Dim The Lights (ST2 Running Lights Needed)

**jonathan wheal** · 29 Jan 08, 12:41 PM

I dont know if its me or the bike, the lights on my 1998 St2 leave abit to be desired, can anyone reccommend some additional spot lights / running lights to use along side dipped beam, is the standard generator capable of taking this sort of additional load.

thanks

**northworthy** · 29 Jan 08, 03:36 PM

Jonathan
The lights on all ST's leave a lot to be desired and come out nearly always last in bike light tests done by various magazines.

One of the best and cheapest ways to upgrade your H4 light is to replace the standard bulb by using the best bulb on the market at the moment: Philips X-treme Power at aprox UK£15.

Other than that you could spend a lot of money on going down the HID route, or another alternative is to by the Ducati Designs Kit from the US. Both these options are not cheap circa UK£200-300 covering both dip and main beams. There are a few folks out there that have done this and I am sure will come along and give you their advice/experience.

As for adding "running or daytime lights" - where the heck would you fit them without making the bike look like the dogs dinner?

**jonathan wheal** · 30 Jan 08, 12:50 PM

Cheers, I looked into HID before but as you say, a bit pricey. I thought about the small spots i have seen on BMW GSs, they would look OK on the insid eof the fairing in front of the radiator, out of reach of the front mudguard.

**Derek** · 30 Jan 08, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by northworthy

One of the best and cheapest ways to upgrade your H4 light is to replace the standard bulb by using the best bulb on the market at the moment: Philips X-treme Power at aprox UK£15.

The dip beam is an H3 and main beam is an H1. They don't do an X-treme Power bulb in an H3 fitting. In fact you can buy very little in the way of increased brightness bulbs for an H3 fitment at all! I went for HID

**northworthy** · 30 Jan 08, 07:13 PM

Whoops - sorry.
Derek is of course right the bulbs are H1 n H3. No wonder over this winter I've had no success of finding the Philips bulb here in CH. My apologies Jonathan.

**OogieBoogie** · 01 Feb 08, 02:50 PM

I've seen HID kits for about £30 - 40 on FleaBay but can't vouch for quality etc, and they are for pairs.

I'm told that they're not too good for main beam due to the warm up time. One solution would be to go halves to split a pair with someone, (I'd be interested). Still got the hassle of wiring and fitting etc, though.

For a temporary solution I raised the beam a bit (as much as I thought I could get away with without dazzling oncoming traffic) and replaced the main beam with a 100W 'rally' one from Halfords. Probably not the best solution as I now have about 13 amps on a 15 amp fused circuit. Lights are improved though!

PM me if you are interested in splitting a HID kit. Interestingly HID lights are lower wattage so the combination of HID dip beam and 100W rally main wouldn't be so taxing on the 'lectrics.

Stu.

**Johnny** · 01 Feb 08, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OogieBoogie

PM me if you are interested in splitting a HID kit. Interestingly HID lights are lower wattage so the combination of HID dip beam and 100W rally main wouldn't be so taxing on the 'lectrics.

Stu.

Stu would the wires and the housing take it for long. Also, any issues come MOT time with the bulb and the setting. Finally what do you mean by HID? Some quote HID effect bulbs.

**OogieBoogie** · 01 Feb 08, 04:32 PM

Hi Johnny,

I'm no expert in auto electrics, but I have seen a thread on here somewhere describing the installation, can't remember where.

As I understand it (or don't) HID lights use a different type of bulb (xenon filled?) they are much brighter for a given wattage (in fact I think they are only rated at about 30W...could be wrong there), again I'm not sure but I think they run at a high voltage and very low ampage.

They run off a ballast unit (1 per bulb) which I believe converts the voltage and is just wired to the lighting circuit.

Any of this could be wrong, anyone feel free to correct me. Don't have time to look for the thread now as I'm supposed to be working.

Stu.

**OogieBoogie** · 01 Feb 08, 04:37 PM

BTW I believe that HID effect bulbs are mostly just ordinary halogens with a different light specrtum, or just tinted glass, they're just for Barry/Garry and his 93 corsa 1.0 with the dustbin exhaust back-box. (Violet flourescents under floorpan optional).

**nel5on** · 07 Feb 08, 12:03 AM

Jonathan,
I was also "dissapointed" with my headlights, so just bought a pair on H3 osram Nightbreakers, I'm looking to swap a extra (you get a pair)H3 for a H1 Nightbreaker for my main beam as well, you buy a set of H1's and i'll swap extra H3 for your extra H1.

I'm told these will help.

Cheers
Nelson

**Priesty** · 27 Apr 08, 11:04 AM

Jonathan,
I've had an 1998 ST2 for about a year now and have been amazed by how useless the lights are. Dangerosly blind on on left hand bends at night, - the edge of the road just dssappears.

I took mine in for MOT yesterday to be told by the the tester that "your headlamps dip the wrong way". By this i assume that he means the lens is set up as if it was on european roads - i.e. drive on RHS so the beam has more light towards the right hand side where the edge fo the should should be! . After seeing everyone elses comments on here I'm now wondering if this is just standard ducati rubbish lighting or has the previous owner put on a european headlamp/lens.
???

Does anyone else know if this makes sense? Can it be improved/fixed by buying specific UK lens or lamp reflectors?

Cheers
P.

**MarkST** · 27 Apr 08, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Priesty

Does anyone else know if this makes sense? Can it be improved/fixed by buying specific UK lens or lamp reflectors?

Cheers
P.

It sounds very much to me that you have a continental spec light on your bike. The standard ones are ***** though, and my view is that this is the way forward if you can afford it - Ducati Designs Sport Touring Accessories - Products

**Priesty** · 29 Apr 08, 05:19 PM

Thanks Mark,
I reckon your right,,,I'll try and check the part nos to see if mines a european one. I can't stretch to the nice Ducati Designs alternative at the moment so I'll just have to put bog standrad uk one on. I've found 2nd hand ST4 headlamp....did the headlamps chaneg between ST2 and ST4?

Thanks
P.

**MarkST** · 29 Apr 08, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Priesty

did the headlamps chaneg between ST2 and ST4?

Thanks
P.

No, not until; the introduction of the ST3 with the new fairing - The ST4 then had that fairing as well. But the ST2 and the old style ST4 were the same fairing and headlight.

**dgmulti** · 29 Apr 08, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derek

The dip beam is an H3 and main beam is an H1. They don't do an X-treme Power bulb in an H3 fitting. In fact you can buy very little in the way of increased brightness bulbs for an H3 fitment at all! I went for HID

H3 Osram Night Breaker +90% 12v 55w (pair) NEW! :: H3 Bulbs :: Upgrade Xenon Headlight Bulbs :: Autobulbs Direct Ltd - Xenon bulbs, car bulbs, wiper blades, headlight, Osram, Ring, Philips

H1 Osram Night Breaker +90% 12v 55w bulbs (pair) NEW! :: H1 Bulbs :: Upgrade Xenon Headlight Bulbs :: Autobulbs Direct Ltd - Xenon bulbs, car bulbs, wiper blades, headlight, Osram, Ring, Philips

The Web Co above does Osram lamps and they have improved product over the standard lamps ( and those prices are for a PAIR)...
I fitted the H1 and H3 lamps to my ST2 and while still not fabulous it did allow some sight of the road ahead without having to go to extreme expense.