Light up the night!

When I bought my '03 KLR i was very unhappy with the headlight brightness, so much so that I was very uncomfortable being out after dark on my bike.

This spring, I installed a BL-43C130 (the clear model) and I'm very, very happy with the brightness output. I can see well at night now, and on high beam it really provides all the headlight a guy could ask for!

So, if you're looking for a headlight to improve visibility, I'd definitely recommend it.

Wow. That thing pulls 130/90 watts.  I bet it does put out a great beam.
It wouldn't work for me because the DR650 stator only puts out 200 watts total. 

When I first got my KLR, I had the same problem with dim lighting.
Fixed my issue using Denali Extreme LED lights. 
Low power consumption and super bright!
Easy mount to the cowling on my 07.
http://www.twistedthrottle.com/denali-dx-xtreme-spot-dual-intensity-led-lighting-kit-with-full-wiring-harness-and-m8-mount

I'd like to do something like those too, will_kc; but they're pretty expensive. I've seen cheap Chinese knock-offs but I worry about quality with those.

For $16, a brighter bulb makes quite a difference.

Wow. That thing pulls 130/90 watts.  I bet it does put out a great beam.
It wouldn't work for me because the DR650 stator only puts out 200 watts total.

You know, I really didn't consider that when I was buying it; however I can say that running my heated grips on level 1/5 with the headlight on high beam seemed to be fine. If I don't have enough power, it's possible the bulb may simply not be getting as bright as it could otherwise.

I think the KLR650 stator puts out 240 watts, I know it puts out more than the DR.  One of the future mods for me will be to switch out most bulbs to LEDs which will reduce the load on the stator a lot.

Hey Nick,
Ride behind your wife with the low beams on in the morning.  It will scare her into saying "Your getting some better lights, I don't care what it costs!"
That is how I got mine..... 

I think the KLR650 stator puts out 240 watts, I know it puts out more than the DR.  One of the future mods for me will be to switch out most bulbs to LEDs which will reduce the load on the stator a lot.

I had a hard time finding the spec online. I haven't checked my Clymer yet. From what I read, it's around 200W though.

At the CG Roundup, I rode with Dane Hicks who has a DR650 and is running a LED headlight.  It was really visible in the drizzle and overcast.  I'm going to get one after seeing the difference.  And they only pull 35 watts.

I'm considering getting an H4 LED off of Amazon, the generic ones are pretty cheap and quite bright; pulling in only 35W like you mentioned. I'm not sure what the difference really is between the $20 a pair ones, and the $50/single 'motorcycle' versions are. Maybe design considerations against vibration?

I figure that $10-15 a bulb to try two of them out isn't a bad throw of the dice.