Question About Head Lights
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 9,377
Likes: 1,774
From: Central Texas
Question About Head Lights
Ok it is not what you are thinking, it as about durability. The rough chug holey, rub board roads that I have to ride on just to get to a decent hi way keeps knocking out my low beam, and then my high beam a month or two later.
Ok here is the question, has anyone had to replace a LED bulb yet, and is any of your roads rough enough to knock one out? I am getting fed plumb the heck up with replacing head light bulbs.
Ok here is the question, has anyone had to replace a LED bulb yet, and is any of your roads rough enough to knock one out? I am getting fed plumb the heck up with replacing head light bulbs.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 248
Likes: 187
From: Central mass
I find it hard to believe you are losing bulbs from bumps and potholes. Either the connector is bad, the bulb is getting contaminated (remember don’t touch the glass on halogen bulbs) or you have a voltage regulator issue (over charging) could even be a poor quality control issue with the bulbs (what brand). I’m an auto mechanic, if you could post a few pics of the failed bulbs, I may be able to pinpoint why they keep failing. LED is a huge upgrade but I’d hate to see you lose an led bulb because there’s another issue.
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 9,377
Likes: 1,774
From: Central Texas
I find it hard to believe you are losing bulbs from bumps and potholes. Either the connector is bad, the bulb is getting contaminated (remember dont touch the glass on halogen bulbs) or you have a voltage regulator issue (over charging) could even be a poor quality control issue with the bulbs (what brand). Im an auto mechanic, if you could post a few pics of the failed bulbs, I may be able to pinpoint why they keep failing. LED is a huge upgrade but Id hate to see you lose an led bulb because theres another issue.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,445
Likes: 2,817
From: Oklahoma
You can get an H4 halogen bulb from WalMart for around $10. At that price, you could even carry a spare. With the luck you are having, you might want to put the passing lights back on, then you won't be completely in the dark when the second filament fails.
Last edited by btsom; Jul 16, 2019 at 08:27 PM.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 17,008
Likes: 14,674
From: in a cave at the foothills
Or get a quality headlight with a lifetime warranty??? Both current bikes have that. (I think)...
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,445
Likes: 2,817
From: Oklahoma
How much earlier would you need to leave for work to be able to drive a little more slowly on the rough roads?
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Incandescent bulbs have a filament which is basically a thin springlike wire. These will bounce and move. if the bulb doesn't fit tight in the socket the whole bulb moves more and in turn the wire moves more. So yeah, jiggle it enough and it can break.
The answer is swap to LED. I did and have zero regrets.
This is your answer.
http://www.dkcustomproducts.com/head...bulbs-c193.htm
The answer is swap to LED. I did and have zero regrets.
This is your answer.
http://www.dkcustomproducts.com/head...bulbs-c193.htm
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,899
Likes: 3,412
From: OH
PIAA makes a bulb that is made to withstand the increased vibration of a motorcycle or off road vehicle. The Incandescent/Halogen market is mostly Chinese junk these days. The inexpensive ones don't last.