Brighter headlight bulbs question
senior experienced all-knowing leader of the unwise
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,957
Likes: 351
From: USA
The silverstar bulbs burn out quick. They don't tell you that on the package. I use Osram 100/80 with ceramic sockets wired in. Sometimes the higher powered bulbs will melt the stock headlight socket from the heat.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,322
Likes: 12
What wattage/size do I need for the main light and passing lights. I thought that the main light was 55w but it seems like a lot of guys are going with 80-100w. I don't want to worry about burning something up, or melting my headlight housing.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
Perhaps the best bang-for-the-buck headlight upgrade is to replace the stock fluted headlamp with an non-fluted E-code (European) light. Add an 80/100w bulb and you've got a major improvement in visibility for about $50.
I have the Hella E-code headlights with Hella 80/100w bulbs and the difference is amazing, especially for the cost. Much-improved low-beam pattern and much better "seeing distance" on high-beam. No problems with the high-powered bulbs used on two bikes in the past 12 years, but if you use high-wattage passing lamps you may want to put them on a relay since they are wired into the low-beam circuit. The 80w bulb adds 2A to that 15A circuit which may overpower the fuse, but stock passing lamp bulbs shouldn't be a problem.
Cibie is another E-code option, but I selected Hella because they cost half as much and are equally high-quality products.
It's amazing to me that more riders haven't discovered this low-cost way to improve headlight performance.
I have the Hella E-code headlights with Hella 80/100w bulbs and the difference is amazing, especially for the cost. Much-improved low-beam pattern and much better "seeing distance" on high-beam. No problems with the high-powered bulbs used on two bikes in the past 12 years, but if you use high-wattage passing lamps you may want to put them on a relay since they are wired into the low-beam circuit. The 80w bulb adds 2A to that 15A circuit which may overpower the fuse, but stock passing lamp bulbs shouldn't be a problem.
Cibie is another E-code option, but I selected Hella because they cost half as much and are equally high-quality products.
It's amazing to me that more riders haven't discovered this low-cost way to improve headlight performance.
Last edited by iclick; Sep 1, 2010 at 10:27 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 30,865
Likes: 32,872
From: King George, VA
I replaced my stock lights with the Silver stars but wasn't really thrilled with them. I installed a set of HIDs and that lights the road up now. I don't overdrive the headlights now, even at 75+.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 551
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Perhaps the best bang-for-the-buck headlight upgrade is to replace the stock fluted headlamp with an non-fluted E-code (European) light. Add an 80/100w bulb and you've got a major improvement in visibility for about $50.
I have the Hella E-code headlights with Hella 80/100w bulbs and the difference is amazing, especially for the cost. Much-improved low-beam pattern and much better "seeing distance" on high-beam. No problems with the high-powered bulbs used on two bikes in the past 12 years, but if you use high-wattage passing lamps you may want to put them on a relay since they are wired into the low-beam circuit. The 80w bulb adds 2A to that 15A circuit which may overpower the fuse, but stock passing lamp bulbs shouldn't be a problem.
Cibie is another E-code option, but I selected Hella because they cost half as much and are equally high-quality products.
It's amazing to me that more riders haven't discovered this low-cost way to improve headlight performance.
I have the Hella E-code headlights with Hella 80/100w bulbs and the difference is amazing, especially for the cost. Much-improved low-beam pattern and much better "seeing distance" on high-beam. No problems with the high-powered bulbs used on two bikes in the past 12 years, but if you use high-wattage passing lamps you may want to put them on a relay since they are wired into the low-beam circuit. The 80w bulb adds 2A to that 15A circuit which may overpower the fuse, but stock passing lamp bulbs shouldn't be a problem.
Cibie is another E-code option, but I selected Hella because they cost half as much and are equally high-quality products.
It's amazing to me that more riders haven't discovered this low-cost way to improve headlight performance.
I have a question also, what about the average hours (100) is pretty small amount of hours? And the website says not leagal on the highway. Any insight into this?
Thanks
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,212
Likes: 1
From: Maryland
My only beef with the Silverstars is that each one only ever lasted me about a year. I think I only ever changed the headlight once in the 8 years I owned the old Superglide. I have a regular Sylvania bulb now, and it is brighter than the stock, don't remember the model number though...
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Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 551
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Running lights,
Silverstar
880ST 27w
893ST 37.5w
I have been running Silverstar for quite a few years. And agree the main headlight does not last very long. Either the high or low beam burns out (could be due to the vibration) usually the high. The running lamps are 2 years old and still burning brightly. HTH
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,322
Likes: 12
The H4 is the main headlight
Running lights,
Silverstar
880ST 27w
893ST 37.5w
I have been running Silverstar for quite a few years. And agree the main headlight does not last very long. Either the high or low beam burns out (could be due to the vibration) usually the high. The running lamps are 2 years old and still burning brightly. HTH
Running lights,
Silverstar
880ST 27w
893ST 37.5w
I have been running Silverstar for quite a few years. And agree the main headlight does not last very long. Either the high or low beam burns out (could be due to the vibration) usually the high. The running lamps are 2 years old and still burning brightly. HTH