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[2harleys]

I have a 2010 CVO ULTRA CLASSIC with the stock headlight. I hardly ever ride at night, so I have never been concerned about changing the headlight. UNTIL NOW. A truck pulled in front of one of my neighbors in plain daylight last week. He t-boned the truck at 60 mph. The guy said he never saw him, and that he only saw the brighter car lights behind him. After a "toy run" last weekend, i noticed how dim many of the bikes in that run were. A Honda Goldwing behind me was actually yellowish. The bikes with the newer LED's are 5 times as bright as those without. anyone got any suggestions? I want to change headlight as well as passing lights. I also want a light that keeps low beam on when changing to high beam.  The day Maker? Halo Maker? Vision X? or   From what I read on line the Vision X is the one to get. It is pricey for the headlight, passing lights and harness to keep low beams on when changing to high beam is around $700.00    If thats's what it takes---so be it. Just want to be sure I am covering all bases before purchasing. By the way, my neighbor received a broken pelvis, broken collar bone, a shattered thumb, torn knee tendons and road rash, and will be in hospital for 30 days minimum.  Thanks for your input

[Para Bellum]

I think many headlamps keep the low beam on when turning on high beams.   

What you might be thinking of: HD makes a harness (about $30, probably) for non-CANBUS bikes that lets the passing lamps stay on when the high beam is on; IIRC, the dealer can program CANBUS bikes to keep passing lamps on with high beams.

When I replaced the halogens in my '11 SERGU, I went with the HD Daymakers.  They were very bright.  Sadly, I've heard the newer Daymakers aren't as bright...but that might have changed.  Of course, they have the Harley tax on them, so you can definitely get a better price.  If you decide to go with Daymakers, they are available through the 20% off dealers.

[2harleys]

My bike and most that I ride with are either on low beam or high beam, and only one bulb works at a time. There are Two separate bulbs in mine----a high and a low. Don't know what you have. Vision X sells a harness/adapter part number 9895475 that keeps low beam on when switching to high beam, unlike my stock light.

[CHH_Badkarma]

go with JW speaker. They made the daymaker.

These are on revzilla's site, not sure the specifics of your bike but that is what the search filter came up with.

https://www.revzilla.com/parts/2010-harley-davidson-flhtcuse5-ultra-classic-electra-glide-cvose#page=1&sort=featured&limit=96&facets%5B%5D=4652&price=&is_new=false&is_sale=false&is_made_in_usa=false&is_holiday=false&has_video=false&price_min=0&price_max=1725

here is the jw speaker site
http://www.jwspeaker.com/products/applications/motorcycle/

Pricey yes, but what is it worth to have a lesser chance of being t-boned?

Many of the models feature what they call "dual burn" where the high and low stay on. Even the 5.75 inch model on my breakout does that. Nice to have high and low on at the same time.

Even considering upgrading mine to the new "adaptive" model.
JW speaker is top notch. Sure you can get knock offs made who knows where, but when it comes to keepin my a$$ seen and the rode illuminated, these folks get my business

[Royalroadie]

I have a 2010 CVO ULTRA CLASSIC with the stock headlight. I hardly ever ride at night, so I have never been concerned about changing the headlight. UNTIL NOW. A truck pulled in front of one of my neighbors in plain daylight last week. He t-boned the truck at 60 mph. The guy said he never saw him, and that he only saw the brighter car lights behind him. After a "toy run" last weekend, i noticed how dim many of the bikes in that run were. A Honda Goldwing behind me was actually yellowish. The bikes with the newer LED's are 5 times as bright as those without. anyone got any suggestions? I want to change headlight as well as passing lights. I also want a light that keeps low beam on when changing to high beam.  The day Maker? Halo Maker? Vision X? or   From what I read on line the Vision X is the one to get. It is pricey for the headlight, passing lights and harness to keep low beams on when changing to high beam is around $700.00    If thats's what it takes---so be it. Just want to be sure I am covering all bases before purchasing. By the way, my neighbor received a broken pelvis, broken collar bone, a shattered thumb, torn knee tendons and road rash, and will be in hospital for 30 days minimum.  Thanks for your input

several thing I have observed, many do not ride with high beams on in the day or night.
I personally ride with both my high beam and passing lights on at all times unless I feel it might blind a driver.  Harley's new led are set WAY TO LOW FROM THE FACTORY!  I have seen almost every newer bike during the day you can not see the headlight beam at all if you are more than about 20 yards from them.  60 feet is not enough time to stop a crash. I still run the standard halogen head light and passing lights but I can tell you I look like a freight train coming during the day with my high beams on.  If you don't you will run a much higher chance of being hit.  I do not get people flashing their light at me except at night when I have my high beams on.  EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE A FRIEND OF ABOUT THE SAME WEIGHT RIDE THIER BIKE TOWARDS THEM AND ADJUST THIER LIGHTS SO THAT THE CAN BE SEE FROM 60-100 yards during the day!!!  Harley has to set them according to DOT specs.  I am not going to let some dimwit at DOT dictate my SAFTEY.  I have changed the wiring so my passing lights stay on with or without the. High beam.

Just my rant, but I can tell you this, if they don't see you they will hit you!

[grc]

several thing I have observed, many do not ride with high beams on in the day or night.
I personally ride with both my high beam and passing lights on at all times unless I feel it might blind a driver.  Harley's new led are set WAY TO LOW FROM THE FACTORY!  I have seen almost every newer bike during the day you can not see the headlight beam at all if you are more than about 20 yards from them.  60 feet is not enough time to stop a crash. I still run the standard halogen head light and passing lights but I can tell you I look like a freight train coming during the day with my high beams on.  If you don't you will run a much higher chance of being hit.  I do not get people flashing their light at me except at night when I have my high beams on.  EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE A FRIEND OF ABOUT THE SAME WEIGHT RIDE THIER BIKE TOWARDS THEM AND ADJUST THIER LIGHTS SO THAT THE CAN BE SEE FROM 60-100 yards during the day!!!  Harley has to set them according to DOT specs.  I am not going to let some dimwit at DOT dictate my SAFTEY.  I have changed the wiring so my passing lights stay on with or without the. High beam.

Just my rant, but I can tell you this, if they don't see you they will hit you!

Actually, the low from the factory thing isn't because Harley sets them to DOT specs.  Harley has never in my experience properly adjusted headlights at the factory.  The first thing anyone should do when they take delivery of a new bike is check the headlight aim and then set the aim to specs.  Basically the spec is to set the high beam to project straight ahead and level, and when that is done the low beam will automatically be slightly below level.  In other words, with the bike on a level surface and about 25 feet from a flat vertical surface, have someone of your size sit on the bike and hold it level side-to-side while you measure the height of the center of the headlight from the ground.  Mark that same dimension on the flat vertical surface and draw a horizontal line.  Turn on the high beam(s) and the hot spot should be centered on that horizontal line you drew.  It's much easier than it sounds.

Jerry

[CVODON]

go with JW speaker. They made the daymaker.

Where did this information come from? I see nothing on the JW web page to indicate this and they sure retail nothing that looks like the HD Daymaker? See quotes like this on here occassionaly :ie: they make harleys batteries, or they make harleys seats. I would just like to know where the information about the headlight came from so I can verify it prior to a friend purchasing one.
thanks
 
 

[CHH_Badkarma]

was told that buy the local dealer oddly enough. One of those "don't tell anyone else moments"

If you want to know for yourself, call them

[CVODON]

Well I do appreciate your response but I am sure person at dealer was like you, he heard it from someone and then on & on & on. Will just stick with the HD Daymaker in this instance I find it a better product than the available aftermarket ones.

[Twolanerider]

I've spoken with a rep at JW Speaker and asked during that conversation if they were OE for the HD lights.  Without any special note or comment he said yes.  More telling that what any one person says, however, is what Mother Harley has not said.

As zealously as Harley protects its brand, copyrights and trademarks that someone else is marketing the same light with the same name and doing so without a cease and desist from Mother Harley says all I need to know.

[moscooter]

go with JW speaker. They made the daymaker.

Where did this information come from? I see nothing on the JW web page to indicate this and they sure retail nothing that looks like the HD Daymaker? See quotes like this on here occassionaly :ie: they make harleys batteries, or they make harleys seats. I would just like to know where the information about the headlight came from so I can verify it prior to a friend purchasing one.
thanks

 
I've been there and done that.  Lets be perfectly clear.................The (Daymakeer) that you can purchase at your nearest HD Dealer is IN FACT,  manufactored by JW Speaker.  I bought one a few years ago and installed it on my '09 Ultra Classic SE.  Since then,  I bought a 2014 SG Special..............as part of the trade deal,  I had them swap out the stock headlight on the new SG with my older SE Ultra 2009.  So,  I left the dealership with a new 2014 Harley and in the headlite pod, was my own JW Speaker headlight which................let me say again.  Is the maker of that type headlight that your friendly HD Dealer has on the shelf.

[RivRaptor]

Let me put my 2 cents on this lite thing.  After my other half bought a new 16' 48 last year & being a long time rider who understands the importance of being seen.  (She being a new rider)  We immediately purchased the 5" daymaker, but stumbled on the custom dynamics white on / yellow blink kit for $90 to replace the yellow on all the time blinker lites.  Let me say Wow & l'm not easily impressed.  It looks like the second coming of Jesus when she comes down the street or blinding from behind.  When I purchased my 17' CVO SG which has the 7" daymaker I added those CD lights in place of my yellow on led turns. (different plug) I swear they are brighter & more intense than the daymaker, but combined we are the brightest I've seen riding around.  Also her 5" seems brighter than my 7" but then I have a tinted housing.  This set up really stands out especially during the day.

[hotroadking]

You get a better warranty if you buy from JW  speaker. They make the day maker for hd. 


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ultra13]

I installed the Phase 7 lights from Kuryakyn. Got all 3 lights. Best $650 I ever spent, compared to $950 from H/D.
OK I give....I have seen this on other topics. What the hell does CANBUS mean??

[Twolanerider]

What the hell does CANBUS mean??

Controlled or Controller Area Network BUS.  It's a multiplex message based protocol.  A way to make one wire do more than one thing with the duty of the moment being dependent on what signal is sent over that wire.  It's a cool (but potentially complicated) way to use less wire in a harness than when each wire only does one task.  It's a data networking system for your vehicle.  It's a way to put 5 gallons of instructions in 3 gallons of wire.  It's a way to fit more inside your handlebars than would otherwise fit.

[ultra13]

Copy that... Thanks Twolanerider....

[Dan_Lockwood]

I had been running the stock '09 SERG dual headlights with a low beam modulator I installed.  When following Harry in ES he had a hard time seeing me even with the modulator.

I went to eBay and purchased a headlight LED package for SERG.  I paid $169.95 for it and it came with a new black bezel with all of the mounting hardware.  It also included a brace to add to the fairing to help hold the added weight.  I'm VERY happy with it and it's SO bright.  I bought the highest wattage I could find.  There were several with the same high beam wattage, but the low beam of others was considerably lower.

They have "Daymaker" clones that also include auxiliary lights where needed.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/m.html?_odkw=&_ssn=mf-distribution&item=232307008609&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2046732.m570.l1313.TR11.TRC1.A0.H0.Xharley+headlight.TRS0&_nkw=harley+headlight&_sacat=0

They were great to deal with and have a huge selection.

At under $100 for a 7" LED, that's not a bad deal.

Just thought I'd throw out other options.  I believe that Twolanerider installed a set in his RG as well.

[Twolanerider]

I believe that Twolanerider installed a set in his RG as well.

...and it's been a great light in my old Road Glide as well Dan.  Nearly plug and play install (only alteration being the stiffener bracket) and it throws great light down the road.  It's the second base safety feature on the bike (after a cautious rider).

[screaminCVO]

Not sure on make, but a friend who is a heavy duty mechanic told, me, they use the same lights on the semi tractors without the HD logo, for much cheaper price.

[longlast]

Lot of heavy price tags for lights out there.

I went with Cree led light bulb for Harley Davidson low cost and great lighting, plug and play working great.

[screaminCVO]

My mechanic told me about these recently. I think they turn like the new vehicles, adaptive technology.

https://www.carid.com/jw-speaker/motorcycle-powersports-headlights/

[CHH_Badkarma]

My mechanic told me about these recently. I think they turn like the new vehicles, adaptive technology.

https://www.carid.com/jw-speaker/motorcycle-powersports-headlights/

Yup, JW speaker has been referenced several times. Seems some folks choke at the price though.
I dont know, after paying 30-40k for a bike, I'm ok with it. Getting the knock off brands to me is like spending 3-4k for a rifle and putting a 300 dollar scope on it....

[2harleys]

After a lot of research, I went with the Vsion X.  Testing by several different sources showed it to be brighter and throw a better pattern than the Day lighter. Vision X also gives a lifetime warranty. This som bitch is one bad ass, bright light. It also has an LED halo around the lense, and I bought their harness that keeps low beam on when switching to high beam. About $430 but my safety is worth the money spent. I will be upgrading the passing lights with their matching upgrade set,  And also their front and rear LED turn signal kit. I am extremely happy with headlight.

[CHH_Badkarma]

Right on. Glad you kept us updated. More light down range is always a good thing. 👍

[grc]

"Oh crap, here comes that grouchy old fart to rain on the parade again."  There, I said it for you so no one else needs to do so.

I just ask that people who choose to jack up the light output of their vehicles to the equivalent of military grade landing lights or more take the time to properly aim those lights (including those lower fork or caliper mounted things).  When the people approaching you from the front are turning away and shielding their eyes with their hand, that is not a good thing for them or for you.  Blinding the guy driving toward you is a good way to find out how crashworthy you and your bike are when confronting a car or truck head on.

Jerry

[2harleys]

I don’t think putting a proper light on a Harley so you can see and be seen should be concidered as a bad thing as you insinuate.  The headlight I just installed is now equivalent to what mother Harley is now installing on their new bikes.  And yes “dad”, I took the time to properly adjust that new light so as not to blind you when we pass. Hell, I even took time to properly adjust my stock light so people wouldn’t have a “yellowish” colored light in their eyes.

[grc]

I don’t think putting a proper light on a Harley so you can see and be seen should be concidered as a bad thing as you insinuate.  The headlight I just installed is now equivalent to what mother Harley is now installing on their new bikes.  And yes “dad”, I took the time to properly adjust that new light so as not to blind you when we pass. Hell, I even took time to properly adjust my stock light so people wouldn’t have a “yellowish” colored light in their eyes.

Good for you "son", I'm happy to see at least one person takes the time to adjust their lights properly.  Well done.

Jerry

[Para Bellum]

I don’t think putting a proper light on a Harley so you can see and be seen should be concidered as a bad thing as you insinuate.

I don't think he was saying it's a bad thing, just that it's easy for newly-installed lights to be in the wrong position, and it was a good reminder that we get the dirty end of the stick when a cage plows into us.

[FLSTFI Dave]

First thing I do when I get a new bike is adjust the head light.  My last five harleys have come with the lights adjusted way low.  I mark the wall at the correct hight and back the bike up the correct distance.  I get help because to do it right you have to be seated on the bike.

[2harleys]

Just so the “old fart” can sleep better tonight, I just got back from a night “test ride” with the new Vision X headlight installed. Also replaced running lights with LED bulbs. I followed my wife in her car, running thru all lighting modes. We then did a head on passing on a dark road several times. . Also followed her at different distances. Wife says lights are bright but not.blinding— until putting high beam on. I think we are good to go. My neighbor and best riding buddy just ordered one for his Ultra Limited. So that will be two of us with properly adjusted military grade landing lights.  LOL

[Twolanerider]

Just so the “old fart” can sleep better tonight, I just got back from a night “test ride” with the new Vision X headlight installed. Also replaced running lights with LED bulbs. I followed my wife in her car, running thru all lighting modes. We then did a head on passing on a dark road several times. . Also followed her at different distances. Wife says lights are bright but not.blinding— until putting high beam on. I think we are good to go. My neighbor and best riding buddy just ordered one for his Ultra Limited. So that will be two of us with properly adjusted military grade landing lights.  LOL

Given his significantly greater experience in the industry than any of us and the quality of his insights (better than most of us) I can't imagine Jerry actually losing any sleep over anything (anything) any of us (any one of us) might say or respond with.  I did read an entirely plausible insight and all too commonly seen issue that he chose to take time to share.  Good to see an astute reaction was taken and you tested things out in the field to make sure his shared concern wasn't your practical issue.

[2harleys]

Agree 100%.  Just having a little fun with the “old fart”. (His words, not mine).

[Twolanerider]

Agree 100%.  Just having a little fun with the “old fart”. (His words, not mine).

Next to Neal and JC; and Gary and Marty and Jim (and any other moderators I'm not thinking of right now to suck up to) I've learned more from Jerry than very likely anyone else here  .

[olds88lss]

If the sun is out, my high beam is on.....my rule of thumb.

CVO's in low beam with passing lamps on are tough to see on a sunny day.