DRZ400SM Lighting Upgrade Mod

[Davidz]

Looking for guidance. 
The stock light is pretty lame even on high beam. Just raises the light a bit and slightly more spread. 

For $40 dollars I can fix that using some led lights. I was looking at these:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FEE17X6?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_sfl_title_1&smid=A3H7GPL9U124TQ
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CPL7D16?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_sfl_title_3&smid=A3H7GPL9U124TQ

 

My question is what else do I need, if anything for the DRZ. 
My plan is to keep the stock light in place and use it as running light and disconnect it on the high beams and only have the led's run on high beam.

My proposed mounting points for the spot lights are on each side of the headlight cowl, with the flood mounted above the stock headlight. 

I've seen some explanations of needing a bridge rectifier and a fuse between but not sure exactly what I'll need there, especially for the fuse.
Any suggestions and help appreciated. 

[Anthon Berg]

You don't need a rectifier as the DRZ is fully DC, not AC unless at the brief section between the stator and the regulator/rectifier unit.

 

Consider that the stock headlight is quite heavy! I'd take the opportunity to dump it for something lighter ...

[kevvyd]

I like OEM styling and simplicity.  And that is not because I cannot do extensive "modding"    Bought this    http://www.wheelingcyclesupply.com/shop/product/3600-lumen-highlow/1052

 

Its very bright.  The difference between hi/lo however is really just a little more light and a greater peripheral spread.  Which actually is great, I can just run it on high all the time and not piss off too many motorists.  Price is respectable, and install is truly 3 minutes.  

 

I would recommend.

[everlast]

I do have both the spotlight and floodlight version of that amazon light.. they're ok, but they're nowhere near focused enough to be used as a highbeam. I'm going to use them as a trail light. Since it's such a wide beam, you still have light on the ground as the trail moves and the bike bounces around.

[2wheelsrbest]

Davidz--

I bought that exact light recently and would not recommend it because it is relatively heavy and it has a single, central mounting point, which I don't think would hold adjustment on the trail. This Signstek light found a home on the back of my Expedition as an auxiliary reverse light. Works great.

At the same time, I had also bought a $20 Kawell 6-led light for comparison. It has a mounting stud on each end, rather than a single mount in he middle. I grabbed a couple 2" L-brackets and mounted it directly above he stock headlight on shroud. Mounting is solid and simple. I wired it direct to battery w/o relay because draw is so low. I can now run it in conjunction with stock headlight OR turn it off completely via switch hidden behind shroud/fairing.

It has been snowy enough that I have not had it out on the road yet. The flood beam I bought WILL help riding trails at night and garner more attention during the day. Were I to do it over, I'd likely go with the spot pattern, though I have not actually tested it out yet.

Regardless, $20 well spent. I can try to get a pic up later or message me and I can send it direct.

Search Amazon for Kawell LED and you will see this side mounted light.

[Davidz]

Thanks you guys for the input. I'm glad the install will go smoothly and easily. I actually ended up ordering this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/181640231640?_trksid=p2060353.m2748.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Seems like it will look very clean and work twice as good as the standard, and I believe quite a few thumpertalk members have used, and been satisfied with the results. If that doesn't end up being enough light, I'll probably add one of the aforementioned Kawell 6 led lights to get a tad bit more. @2wheelsrbest did you go with the bars or the smaller 3x2 Kawell lights?

[ohgood]

i've been using two of these 

http://www.amazon.com/RioRand%C2%AE-Light-Lumen-Degree-Waterproof/dp/B00AZPI0NE/ref=pd_sim_263_1?ie=UTF8&dpID=41p7zcPzxSL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=0DP22KB17AR4ZZQ523TZ

in place of the stock drz headlight for a few years now. output is better, throw is about as far as stock, but the pattern is much better. 

 

for my dirt bike, i put one of those on the front, it's plenty for connecting trails on the street, and overkill for woods riding. if you plan on woods riding at night, get a helmet light so you can see where you're looking instead of where the bike is stuck ;-) 

 

 

what you ordered: 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/181640231640?_trksid=p2060353.m2748.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&rmvSB=true

looks like what a buddy of mine put on his ktm. it's plenty of light, and a good pattern. 

 

you'll have to make some brackets for most all of the amazon/ebay pods, but it only takes a few minutes. 

 

the 27watt round led you mentioned earlier has too much color variation, the body is HEAVY and the lens seal is poor/fragile. i've broken two of those, from just roost. 

the flood version you posted is not adequate for trails or street. it just scatter bombs the area with not enough light. spots work much better. 

[2wheelsrbest]

http://www.amazon.com/KAWELL%C2%AE-Ultra-thin-Degree-Light-truck/dp/B00NTPSKMS/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1453741007&sr=8-8&keywords=kawell+led+light+bar

 

This is the 6 x 1 light bar I installed.

 

I was too chickenshit to pull out the stock headlight.  Figured I will try the extra LED and see how that goes.  If it performs, I may do the 4x6 in place of the stocker, too.

Edited January 25, 2016 by 2wheelsrbest

[ohgood]

http://www.amazon.com/KAWELL%C2%AE-Ultra-thin-Degree-Light-truck/dp/B00NTPSKMS/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1453741007&sr=8-8&keywords=kawell+led+light+bar

 

This is the 6 x 1 light bar I installed.

 

I was too chickenshit to pull out the stock headlight.  Figured I will try the extra LED and see how that goes.  If it performs, I may do the 4x6 in place of the stocker, too.

reviews look pretty good, and the tractor pictures show the pattern. thanks for the info !