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CVO Social => Other Topics => Topic started by: ltank on June 05, 2017, 02:27:49 PM

Title: Shark vs Batwing Headlight at Night
Post by: ltank on June 05, 2017, 02:27:49 PM
I am tossing between the Shark Nose and Batwing Fairings. Stock vs Custom. What's my best option to install on a 98 Road King?
A question arose about when running at night on the Batwing the headlight shines where the handlebars are pointed but the Shark Nose shines the direction of the Frame.
Title: Re: Shark vs Batwing Headlight at Night
Post by: coloradotom on June 05, 2017, 03:22:00 PM
I am tossing between the Shark Nose and Batwing Fairings. Stock vs Custom. What's my best option to install on a 98 Road King?
A question arose about when running at night on the Batwing the headlight shines where the handlebars are pointed but the Shark Nose shines the direction of the Frame.

With regards to how they point, you'll get used to the fixed Road Glide lights very quickly. They only time you'll even notice a difference is riding switchbacks. I've ridden both setups and the RG lights having the two you definitely see better at night and the Daymaker setup does make a difference at night they're a lot brighter.
Title: Re: Shark vs Batwing Headlight at Night
Post by: Road Dad on June 05, 2017, 03:56:09 PM
Search in YouTube. Motorcyclist.com did an actual comparison.
Title: Re: Shark vs Batwing Headlight at Night
Post by: motor1 on June 05, 2017, 04:53:51 PM
 Keep in mind when your motorcycle goes faster than 12 to 14 mph you're no longer steering through a turn,so headlights essentially point ahead through turns. Some may argue countersteer throws the headlight beam to the outside, but the degree of angle is negligible. There may be differences of one headlight versus two but that has nothing to do with fixed fairing versus movable fairing.
As a separate point the best headlamp I ever had was on my 2015 road glide when I switched to a DayMaker. It lit up the road like a NFL football stadium at night.
Title: Re: Shark vs Batwing Headlight at Night
Post by: CVODON on June 05, 2017, 06:14:25 PM
One headlight vs two, Well two will always have more light but distance or throw of the light will remain the same forward but side and fill light will increase. But the fixed lights of a RG vs the EG's while moving has no relevance. You do not turn the handlebars at speed, you lean either bike. The RG should have more close in actual "light" due to two headlamps but otherwise the same.
I will say the 09 SERG I had with the HD Daymaker headlamp had the best lights I have ever used on any kind of a highway vehicle that was legal. Amazing the fill and side lighting that was there.
 
Title: Re: Shark vs Batwing Headlight at Night
Post by: Road Dad on June 05, 2017, 06:18:16 PM
Check out the night riding part.

https://youtu.be/bjOXQwqe2qQ
Title: Re: Shark vs Batwing Headlight at Night
Post by: ltank on June 05, 2017, 06:27:04 PM
Ok Thanks Guys. Now it's up to me.
Title: Re: Shark vs Batwing Headlight at Night
Post by: Phantom309 on June 08, 2017, 07:31:01 PM
Honestly, it doesn't matter ... they both suck if you enjoy riding aggressively through the twisties in the dark. I had an '11 shark for a few years and things are no different with my current bike. They are awesome going straight, but either bike will still give you blind spots through the turns unless you add extra lights.
Title: Re: Shark vs Batwing Headlight at Night
Post by: SDCVO on June 09, 2017, 12:14:45 AM
I have both a 12 Roadglide and a 17 Streetglide with Daymakers, Custom Dynamics turn signals, HD LED fogs and LED Aux lights on the SG. I live about 8 miles from a small town (Alpine CA which is about 20 miles east of San Diego) that is completely dark and twisty to my house. Both really do light up insanely well with probably giving the SG a advantage because I faced the aux lights facing out just a bit which helps in those dark twisties. I would not say it is that big of a difference and definitely not worth picking one over the other.
Title: Re: Shark vs Batwing Headlight at Night
Post by: FlaHeatWave on June 09, 2017, 01:45:47 AM
DayMakers in the'09 SERG :bananarock:

SoCal MotoGear HID Headlight / LED Passing Lamps in the '05 SEEG :cherry:

The '09 Shark is better cruising on Low Beam,,,

The '05 Bat is far superior on High Beam or switchbacks / turning into a driveway...

All the lights are properly adjusted :coolblue:

The Black DayMakers are pimp...

The SoCal Moto HID is the business...
Title: Re: Shark vs Batwing Headlight at Night
Post by: FLSTFI Dave on June 18, 2017, 08:38:49 AM
My 12 SERG with the Daymakers had the best lighting.  My 15 SERGU with daymakers was almost as good.  HD changed the light some for the Rushmore road glides.  My 17 CVO Street glide and 13 CVO King shine as far as the above bikes, but not as wide.  I live 3 miles up a winding mountain road with no lights.  The road glides were much better in the dark.  I think if LED passing lamps were added to the street glide or the king they might be slightly better, but mine are single head light.
Title: Re: Shark vs Batwing Headlight at Night
Post by: us1fountain on June 19, 2017, 10:22:51 PM
Have the HD Daymaker on both my '15 SGS and now my '17 CVO. They are ok going straight, but in turns, I'm as blind as a bat.  The light beam is a flat horizontal beam. As soon as the bike is leaned, the low side is lighting the ground next to me, and the high side is looking for airplanes. I avoid riding at nights for this very . Reaimed the lights to the manuals instructions as from factory they were way off. My buddies have the cheap $35 ebay LED bulbs and they are 5x better than my Daymakers
Title: Re: Shark vs Batwing Headlight at Night
Post by: Twolanerider on June 20, 2017, 12:57:25 AM
Only recently installed the LED Daymaker knockoff from an eBay seller in my old Road Glide.  It's a very good light.  Broad vertically and very wide beam too.  It does a great job as to both distance and width at night.  Have had it out on the twolanes at night three times now.  Can see very well.  No complaints at all.  No doubt something better somewhere.  It's the best light I've ever had on a motorcycle though.
Title: Re: Shark vs Batwing Headlight at Night
Post by: pvanwagner on June 20, 2017, 02:05:44 PM
Only recently installed the LED Daymaker knockoff from an eBay seller in my old Road Glide.  It's a very good light.  Broad vertically and very wide beam too.  It does a great job as to both distance and width at night.  Have had it out on the twolanes at night three times now.  Can see very well.  No complaints at all.  No doubt something better somewhere.  It's the best light I've ever had on a motorcycle though.

Have you tried their product on your Road King?  I had a Day Maker in my Slim and the CVO SG came with one and neither show the road when turning. 

What part number did you get for your RG?
Title: Re: Shark vs Batwing Headlight at Night
Post by: RGlideKid on June 20, 2017, 04:25:31 PM
I'm beginning to wonder if for you the answer is to get the one you like the looks/feel of the most, then add some high quality running lights into the equation.

This does two things...if you get enough candlepower like with Clearwater's, 1) you add tremendously to your night vision and 2) you add to your conspicuity, which is always a good thing.

Just my .02 worth!