Props to the bike rider doing the wheelie, and to you for riding in the cold and wet at night. Bright rainwear increases your contrast when you most need it.
I’m nearly 69 years old now, and I don’t like to ride at night is I can help it, my night vision isn’t what it used to be and people leaving bars make for poor conditions. That said, I followed Cruisemans recommendations to install Pathfinder LED bulbs, both high beam and low beam, into my 2009 Gold Wing. What a difference. Now the cars with bright lights are flashing me, so I lower the focus down, as you can on a Wing. They are so bright that my riding buddy doesn’t like to ride in front of me as the reflection he gets in his mirrors bother him. They were not all that much money.
You dont say whether you're UK or US based. Whilst LEDs are much whiter than the standard halogens, in spite of all the kits and claims out there including Cruiseman, first and foremost LEDs should not be fitted to halogen headlights. The precise positioning of the filament in a halogen bulb cannot be replicated by an LED bulb. Consequently, when LEDs are fitted to halogen headlights the light scatters everywhere and blinds oncoming traffic and the vehicle in front. In the UK it's an MOT failure. Premium halogen bulbs such as Osram, are better than standard bulbs, but they're way more expensive, and, because they burn hotter have a shorter life, and are susceptible to blowing due to jarring and vibration, which is why I've not tried the Osram motorcycle specific bulb. Changing the headlight bulbs on the GL1800 is an absolute mare and not something you want to be doing on a cold rainy night. Specking up the fog/driving lamps from 35w to 55w (via a relay) helps.
@@michaelhoare5291 Im in Canada. I have read about these concerns before I made the conversion and made sure that this change would comply with Provincial standards. Pathfinder apparently developed the bulb to work in the existing Wing head light system (perhaps). But having watched Cruiseman I decided to give it a try. The "scattering" of the beam doesn't seem to be an issue as far as I can tell, but it is indeed much brighter to a point that at night I lower the beam so that oncoming cars are not blinded. Items that were not being reflected by the standard halogen bulb now are very pronounced. I also read up on HID but the reports on these and the failure rate failed my evaluation. Also keep in mind that during the day the oncoming traffic would have to be blind to not see me coming where the Halogens were only adequate. My biggest fear is having someone turn in front of me so this chance over really benefited this concern. My wing is also yellow, and I like that for pure visibility. Anyway, not trying to argue, just giving my opinion of my results. Thankfully I don't like to ride at night if I can help it.
Camera seem okay to me. Riding at night is something I rarely do now that I’m 59 and retired. Like you said on occasion you find yourself having to ride at night so it’s good to know you still can. Every time I get a different bike I make it a point to ride at night to check out the lights. My fjr is like your gl 1800 in the lighting department but my Harley is lacking. Keep riding and stay safe.
Nice lights and look good enough. I am a great believer in LED as they seem to make you better seen in the day time and better visibility at night. I'm not a believer in LED bulbs as all they do is dazzle people at night, best option is proper made LED headlights made for your bike, however they do come at a huge cost. Love the videos.. I'm gonna get a Goldwing one day.
A couple of commenters have suggested a different kind of non-LED bulb (Osram night breaker lasers) and I think that sounds like a good solution - relatively inexpensive but with an improvement in illumination quality. Stop talking about it and go and buy a 'wing :)
For Night Time riding on my 2nd Gen GL1800 I have fitted Osram Night Breaker 200 H7 lamps. I rode from Scarborough in the dark, cross country on the A166 via Seaways Biker Café at Fridaythorpe, towards Leeds and maintained the national speed limit. They cost about 20 quid a pair from eBay. I have fitted Pathfinder LED lamps in the fog lamp holes and they can be put on at night without blinding drivers. As for your gloves I have the same pair in tan and black that you showed us from Sports Bike Shop, but reverted to thin riding gloves, even when cold. I am a member of the GWOCGB and Squires is our meeting spot. I see you still have not opened the vent on your screen.
Hi Roger, thanks for the comment. Thanks also for the tip about the Osram bulbs - I'll certainly keep that one in mind. When do you meet at Squires? Maybe we could come up and meet you all? I've figured out using the vent now. Better late than never :)
Having been biking for 47 years I’ve done a fair bit of night riding. However nowadays I avoid night riding whenever possible as my eyes struggle especially with high powered LED lights of oncoming vehicles especially SUVs that are higher up. The BMW K and RT have very good light set ups and move with the bike but I’d still rather stuck to daytime riding now. If you are going out in the cold weather you want to look into heated clothing it’s certainly worth it. Enjoy your bike. Squires is about 60 miles from me so a regular haunt, it’s always busy
Hi Andrew, as I get older I find it harder for my eyes to adjust from a bright oncoming vehicle back to the relative dimness of my own light beam. Night riding sucks!
Enjoyed your video , I do t ride at night unless absolutely necessary as seeing debris on the road is quite dangerous, your cameras were fine and to. Oth seem a nice Couple, I’m in Rochdale so not too far apart once the nice weather arrives .
Well done 👍 keep the videos coming and would be happy to meet up for a ride being just down the road from you. Have you joined GWOCGB and their local branch Trentwings?
Are you a member Simon? We don't seem to know how to get in touch with them! Do get in touch with us though, would be great to arrange a ride out now the worst of the winter is (hopefully!) over. You can email us at anfbglife@gmail.com.
Also if you don't have a power wind screen then there are levers to release the wind screen, 1 on each side so you can raise and lower the windscreen as needed.
When it comes to riding and conditions, I am 6ft 8ins tall, I have a Californian made 8 inch extra tall screen and 'Swiper'. My better half is 5ft 10ins tall and I know when she falls asleep as her helmet touches me. I did last year buy another screen that was supposed to be 4 inches extra tall, but when I measured it it was 2 inches extra. I am going to chop off 2 inches from my Yank screen to make it 6 inch extra tall, then I will cast my new not so extra tall screen. As for the headlamp adjuster, I have it set at maximum, it does not blind anyone and leave it on that setting whether single, with pillion or touring and it flies through its MOT.
I've owned my Goldwing for 17 years now and travelled over 79,000 miles and in that time it has been faultless. Like you I use Grantham Honda for anything I need but to be honest it's not been that much.
My recommendation would be to upgrade all 4 bulbs to osram night breaker lasers I did it on ours and it gave you a better whiter light and more powerful and there a direct replacement dead easy to do
Thanks Tony. Did you find it easy to replace the high beams? I recall hearing that they are a real pain to change. I think I'm pretty much satisfied with my high beams as they are but I feel the low beams could be improved.
Hey Tony. I like Osrams but my experience, as I've said in another comment, is their susceptibility to blowing and their shorter life because they burn hotter, I'd like to fit them to my 'Wing but I've not because of this. How have you found them?
@@michaelhoare5291 honestly I have had no issues with them I have a set in both cars which are at a yr+ old and did not replace wing ones in the 2yrs I had it
Props to the bike rider doing the wheelie, and to you for riding in the cold and wet at night. Bright rainwear increases your contrast when you most need it.
Yeah, I could never get a pushbike up on its rear wheel!
I’m nearly 69 years old now, and I don’t like to ride at night is I can help it, my night vision isn’t what it used to be and people leaving bars make for poor conditions. That said, I followed Cruisemans recommendations to install Pathfinder LED bulbs, both high beam and low beam, into my 2009 Gold Wing. What a difference. Now the cars with bright lights are flashing me, so I lower the focus down, as you can on a Wing. They are so bright that my riding buddy doesn’t like to ride in front of me as the reflection he gets in his mirrors bother him. They were not all that much money.
You dont say whether you're UK or US based. Whilst LEDs are much whiter than the standard halogens, in spite of all the kits and claims out there including Cruiseman, first and foremost LEDs should not be fitted to halogen headlights. The precise positioning of the filament in a halogen bulb cannot be replicated by an LED bulb. Consequently, when LEDs are fitted to halogen headlights the light scatters everywhere and blinds oncoming traffic and the vehicle in front. In the UK it's an MOT failure. Premium halogen bulbs such as Osram, are better than standard bulbs, but they're way more expensive, and, because they burn hotter have a shorter life, and are susceptible to blowing due to jarring and vibration, which is why I've not tried the Osram motorcycle specific bulb. Changing the headlight bulbs on the GL1800 is an absolute mare and not something you want to be doing on a cold rainy night. Specking up the fog/driving lamps from 35w to 55w (via a relay) helps.
@@michaelhoare5291 Im in Canada. I have read about these concerns before I made the conversion and made sure that this change would comply with Provincial standards. Pathfinder apparently developed the bulb to work in the existing Wing head light system (perhaps). But having watched Cruiseman I decided to give it a try. The "scattering" of the beam doesn't seem to be an issue as far as I can tell, but it is indeed much brighter to a point that at night I lower the beam so that oncoming cars are not blinded. Items that were not being reflected by the standard halogen bulb now are very pronounced. I also read up on HID but the reports on these and the failure rate failed my evaluation. Also keep in mind that during the day the oncoming traffic would have to be blind to not see me coming where the Halogens were only adequate. My biggest fear is having someone turn in front of me so this chance over really benefited this concern. My wing is also yellow, and I like that for pure visibility. Anyway, not trying to argue, just giving my opinion of my results. Thankfully I don't like to ride at night if I can help it.
Thank you for the video glad you had fun 😀
Great video again guys hopefully we can meet for a ride later this year
Me and the wife are considering a gold wing as our next bike
Thanks Ian! Would be great to meet for a ride (and talk buying a Goldwing!) Where abouts are you? Do get in touch with us at anfbglife@gmail.com
Camera seem okay to me. Riding at night is something I rarely do now that I’m 59 and retired. Like you said on occasion you find yourself having to ride at night so it’s good to know you still can. Every time I get a different bike I make it a point to ride at night to check out the lights. My fjr is like your gl 1800 in the lighting department but my Harley is lacking. Keep riding and stay safe.
Thank you Rodney. Night riding is not a choice I'd usually make but I'm glad to have found out that the Goldwing is pretty good really.
GREAT VID BOTH LOOKING FORWARD TO MORE THANK YOU
Our pleasure!
Nice lights and look good enough. I am a great believer in LED as they seem to make you better seen in the day time and better visibility at night. I'm not a believer in LED bulbs as all they do is dazzle people at night, best option is proper made LED headlights made for your bike, however they do come at a huge cost.
Love the videos.. I'm gonna get a Goldwing one day.
A couple of commenters have suggested a different kind of non-LED bulb (Osram night breaker lasers) and I think that sounds like a good solution - relatively inexpensive but with an improvement in illumination quality.
Stop talking about it and go and buy a 'wing :)
For Night Time riding on my 2nd Gen GL1800 I have fitted Osram Night Breaker 200 H7 lamps. I rode from Scarborough in the dark, cross country on the A166 via Seaways Biker Café at Fridaythorpe, towards Leeds and maintained the national speed limit. They cost about 20 quid a pair from eBay. I have fitted Pathfinder LED lamps in the fog lamp holes and they can be put on at night without blinding drivers. As for your gloves I have the same pair in tan and black that you showed us from Sports Bike Shop, but reverted to thin riding gloves, even when cold. I am a member of the GWOCGB and Squires is our meeting spot. I see you still have not opened the vent on your screen.
Hi Roger, thanks for the comment. Thanks also for the tip about the Osram bulbs - I'll certainly keep that one in mind.
When do you meet at Squires? Maybe we could come up and meet you all?
I've figured out using the vent now. Better late than never :)
@@fbglife squires, 12th February starting at 10.00h.
I have Auxito LED headlights on my 03 GL1800 and they are great I am 64yrs old and I can see very well at night
Is that both high and low beam Ronald?
Having been biking for 47 years I’ve done a fair bit of night riding. However nowadays I avoid night riding whenever possible as my eyes struggle especially with high powered LED lights of oncoming vehicles especially SUVs that are higher up. The BMW K and RT have very good light set ups and move with the bike but I’d still rather stuck to daytime riding now. If you are going out in the cold weather you want to look into heated clothing it’s certainly worth it. Enjoy your bike.
Squires is about 60 miles from me so a regular haunt, it’s always busy
Hi Andrew, as I get older I find it harder for my eyes to adjust from a bright oncoming vehicle back to the relative dimness of my own light beam. Night riding sucks!
Enjoyed your video , I do t ride at night unless absolutely necessary as seeing debris on the road is quite dangerous, your cameras were fine and to. Oth seem a nice Couple, I’m in Rochdale so not too far apart once the nice weather arrives .
Looking forward to the good weather also! When it arrives drop us an email and we'll se if we can get together for a ride out.
anfbglife@gmail.com
On my 03 GL1800 there is a headlight adjustment dial on the left side so you can shine the headlight further down the road for better visibility.
I've played with it a little but I didn't notice much difference. In your experience does it make much difference?
Maybe I should try again?
great video guys
Thanks Tim.
Well done 👍 keep the videos coming and would be happy to meet up for a ride being just down the road from you.
Have you joined GWOCGB and their local branch Trentwings?
Are you a member Simon? We don't seem to know how to get in touch with them! Do get in touch with us though, would be great to arrange a ride out now the worst of the winter is (hopefully!) over. You can email us at anfbglife@gmail.com.
@@fbglife just sent you an email 👍
Also if you don't have a power wind screen then there are levers to release the wind screen, 1 on each side so you can raise and lower the windscreen as needed.
Yes, I have mine at full height most of the time. Would be useful to have power adjust on this model though.
When it comes to riding and conditions, I am 6ft 8ins tall, I have a Californian made 8 inch extra tall screen and 'Swiper'. My better half is 5ft 10ins tall and I know when she falls asleep as her helmet touches me. I did last year buy another screen that was supposed to be 4 inches extra tall, but when I measured it it was 2 inches extra. I am going to chop off 2 inches from my Yank screen to make it 6 inch extra tall, then I will cast my new not so extra tall screen. As for the headlamp adjuster, I have it set at maximum, it does not blind anyone and leave it on that setting whether single, with pillion or touring and it flies through its MOT.
Thanks for all that Roger. I will get a little more experience with this bike and then make a decision about the screen.
I've owned my Goldwing for 17 years now and travelled over 79,000 miles and in that time it has been faultless. Like you I use Grantham Honda for anything I need but to be honest it's not been that much.
Mine is going to be faultless for the coming 79,000 miles :) I'm sure of it.
My recommendation would be to upgrade all 4 bulbs to osram night breaker lasers I did it on ours and it gave you a better whiter light and more powerful and there a direct replacement dead easy to do
Thanks Tony. Did you find it easy to replace the high beams? I recall hearing that they are a real pain to change.
I think I'm pretty much satisfied with my high beams as they are but I feel the low beams could be improved.
@@fbglife I had no issues not as easy as the low beam but no real drama
Hey Tony. I like Osrams but my experience, as I've said in another comment, is their susceptibility to blowing and their shorter life because they burn hotter, I'd like to fit them to my 'Wing but I've not because of this. How have you found them?
@@michaelhoare5291 honestly I have had no issues with them I have a set in both cars which are at a yr+ old and did not replace wing ones in the 2yrs I had it