Consensus on cost-effective front lighting upgrade?
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 125
Likes: 9
From: USA
Consensus on cost-effective front lighting upgrade?
Hi all,
I have a 2007 Deluxe with the stock-type H4 bulb and would like to upgrade the headlamp and passing lamps to something brighter, more modern, and more visually appealing. I was wondering if there's a general consensus in the community as to what the best bang for the buck is? Here's kind of where I'm at:
The official Harley Daymaker stuff looks nice but seems WAY overpriced.
There are tons of Daymaker knockoffs on eBay and Amazon that can be had for cheap. Most are suspiciously cheap and make me question the quality/longevity.
There's a guy who made a series of YouTube vids called Project Softail that used Future Vision brand HID headlamp with LED passing lights. They look really nice but are a little pricey and I can't find much in the way of objective reviews (every one of the guy's episodes is basically a commercial). Plus with HIDs would fitting the ballast be an issue? His fit ok, but I imagine it will vary based on the brand of HID or size of the headlamp bucket.
Very easy and inexpensive to throw in some Silver Star Ultras from the auto parts store, but they look pretty hideous on older cars that are trying to mimic modern HID headlights, and they blind oncoming motorists because they're not in a proper reflector.
I've upgraded the front turn signals with Custom Dynamics Dynamic Rings and would like something that at least kind of matches the white color of the outer ring. The stock headlamp and passing lights are really yellow, and dim, and unappealing, and probably kind of unsafe.
Thanks so much for any help or opinions you guys can share.
I have a 2007 Deluxe with the stock-type H4 bulb and would like to upgrade the headlamp and passing lamps to something brighter, more modern, and more visually appealing. I was wondering if there's a general consensus in the community as to what the best bang for the buck is? Here's kind of where I'm at:
The official Harley Daymaker stuff looks nice but seems WAY overpriced.
There are tons of Daymaker knockoffs on eBay and Amazon that can be had for cheap. Most are suspiciously cheap and make me question the quality/longevity.
There's a guy who made a series of YouTube vids called Project Softail that used Future Vision brand HID headlamp with LED passing lights. They look really nice but are a little pricey and I can't find much in the way of objective reviews (every one of the guy's episodes is basically a commercial). Plus with HIDs would fitting the ballast be an issue? His fit ok, but I imagine it will vary based on the brand of HID or size of the headlamp bucket.
Very easy and inexpensive to throw in some Silver Star Ultras from the auto parts store, but they look pretty hideous on older cars that are trying to mimic modern HID headlights, and they blind oncoming motorists because they're not in a proper reflector.
I've upgraded the front turn signals with Custom Dynamics Dynamic Rings and would like something that at least kind of matches the white color of the outer ring. The stock headlamp and passing lights are really yellow, and dim, and unappealing, and probably kind of unsafe.
Thanks so much for any help or opinions you guys can share.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 3,415
Likes: 1,122
From: USA
Take a look, I may end up going back to these.
https://www.eaglelights.com
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 100,455
Likes: 19,811
From: Centennial, CO
Look at Custom Dynamics for the LED turn signals front and rear and any of the many true LED headlights available on Amazon for your headlight. The replacement LED bulbs put out a lot of light, but they aren't very focused.
Tourer
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 329
Likes: 56
From: Fulltime RVer, Wherever!
I went with the Sunpie kit for my 2016 Heritage, couldn't be happier. Okay, I could be, as the high beam isn't really worth using. But I never need it. With the passing lamps plus the headlight, my visibility is fine. Even during a bright, sunny day, I can see my lights reflecting off signs. I always have the passing lamps on, so I know I can be seen.
https://smile.amazon.com/Sunpie-Head...dp/B017OPE860/
https://smile.amazon.com/Sunpie-Head...dp/B017OPE860/
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 432
Likes: 62
I went with the Sunpie kit for my 2016 Heritage, couldn't be happier. Okay, I could be, as the high beam isn't really worth using. But I never need it. With the passing lamps plus the headlight, my visibility is fine. Even during a bright, sunny day, I can see my lights reflecting off signs. I always have the passing lamps on, so I know I can be seen.
https://smile.amazon.com/Sunpie-Head...dp/B017OPE860/
https://smile.amazon.com/Sunpie-Head...dp/B017OPE860/
haven't had it out at night since the install since we have had so much rain its like every day it rains here and haven't had a chance to get out.
but they do seem to be brighter than my factory lights.
and I do agree with the above that I think with the passing lamps on that it is brighter on low beam than high beam
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Supporter
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 33,694
Likes: 135,910
From: SoCal
I went with the Sunpie kit for my 2016 Heritage, couldn't be happier. Okay, I could be, as the high beam isn't really worth using. But I never need it. With the passing lamps plus the headlight, my visibility is fine. Even during a bright, sunny day, I can see my lights reflecting off signs. I always have the passing lamps on, so I know I can be seen.
https://smile.amazon.com/Sunpie-Head...dp/B017OPE860/
https://smile.amazon.com/Sunpie-Head...dp/B017OPE860/
Agree 100%. I used to be mildly annoyed that the passing lamps turn off when the high beam is engaged. Was thinking about rewiring them but since getting LED lighting all around, there is no point. I never use the high beams as with 5 bright lights up front...there is no point.
gratuitous bike picture showing the Sunpie headlamps and passing lamps...with Custom Dynamic turn signal inserts.
Last edited by soldierbot; Jun 28, 2019 at 10:53 AM.
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 356
From: virginia
Most cost effective? H4 bulb upgrade to 100/55. Also available in 100/80. Ive used 100/55 in big headlight models for years with no ill effects, though they will melt the plug in dyna and sportster headlught. Abou 8 bucks.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 125
Likes: 9
From: USA
Thanks all for the replies thus far. The Eagle and Sunpie stuff looks very nice, but 04FXDI makes a really good point about keeping the nostalgic look when the lights are off, so I suppose I have more thinking and researching to do. Part of me keeps coming back to the HID headlamp and LED passing from that guy's YouTube vids, but I don't really want to spend a few hundred and take a chance without seeing them in person (or hearing from someone who's seen them in person). The HIDs keep the stock look when off, and give great performance when on.
P.S. Soldierbot, she's beautiful!
P.P.S. Why is seemingly so difficult to get awesome lighting on a motorcycle? My neighbor got a new Acura and it's got little tiny lights the size of golf ***** that are brighter than the sun.
P.S. Soldierbot, she's beautiful!
P.P.S. Why is seemingly so difficult to get awesome lighting on a motorcycle? My neighbor got a new Acura and it's got little tiny lights the size of golf ***** that are brighter than the sun.