Author Topic: High Output Headlight Bulbs (Read 4177 times)

Dave 02 1200 · « **on:** January 09, 2007, 12:16:18 PM »

I am considering a high wattage H-4 headlight bulb for my naked 02 1200.

I think stock is 65/55 watts. I have seen H-4 bulbs that are rated as high as 130/100 watts.

Does anyone know if these could harm the electrical system? If so, how?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

PaulVS · « **Reply #1 on:** January 09, 2007, 12:28:54 PM »

Edited to remove my A.D.D.

Red01 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 09, 2007, 03:05:40 PM »

Paul, he's got a naked version, so for the most part, that thread doesn't apply.

The only thing that would apply is running the headlight off of a relay. With a relay and some good heavy gauge wire, you could run the 100/130 H4 bulb. I wouldn't run a higher wattage bulb without doing that. The added bonus is with a relay, the new bulb will be even brighter.

CWO4GUNNER · « **Reply #3 on:** January 09, 2007, 03:09:26 PM »

Its a real drag to overload your alternator, I did it on my GS550G by putting a high wattage air horn on it and burned the alternator windings. After that it was an alternating blowing son-of-a-gun, even though I removed the horn, had to finally sell the bike.
It can be done but I highly recommend researching the power requirements and load limits on the B12 alternator before experimenting, or have a shop do it that specialized tour bike electrical.

Red01 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 09, 2007, 03:11:45 PM »

You can get a relay kit here:

Eastern Beaver Motorcycle Headlight Relay Kits

Dave 02 1200 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 24, 2007, 05:23:24 PM »

Thanks for the input. I have decided against a bulb with a higher wattage draw.

However, I just bought a PIAA 60/55 watt bulb that is supposed to put out light that is equal to a 135/125 watt bulb.

This "Super Plasma" bulb is said to produce a light in the 3800/5000 Kelvin range.

Question: If electrical energy is converted into light and heat, is it logical that if this new type of bulb draws the same wattage and produces more light that it would also produce less heat?

Red01 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 25, 2007, 11:17:37 AM »

I don't know about the heat issue, I guess you can tell us about it after the install and see if the headlight lens feels any cooler.

From the PIAA website:

Quote

A new addition to PIAA’s stable of high performance bulbs is the Super Plasma GT-X. The new GT-X provides an exclusive purple low beam and an Xtreme White high beam. And if that weren't enough! PIAA has added a purple colored top coat giving the headlamp a purple look even when the lamp is turned off.

I don't know how well I'd like a purple low beam though... tell us what you think about it after you've tried it out for a while.

99er · « **Reply #7 on:** January 27, 2007, 07:28:26 PM »

How about some HID??? Impress your friends with only 35 watts used. If I was a night rider, nothing else would suffice.
Marc/Atlanta

http://www.aerostich.com/product.php?productid=18322&cat=348&page=1

Ranger · « **Reply #8 on:** January 28, 2007, 08:44:51 PM »

Bazza · « **Reply #9 on:** February 02, 2007, 10:28:15 PM »

With the Eastern Beaver harness, I can run my 65 watt H-9 bulbs all day long.

The B-12 actually has a very nice stator.

I would go with Paul's I.R. style bulbs if you just want bulb replacement.

When I did my rowdy red mod, the harness did more than the bulbs actually.

You can see some photo's about this here..

http://www.members.shaw.ca/Zukeman/bandit_headlight_mod.htm

Bazza · « **Reply #10 on:** February 02, 2007, 10:31:39 PM »

Quote from: "Ranger"

Check out the local hardley dealership. They have a replacement HID setup for one of their models, 7" and everything bolts right into the Bandit headlight shell. It's a complete setup: Lens, reflector, all the wires, plugs and connectors. You still have the box to mount under the tank but thats a no brainer (I'm being objective here)

I seem to recall seeing them online at a harley site for around 150-160.

The only HID set-up I could find for the B-12 was over $1100.00 USD.

http://www.rallylights.com/hella/90mm_modules.asp

Scroll down the page to HID's

CWO4GUNNER · « **Reply #11 on:** February 02, 2007, 11:24:59 PM »

In security class we learned why some types of light seem to be brighter without great increases in power requirements and the reasons without going into great detail is that in most cases these super brights do not put out more light only more light in a narrower spectrum (a trade off). So although it is brighter your ability to see detail in most cases is compromised compared to full spectrum light. So that wet spot you see at night on the highway, may turn out to be a sink hole.