First Night Ride

[primal]

Just got back from my first time riding at night. I definitely could have picked a better night to ride, because it was a nice brisk 49 degrees. BTW, anyone who rides in the cold should pick up an Arctiva balaclava. Well worth the money. ;)

I gotta say, I was quite impressed with the GZs head light. I rode with the high beam on most of the time, and I'd say its right up there with the lights on my car.

All in all riding at night wasn't as bad as I'd suspected. Other than a few stretches where deer like to run across the road it wasn't so bad. If I end up doing more night riding I really want to get a reflective vest, as well as some reflective tape to stick to my bike. I'm glad I did this, though, because now I'm not as uneasy (though still cautious) about riding in the dark.

[mr. softie]

The reflective stuff is a good idea. I want to add some to my clothing and bike too.

[alanmcorcoran]

I really like riding at night.

Out here it's cooler (lots of days are in the 80's and higher and in the summer triple digits are not unusual.)

And there's a lot less traffic. Also, I think I am more alert at night. I'm kind of nocturnal.

Best of all, I can always tell when my blinker is on!

[primal]

Best of all, I can always tell when my blinker is on!

Yes! It's great, isn't it? :)

[Chris]

I just don't ride at night unless I have to. Seems simple, but noone can see as clearly at night as they can in the daytime. For me riding is mostly a pleasure and I just don't take the chances at night.

Chris near Atlanta

[goneoutflying]

Almost half off all my riding is at night. I actually think it is easier to ride at night, no sun blinding you, less traffic etc.

Reflective stuff is good, however I went a step further and added accent lights. I also changed my headlight to the blue light which really helps, especially if you have to ride in the rain at night.

My next step is changing my taillight and turn signals to the LEDs which are a lot brighter. :)

[Water Warrior 2]

Almost half off all my riding is at night. I actually think it is easier to ride at night, no sun blinding you, less traffic etc.

Reflective stuff is good, however I went a step further and added accent lights. I also changed my headlight to the blue light which really helps, especially if you have to ride in the rain at night.

My next step is changing my taillight and turn signals to the LEDs which are a lot brighter. :)

You will have to change the flasher too if you go to LED bulbs in the signals. The OEM flasher works on a specific load. Led's will not give it the load to operate properly.
Also, if I was to do a lot of night riding on a GZ I would add a smaller driving light to the front somewhere. My reasoning is for safety. Just imagine the headlight suddenly going out and leaving you in darkness. A small lower power driving light would keep you oriented in the right direction while you flip the headlight to the other beam. The GZ can power 2 20 watt MR-11 halogen bulbs which will be more than adequate in cases of emergency. Yah, I know I sound paranoid.

[roscosmom]

I had my first night ride recently...some friends and I went to our universitys football game Sat. night here in town. There were 3 of us riding and it was very cold (which in south louisiana means in the 50's) It was fun, but a bit scary! We had great parking for the game! And to top it off, we won....lol.

[Water Warrior 2]

Almost half off all my riding is at night. I actually think it is easier to ride at night, no sun blinding you, less traffic etc.

Reflective stuff is good, however I went a step further and added accent lights. I also changed my headlight to the blue light which really helps, especially if you have to ride in the rain at night.

My next step is changing my taillight and turn signals to the LEDs which are a lot brighter. :)

You will have to change the flasher too if you go to LED bulbs in the signals. The OEM flasher works on a specific load. Led's will not give it the load to operate properly.
Also, if I was to do a lot of night riding on a GZ I would add a smaller driving light to the front somewhere. My reasoning is for safety. Just imagine the headlight suddenly going out and leaving you in darkness. A small lower power driving light would keep you oriented in the right direction while you flip the headlight to the other beam. The GZ can power 2 20 watt MR-11 halogen bulbs which will be more than adequate in cases of emergency. Yah, I know I sound paranoid.


Just a follow up on what I posted earlier. Was in Wally World, Bellingham Washington today and found some sweet smaller driving lights. Made by Optronics/Platinum Burners Series. 2 chrome round lights with 50 watt MR-16 halogen bulbs. Swap out the bulbs for 20 watt units and go night riding. These would give you a greater presence on the road day or night. And best of all...........$16 will get the lights, wiring and switch. Add in a few $ for a relay and inline fuse. A cheap but functional mod.

[Easy Rider]

And best of all...........$16 will get the lights, wiring and switch. Add in a few $ for a relay and inline fuse. A cheap but functional mod.

And if you don't mind using them in the "manual mode", you don't need a relay.
You would have to add in the cost of the replacement bulbs.

Just incase someone is reading this who hasn't read the threads about electrical load:
Two EXTRA 50 watt bulbs (100 watts total) exceeds (or very nearly exceeds) the capacity of the battery/charging system. Two 20 watt bulbs, however, is well within the capacity. YOU MUST CHANGE THE BULBS. :cool:

[goneoutflying]

It is kind of funny that you mentioned the Headlight going out. When I first got the bike only the high beams worked. I changed the bulb and that fixed the problem, then about a week ago I was using my high beams when coming home from work and it started to flicker for a few seconds and went out and I switched to my low beams which worked.

I have been thinking of adding some extra driving light, I have been looking into the duel headlights. However I know that the electrical system is not that great, I thinking that by changing the tail light and turn signals to LEDs this will use less power and compensate for an extra light.

or I can find a way to generate more power. :twisted:

[Easy Rider]

I thinking that by changing the tail light and turn signals to LEDs this will use less power and compensate for an extra light.

or I can find a way to generate more power. :twisted:

My opinion is: Not practical on either count. Turn signals are not used often enough to make a real difference and the tail & running lights don't approach the draw of an extra headlight.

Beefing up the alternator is very likely not practical......even if you have a machine shop at your disposal. Now.....if/when somebody comes up with an LED plug-n-play replacement for the 1157 style dual-element bulb, then maybe.

[Sarris]

Here's an 1157 LED plug in bulb.

http://www.radiantz.com/cart/index1.html?c14.html&1

It's the last one on the page.

:)

[Easy Rider]

Here's an 1157 LED plug in bulb.

:)

WOW...........at $30 apiece, I think I'll pass. :cry:

And you would still need load resistors........or an electronic flasher.

[music man]

You Always have to be prepared for it to be expensive when Sarris Suggests it, He is Mr. moneybags after all. :neener:

We Are Talking about a man with a 400 dollar stereo system on his GZ. :tongue:

Just Pokin fun at ya Sarris.

[Water Warrior 2]

Had a couple LED 1157 bulbs in the VStrom tail/brake light. Not near as bright as a regular 1157 bulb. Maybe not the best on the market but still disappointing. There seems to be a wide variety of brightness and quality in LEDs. Went back to regular bulbs.

[IRingTwyce]

You Always have to be prepared for it to be expensive when Sarris Suggests it, He is Mr. moneybags after all. :neener:
What's the point of having it if you don't spend it? :??:
We Are Talking about a man with a 400 dollar stereo system on his GZ. :tongue:
Friggin' sweet. :smoke:

[music man]

Well my point was is that sometimes he suggests expensive stuff that some of us poor folks don't
"have it to spend". :crazy:

[Sarris]

OK buttholes, here is a $10 LED taillight bulb. Now quit yer bitchin'

LED Tailight (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SUZUKI-GZ250-GZ-250-1157-SPINNER_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1210Q7c39 Q3a1Q7c66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c240Q3a1318QQ_trksidZp328 6Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem180302712018QQitemZ18030271 2018)

:redflip:

[Easy Rider]

OK buttholes, here is a $10 LED taillight bulb. Now quit yer bitchin'


Right back at 'ya, DUDE! :skull:

Two things:
Probably only practical for stop/tail light; flashing-rotating is probably not good for turn signals or running lights.
If the LEDs are red and you keep the red tail light lens, it's doubtful that they will be brighter than stock.

Strike ONE! :)

[Water Warrior 2]

An LED bulb only seems to work well with a lense designed for an Led bulb. Light dispersal and the 2 different designs will not always make for better illumination. Also the color of the LED and lense will affect the outcome. A purpose built Led light complete with lense is the best.