I have seen a few honda bikes where only one headlight is on... looks a little funky when you see it from the front.

Is this just a common problem or are the bikes made to be like that?

Thanks in advance.

 

One is for low beam and one is for high beam

 

most of the new bikes are being like that to copy the eurpean style. i guess it looks good to some people??

 

Both of mine come on , but yeah usually one is for lowbeam and the other is highbeam.

 

Well, the fact that you noticed it really helps us out! Nothing I hate more than having to dodge cages that don't see me..

 

Its stupid why they do it. They should have two lights for the low then a dual filament bulb for the highs or jsut anotehr set. Two bulbs are going to light up more ground than one. I hate when people say hey one of your lights is out

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Etylorcen &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Its stupid why they do it. They should have two lights for the low then a dual filament bulb for the highs or jsut anotehr set. Two bulbs are going to light up more ground than one. I hate when people say hey one of your lights is out </TD></TR></TABLE>

It's not stupid, it's a matter of amperage draw vs. generator output.

This is not a cage you're driving you know, it has no alternator, just a generator and a small one at best.

When (add company name here) designed the bike and electrical system, the took into account, battery draw at max amps, and generator output. When people start adding electrical items on a bike, it can take more power to run the items than the generator is able to produce, and you will eventually end up with a dead battery that needs to be replaced.

Does that make more sense now?

 

not to mention parasitic draw and component weight. God forbid they be forced to use an alternator

 

1 beam on, smaller battery, saving weight? I dunno...

 

it's also due to the fact that the FI of most of these bikes are already using more power from the battery. LED tail lights are another big power saving method. It all equates to less strain on charging system, which can go even futher to using smaller capacity charging system, which usually means minor weight savings. Personally, I know that during the day, seeing a bike isn't really a problem. Yes sunlight and all those variables will play a role on visibility. But that really doesn't have anything to do with motorcycles themselves. They should allow motorcycles to run with no headlights, or put the headlights on a light sensitive switch, like most of the newer cars have. Also give the rider an off/on/high beam switch. This way you at least have a choice. I mean I don't see the need for headlights on a perfectly nice day

but then again... I think almost every car comes with "daytime running lights" of some sort.

that is just my thought on the whole 1 or 2 headlights. The other thing is that some police officers think that with just one light on, that automatically means the other is burnt out and they can pull you over. Have fun trying to tell them that it just has one low beam!!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Shft@9GSR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I mean I don't see the need for headlights on a perfectly nice day</TD></TR></TABLE>

I see a reason. Cagers don't see bikes as it is, so I keep my HIGH beams on during the day, and low beams at night. That way, I am sure to be seen, even if it's annoying.

 

well here it is... In modern motorcycle history the sport bike navigation to two head lights is based on japanese endurence racing... These made there way to sport bikes in the eighties and have been accosiated ever since. The reason is for redundancy in racing and for either low beam high beam set up or for aiming in different directions to illuminate the road under changing circumstances. If you want to know anything old school ask away
Schu