Changing headlight bulb for brighter..

[AlanAce1967]

I see Halfords are selling 100 Watt H1 bulbs, is it possible to fit one for my high beam without either.... draining my battery or melting the headlight ?

Alan

 

[jimbo]

I see Halfords are selling 100 Watt H1 bulbs, is it possible to fit one for my high beam without either.... draining my battery or melting the headlight ?

Alan

yes, but
- the improvement isn't that great
- the extra heat means they tend not to last long
- my wiring was OK, but its probably marginal

In short, don't bother and go HID - you won't regret it.

 

[billyt53]

yes, but
- the improvement isn't that great
- the extra heat means they tend not to last long
- my wiring was OK, but its probably marginal

In short, don't bother and go HID - you won't regret it.

+11

 

[gs george]

it can burn electric wires

 

[hops]

just fitted

a 50w HID kit from Les Wassall, HUGE difference! The only way to go in my opinion

 

[Flipfly]

+17382617383618 for HID

The only way to go, expensive bulbs are exactly that expensive bulbs. They won't really make enough of a difference to justify the price.

HID may look dear to improve your lights, but it's a small cost when you consider they really do make a huge difference and there is an added safety margin.

I HID'd my 1150GS, I have HID the RT, my wifeys Transalp. Haven't done the 650 yet, but it's on the cards.

This is wifeys transalp on a nice sunny day!!!!

 

[L]

+100

If there is one mod to do to a GS, IMHO, it has to be the HID upgrade. Not only can everyone see you from a mile away, but you can actually see the road at night too!!

 

[millard]

+101 !!!!

 

[BigAlPendry]

I used brighter bulbs for a while but have now switched to a Halfords All Weather bulb: it has a pale yellow tinge with flashes of blue and seems to really catch the eye of other road users as well as being good in the dark and rain. I also tend to have far fewer people pulling out on me (touches wood!).

The Theory: next time you see a bike coming at you with ultra bright lights, you may just percieve it as a glowing ball of light. Speed and distance are more difficult to judge. Consequence: more pratts "not seeing you"! The Halfords jobbies are distinctive without being blinding and do stick out in traffic, and I personally believe this is a case of "less is more".

 

[Flipfly]

I used brighter bulbs for a while but have now switched to a Halfords All Weather bulb: it has a pale yellow tinge with flashes of blue and seems to really catch the eye of other road users as well as being good in the dark and rain. I also tend to have far fewer people pulling out on me (touches wood!).

The Theory: next time you see a bike coming at you with ultra bright lights, you may just percieve it as a glowing ball of light. Speed and distance are more difficult to judge. Consequence: more pratts "not seeing you"! The Halfords jobbies are distinctive without being blinding and do stick out in traffic, and I personally believe this is a case of "less is more".

Nothing more distinctive than an HID set up on a bike

 

[how far to]

hello HID is the way forward,if you can not afford it at the moment and go for an uprated bulb,make sure you fit a relay or you are in danger of burning out your lighting switch.Cheers

 

[STUBBS]

halfords all weather bulb in the headlight hids in the auxilary lights best of both worlds

 

[Fanum]

Why don't people use the search button

It's not the bulb that's the problem, it's the crap reflector design...therefore as everyone above has said, changing the bulb on its own won't make a significant difference and just leads to potential problems...plus a 100w bulb is illegal

 

[davegs]

!00 watt bulbs

Don't bother the std wiring is not big enough and you will get volt drop and therefore not enough power to light the bulb at full brightness, and you may find the reflector (plastic ) will melt. Go HID see Les Wassels posts and get it sorted far more efficient than 100 watt bulbs these are old technology now days.
Dave ( HID and Abba fan) GS.

 

[ExpatinIstanbul]

+100

If there is one mod to do to a GS, IMHO, it has to be the HID upgrade. Not only can everyone see you from a mile away, but you can actually see the road at night too!!

Most useful when searching for lost items.

 

[BigAlPendry]

"Aftermarket HID systems are not road legal due to the fact you cannot 'E' mark a bulb that is of different type to the bulb it is replacing (ie HID for halogen). Therefore we can only sell these as off road use conversions."

Ref: http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/hid-faq-c-279.html Accessed 06/09/08.

 

[cookie]

The Theory: next time you see a bike coming at you with ultra bright lights, you may just percieve it as a glowing ball of light. Speed and distance are more difficult to judge. Consequence: more pratts "not seeing you"!

i'd go along with that. some research suggest that headlights being on, on a bike make approach speeds harder to judge. don't see having brighter lights is going to help that.

having said that, i have got HID lights fitted, and will try not to give the car drivers the benefit of the doubt in such situations as always.

 

[EggChaser]

One thing I suspect does help is low angle sunlight is orange in color, so bluey white HIDs should help cage drivers see something different

 

[Stewart H]

I converted my 1100 last year to HID, I have discussed it with Police riders, passed the MOT and never been flashed by oncoming motorists, in addition to using less current than an incandescent lamp I am actually able to properly see where I am going at night, its a no brainer
As far as motorists seeing me, I never depend on that.
Stewart

 

[Northern jock]

I think I'm going to do the HID thing, just not sure of the combination - what is "best"?

Do the low beam and have HID spots to come on with original high?

HID low and high, no spots?

HID low, have riding lights, plus HID high and HID spots (come on with high)?

So many options!

Cheers