New Sylvania Silverstar ULTRA headlight bulb installed

[annguyen1981]

HID is where it's at.
I've been rocking HID's on my R6 bikes for 4 years now...  well worth the investment.

[GSrookie500]

It might not be the biggest difference but from what I see in the pic is it covers a little for surface, not alot, it's whiter, and there's a little more lighting on the sides and top.

In Low beams, a 10% difference over the Silverstar and 20% difference in high beams. Like I said, I think this bulb shows it's stuff in high beams which I use all the time.

Sorry can't compare high beam settings because that's the one that burnt out.

I don't think it was in my head, I ride this bike all the time at night. I was definetily seeing more on the sides and top instead of just the street. It actually made me look up because I was seeing trees I haven't seen before at night, lol.

[redhenracing2]

Like I said, I think this bulb shows it's stuff in high beams which I use all the time.

Sorry can't compare high beam settings because that's the one that burnt out.

That makes no sense 

[annguyen1981]

Sure it does...  when using the Ultra bulbs, the high beam shows the most "positive change".  Since his old bulb's high beam filament burned out, he can't show a comparison to his claim.

Still... at $30 a pop, I'd rather spent $40-$60 on an HID kit that lasts up to 10 times longer than a standard bulb.  For twice the price, you get 10 times the length of use and MUCH more light output.

[ohgood]

Low beam on regular Silverstar bulb:

Low beam on Silverstar Ultra bulb:


Like I said my high beams is the one that burnt out so I couldn't compare, but that where I think made the difference between the two. I could definitely notice a difference on seeing each side of the side walk and more distance between the two. Like it says on the regular Silverstar packaging: 30-35% over a regular bulb, and for the Sillverstar ULTRA: 40-50% over a regular bulb. That's a 10-20% difference over the regular Silverstar.

a real first hand account of something that works well- with pictures that aren't shaky, over/under exposed, and aligned similarly. wow.

this, with only 106 posts here on gstwins. great !
THANK YOU

[GSrookie500]

Sure it does...  when using the Ultra bulbs, the high beam shows the most "positive change".  Since his old bulb's high beam filament burned out, he can't show a comparison to his claim.

Still... at $30 a pop, I'd rather spent $40-$60 on an HID kit that lasts up to 10 times longer than a standard bulb.  For twice the price, you get 10 times the length of use and MUCH more light output.

From what I read on here, the HID kit are $250.

[gregvhen]

ive seen some kits for 50-70

[GSrookie500]

ive seen some kits for 50-70

If you seen that, please post a link. I think ALOT of ppl are interested in HID's here, including myself.

[annguyen1981]

Any H4 kit would work.

[annguyen1981]

Here's an auction for TWO ballast and TWO bulbs.  Therefore, you can split it between two GS members with the F model.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Slim-Xenon-Kit-H4-3K-HB2-HB1-HB4-9145-H7-6K-8000K_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem4a9c2e2a6eQQitemZ320447851118QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories


Keep in mind, the H4 bulb is normally a hi/lo bulb.  The H4 bulb in that auction is only the low beam.  But with the light output increase, you don't really need the hi beam.

There ARE H4 HID bulbs with both hi and lo functions... they just cost a little more.

[annguyen1981]

GET THIS ONE INSTEAD!!!


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HID-H4-6000K-Xenon-Conversion-Kit-Eclipse-00-03-04-05_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem35a467e094QQitemZ230391537812QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

This kit includes the same TWO ballast and TWO bulbs.  The H4 bulbs in this auction ARE hi/lo.  and it's only $46 shipped!


That's $23 per bike.  About the same price as Sylvania's regular bulbs... and cheaper than the Ultra bulbs

[psyber_0ptix]

if you guys are going HID keep it in the 3200-5100k range  (Daylight). Dont fall into the the trap that 1200000000k is brighter. That means more blue.

blue is harder on the eyeswhen it comes to night vision... and puts out less lumens so you actally get a crappier output.

But hey, everyone is a ricer at heart and don't realize the blue you see on BMW/Audi/higher end cars actually comes from the light being refracted over a cutoff shield in a projector housing. The light output is still white.

[annguyen1981]

if you guys are going HID keep it in the 3200-5100k range  (Daylight). Dont fall into the the trap that 1200000000k is brighter. That means more blue.

blue is harder on the eyeswhen it comes to night vision... and puts out less lumens so you actally get a crappier output.

But hey, everyone is a ricer at heart and don't realize the blue you see on BMW/Audi/higher end cars actually comes from the light being refracted over a cutoff shield in a projector housing. The light output is still white.

3000k is the bright yellow.  It's designed for bad weather situations. I've used 3000K on my two R6's and it's awesome.

6000K is where the last "white" is... 8000K has a SLIGHT blue tint to it.


But you're right about the light output.  The higher the K, the lower the lumens.

[GSrookie500]

WOW That's awesome.

[annguyen1981]

WAIT!!!!


I was assuming that you had the FAIRED version...  I don't know what bulb you need if it's a naked version!!!!

[GSrookie500]

That's the one, just a H4 bulb for naked GS's

[annguyen1981]

Ok. cool.  I just thought of that AFTER you saw those auctions. I didn't wanna be responsible for you buying the wrong bulb.  lol

So did you buy one of those yet?

[XealotX]

I installed one of these last night to replace a Phillips H4.

I guess it is brighter...maybe...if I turn my head the right way...or perhaps if I was in a mine shaft?



Looked about the same to me.

[annguyen1981]

Xealot... are you talking about the Sylvania?  I do believe the "better" perception is just that... a perception.  I think it's the way the filaments are slightly moved that gives the light beam a more "spread" look, but the light OUTPUT (lumens) is still the same.

That's why HID is the way to go if you want more lumens output.  The only thing is that the bulbs DO change the light beam...  so they MIGHT blind on-coming drivers.  It all depends on the brand kit and what housing you put it in.

[XealotX]

Xealot... are you talking about the Sylvania?  I do believe the "better" perception is just that... a perception.  I think it's the way the filaments are slightly moved that gives the light beam a more "spread" look, but the light OUTPUT (lumens) is still the same.

Yeah, I installed a Sylvania ULTRA while troubleshooting my bright light issue.

I want to put about 10,000 miles on this bike and then sell it stock to someone else learning to ride. Don't really want to invest too much money in it (HID, LCD, etc.). Hell, I rarely ride at night and wouldn't really care that the bright doesn't work except I have a DMV motorcycle safety inspection coming up in a few months.