Bright Indicator Bulb keeps burning out?

[Elijafir]

I've replaced it three times already.  It lasts a few weeks.. maybe a month or two if I'm lucky.. I can't find the EXACT wattage that the spec calls for.. but I've tried some a little less ( - 0.2-0.3w) and some a little more ( + 0.2-0.3w) and it doesn't seem to matter.  Maybe because it's on a lot (hot) it just breaks more easily?  I haven't had to replace any of my other 3 indicator bulbs. I did replace my Gauge Bulbs because I wanted them back lit blue. They are fine as well.  Maybe I should try to find an L.E.D. one?  Thoughts?  Thanks.

P.S.  If anyone has an extra little blue "cap" laying around for the bright indicator I sure would appreciate it being sent my way.  

(edit: changed volts to watts.. duh  )

[kman]

I am wondering if that bulb is a halogen.  In that case it could be from touching the bulb with your fingers or from other crap in the air getting on since it sounds like it is not covered.

[adidasguy]

Are you certain you're using 12v bulbs?

[Elijafir]

It's an incandescent bulb.  Spec is 1.7W.
I meant Watts in my original post.. not Volts.. duh...  
Yes, they are 12v Bulbs.

[gsJack]

I use the common automobile 194 bulbs available at Walmart, auto parts stores, etc for my speedo, tach, and all 4 indicator lights.  Makes the high beam light a bit brighter but it's no problem.  I changed all 6 bulbs at once on both my 97 GS and my current 02 GS when one burned out and they didn't burn out again.  Put 80k miles on the 97 and have over 84k miles and counting on the 02.  I get the 194LL (long life bulbs) if they have them.

Specs in 97 OM call for 3.4w for all except the high beam indicator that calls for a 1.7w.  The 194 bulbs are 3.8w spec.

http://www.donsbulbs.com/cgi-bin/r/b.pl/194.html

[adidasguy]

Since you're needing the blue indicator cap for brights, could it be that cold water is getting to the bulb when hot, causing it to crack when?

[007brendan]

Change them with LEDS.  They're very bright and will last longer.  Plus you can make your tach and speedo glow blue if you want.  Here's a good thread on finding the right ones.

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=53436.0

Here's what I got

Here is my order:
 2 | WLED-x5 LED  Wide Angle LED bulb
       Blue WLED-B5 0.75 for the gauges
------------------------------------------------------------
 1 | WLED-x6 LED bulb                        
       Blue WLED-B6 0.60 for high beam.
------------------------------------------------------------
 1 | WLED-x6 LED bulb                    
       Red WLED-R6  for the oil light
------------------------------------------------------------
 2 | WLED-x6 LED bulb                        
       Green WLED-G6 1.15 for indiator and neutral lights.

[Elijafir]

Since I live in one of the most dry climates in the U.S. I don't think it has anything to do with water getting in there... I think it has more to do with rough/bumpy Tucson roads shaking the hot filament to death.  I think I'll just replace everything with L.E.D.s next time I have a good check. 
I was mostly wondering if it was a "common" issue for that particular bulb to be burning out more frequently than the others.  It's POSSIBLE I have a short in the wire somewhere... when I first got the bike the horn wire was getting pinched and if you turned the handle bars all the way to the left the horn would sound.  I checked as much wiring as I could.. patched bare wire and re-routed to prevent pinching.. maybe I missed one for the high beam indicator..  I'm not going to put an L.E.D. in there until I find a cap for it though.

[Toogoofy317]

Flick goes through bulbs like pimps go through HOs! I got him in '07 and have went through about a dozen indicator lights. As a matter of fact within the last month or so. My hi-beam went out, my signal indicator went out, and the neutral one comes on at it's discreation. I'm debating if I want to go through the hassle of changing them again.

I may just go the LED route.

Mary