Light systems...which do you recommend?

[sdyeti]

Okay, everyone...I need some advice about light systems.

I've owned two in my riding lifetime...a TurboCat (heavy and pretty dim) and a NiteRider (can't remember the model name but it wasn't HID and the battery failed big time).

Recommendations??? I'd like to keep it fairly inexpensive (under $300), HID or LED preferred.

[J_Sims]

Jensen has a sick HID for 279... Nightrider, which I believe that it is the same model that I have and Mine is great...

[Winger]

Another vote for the niterider for under $300. I picked one up at Performance about a year ago and it has been great. Remember...if you're a member and buy during a 20% points weekend then you'll get a $60 discount.

Or

Buy it at a Performance shop on Tue @ Lunch to get 10% off. You'll get an additional 10% back in member rebates.

$240 HID can't be beat. That gives you enough money to buy a backup light.

EDIT:
The HID @ Jenson is way better than the one I got at Performance. Jenson = Niterider Rage. I got something like the Evo or Enduro...something like that.

[LBmtb]

Originally Posted by J_Sims

Jensen has a sick HID for 279... Nightrider, which I believe that it is the same model that I have and Mine is great...

Yup: sub $300 HID & cheap sleeveless jersey

[Innes]

This is what you want...

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...wtx2+Dual.aspx

It's 300 lumens and it's super light.

[sdyeti]

for all the suggestions so far! Keep 'em coming...

[Evil Chocula]

Originally Posted by sdyeti

for all the suggestions so far! Keep 'em coming...

Ditto from me... I need to buy one too.

[lukewiens]

what about this booger....???

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/LS307A09-Niterider+Enduro+Hidled.aspx

is the xtra 10 bucks worth it for the leds.....do you ever use em??

[J_Sims]

This one looks likethe one that I have, as I do have the LED's below the main bulb... The nice thing about this is that in the event that the battery gets too low to run the main lamp you can still get home, just gotta slow down....

[Pain Freak]

I just broke down and bought the sub 300 (went over 300 w/tx). I've got to get over there in the morning for I can get a charge on it for the night ride. I used Tom Cosgrove's on Marshall Cyn and I couldn't believe how well it lit up the trail.

[J_Sims]

you gonna luv it.. And STR got PAID!!!! everyone wins....

[PacMan]

My advice is to go Halogen over HID. Replacement bulbs are SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper and they are just as bright if you get the right ones.

I run a Niterider Classic Plus on my handlebars and that thing is super bright. It washes out some HID's. I run a Niterider Digital Evolution on my helmet and it does the job good too. Both lights have 3 or more power/intensity settings and work great. More importantly, they are relativley inexpensive.

I like to run 2 lights. The HB one for the main and the helmet one for seeing ahead through turns and such. The HB mounted light can only shine where the bike is pointed.

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...c+Plus+06.aspx

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...chargable.aspx

[STP]

Originally Posted by PacMan

My advice is to go Halogen over HID. Replacement bulbs are SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper and they are just as bright if you get the right ones.

Good advice on running two sets, though I have to respectfully disagree with you on the Halogen, versus the HID. The halogen's do have a better 'yellow' color, closer in, but the HID's shine farther out, though the blue color is not as good as the Halogen's.

I can shine my HID's across a wide ravine and they'll easily light up the other side. The flicker is a bother, but you get used to it. Out here in the High Desert, our winter rides for four months out of the year are exclusively night rides (really, frigging cold night rides!) and when all of us went to the HID's, the difference was significant enough to overide any consideration of going back to the Halogen's.

The only reason I'd recommend halogen's, was if, as you correctly state, economics was a reason, as I ran them for a few years, before going to the HID's and they do an OK job out there.

[sdyeti]

Two lights are ideal, for sure! When i couldn't afford two, I liked the helmet light better because you could point and shoot....

Originally Posted by PacMan

I like to run 2 lights. The HB one for the main and the helmet one for seeing ahead through turns and such. The HB mounted light can only shine where the bike is pointed.

[J_Sims]

I have both mounts for mine... so depending on the situation I am good to go... on a real dusty trail(think loop) a helmet light works like high beams in fog.... so a bar mount is better however the helmet does have it's advantages as well. just depends on the situation...

[spookydave]

Originally Posted by sdyeti

Two lights are ideal, for sure! When i couldn't afford two, I liked the helmet light better because you could point and shoot....

Not me.
I do have 2 lights and most of the time only have one on to save battery (old style nightriders). What I find is the light on the bars will cast shadows. If I only use the helmet light that is higher then my eyes it does not cast any shadows. That flattens things out and makes rocks and dips much harder to see.

Of course both is best and the helmet light is aimed farther out and the point/shoot action is good.

[denmother]

Originally Posted by sdyeti

Okay, everyone...I need some advice about light systems.

I've owned two in my riding lifetime...a TurboCat (heavy and pretty dim) and a NiteRider (can't remember the model name but it wasn't HID and the battery failed big time).

Recommendations??? I'd like to keep it fairly inexpensive (under $300), HID or LED preferred.

Tani at the Path suggested that I try a Light and Motion. I love it and it lights up the entire trail. I only have one handlebar mount and it is plenty of light. It is HID and has a very wide path both out in front and to the side. It's like riding in your own world and feels like day time. Not sure of the model, will have to look and let you know.

[KeepsWhatHappens]

Bar none Light and Motion makes the best lights and the lightest batteries. They're super expensive but you get what you pay for. I do alot of night riding and mine have never failed me. Lots of riders have them and I have never heard one complaint.

http://www.bikelights.com/Products/arc_li_ion.htm

Strap one of these on your helmet and one on your bars and you'll have the ultimate set-up. They make longer duration batteries too but they add more weight.

KeepsWhatHappens

[tkblazer]

i run Jet Lites Phantom that i really like, its super bright, has a freakin awesome adjustable mount with safety breakaway and it pisses off Neil since its halogen. I did see that they are finally offering their lights with Lithium ion batteries so that takes care of the heavy battery issue.

http://jetlites.com/products.html

[Evil Chocula]

Has anyone heard anything about the Light and Motion "Solo Logi" system?

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...+Lightset.aspx