Headlight Bulb?
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,653
Likes: 18
From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Don't waste your money. The original bulb is bright enough, and will last 5 times longer than any others. I've had them all in my truck. PIAAs, Silverstars, Silverstar Ultras., etc.. They will burn out on you at the worst possible moment, and usually with 13-14 months of install. When I got fed up and put originals back in, they lasted 5 years and were still going strong when I sold it.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 353
Likes: 0
From: Land of the black buggy
I use Philips Rally H4 (90/100W) bulbs in the stock (plastic) housing on my Fatboy with no issues other than they only last about a year.
You can find them online for around $20.
I run them in all my bikes and love them, just make sure you carry a spare
All 55/60W produce the same lumens, just in a different color which arguably may aid in visibility (not to me)
If you want more light from a single housing (assuming you're not willing to add auxillary lights) you'll need either a higher wattage bulb or swap to a HID system.
You can find them online for around $20.
I run them in all my bikes and love them, just make sure you carry a spare
All 55/60W produce the same lumens, just in a different color which arguably may aid in visibility (not to me)
If you want more light from a single housing (assuming you're not willing to add auxillary lights) you'll need either a higher wattage bulb or swap to a HID system.
Last edited by Earl IV; Sep 21, 2011 at 03:00 PM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,907
Likes: 69
From: Wesley Chapel Fl.
I'm using the stock heavy duty bulb right now. Have used both Silver stars and PIAA bulbs in a few different rides, the reliability is poor at best. Most of the time six months or so. Honestly I get tired of changing the bulbs!
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 40
From: New York
Ow , all of that hurts. The dealer showed me a replacement bulb to get better visibility in deer country ( much better, they say) for Three hundred and ninety nine bucks ! ! ? &%*. They'll install it for free. LOL. What the ...... I gotta admit, the bulb is a real cool lookin' thing (better be at least that) but at that price they should guarantee it for the life of my bike and then some. And if deer get caught in the headlights, I should be wiping out every friggin' deer in Connectiut with that bulb, please. and the stock bulb is pretty much worthless on low beam, good for the driveway at 5 MPH (my bike won't even go that slow)
Last edited by Blackfly; Sep 21, 2011 at 06:31 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,745
Likes: 1
From: A house.
Last edited by clicker01; Jan 13, 2013 at 12:13 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
Likes: 4,573
From: TOAK western branch
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
I generally don't ride at night. But going to Sturgis on US 85 from Canada there were no motels available due to a massive oil exploration boom in N. Dakota. My son lead and I followed about 300 feet back. I could see to his back wheel. There is no way that I could over run those beams at any legal speed limit.
When I told my son that when we finally got to the campgrounds he said he couldn't see crap with the Dyna head light. I said he should have pulled over and I would have lead.
With the stock lamp in the 10 Ultra throwing that good of light, I see no reason to go to anything else.
When I told my son that when we finally got to the campgrounds he said he couldn't see crap with the Dyna head light. I said he should have pulled over and I would have lead.
With the stock lamp in the 10 Ultra throwing that good of light, I see no reason to go to anything else.
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
Went through a couple silver stars, nice and bright but the first one didn't even last through summer, I replaced it and the new one burned out again right out of the gate the next spring.
I bought a PIAA Xtreme white anti vibration bulb, been using it since april last year, probably 6500 miles. It's as bright or maybe brighter than the silver star. Neither are even comparable to the stock bulb, I could barely see with it.
I'm happy with the Piaa so far,
$40 at Amazon, If it went today I would probably buy another one.
I bought a PIAA Xtreme white anti vibration bulb, been using it since april last year, probably 6500 miles. It's as bright or maybe brighter than the silver star. Neither are even comparable to the stock bulb, I could barely see with it.
I'm happy with the Piaa so far,
$40 at Amazon, If it went today I would probably buy another one.