A little-known idea for increasing headlight efficiency is to install Euro-code headlight lenses and higher-wattage bulbs. E-code lenses are theoretically not legal for street use in the U.S., but it is doubtful anyone would ever challenge your installation as long as the lights were aimed properly. I've run them on cars and motorcycles for years without one problem. These lenses provide a much better pattern on both low- and high-beam--a flat cut-off without a shift to the right on low, much better pattern and greater seeing distance on high. I must say that with the Hella headlight I installed the seeing distance must be double that of the non-fluted HD lens that came on my '07 SG.
There are various brands available, but Hella (German) has the best price that I found among the established brands. You can buy these at
Susquehanna Motorsports for $32 + shipping. Bulbs are extra, and I'm running 80/100w ($8), but if you are running high-wattage passing lamps you may want to go with 55/100w to keep the low-beam-circuit amperage at status quo--or, install a relay on the passing lamps. I had a relay on my old RK's passing lamps (using 37.5w quartz bulbs from CCI) with an 80/100w bulb in the headlight.
Cibie (French) is another good brand, but I could only find these in
Daniel Stern Lighting and they were $75 each without a bulb.
