Seems like a lot of light install threads here right now ... Here is another >

I don't think the headlight is bright enough on my 04 Sporty. I don't want to spend the money on one of those new style 05 headlights (may not even be much brighter)

So, is there a brighter bulb at a reasonable price that I can install in my headlight assembly? I don't like to drive in traffic at night with my lights on bright because it may shine in the eyes of other drivers ... I just want a headlight that puts out more light, at least when on the regular 'dim' sitting.

I guess the headlight is [not] a regular sealed beam whereas you would have to change the whole light assembly (just the little bulb inside)?

Thanks,
Ron

I was also not happy with the brightness and the "yellowish" tint of my regular H4 bulb.
I found that the "H4" 55/60 is the same as the automotive "9003".
I bought one of the "Super Blue" 9003 (<$10.00) and it made a difference :tour . The bulb is brighter and has a bit of that bluish tint we all see in some of the new cars.

Good Luck,

you could try the blue bulbs but they are likely to start melting the plastic light block I removed my block and replaced it with connectors

you could try the blue bulbs but they are likely to start melting the plastic light block I removed my block and replaced it with connectors
I was told that there's a difference between the "Actual" blue bulbs and the type I got. The unit I have simply has a light blue coating on the bulb, as compared to real blue bulb which (I was told) also have a higher wattage.
I would agree the higher wattage bulbs are likely to melt to the connector.
I should have mentioned that the Super Blue 9003 is a 55/60 watt bulb also.

Thanks for the help ... In my case, I don't care if the light is blueish or not. I just want a bulb that puts out more light without melting the inards of the headlight assembly.

Any other ideas or suggestions for something 'plug and play' ?

I'm thinking about putting in a xenon boosted bulb (J&P part# 381-559). They cost $20.

It's still a 55/60 watt bulb, but they claim it puts out a brighter white light.


Bart

I put in one of those Sylvania Silverstars and it was quite an improvement and only 20 bucks at Auto Zone.

I also put a Sylvania Silverstar in my '05. So far, so good. It appears brighter than the OEM bulb even though it is the same wattage. The color temperature is up around 4000-more like natural daylight. There is some concern that some of the red/yellow spectrum is filtered out, but I have yet to notice a problem. A particularly good buy, if you don't want the extreme white bulb, is the Sylvania Xtra Vision. They are about half the cost of a Silverstar and put out the same amount(lumens) of light, albeit at a cooler color temperature. I have used these on all of my cages and found that the low beam is significantly improved. A note on the '05 headlight-I was out aiming mine last night (it had been set up at the dealer as a 'possum light'-aiming up into the trees on low beam) and was very pleased at the sharpness of the horizontal cutoff. It is very much like the European cutoff, with the exception that it doesn't rise on the side as does the European pattern. The new headlight makes it very easy to set a level that will provide maximum road illumination without blinding oncoming traffic...first time I have seen such in a DOT approved lens system.
I would not advocate higher wattage (more than 55/60)H4 bulbs unless you beef up the wiring system and use a relay. Too much current for the OEM harness, IMO.

Kim

... A note on the '05 headlight-I was out aiming mine last night (it had been set up at the dealer as a 'possum light'-aiming up into the trees on low beam) and was very pleased at the sharpness of the horizontal cutoff. Kim

I had the same problem, from 25 feet away, my low beam was lighting up the middle of a 35' tall tree. I assumed it got "mis-aligned" when I installed the halogen fog lamp wiring.
I too was surprised how the beam(s) looked when I did the service manual aiming. I don't know anything about European scooters. :)

Regards,

I put one of the Wagner Lazer Blue bulbs (http://www.brandsport.com/w9003.html) in my bike after my high beam blew from hitting a BIG bump going real fast :wonderlan It made a hell of a difference (not just because I was going from no highbeam). It cost $9.95 at Napa auto parts store.

Gary

I put in one of those Sylvania Silverstars and it was quite an improvement and only 20 bucks at Auto Zone.

Looking at the Osram-Sylvania web site: http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProducts/AutomotiveLighting/HighPerformance/Silverstar/ProductLine/default.htm, there are 2 bulbs that are basically the same:

H4 SilverStar Headlight
High Performance Halogen Headlight - Dual filament for both high beam and low beam - For Motorcycle Use - part number: H4ST

9003 SilverStar Headlight
High Performance Halogen Headlight - Dual filament for both high beam and low beam - part number: 9003ST

Here is a good FAQ section about these SilverStar bulbs on the Sylvania we site: http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProducts/AutomotiveLighting/HighPerformance/Silverstar/FrequentlyAskedQuestions/
_________________________________________________

This is a post from the V-Twin message board:

"I contacted Sylvania re: The difference between the H4 Silverstar bulb and the 9003ST Silverstar bulb. They told me that they are interchangeable and that the 9003ST is both more widely available at discount and auto stores and more durable than the H4 Silverstar."

Very interesting! Now I'm comfused :confused:
________________________________________________

P.S. On the other hand, that $9.95 Wagner Lazer Blue bulb that Gary uses may work just as good as the 20 dollar Sylvania at half the price. :confused:

As long as we are talking about light bulbs, don't let the dealer change your bulbs unless you have cash to burn. When I went in for my 10K service the dealer discovered that one of my front turn signal bulbs was blown and he changed it without bothering to ask me. I would have said no cause I have a few of them laying around the garage, you gotta but two at a time at Napa.

It was 2/10 of an hour (12 minutes) of labor to change that bulb. At $60 dollars an hour it cost me $12 for something I could do in twenty seconds :madtwo

Gary

Well, it PAYS to shop around. Went to Checker Auto today to purchase a bulb. They had the Sylvania 9003ST 'SilverStar' bulb for $24.95

Went down the street to AutoZone. They had the same bulb for $19.95

What a BIG difference in the lighting!.... Going to align the headlight tonight as per the instructions in the owner's manual.

I put in one of those Sylvania Silverstars and it was quite an improvement and only 20 bucks at Auto Zone.


geez, if you guys just listened to me in the first place. :frownthre

I'm just gonna stick my head back in the dirt. :D

Barry Barry Barry... It was you that turned me one to these Sylvania SilverStars ... Same same with the Night Train air cleaner ...

You be da man! :)

You've all got me convinced!!!! I'm getting my Sylvania Silverstar tomorrow!!
:D

...At $60 dollars an hour ...Gary

Wow, $60 bucks, would pay for a lot of snow removal :D

OK, back to lurking.

It was a similar thread inthe old forum that sent me lookingfor the silverstar, couldn't find itat the local WM, but settled for the sylvania cool blue, 9003cb less than $10, same rating as stock bulb. Don't know how it compares to silverstar, but the cb & adjusting the aim probably trippled my night time visability. I no longer make plans according to the sunset timetable, lot of deer in my area but now I have 1/2 chance vs no chance of seein them.

Keep the praise coming. I'm married with kids and need all the encouragement I can get. :D

I was only kidding with you Turbota, but it's nice to think that I'm the man. I just need my wife to think that and I :rolleyes: 'll be all set.

of this set-up on the bike in the daytime. People look and stay away. :yikes
JE
http://www.home.earthlink.net/~netdirectinc/093.jpg

I came across this disscusion of lights and though it was interesting and educational. www.talkaboutautos.com/group/rec.autos.driving/messages/525825.html Hope this link works. shoei

That was a good read Shoei. :)


Bart

Good article. I tried to allude to that in my earlier post: The higher color temperature came at the expense of some red/yellow spectrum. The Xtravisions are really a good bulb. I just wanted to try more of a 'daylight' skewed lamp to see if it made a difference. The Silverstars are not a disappointment to me, but I feel the Xtravision is the better value at half the cost and equal lumens.

Kim

PS the 9003 is interchangeable with the H4...in fact the 9003s are marked H4 on their base.

JE,

Great looking set of lights! Are they the HD optional lights for sportsters?

Impactblue

Well, I think I have solved my poor lighting ... Installed the new style 2005 headlight reflector and am now using the Sylvania SilverStar bulb. This combo puts out more light than what I originally had on my 04 to begin with ... No doubt about it.

First, check that your headlight is in proper alignment. Do not go to higher wattage bulbs without checking your local laws. Here in Texas you can be in big trouble if you run the higher wattage bulbs.

I like running the so call running lights. They can give you a wider view of the road. Again, check you local laws first. Texas only allows 2 headlights. So only wire the running light to the dim position, I believe it is 55 watts. If they go to bright you could get a ticket for to many headlights. If they only stay on the dim setting with the main headlight on bright they are consider running lights You can add them very cheap by picking up some at Wal*Mart for around $15 (US). Mount on the forks or engine guard.

I put a 100/80 watt bulb in my Sporty, light is now like a search light.

You can go up to 180 main beam with no wiring troubles but the bulb will discolor the reflector, i know i fitted them in a company car. Thoses light nearly burnt the paint off the cars in front.

I put the SilverStar in mine, big improvement, it's the same wattage, yet the light is much whiter. If your really feeling rich, Sylvania also has 1056 and 1057 bulbs for the turn signals to match. These are a blueish color, until lit - then they glow amber.

I heard that the 05 headlamp offers a big improvement in terms of aligment. I purchased one, however I wasn't able to make it fit in my 03. It is the same size, but it looks like the mounting is a tad different, enough to make not want to fit correctly.

Turbota -
Did you have any problems getting the 05 reflector to fit? I couldn't seem to get the bottom of the lens to fit in the rubber correctly.

gamill ... The 05 reflector was a drop-in replacement on my 04 1200R.

Used my stock chrome retaining ring and everything. Fits just like the stock part.

JE,

Great looking set of lights! Are they the HD optional lights for sportsters?

Impactblue

Yes they are.
JE

I also use a SliverStar and I love it, once in a while you can find them on sale for around $10. Or try E-bay

As long as we are talking about light bulbs, don't let the dealer change your bulbs unless you have cash to burn. When I went in for my 10K service the dealer discovered that one of my front turn signal bulbs was blown and he changed it without bothering to ask me. I would have said no cause I have a few of them laying around the garage, you gotta but two at a time at Napa.

It was 2/10 of an hour (12 minutes) of labor to change that bulb. At $60 dollars an hour it cost me $12 for something I could do in twenty seconds :madtwo

Gary

What labor? The guy used a quarter to pop the lens off, and change the bulb, he spent more time writing it up then doing the repair!

Years ago when I was in this field, (it wasn't really that long ago), if we found something this simple, we'd charge a buck for the bulb, but no labor.

We treated this as a courtesy service, more often then not our clients were impressed that we took the time to check the lights!

gamill ... The 05 reflector was a drop-in replacement on my 04 1200R.

Used my stock chrome retaining ring and everything. Fits just like the stock
part.


I had some time this weekend so I took another look.

The '05 lens, has a flat spot at the bottom edge maybe 3/4 of inch wide or so.


The first time I tried installing it, I tried to align the tab on the side, and couldn't get the lens to seat fully in the seal. This time I started the bottom first, and it popped right in. My '03 lens doesn't have this flat spot, so I guess it was just enough to keep the lens from seating fully.

The new '05 lens, and the SilverStar bulb makes a large difference, in both low and high settings. The low beam does seem to spread the light in a better side to side pattern then the old lens did.

Turbota and/or Gamhill, I like the looks of the new '05 headlight better and would also like to benefit from a brighter bulb. If I may ask, what did the '05 headlight lens set you back? I can't seem to find it in the catalog. Was it a special order from the dealer? Also, does it use the stock '04 lamp socket and guts? Thanks.

Turbota and/or Gamhill, I like the looks of the new '05 headlight better and would also like to benefit from a brighter bulb. If I may ask, what did the '05 headlight lens set you back? I can't seem to find it in the catalog. Was it a special order from the dealer? Also, does it use the stock '04 lamp socket and guts? Thanks.


It comes as an assembly for 74.00. The bulb is the same but the holder is different.

I paid 59.20 for the 05' Headlamp at Hales HD (http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/gma_product.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444876675 1&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374309042513&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374309042513&bmUID=1112661363739&bmLocale=en_US)

I paid 59.20 for the 05' Headlamp at Hales HD (http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/gma_product.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444876675 1&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374309042513&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374309042513&bmUID=1112661363739&bmLocale=en_US)

That's where I got mine. Surdyke's has it listed for 59.20 as well.

Turbota and/or Gamhill, I like the looks of the new '05 headlight better and would also like to benefit from a brighter bulb. If I may ask, what did the '05 headlight lens set you back? I can't seem to find it in the catalog. Was it a special order from the dealer? Also, does it use the stock '04 lamp socket and guts? Thanks.


It's a replacement lens complete with the bulb holder bail. Does ship with a new bulb, the plug is the same - no wiring changes were needed.

Oh yeah well I got mine for 50 bucks, so na'na na'na na'na na
and some day when it's back together I can go for a ride and enjoy it :rolleyes:


Thanks xanyas :D

Well Mr. Gerber pants, I was answering Lux not you, but since you want to do nana-na-na-na's, my bike isn't in pieces, and I've already been riding it so nanny poo poo ha ha. lol. :D :D :D :D :D :D

Oh yeah well I got mine for 50 bucks, so na'na na'na na'na na
and some day when it's back together I can go for a ride and enjoy it :rolleyes:


Thanks xanyas :D

It does make a cool paper weight :D

nanny poo poo? What the heck is that?


Gerber pants? Excuuuuuuuse me but that would be Depends Undergarments thank you. I won't tell my friends at the senior center about this or they might take a free bus ride up to see you......if the bus driver agrees to divert from Foxwoods though. :D

It does make a cool paper weight :D


It's almost done. Just a little wiring, passing lamps and directionals, and a new carb bracket on order.

Thanks for all the replies, la dee da dee doo! I'm gonna get one too!! :D

Arggggggggghhhhhhhhhhh. Too much jocularity.



Did I butcher the spelling of that?

Thanks a bunch guys and gals....just scored one from Hales H-D online for $59.20 plus shipping. It'll be here in 7-10 days.

And there was great rejoicing!! :clap

This is me with my new headlight! :tour

Oh yeah well I got mine for 50 bucks, so na'na na'na na'na na
and some day when it's back together I can go for a ride and enjoy it :rolleyes:


Thanks xanyas :D

Hey Berry... I have one with the silverstar. It works great and.....

My bike is running, just like Xena's!!!!!! So...
Nony, nony, boo, boo.!!!!! :laugh

(Thinking... Did I really just write that?) :yikes

Well Mr. Gerber pants


:laugh :laugh :laugh

That cracks me up!!!!!!

Got my new lens already!!! It'll go on the bike tonight. I'll try it with the stock bulb first and upgrade later if needed. Thanks to all for the info.

Got it installed, took about 10 minutes. Looks really nice compared to the stock '04 lens! I'm using the stock bulb right now. I want to ride it after dark to see the difference. I'll probably go with a better H4 bulb later.

http://xlforum.net/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=1413&cat=500&page=1

Took a long ride after dark. I really like the new lens. I still have the stock bulb in it and already it's much better than the stock '04 lens was. Really great looking too. Thanks to all for pointing me toward the new one. :clap

Great info! I'm going to change the bulbs in my truck.

Just finished putting in the Sylvania Xtravision. I noticed my headlight needed adjustment also, so I did the deed and went for a short nightride. Living in the city, I could not get a great feel for how much more light it puts out, but there is an improvement. A wider and deeper footprint, but the adjustment my the headlight may have contributed to the depth of field. For about $13 and change at Pep Boys, you cant go wrong. Next the headlight modulator goes on, then possibly I will look into the new '05 setup for even more light. I don't know how it compares to the Silverstar, but since it cost a couple of dollars more.....I figured maybe it's better.

I picked up a 9003st silver star for around 15 bucks at the local auto parts place. It's definitely brighter and so far, I've noticed no heat issues.

i put one of those blue tinted bulbs in my diamond ice style headlight and it did not melt the wires at all but the light came with a rubber boot that went over the three prongs and covered up the back of the bulb and spring clip that holds the bulb in place and then you put the wires on. well i went to change it and the rubber boot was slightly melted to the headlight. i put the original bulb back in because the one i had blended in with the sunlight too much during the day and the headlight didn't even look like it was on.

Just an FYI. I remember reading somewhere that there is a difference between the H4 and the 9003. The H4 is more suitable for M/C applications because it is more durable than the 9003. Truth or myth. Who knows.

I just dunno if I want to even bother with either because the life expectancy is only like 6 months.

I am the one that originally started this thread.

I installed the 05 headlight lens and the SilverStar 9003ST bulb on my bike back in Dec 04. The cost for the bulb at AutoZone was $19.95 when I bought it. The light is still burning strong as ever. I think it will last every bit as long as the stock bulb ... only time will tell.

With the 05 lens and the bulb, the light is much brighter and clearer that the stock 04 headlight.

After you install this, adjust the headlight as per the Service manual.

I have also gone the silverstar route. made a noticable difference in nite time riding. Wish i had done this when i first bought the bike.

MC

I emailed Sylvania to find out why they can say the Silverstars and Xtravision bulbs are brighter, when on their own website I found out they all put out the same lumens. Here is the response I got..........


Thank you for your inquiry. The lumen output of a part will be the
same no matter what the upgrade is. For example, the lumen output for all
9006 must be 1000 lumens, whether it's a 9006 standard, Cool Blue, Long
Life, or Silverstar.

The distance illuminated by any product upgrade will be the same as a
standard halogen. It is the gas mixture, color temperature and filament
changes that make the difference in the products performance--offering
a wider, more even viewing pattern. It is also the luminance, or
perceived brightness, that differs amongst the product lines. Luminance is
the amount of usable light coming from the lamp and is directly
affected by the color temperature of the lamp.

The SilverStar is the brightest and whitest product that we manufacture
currently in a replacement halogen. The SilverStars, at 4000 degrees
Kelvin, have the highest street legal color temperature available
through Sylvania and are comparable to HID lighting. The SilverStar's higher
color temperature provides a crisper white appearance and offers a
redesigned coil to direct the light into more usable light in the
foreground. This whiter light is better at picking up reflective materials such
as animals' eyes, and road signs. And, this does not translate into a
"hotter" bulb, it's the same heat temperature as all the halogens. The
SilverStars are a performance, premium halogen that has a shorter life
span than the standard version. The shorter life span is directly
related to the performance nature of the lamps. The blue absorption
coating on the glass contributes to the crisp white light emitted, but also
traps heat inside the capsule, causing the filament to burn out more
quickly, thus decreasing the life. As with most high performance
products, there is a trade-off between the higher performance and the life
hours, unfortunately. The SilverStar product works harder (not burns
hotter, however) to give the whiter, brighter light and that impacts the
life hours. The SilverStar product is quoted as "lasting up to a year"
(from our FAQ on the website).

The XtraVision is going to provide a wider viewing pattern than the
stock halogen providing better peripheral vision, but has the same
yellowish tint as the standard halogen. The extra output that is received
gives a wider viewing pattern on the road. The XtraVision has a color
temperature rating (the way the eye perceives the light) of 3200K.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any other questions.

Sincerely,
Heather
Customer Service

To tell you all the the truth, I never even considered the Sylvania Silverstar until I read this thread. The user reviews of the bulbs almost have me sold.

First, I have an 05 883C, stock bulb.

Will any H4 bulb work in the stock headlight?

Has anyone tried any of the bulbs from PIAA (www.piaa.com)?

I had a friend who used a set of PIAA bulbs in his foglights and I was amazed at the amount of illumination after the switch. That experience has me almost convinced to buy a PIAA bulb for my bike. However, the Silverstar bulb you all have mentioned seems quite interesting.

From the PIAA website:
The very popular Xtreme White Plus technology is now available in H4 style bulbs. Rated at 4000K and providing 110watts of light from only 55watts these bulbs will provide a brilliant Xtreme cool white light that will light up road hazards and street signs long before a normal halogen bulb.The Blue topcoat on these bulbs adds a slight blue tint to the lamp for enhanced curb appeal.

Anyway, I'm just looking for a brighter replacement that won't melt the wires and will keep me safe on the roads. Thanks..

I installed the Sylvania Silverstar tonight. Here are some before/after pics. The light is angled because the bike is resting on the jiffy stand

Stock Bulb
http://img274.imageshack.us/img274/1687/dsc025242ai.jpg

Silverstar
http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/7279/dsc025272ix.jpg

I tried silver stars, and some of the others on cars in the past.

Nothing as dramatic as when I spent $15.00 at NAPA on an off road use only 80/100 H4.

Now we are talking! Never thought I could have that much light out of my 05 sportster headlight.

Sylvania Silverstar H-4 (part number 9003ST) is what I use. What a difference! About $20 at Wal-Mart, AutoZone, etc. Been in my bike about a month now, mostly high beam, and no problems with wires heating or anything. Adjust the headlight beam height as well, or least check it. My Clymer manual says "Park the motorcycle on a level surface approximately 25 feet from a wall. When sitting on the seat and the bike straight upright, the broad flat main beam of light on with the switch on "HIGH" position, should hit on a line drawn or piece of tape that is 35 inches up on the wall that the light is shining on."

If the thought of an 80/100 watt is a bit too extreme, there are other variants. A pair of 60/100 units is what I have in my CBR900RR. Several years ago I had a jerk in a pickup truck trying to play games with me on the highway. He finally crossed the edge when he whipped back into my lane with about 12 feet to spare and going slower than me. I flipped him the 200 watts of highbeam. His rear view mirror lit up like a lamp and I downshifted into 3rd, then held it at 90 mph for a couple of miles to get a nice spread between us.

you could turn your high beams on.lol
i ride like that at night i like to be seen, and when you get a dick head pennies fix that