The H4 Headlight Bulb Thread

[frankenduck]

I've had a couple of PIAA bulbs that came on parts bikes.  They're pretty good and definitely better than stock. 

However, since I added relays and beefed up the headlight wiring I like to run $8/bulb 100/90W Xenon bulbs I buy on Fleabay.  They put out LOTS of light, enough to easily do 80 at night.

The first one I bought lasted about 35k miles in my LT under the low beam died.

Last summer, after about 20k of riding BOTH beams went out at the same time.  When I pulled the bulb I discovered:

The one that replaced that lasted a whopping 7,000 miles.  Rut roh. Oh well, what do you expect at that price and I still like them and will continue to use them.  Since they're only $4 each I just carry a spare in my tail cowl.


WARNING: Don't run higher watt bulbs if you haven't beefed up the headlight wiring and added headlight relays.  You'll most likely melt the insulation off of the stock wiring and the headlight wires aren't fused so you could be in for a world of hurt, maybe even a nice little bike fire.

[Brickhead]

Thanks for the info Duck. Is there a thread on how to change over the wiring and a relay?

[frankenduck]

Thanks for the info Duck. Is there a thread on how to change over the wiring and a relay?

"added headlight relays" above contains a link to it.  (You need two relays.)

[Scott_]

Not only will you risk melting your wiring insulation without load relays, you will most likely melt/damage your hi/low beam switch on the handlebar. It can't take the increased load either.

[Rick G]

Wow to melt a hole in a quartz globe is some heat build up. Have you ever tried to melt one of those globes, I tried with an oxy torch and it only made a bit of distortion.  Maybe the globe isnt quartz and that is what makes them cheaper.

[frankenduck]

They're cheap bulbs - as you can tell by the price tag.  Most likely Chinese.  But they do work well and put out lots of light. :dunno

When that one failed both beams went out at once so I figured it was the fuse for the relays or something.  I was rather shocked to find that when I pulled it out. 

The one that crapped out yesterday was just the low beam filament dying.  Same as the 35k one on my LT.

[argent brick]

So, What bulb would you recommend if you do not make wire and relay upgrades?

[frankenduck]

So, What bulb would you recommend if you do not make wire and relay upgrades?

PIAA does make some nice bulbs that work well.  The problem is that they're a bit pricy and they have several different types in an H4 so deciding (guessing) which one would be "best" for you might be a challenge.

Before I did relays I went with a cheapo 60/55 Xenon from Fleabay.  Bang for your buck that's a good upgrade since the stock halogen is 70s technology.

JO likes his CATZ 60/55 (search on Fleabay) and thinks that's the bomb but he and I still need to get our bikes together at night for a "shootout" w/ my 100/90 cheapo. The CATZ price point is a little less than PIAAs but still an "investment" but I'm sure it's a good quality bulb since my aux lights from them are awesome.

I've been collecting different H4s for a while and sometime this summer plan to do a "shootout" with a light meter to get some quantifiable data for comparison.

Another factor is that we're all different with respect to night vision so what works best for one person might not work best for another.  That being the case, I'd go for a pair (so you have a spare handy) of the 60/55 Xenon cheapos from Fleabay as you're not risking a whole lot of $$$ and it'll still be a marked improvement over stock.

[DRxBMW]

So, What bulb would you recommend if you do not make wire and relay upgrades?

55/60W

Hell, the switch may die regardless, USE relays ! 

Large percentage of K HL switchgear bites the dust before the 70K mileage marker without a relay setup. Voltage bleed-off is the culprit,plus bare minimum wire size. 

30% brighter light from the get go, fuse protection.

[Brickhead]

So how much for ur setup ?

[DRxBMW]

So how much for ur setup ?

$54.95

[Photog]

So how much for ur setup ?

$54.95

Well worth it, IMHO, and the kit from Eastern Beaver is really easy to install. Doable, if you want, with no wrenching except for the battery leads. Not even any wire cutting or splicing if you use the included headlight socket plug (not recommended, but it works).

[scbmwrider]

I have an Eastern Beaver kit on my bike and run a PIAA Super Plasma GT-X bulb.  Love the amount of light that I get out of it.  Yes Gary is right the kit will increase brightness of the standard bulb 25-30%.  It's that noticable.

[frodef]

However, since I added relays and beefed up the headlight wiring I like to run $8/bulb 100/90W Xenon bulbs I buy on Fleabay.

Something like these bulbs?

[frankenduck]

However, since I added relays and beefed up the headlight wiring I like to run $8/bulb 100/90W Xenon bulbs I buy on Fleabay.

Something like these bulbs?

Yep. That's what I run and from my experience they last from 20-50k miles.  Good up to at least 80mph at night. Certainly worth the money.

The truth is that just about any H4 these days will outdo an 80s vintage halogen.

[wmax351]

I just bought a 100/135w selective yellow bulb. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000H0OSMY/ref=oh_details_o01_s01_i00

Will be putting it in soon. Got 14 gauge wire for the relays, fused at 30 amps.

Going to be riding rte 50 this summer. Lots of big ass jackrabbits and other critters I'd like to avoid.