Headlight bulb upgrade...????
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 76
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From: Louisville
Headlight bulb upgrade...????
Hello,
Does anyone have any advice or suggestions on a headlight bulb upgrade? I have been doing quite a bit of night riding and the stock bulb on my 08' could really be better. Just looking for more, better quality of beam and coverage. Any ideas? Anything like those new "blue looking" lights on the newer cars would be cool if the electical system could handle it....thanks everyone......
Does anyone have any advice or suggestions on a headlight bulb upgrade? I have been doing quite a bit of night riding and the stock bulb on my 08' could really be better. Just looking for more, better quality of beam and coverage. Any ideas? Anything like those new "blue looking" lights on the newer cars would be cool if the electical system could handle it....thanks everyone......
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,118
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From: Marion Ill
Electrical system can do it, problem with putting the those blue looking(HID) lights on our bikes, is where to do you hide the ballast. Some guys have done it here though, search for HID lights.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 143
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From: Lake Elsinore, CA
i installed sylvania silverstar light bulb and i think it's a lot better than stock bulb. i forgot what the part number is but check out autozone and they'll guide u in the right direction. oh, and i always keep the high beam on so that also helps.
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 75
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From: San Francisco Bay Area
I ride at night too since I get off work late.
I just picked up Sylvania Ultra H4 Bulb from kragen's auto parts. ($27.99)This thing is truly unbelievable!
I had tried the silverstar before and was happy with it. and it's quite a bit cheaper than adding passing/fog lamps.
I just picked up Sylvania Ultra H4 Bulb from kragen's auto parts. ($27.99)This thing is truly unbelievable!
I had tried the silverstar before and was happy with it. and it's quite a bit cheaper than adding passing/fog lamps.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,478
Likes: 12
From: Nashville, TN
I run the Sylvania Ultra bulb. It performs great. There are some downside to the bulb. First of all, it draws a lot more out of your electrical capacity. This isn't a problem, unless you have a lot of added electrical accessories on your bike.
The larger drawback is, that it's not made for a motorcycle, and isn't designed for the increased vibrations. Thus, it tends to not last very long. Some people report them only lasting 3,000 miles.
I knew of these things before I made the switch. I found a regional chain here that offers a 1 year warranty on these blubs. Mine usually last about 10 months. Which in my case is usually around 13,000 miles. For most people, 13,000 miles could be a few years. I don't know how time versus miles applies here, but I would think there is some comparison.
Bottom line, I like the blub. And as long as it keeps blowing out every 10 months..... I've got free head light bulb for life.
There are other high output bulbs that are more suited for this application. They are designed for heavy vibration, and actually draw less from the electrical system than the stock bulb. If I could remember those bulbs....I would tell ya. Can't remember at the moment.
Oh, and naturally, they are considerably more expensive.
The larger drawback is, that it's not made for a motorcycle, and isn't designed for the increased vibrations. Thus, it tends to not last very long. Some people report them only lasting 3,000 miles.
I knew of these things before I made the switch. I found a regional chain here that offers a 1 year warranty on these blubs. Mine usually last about 10 months. Which in my case is usually around 13,000 miles. For most people, 13,000 miles could be a few years. I don't know how time versus miles applies here, but I would think there is some comparison.
Bottom line, I like the blub. And as long as it keeps blowing out every 10 months..... I've got free head light bulb for life.
There are other high output bulbs that are more suited for this application. They are designed for heavy vibration, and actually draw less from the electrical system than the stock bulb. If I could remember those bulbs....I would tell ya. Can't remember at the moment.
Oh, and naturally, they are considerably more expensive.
Last edited by SportyPig; Jan 18, 2010 at 09:47 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 225
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From: DFW
I went with the PIAA H4 Super Plasma GT-X and really like it. It made a big difference over stock.
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 412
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From: Denver, Colorado
i just ordered a set of H4 low beam only HID's from ebay... put one bulb and ballast on my heritage, and one bulb/ballast on my sporty.
i put the ballast right in the area near my horn, in front of the engine...
here's a video. i can see way way better... there are bi xenon hi/low kits for bikes, but i haven't gotten around to getting a set. until then, i am happy with my lows.
your best bet for the most light output, is 4300Kelvin ... 5000K is hard to get right, and 6000K is blue/white...
mine are 5000K but i think i actually got 6000K. also, you can get replacement bulbs only, and a set is cheaper than buying ONE Silverstar...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhBDfQBg130
i put the ballast right in the area near my horn, in front of the engine...
here's a video. i can see way way better... there are bi xenon hi/low kits for bikes, but i haven't gotten around to getting a set. until then, i am happy with my lows.
your best bet for the most light output, is 4300Kelvin ... 5000K is hard to get right, and 6000K is blue/white...
mine are 5000K but i think i actually got 6000K. also, you can get replacement bulbs only, and a set is cheaper than buying ONE Silverstar...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhBDfQBg130
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,478
Likes: 12
From: Nashville, TN
PIAA, that's the brand blub I was thinking about, but couldn't remember.