Headlamp Failure Again!

[coded2112]

Had my GS SE since Aug '09, now on my 3rd dip beam bulb!

Is there a problem or as the saying goes do they all do this!

Swapped main beam over to dip as a short term solution, but in all my many years of riding and driving I have never changed a headlamp bulb before I got the SE.

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

My first dip beam bulb blew at 21,000 miles and the 2nd one has been fine since

Could it be that the quality of bulb two was poor?

Could it be that you accidently touched the glass part of the bulb when fitting it?

I'm presuming you are counting the main beam bulb as bulb three?

 

[coded2112]

Yes the 3rd is the main beam one. First one went at around 10,000 miles second one at about 19,000 miles and now at 26,000 miles.

As to touching the bulb BMW NOG fitted the first 2 as under warranty first time and coincided with a service (and was summer) for the 2nd bulb. I did not touch the glass when swapping over last night.

So as to quality, they are OE! Does not mean they are any good I suppose.

Just annoying and a bitch to change in the dark!!

 

[Les Wassall]

Take a look at HiD, if you don't fancy that way and want some free bulbs mail me

 

[Jonnie Boy]

My 1200 used to pop em every 10-15k mile.

I found the non fancy ordinary lamps lasted longest, cheaper to!

They are on all the time to be fair! dunno how many hours they are supposed to do!?

PS Bulbs grow.........LAMPS GLOW

 

[peter-k]

10 - 15,000 miles is what I hear often.

If you want a longer life span for your headlights get enforced lamps, such as Philips Longer Life or Osram Ultra Life.

Many if not most lamps claiming higher lighting power are not only not enforced, but also even more sensitive as compared to standard bulbs.

 

[Bem]

Take a look at HiD, if you don't fancy that way and want some free bulbs mail me

I found mine were going every 5-7k, cheap ones even quicker. Went on to Ring and these seemed better.
Went HID on my Honda and its even betterer!

 

[coded2112]

I am going to give the HID option a go! Hell to the expense, its dark out there, I need to see!!

 

[Balders1450]

Had my GS SE since Aug '09, now on my 3rd dip beam bulb!

Is there a problem or as the saying goes do they all do this!

Swapped main beam over to dip as a short term solution, but in all my many years of riding and driving I have never changed a headlamp bulb before I got the SE.

You're lucky, I've on my 3rd in 6 months!!!!!!

 

[The G Man]

2009 SE

Bulbs blown at:

5000 (£6 to replace in UK)

14000 (£13 to replace in Switzerland)

20000 (£5 to replace in Belgium)

G

 

[mr badger]

We had a few blow in Madaes CBR, Seem to remember we ended up with some specific bike lamps that had sturdier filaments. Ring?

 

[Les Wassall]

i have some o/e H7 bulbs that are free to any one, just some post to cover the delivery

 

[Mike Bell]

Hi,

Just change to HID, the originals are pretty useless anyway. I fitted Les's kit last week and it's superb.

 

[coded2112]

Glad you said that Mike as I have just bought the HID kit should be with me tomorrow and I will be fitting it at the weekend!

 

[SPL]

You're gonna kick yourself you didn't do that when the 1st bulb went

 

[HarvSki]

Yep I too bought hi/lo hid kits from Les for my 1150GS, it's great to be able to see at night!

Only thing I wonder about is shortening the life of the dipped beam during the switch on ignition - hid on, press engine starter - hid off, bike running - hid on. From what I read on the web this double strike is not good for the hid...?!

So was thinking about also fitting one of these http://www.wolstentech.com/products/timedelayrelay/app2.php delay relays to the dipped hid thereby keeping if off long enough to start the bike and not draw much current until the bike is running.

 

[Les Wassall]

Yep I too bought hi/lo hid kits from Les for my 1150GS, it's great to be able to see at night!

Only thing I wonder about is shortening the life of the dipped beam during the switch on ignition - hid on, press engine starter - hid off, bike running - hid on. From what I read on the web this double strike is not good for the hid...?!

So was thinking about also fitting one of these http://www.wolstentech.com/products/timedelayrelay/app2.php delay relays to the dipped hid thereby keeping if off long enough to start the bike and not draw much current until the bike is running.

that could be worth looking at

 

[coded2112]

The dip beam does not come on until the bike has started on my GS 12, I think??

 

[Popell]

The dip beam does not come on until the bike has started on my GS 12, I think??

Mine too, 2005 12GS

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

They all do that ............. it's the law