Better and brighter Head light

[Guest Old man Wood]

My high beam does not seem give me any more light then my low. I am running driving lights as well. Is there an upgrade bulb or front head light I can go to.

 

Thanks for the input

[RedRider]

There are several options available. However, for just a little money, use a Sylvania SilverStar available at all auto parts stores, Wally World, and wherever fine automotive supplies are sold.

 

I believe it is the standard H3 size (This will be readily corrected if it is actually the H4 size - stay tuned). The SilverStar will provide significantly better lighting and is easily installed.

 

If your hands are small, or if you have a lift, turn the handlebars all the way to the right. This will allow you to get at the light bulb behind the fairing and remove it by twisting about 90 degrees CCW. Replace the bulb (be careful not to touch the glass with your fingers - body oils will kill the bulb) and screw it back into the light housing.

 

Violla - better lighting for about $10.

 

There are also upgrades for your driving lights. Search the forum for info (I did a thread last year about this but was too lazy to find it).

 

OK, I found it.

 

http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=7712

 

RR

Edited June 13, 2008 by RedRider

[flb_78]

I installed the Silverstar bulb as well. You can definitely tell a difference. If I'm riding with another motorcycle and we stop behind another vehicle, I can the difference in the 2 headlights in the reflection of the vehicle in front of us.

 

Also, if you have your driving lights wired in the way Yamaha says to do, then you will decrease the light output of the headlight. I just turned my driving lights off and run on high beam all the time. I turn on the driving lights and the headlight dims.

 

You may want to pull up to a garage door or white wall and turn the driving lights off and on to check the headlight output.

[V7Goose]

The SilverStar is a great bulb, but do not buy the standard one - make sure you get the SilverStar Ultra - it is designed to last longer in vibration situation.

Goose

[SaltyDawg]

I use the Sylvania Silver Star ST-H4. It's very bright, you can't go wrong for 20 bucks. I haven't tried the Ultra yet so I have nothing I can tell you about it. I have had to replace the Silver Star once in a little over a year. Some folks have had them in for years with no problems.

[dragerman]

I was picking up some Sea Foam from NAPA today and asked about the H-4 bulb and was told that I could also use the 9003 bulb. He showed me a 9003 bulb and H-4 was stamped right on the bulb base.

[Guest Old man Wood]

Thanks for the input. I will start with the bulb first for the main light and then look at the driving lights. This seems to be the least inexpensive way to start

[KiteSquid]

How did you wire up your driving lights?

 

Please provide a schematic!

 

I ask, because you might have lowered the power available to the stock bulb if you wired the relay in series with the bulb. the relay's coil should be in parallel with the factory lamp.

 

IMHO the Silverstars sold in the US are overpriced for what you get. Look at the Piaa Intense White bulbs for a better value.

Edited June 14, 2008 by KiteSquid

[thebighop]

I switched to this...

Eiko 12V/100-55W Xenon Blue Halogen Bulb

about $20 fron Dennis Kirk...

100watt high beam, 55watt low beam

Lights the darkest roads at night , even in storms, and if some one approaching fails to dim their lights...this bulb gives a glaring reminder to dim now!

[dharnie]

Old man Wood -

 

In your photos, I see the difference in the performance of the Sylvania head light vs the stock OEM.

 

The stock passing light have lenses which disperse the ligh beam horizontally. When I used a halogen spot light/lens the beam was bright but it went out straight in front of the bike. The stock lenses light up more of the shoulder of a 2 lane road.

 

What is your experience - anyone?

[Guest tesnevo]

I actually bought the HID Digital upgrade kit for mine. Nice and "VERY" bright. It has the hi/lo setting and works great. I ended up taking it out though because it bothered me because it didn't match my passing lights color. (I am weird like that) But for the month I had them in there everyone commented how much they liked them and the visibility was amazing. Even though I am one of three ride captains, most would let me lead because they saw the road better behind my "Jetliner" as they dubbed it".

I cant find HID passing lamps so now I am in a quandary as to what to do with them.

So I do second, or third, the silver stars.