Brighter Headlight

I was reading Cycle World and there was a letter to the editor asking how to make the headlight brighter.

Their reply was to purchase a headlight relay kit from and that would make a lot of difference.

Have any forum members tried these?

You could probably get a decent LED headlight bulb for cheaper than those kits.

Don't be surprised if the bike dislikes a kit like that - CANBUS will see it as a blown bulb and throw an error. (1290)

If it's for a 990 first check battery voltage, then voltage at the headlight connector. If there's more than a volt of difference it might be worth getting one of these kits. But you'd be far cheaper to DIY - connectors are available for free from your local scrap car yard, relays and wiring are cheap as chips from Maplins (UK) / Radio Shack or the like (US).

HI , is it possible to get a clear headlight cover ?

As I understand it the problem with one of those work-around-the-canbus relay kits is that you'll both lose the ability to use the stock high/low and flasher switch and have a constant fault headlight out message on the screen.

I know its probably not the answer you're looking for, but you wouldn't be the first person to install a pair of auxiliary lights on their SD. If it's a big aesthetic hurdle (which I can appreciate ...), they are generally easily removed and installed - maybe put 'em on when you go long-throw touring, and leave 'em off most of the time - ?

Gone are the days of only the ginormous, chrome plated things intended for H-D tourers. Some of the latest HID variants are pretty discrete (small packages), and have fairly handsome mounts/guards. Check out the usual ADV goody shops like TwistedThrottle, Touratech, etc.