Hi all.
Have recently got myself a completely standard 09 TDM900A with only 5k on the clock so am slowly pampering it to my liking.
Have taken it out at night but the headlight is pants to the point it is a dull light, and doesnt shine that far ahead.
Which option is best (and easiest) for improving this without breaking the bank - HID, LED or a really good halogen bulb.? Or should I consider spotlights.?
Thanks in advance. 👍
Best Headlight Option
Started by
L900TDM
, Feb 21 2025 06:22 pm
11 replies to this topic
#1
L900TDM
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discovering Carpe
- Location:Mid Wales
- TDM model: 2009
Posted 21 February 2025 - 06:22 pm
#2
trevini
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has been here 4ever
- Location:Far East, near Lowestoft!
- TDM model: 2004
Posted 21 February 2025 - 08:03 pm
Niner lights are notoriously bad. I use Osram Night Breaker bulbs in mine, which offer an improvement, but still not great. They've also lasted many years without needing replacement. I think I fitted them around 2006/7 to mine. Led lamps may be brighter, but also may not offer much more real life improvement on the road. Your best bet would probably be to add a couple of auxiliary lamps.
Other guys on here have tried various solutions and will most likely be along in a bit with their personal preferences for upgrades.
2004 Galaxy Blue. Owned since 486 miles.Renthal 755 bars, Bagster tank cover, Oxford heated grips, DL650 hand guards, Double Bubble screen, Scorpion Rad guard, Gel pad insert, HLD undertray, Angry Badger tailtidy, Roadsmart 4s, Givi E21s, E46 topbox, Ohlins shock and YSS cartridge emulators Currently not fitted - PC3, Remus Revolutions.
Putting up with the "niner" jokes since 2005
Check out http://www.hotcoldground.co.uk we're really rather good!
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#3
leehenty
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Backstreet Mechanikin'
- Location:Rushden Northamptonshire.
- TDM model: 2002
Posted 21 February 2025 - 08:08 pm
Led upgrades are now legal as long as the beam pattern is correct.
2002 900 silver,oil pressure switch with brass 90 degree conversion, RG fork protectors. Wilburs custom made rear Shock with remote hydraulic preload and RG shocktube, Wilburs front springs. Scotoiler with a custom made swing arm delivery unit. Silicone radiator hoses.BMW 1150 handguards with Touratech extensions, Carbon Fibre yoke cover and fender extenda, MRA flip screen, Yamaha Engine bars, SW Motech Centre Stand, Kappa wingrack three box Luggage with E21's as option from the K960 boxes, Zumo 660 satnav on Touratech mount, Led Voltage monitor, Baglux tank cover, Clear LED Rear light, Aux LED brake light, Stainless rear axle nut, stainless chain adjusters, stainless wheel spacers front and rear, Probolt Polished Stainless Flanged Hex engine screws, Polished stainless fairing screws, stainless disc bolts. Titanium brake pins front, Probolt Titanium Flanged Hex Front Caliper Bolts & Rear caliper slide pins.<p>Top Sellerie double gel pad seat. Carbon Fibre inner dash and side infill panels. Anodised black alloy swingarm pivot bolt covers and footpegs, Nano II Gear indicator.
#4
dablik
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Master Intermediate Fettlin' Award 2018
- Location:Bootleshire
- TDM model: 1992
Posted 22 February 2025 - 08:53 am
I found HID much more preferable to LED when i had mine, dunno if their "legal" these days ?
Bigred mk1 R1 Calipers- Braided lines- Givi wing rack-Crash bungs- Hi vis bullets-PR2's- and a hoot to ride.
Quad 900 Silver Laser duo tech pipes-Scott oiler-Engine crash bars- Radiator mounted see me ring LED's-Datatool system 3 alarm -Centre stand- Extender fender-Renthal bars-Handle bar risers-Mirror extenders-BMW GS Handgaurds-Acumen uprated horn & Nautilus-Stainless steel Radiator guard-Givi wing rack-OEM screen-Yammy touring screen-MRA Vario-MRA Double bubble cut down for fast as fk riding-Tiger screen-Tank protector-Stomp grip panels-Optimate lead Gone to Heaven 
1991 MK1 in need of some TLC watch this space Gone to Heaven 
Sorted and on the Road Mick 
it's the bike that Jack built 
#5
leehenty
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Backstreet Mechanikin'
- Location:Rushden Northamptonshire.
- TDM model: 2002
Posted 22 February 2025 - 09:14 am
Not HID unfortunately,
2002 900 silver,oil pressure switch with brass 90 degree conversion, RG fork protectors. Wilburs custom made rear Shock with remote hydraulic preload and RG shocktube, Wilburs front springs. Scotoiler with a custom made swing arm delivery unit. Silicone radiator hoses.BMW 1150 handguards with Touratech extensions, Carbon Fibre yoke cover and fender extenda, MRA flip screen, Yamaha Engine bars, SW Motech Centre Stand, Kappa wingrack three box Luggage with E21's as option from the K960 boxes, Zumo 660 satnav on Touratech mount, Led Voltage monitor, Baglux tank cover, Clear LED Rear light, Aux LED brake light, Stainless rear axle nut, stainless chain adjusters, stainless wheel spacers front and rear, Probolt Polished Stainless Flanged Hex engine screws, Polished stainless fairing screws, stainless disc bolts. Titanium brake pins front, Probolt Titanium Flanged Hex Front Caliper Bolts & Rear caliper slide pins.<p>Top Sellerie double gel pad seat. Carbon Fibre inner dash and side infill panels. Anodised black alloy swingarm pivot bolt covers and footpegs, Nano II Gear indicator.
#6
laughin in a windstorm
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needs a 2nd hobby
- Location:Culham, England
- TDM model: 2002
Posted 23 February 2025 - 05:55 am
I don't ride at night any more if I can help it, but my son has fitted led bulbs in all his bikes and he says they are great, even his MT03 660 lights up the road now and I know that had a terrible headlight as it used to be mine
it's not my time to go, it's not my time to die
the last thing I want is for my family to cry
the last thing I want is for my family to cry
#7
L900TDM
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- Member
- 11 posts
discovering Carpe
- Location:Mid Wales
- TDM model: 2009
Posted 23 February 2025 - 01:21 pm
Thanks all for the replies - am thinking either the Osram night breaker or Phillips Xtreme, or an LED replacement to improve the immediate brightness, but also to fit auxiliaries for the distance.
Any suggestions on a cost effective choice of spotlights would be appreciated.
Thanks again all.
Any suggestions on a cost effective choice of spotlights would be appreciated.
Thanks again all.
#8
steve27bha
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needs a 2nd hobby
- Location:West Lothian
- TDM model: 2008
Posted 28 February 2025 - 03:25 pm
HID &LED are OK for MOT & so presumably legal.
Go see MOT special notice 01-21 here https://www.gov.uk/g...amp-conversionswhich withdraws the failure rule -
and the revised MOT manual here: https://www.gov.uk/g...rical-equipmentwhich makes no mention of the light source, only the light pattern.
Go see MOT special notice 01-21 here https://www.gov.uk/g...amp-conversionswhich withdraws the failure rule -
and the revised MOT manual here: https://www.gov.uk/g...rical-equipmentwhich makes no mention of the light source, only the light pattern.
TDM900A 2008/09 in use, with 
CBX750FE in reserve; Cagiva N90 125 now rebuilt & in use.
#9
steve27bha
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needs a 2nd hobby
- Location:West Lothian
- TDM model: 2008
Posted 28 February 2025 - 03:48 pm
In addition to the above by me, I removed my HID bulb (dip only) when it was a fail reason. When the rule changed I considered re-installing it, but I've been too lazy to do it.
At initial install time I wrote an illustrated report on the work.
Go see this thread from post #21 and later with pix: http://www.carpe-tdm...e=2#entry277468
At initial install time I wrote an illustrated report on the work.
Go see this thread from post #21 and later with pix: http://www.carpe-tdm...e=2#entry277468
TDM900A 2008/09 in use, with
CBX750FE in reserve; Cagiva N90 125 now rebuilt & in use.
#10
steve27bha
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- Supporting Member(thanks)
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needs a 2nd hobby
- Location:West Lothian
- TDM model: 2008
Posted 28 February 2025 - 04:06 pm
A further addition!
The final post by me linked above says the light aim was OK. However when following a pal he reported not being able to see my indicators because of the glare from the headlight on dip. So I lowered the aim slightly, after a further post asking for advice on how the adjuster works.
The final post by me linked above says the light aim was OK. However when following a pal he reported not being able to see my indicators because of the glare from the headlight on dip. So I lowered the aim slightly, after a further post asking for advice on how the adjuster works.
TDM900A 2008/09 in use, with
CBX750FE in reserve; Cagiva N90 125 now rebuilt & in use.
#11
fixitsan
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Carpe Citizen
- Location:West Lothian
- TDM model: 2003
Posted 01 March 2025 - 10:12 am
My second 900 came with a HID in low beam, and it's quite a reasonable upgrade and good beam
Ohlins, PC3, fuel cut defeat, +4deg timing, 17" front wheel.
#12
AdamTDM
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- Member
- 36 posts
sticking around
- Location:Devon
- TDM model: 2002
Posted 01 March 2025 - 09:38 pm
I have fitted a pair of these https://www.classicc...0113c0bf0&_ss=r
really great improvements
Adam.
Yellow 2002 900
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