This afternoon, I got the Ural “de-winterized” which basically means removing the carbide studs from the tires, the sidecar-mounted automotive battery, and the handlebar muffs. This past winter, I had tried the smaller #1000 GripStuds instead of the #1200 GripStuds that I’ve used in the past. The smaller ones didn’t provide the same grip on the icy road.
While we were in Oregon, someone had posted somewhere that they installed an LED headlight on their Ural. They were happy with the beam pattern, it’s DOT approved, and it fits inside of the headlight shell. I went ahead and ordered one. Sunset isn’t until almost 11pm so it won’t be dark enough to really test it until maybe August. So the jury is still out. The power draw on low beam is 18 watts. If nothing else, this should eliminate the melted plastic headlight connector.
I recently ordered an led headlight for my sportster. The low power consumption is reason enough to make the switch. Some of the cheap lights don't have a great pattern but the dang bike is still sitting in the living room so I'm pretty sure it will light up the far wall just fine.
ReplyDeleteIn the past, I rode a lot during the winter which means means a lot of riding in the dark around here. Not much winter riding anymore so I’m thinking that the actual beam pattern is less important.
DeleteGood luck with the LED conversion Richard, I'm impressed with the OEM LED on the KTM. BTW, do you still use electrically heated gloves? I'm still using my Gerbings which are about 4 years old now. However, they don't get used as often as yours presumably do!
ReplyDeleteIf it’s below about -8°C the heated gloves come out. I used to use them more but the connectors are too fragile. Gerbings as well. I used to use them a lot.
DeleteAhhh LEDs... I just put a pair of Cyclops 10.0 bulbs in my new Tiger, then had to order an LED parking lamp so everything was matchy-matchy.
ReplyDeleteI like the LED lamp in the Ural, matches the PIAA lights and new technology meets old school.
I had replaced all of the other bulbs on the Ural with LEDs except some of the indicator lights in the speedometer.
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