What type, brightness, etc globes can i put in the standard GS headset (i have the 500F)  i would like more light!!! without killing either the wiring or the battery.

I ride on tight dark roads at night and i cant see where im heading until its too late, had a couple of near run offs so now am riding much slower than i could safely due to s**ttie lights!!!

Ta! Old Man

The standard H4 is 60/55 watt but there are brighter burning ones (100/80 130/90) which are significantly more expensive
I myself never tried them cause mine tend to burn out frequently

S5

Running Higher wattage bulbs is hard on you charging system too.

+1 on silver stars

If you do a lot of night riding like I do, I recommend getting a bright yellow bulb.

I purchased a Lockhart Phillips H4 yellow ion bulb.  I used it for only a month and it was the best month of night riding I've ever seen.

I took the bulb out of the bike, so if you're interested, let me know.  I bought it for about $40 shipped.

Maybe $20 shipped?

Any H4 light will fit. I just installed a 55w/100w light in my bike a couple of days ago and the difference is amazing! I actually had this light in another bike that broke down, and I remembered it was in there just before I sold the broken bike. I didn't have any problems with it in my 1979 BMW R65 when I had it in there for a few months. The battery didn't hold much charge with the old or new light, but nothing fried.

I originally was kind of worried about it being such a high wattage, but figured it was worth the risk since there are lots of deer where I ride and the extra light helps sooooo much! 

I was also worried about blinding drivers with the 55w low beam, but nobody has flashed their lights at me yet, just make sure your headlight isn't aimed too high.

I don't remember what brand of bulb it is but I think it was about $25 and it's lasted several months of riding, then three years of sitting. I think the added visibility is worth the risk to your wiring, especially if you ride at night a lot.

ive been thinking about trying these out: http://www.shopatron.com/product/product_id=PIA15224/353.0

expensive though...

Quote from: salad on April 05, 2007, 02:29:06 AM
ive been thinking about trying these out: http://www.shopatron.com/product/product_id=PIA15224/353.0

expensive though...

Try here instead and get the anit-vibration version and save the cost of an extra bulb

http://www.velocityfactor.com/Scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=731

Those above bulbs may be a tiny bit better than stock but they're still the stock wattage. Yeah they say that they're as bright as a 110watt bulb but that's BS. If you really want a brighter light, you have to go with higher wattage.

I also try to stay away from the blue tinted bulbs as they tend to attract cops, and I don't think that it looks too cool.

Duct tape a spotting light to the handlebars. You'll be able to see heaven itself.

http://boatandrvaccessories.com/VEC-192.htm  20 million candlepower!

  -Anti 

Old Man, you just need a bulb that has a hotter temperature than stock.  Others have recommended Sylvania SilverStars -- good bulb.  The literature has it there is an H4ST model for Motorcycles -- perhaps thicker filiment to resist shock?

I've got the equivalent bulb to what is now the PIAA H4 Extreme White.  Both the of these bulbs have a hotter temperature light (~4000K) than standard Halogen (which is anywhere from 2800-3600K).  I find it throws farther, and at the same wattage as stock.

I don't have any experience with other temperatures on the spectrum.  I like what I have and believe both these bulbs would fill the bill at affordable prices.

PS.  Anti -- Love the Duct tape idea.    I'd put a moon beam on both sides for balance.

Hi all,

Thanks for the info, I have tried the local suppliers for both the Silver Star and Piaa but they are not carried where i live so i am going to try this http://www.narva.com.au/Globes_21.html  The cost is $17.80 aus. I will give a review in a few days time.

Old Man

That will probably work.  When you get'em, please post your opinion on improvement -- with before and after pictures if you can; no pressure.   

(everyone loves pictures.)

Quote from: Old man on April 06, 2007, 05:37:07 PM
Hi all,

Thanks for the info, I have tried the local suppliers for both the Silver Star and Piaa but they are not carried where i live so i am going to try this http://www.narva.com.au/Globes_21.html  The cost is $17.80 aus. I will give a review in a few days time.

Old Man

Please, if they're decent I'll want to get some for my GS

I was reading up on the discussions between GE Nighthawks and Silverstars, and found some interesting info:

The Silvertsars seem to throw more light due to the whiteness of the beam, but tend to get lost in foggy conditions. They also burn out quicker (Which was already stated). The Nighthawks, by comparison, throw a good beam too, though the light is a little more yellow, due to the bulb not having a bluish finish to it.

In contrast though, Silverstar has the ultras on the market, which, AFAIK, still throw ~4000K, but without the blue tint. GE has been starting to advertise their Nighthawk Plus's, which are reputted to throw just a shade more than 4000K, AND be whiter than the regular Nighthawks...but they haven't hit the market yet.

For the difference in price, I'm going to be trying out the Silvertstar Ultras, as GE doesn't have the Plus's out on the market yet. I need to see at night

Just to let everyone know...

After all my research and trial and errors, the higher you go on the temperature scale, the lower the light output...

YELLOW bulbs (such as 3000k) supposedly have more lumens then a hyper blue (6000K) bulb.  I've tried bulbs that were 8000K, and though they looked good from a color standpoint, night driving was horrible.  Also, during the day, it's was kinda difficult for me to tell if the headlights were on or not when I glanced at the front of the car.  I had to REALLY look for the light coming from the bulb.

QuoteAfter all my research and trial and errors, the higher you go on the temperature scale, the lower the light output...

This would make sense, just like flourescent lights compared to inacdescant. A 15watt flourescent puts out about the same ammount of light as a 60watt incadecent, and the flourescent is barely warm while the incadescent bulb will burn you. For the same wattge, if one bulb is hotter, then it's using up more energy producing heat rather than light.

Anyways, if you think about it this seems to make sense, heat takes energy, and light takes energy. You can't have more of both without increasing the energy

Quote from: ducati_nolan on April 07, 2007, 11:13:52 AM

QuoteAfter all my research and trial and errors, the higher you go on the temperature scale, the lower the light output...

This would make sense, just like flourescent lights compared to inacdescant. A 15watt flourescent puts out about the same ammount of light as a 60watt incadecent, and the flourescent is barely warm while the incadescent bulb will burn you. For the same wattge, if one bulb is hotter, then it's using up more energy producing heat rather than light.

Anyways, if you think about it this seems to make sense, heat takes energy, and light takes energy. You can't have more of both without increasing the energy

He was talking about the heat scale applying to the color of the light.. not the actual temperature of the bulb.

Hi all,

The NARVA PLUS 50 is definately better than the standard GS globe, Low beam is much better, it gives a better coverage of light and is brighter, the High beam doesnt 'seem' to be brighter, but the beam is narrower and throws further so it gives you more of whats coming earlier which is what i wanted, all in all for $17.00aus its a cheap and effective upgrade.
As i do around 800kms a week the globe will get a good work out and I will post if and when the globe carks it, I will also post when i get to use the lights in fog/low cloud.

Cheers Old Man