[narula123]

Originally Posted by killjoy

And if you are getting the PC V, then you might as well add the filter also to maximise the investment.

And that’s how it starts eh mate?

The down-ward spiral of spending on kitting up the bike!!!

[killjoy]

Originally Posted by narula123

And that’s how it starts eh mate?

The down-ward spiral of spending on kitting up the bike!!!

Haha, don't we know it. Almost everything needed on the 650 has been experimented and documented....

[narula123]

So the Ninja 650 has arguably the worst stock headlamp for a tourer. The best possible upgrade is to switch to HID projector setup but thats both expensive and requires an expert hand. I did the next best thing and plonked an Osram HID on my low beam and kept high beam stock (Philips extreme pro) to enable the flasher.
The HID on stock low beam reflector is better than stock but wastes a lot of throw due to the design of the stock reflector.
Contemplated small aux LED lights but the branded ones are super expensive and I did not want to take a chance with the unbranded/chinese ones despite few friends having them on their bikes.

My good friend at Motousher suggested upgrading the high-beam lamp to an LED bulb so took the plunge and ordered a Cyclops LED from them.
Got it installed at Kawasaki today keeping in mind that the dust cover needs to be sliced to make space for the bulb’s heat sink and the stock coupler was removed for plugging in.

The LED is slightly more bluish than my 4300K HID but its hardly a bother.
The LED is definitely better on both spread and throw than the Philips Halogen and is noticeably stronger when i rode back in the evening with the sky getting darker.

Is it earth-shattering? NO. For that you need to spend upwards of 20k and get yourself a pair of Denallis or similar stuff. For 6k odd this bulb is a decent upgrade for the stock reflector and I hope it lives upto the expectations on my next ride.

Will update once I use it extensively.

[bf1983]

Thank you for this post. I am in a similar boat. I have a Z650 and even though it's a 2019 model kawasaki seem content to saddle it with a halogen bulb that throws about as much light as my 1999 hero Honda cbz. There are times I can't see anything on the road and I wonder if the headlight is switched off. Will definitely consider the led light upgrade as I don't have the budget to get good quality aux lights.

[narula123]

Originally Posted by bf1983

Thank you for this post. I am in a similar boat. I have a Z650 and even though it's a 2019 model kawasaki seem content to saddle it with a halogen bulb that throws about as much light as my 1999 hero Honda cbz. There are times I can't see anything on the road and I wonder if the headlight is switched off. Will definitely consider the led light upgrade as I don't have the budget to get good quality aux lights.

My honest suggestion would be to save up for some good aux lights if you ride a lot in the dark. For me highway night riding is limited and hence the LED suffices for city/lit road use.
My learning over the years is not to skimp on brakes and Lighting on any bike. They are important safety bits.

[bf1983]

Originally Posted by narula123

My honest suggestion would be to save up for some good aux lights if you ride a lot in the dark. For me highway night riding is limited and hence the LED suffices for city/lit road use.
My learning over the years is not to skimp on brakes and Lighting on any bike. They are important safety bits.

Thanks for the feedback but I actually hate riding in the dark. The light upgrade is because I simply can't see anything in the dark. The stock headlight is so bad. Otherwise I am a strictly day time running guy.