range lamp that emits a bluer light. I do NOT like these as they seem to wash away road side details, and don't seem to see as far down the road.

I haven't used HID lamps nor know any of personal experience. That said some feel they are superior to these lamps.

MaxB

I prefer a sharp vertical cutoff on low beam because I can use extra bright bulbs without blinding oncoming drivers. The only complain I have about my 2010 Xterra is that the headlamps just kind of scatter light around at random. A little bit everywhere, but nowhere enough to actually see anything.