Author Topic: Question for European Bandit "S" owners (Read 4750 times)

Bazza · « **on:** November 11, 2005, 02:18:48 PM »

European Bandits are equipped with a daytime running light which is located in the centre of the "Bugeye" setup.

I have a couple of questions for those in the know.

Does this light strobe when riding? (I do believe Ducati has such a setup)

What type of bulb/socket etc. does it use?

Does it really help with noticing the bike during the day?

I am about to perform surgury on my bugeyes and was thinking of activating this light in order to make the Bandit more visable

Kickstart · « **Reply #1 on:** November 11, 2005, 04:46:52 PM »

Quote from: "Bazza"

Does this light strobe when riding? (I do believe Ducati has such a setup)

What type of bulb/socket etc. does it use?

Never looked at one in detail, but I would doubt it. Legally (in the UK at least) headlights must be a steady light, and a flashing light would be illegal (even for bicycles).

All the best

Keith

Desolation Angel · « **Reply #2 on:** November 11, 2005, 07:59:49 PM »

I didn't know there was a spot for another light.

Let me go see....

Red01 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 11, 2005, 08:08:46 PM »

Look dead center in the reflector, you'll see a flat, circular spot in there, that's where the DRL goes in the markets that get them.

There's an unused connector in the harness behind the fairing that's there on all market bikes just for that purpose. Some folks use that wire to power running lights in the signals or to control a relay for their favorite 12v accessory.

Bazza · « **Reply #4 on:** November 12, 2005, 05:37:44 AM »

I do recall reading a Ducati test ride once where the testers were complaining about the small strobe light mounted on the bike (Same spot where the Bandit allows for one to be mounted).

I have seen some cruisers here mounted with what appears to just be a flashing low voltage light, and let me tell you they are very noticable.

I am doing the Hella headlight mod and I am thinking that while I have the thing apart....

Vlad · « **Reply #5 on:** November 14, 2005, 12:14:09 AM »

I just took my lights out today and amconsidering similar upgrades and enhancements (something to keep me busy in long winter nights :) ). I am, however, considering a LED setup. I got my hands on some unbelievably bright off-white (kinda little blueish) LEDs and am thinking to get them in, probably three. The other alternative is a bicycle white led light that even comes with the blinkong (or not, depending on the switch setting) circuit.

However, before I start icing I have to make the cake first, i.e. clean up the lenses and get better high/low bulbs. Does anyone know a non-agressive way to open these bug-eye lights?

Bazza · « **Reply #6 on:** November 14, 2005, 03:33:00 AM »

Hi Vlad:

Here is a link I used to get mine apart.

http://cabuhs.net/headlights.htm

Vlad · « **Reply #7 on:** November 14, 2005, 08:38:33 AM »

Quote from: "Bazza"

Hi Vlad:

Here is a link I used to get mine apart.

http://cabuhs.net/headlights.htm

Excellent and very detailed instructions. Thank you Bazza, you made my day!

Robbieukb12 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 15, 2005, 06:04:48 PM »

I'm in the UK and ride an 02 and if i'm understanding right the light your talking about is the park light, if i turn my ignition off then one more turn the light comes on.

Robbie

PeteSC · « **Reply #9 on:** November 15, 2005, 06:46:48 PM »

Gee, I think they call it a 'sidelight' on the UK models.
My assumption, at least on the older Bandit models, was it was just a separate low wattage bulb that somewhat illuminated the headlight shell.
YEah....Daytime running Light.

I think LED is the way to go, preferably with some sort of magnifying relective shell.

Desolation Angel · « **Reply #10 on:** November 15, 2005, 07:44:49 PM »

As soon as I read 6 hours work time and the part about putting my fairing in the oven to bake I knew this wasn't a job for me!

Don't need a little running light quite that bad.

Bazza · « **Reply #11 on:** November 18, 2005, 03:58:11 AM »

Well Guys:

It looks like I have located one on bike picts. If you look really close at this picture it appears right in the centre between the two bug eyes.

Looks like it is a pretty low voltage bulb. I don't imagine that this will do much to improve visibility over riding with the headlights on.

I would probably be better off moding the signal lights to luminate like paul has done.

The owner of this bike is from Slovenia (Could be a long lost relative)

tomacGTi · « **Reply #12 on:** November 18, 2005, 12:35:28 PM »

In cars, that smaller wattage bulb is known as a city light that comes on when the parking lights are on.

In Europe (olden times) they used city lights downtown so people wouldn't be blinded by headlights since the streets were well lit anyway. They were primarily to distinguish the front end of the car, not to throw a beam, it illuminates the bucket but not much more. I don't think it would be an alternative to a real deal headlight. IIRC the bulb is only about 3w.

Take a look at a VW Golf (A4 style) the next time you see one. Inside the reflector for each of the headlights is one of those peanut bulbs. I'd imagine that the function is the same for motorcycles as well.

-Randy

Bazza · « **Reply #13 on:** November 19, 2005, 05:59:14 PM »

Thanks Tomac:

I think you answered all my running light questions!

Bazza