Bulb Upgrade
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 11
From: Palm Harbor fl.
yso191......
You must remember, it's the same wattage bulb you're replacing into the same headlamp. It's the whiteness of the light that you're aiming for. As for your photos, I believe you have the photos reversed with the first photo being a PIAA bulb, not stock. There is NO WAY a STOCK bulb puts out a white light like your first photo supposedly shows. There is no way a stock bulb is brighter than a halogen PIAA bulb. No Way.
If you install a larger headlamp, your beam would be wider and larger.
Again, I would challenge the order of your photos as to which were produced by PIAA halogens and which are stock bulbs. I just cant accept that photo 1 was put out by a stock bulb.
You must remember, it's the same wattage bulb you're replacing into the same headlamp. It's the whiteness of the light that you're aiming for. As for your photos, I believe you have the photos reversed with the first photo being a PIAA bulb, not stock. There is NO WAY a STOCK bulb puts out a white light like your first photo supposedly shows. There is no way a stock bulb is brighter than a halogen PIAA bulb. No Way.
If you install a larger headlamp, your beam would be wider and larger.
Again, I would challenge the order of your photos as to which were produced by PIAA halogens and which are stock bulbs. I just cant accept that photo 1 was put out by a stock bulb.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,641
Likes: 5
From: West Branch, Michigan
I mounted a set of HD's halogen fog lamps on my engine guards and replaced my stock 4 1/2" headlamp with their 5 3/4" bullett style. I light up both sides of the road like no body's business. As for the fellow's photos, what can I tell you. Maybe his front wheel was turned a little, maybe when he knocked his headlamp out of alignment between the two. My point was....... the PIAA is a brighter/whiter bulb over stock. It's impossible for a stock bulb to throw out a "whiter" light over a PIAA... as he has displayed in his photos. You can tell riding down the road who has a stock bulb and who has switched them out for either a Silverstar or PIAA.
Again, it's not how much "further" the light would throw, it's the "brightness" the bulb produces.
Again, it's not how much "further" the light would throw, it's the "brightness" the bulb produces.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,641
Likes: 5
From: West Branch, Michigan
If you guys are interested in a tail light modulator......check out Signal Dynamics
"BackOff XP" Works with standard and L.E.D. bulbs...costs about $40, easy install and has 2 different "MODES" it can be set to for normal operation plus an optional "emergency" tail light flasher. I found myself pumping my brake lever (especially in city traffic)... so those yahoo's behind me, riding my butt, realize I'm slowing down or will be making a turn shortly. Gets their attention for sure.
Here is a link. Other than my PIAA and Fog Lights, this is the best ( and cheapest) mod I did to my bike. This is NOT a wig wag SET UP. It only activates when you apply your hand or foot brake, and deactivates once you release either of them. I have mine installed on MODE 2.
http://www.signaldynamics.com/products/Modules/xp.asp
There is a youtube video a fellow made showing how he installed it on his 250cc rice burner..... and set to MODE 1.
"BackOff XP" Works with standard and L.E.D. bulbs...costs about $40, easy install and has 2 different "MODES" it can be set to for normal operation plus an optional "emergency" tail light flasher. I found myself pumping my brake lever (especially in city traffic)... so those yahoo's behind me, riding my butt, realize I'm slowing down or will be making a turn shortly. Gets their attention for sure.
Here is a link. Other than my PIAA and Fog Lights, this is the best ( and cheapest) mod I did to my bike. This is NOT a wig wag SET UP. It only activates when you apply your hand or foot brake, and deactivates once you release either of them. I have mine installed on MODE 2.
http://www.signaldynamics.com/products/Modules/xp.asp
There is a youtube video a fellow made showing how he installed it on his 250cc rice burner..... and set to MODE 1.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,297
Likes: 3
From: Oklahoma City, OK
yso191......
You must remember, it's the same wattage bulb you're replacing into the same headlamp. It's the whiteness of the light that you're aiming for. As for your photos, I believe you have the photos reversed with the first photo being a PIAA bulb, not stock. There is NO WAY a STOCK bulb puts out a white light like your first photo supposedly shows. There is no way a stock bulb is brighter than a halogen PIAA bulb. No Way.
If you install a larger headlamp, your beam would be wider and larger.
Again, I would challenge the order of your photos as to which were produced by PIAA halogens and which are stock bulbs. I just cant accept that photo 1 was put out by a stock bulb.
You must remember, it's the same wattage bulb you're replacing into the same headlamp. It's the whiteness of the light that you're aiming for. As for your photos, I believe you have the photos reversed with the first photo being a PIAA bulb, not stock. There is NO WAY a STOCK bulb puts out a white light like your first photo supposedly shows. There is no way a stock bulb is brighter than a halogen PIAA bulb. No Way.
If you install a larger headlamp, your beam would be wider and larger.
Again, I would challenge the order of your photos as to which were produced by PIAA halogens and which are stock bulbs. I just cant accept that photo 1 was put out by a stock bulb.
I posted my thoughts in that thread ..and a link to my test photos. With my white balanced locked and shutter speed locked between all photos.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/dyna-glide-models/318597-piaa-h4-extreme-white-plus-vs-stock-halogen-bulbs.html
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,641
Likes: 5
From: West Branch, Michigan
I looked at the photos in your link Fastfwd...... I'm at a LOSS where some of these people say the STOCK look brighter or they can see further. I studied each, read the heading "ABOVE" EACH PHOTO and compared them,.......and the PIAA is clearly better over stock. What I feel happens.....is they see the $$$ price$$$ of the PIAA's, then come back and decide the Stocks are just as good. The reason we go PIAA is because of their built in aint vibration feature. Sylvania Silverstar's dont have that. We've run ours on HIGH BEAM for 3 full seasons and haven't had one burn out yet. I KNOW It puts out a brighter light at night... I KNOW it put out as good as, or better light than stock for distance. I KNOW, I can be seen by cagers BETTER than having stock's. I KNOW, I will NEVER go back to a stock bulb.
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 753
Likes: 0
From: Yakima, WA
yso191......
You must remember, it's the same wattage bulb you're replacing into the same headlamp. It's the whiteness of the light that you're aiming for. As for your photos, I believe you have the photos reversed with the first photo being a PIAA bulb, not stock. There is NO WAY a STOCK bulb puts out a white light like your first photo supposedly shows. There is no way a stock bulb is brighter than a halogen PIAA bulb. No Way.
If you install a larger headlamp, your beam would be wider and larger.
Again, I would challenge the order of your photos as to which were produced by PIAA halogens and which are stock bulbs. I just cant accept that photo 1 was put out by a stock bulb.
You must remember, it's the same wattage bulb you're replacing into the same headlamp. It's the whiteness of the light that you're aiming for. As for your photos, I believe you have the photos reversed with the first photo being a PIAA bulb, not stock. There is NO WAY a STOCK bulb puts out a white light like your first photo supposedly shows. There is no way a stock bulb is brighter than a halogen PIAA bulb. No Way.
If you install a larger headlamp, your beam would be wider and larger.
Again, I would challenge the order of your photos as to which were produced by PIAA halogens and which are stock bulbs. I just cant accept that photo 1 was put out by a stock bulb.
But if you look at the lines in the road you can see that the PIAA bulbs DO increase light down the road. My only point was that it was not discernable to me while riding down the road.
I do not represent myself as a headlight person, nor a photographer. Obviously with the shaking motorcycle a pocket digital camera, a dark night, various things could be going on. All I know is it occured as I said it did.
Steve
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 154
Likes: 1
From: Winston Salem, NC, USA
+1 on the HID kit I have it on my bike and two of my cars I love it make sure to get the high low kit though. There are alot of people on the net selling HID kit thats just low beam.
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,641
Likes: 5
From: West Branch, Michigan
Steve......I apologize If I offended you by my wording. I have the PIAA bulbs installed on my Low Rider and 2 Heritage Softail Classics. We did a Lighting test as well, but didn't take photos as you did. All I'm saying is that it's physically impossible for a Stock Harley headlamp bulb to produce the bright white light as your photo 1 shows, and for the PIAA to produce the noticeably yellowish cast dimmer light as shown in photo 2.
Again, I apoligize if I've "pushed your buttons"......and never in my posting did I suggest you were dishonest or "incompetent". I still stand by my personal experience having 7 PIAA bulbs installed on 3 bikes that they ABSOLUTELY put out a Brighter and Whiter Light than stock bulbs....regardless of what your photos show. No disrespect intended.
Again, I apoligize if I've "pushed your buttons"......and never in my posting did I suggest you were dishonest or "incompetent". I still stand by my personal experience having 7 PIAA bulbs installed on 3 bikes that they ABSOLUTELY put out a Brighter and Whiter Light than stock bulbs....regardless of what your photos show. No disrespect intended.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 580
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
Not sure about the newer bikes, but my '08 came with 1156 single filament bulbs stock in the rear, 1157 up front. I know some of the relocation kits that include turn signals use 1157 sockets. Just something to double check on before ordering. I made the mistake when I ordered LED's and then had to retrofit the sockets to match.
Mark
Mark