Headlight Question

[BA80]

I want to try and get a brighter headlight but really don't want to try and stuff an HID kit into my bike. I've checked on several different bulbs and the ones I want to use (H4 Superwhite Halogen or Xenon) they say I can't use on my bike. Why not?

[natemoen]

I've checked on several different bulbs and the ones I want to use (H4 Superwhite Halogen or Xenon) they say I can't use on my bike. Why not?

Because it isn't listed in their books.........

I would totally agree with Steve's suggestions of upgrading the reflector. It really does make an incredible difference!

[TopCatGr58]

I want to try and get a brighter headlight but really don't want to try and stuff an HID kit into my bike. I've checked on several different bulbs and the ones I want to use (H4 Superwhite Halogen or Xenon) they say I can't use on my bike. Why not?

Hey Greg,

WHO are the THEY you are talking about? The bulb manufacturers?? IF it's an H4, it'll fit the reflector mounting hole. However, the concern is with the increased heat that they produce...along with possibly the increased current draw. SO...you would want to make sure to have the wires well out of contact with the reflector bulb area, might also put in some thicker gauge wires for the headlight circuit, and as Nate stated, get a NEW reflector, whether it be the expensive motorcycle style with all of the fancy fresnel lens slots/prisms across the front lens.....OR a clear front lens.

I also remember someone trying out the newer HI POWERED LED bulbs, don't recall seeing a product report posted?

T.C.

[BA80]

THIS THEM FOR ONE

Go to compatability and punch in an 80 XS1100S

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Greg,

That's probably for LIABILITY purposes....the OEM specs for our bike's headlight is only 60/55W, and so running that higher powered...100/90W bulb is going to both create a lot more heat as well as draw more current....might even MELT the plastic wiring harness socket as well!?

I've seen the 100/80 W bulbs years ago, but they were NOT DOT rated, "For Off Road Use Only", and also warned about heat/current draw.

T.c.

[jetmechmarty]

Mike's XS has conversion kits for the XS650, so I ass-u-me it's OK. (The OEM headlight for the XS650 is a sealed beam.)

[BA80]

I searched several places today and they all came up with that if I punched in the SG and a lot of the sites only went back to like 86.

Some were touting a ceramic or fiberglass base to dissipate heat. They run anywhere from $25 to $35 in the auto parts stores for the xenon and I can get them for around 1/3 that online.

Anyone tried the LED headlight bulbs?

[BA80]

Mike's XS has conversion kits for the XS650, so I ass-u-me it's OK. (The OEM headlight for the XS650 is a sealed beam.)

I already have the stock Halogen headlight Marty, just a little confused about what I'm reading about the straight swap higher intensity bulbs.

[crazy steve]

Greg, a H4 lamp is a H4 lamp; same basic construction specs and photometrics, the only difference is the wattage. Anything over 55/65W is considered 'off road', so that's why you won't find any listing for the larger bulbs as they're not DOT-legal for public road use. The higher wattage amps do run considerably hotter and have a shorter life, as well as consuming more power. You definitely want to upgrade the lamp socket if going high wattage; these were popular with the Harley crowd a few years ago until more than a few cooked all the wiring in the headlight bucket....

Those 'Superwhite' and Xenon lamps are still just H4 lamps, they changed the glass type and/or the gas mixture to alter the color rendition. With a lot of these, the 'improvement' you see is more perceived than real....

[MaximPhil]

Hi Greg,
I tried that site for 81H and got the same not suitable line.
I can tell you ALL other sites I have used put "Off Road Use Only" on the higher wattage bulbs as I know in Ontario and many states 65 watts is max legal.
I run an 100/65 halogen with no problem aside from the voltage drop through my dirty connections.
I would go the Cibie / Bosch round headlight conversion if I had a special.
as recommended by Crazy Steve.

Phil

[BA80]

I have 3 or 4 of those headlights out in the pile-o-parts. I'll have to look and see if any of them are the aftermarket ones.

I don't ride much at night, just when I have to. But, my old eyes need MORE LIGHT.

[crazy steve]

Greg, if you dig though your pile, pay particular attention the condition of the reflector. The OEM Stanley lights used in these weren't sealed all that well and the reflectors will degrade over time. Pull the lamp and peek in through the hole; if the reflector doesn't look like a freshly-cleaned mirror, you're losing light and the only cure is another lens assembly. This is why only sealed-beam headlamps were allowed in the US for so many years; as long as the light lit up, owners wouldn't replace the reflector when they went bad and accidents resulted from poor lighting.

It's impossible to clean those by the way... BT,TT....

[IanDMacDonald]

If I may Greg . . . You're a car guy, so same technology. Here's the scoop: Phillips Xtra Vision or Sylvania ZXE. The Phillips are cheaper, and I believe they compare equally. I run the XZE's in my Sable, and they are noticably brighter and whiter. Also, if you do not have full output voltage at your headlight, consider a relay mod. Short of going to a different bucket, these are your besr alternatives. Btw, don't waste your money on the Silverstar Ultras, the bulbs listed above blow them away.

[BA80]

THIS is actually what I was looking at in the store I think.

[IanDMacDonald]

. . . Btw, don't waste your money on the Silverstar Ultras, the bulbs listed above blow them away.

Lol, follow my advice.