900 headlight bulb replacement

[yourkillinme]

What is everyone using to replace the non-usable headlight (lowbeam) on the 900? I ride with High beam on and only go low beam to avoid blinding someone. I've tried adjusting it but then the high beam lights up the sky!

Yourkillinme

[Woody61]

I go back and forth depending on conditions. Replaced the factory bulb with a silverstar as it is a little brighter. Also, do a search as there was another thread not to long ago on the same subject.

[gonzosc1]

its not the bulb, its the reflector in the head light. its designed to shine that way. I'm on my 3rd bulb, makes no diffence. I will be replacing the headlight with aftermarket headlight to rid this problem.
others say that adding a lightbar helps alot

[yourkillinme]

let me know what you go with (with PICS of course)

Yourkillinme

[ks_greg]

Originally Posted by yourkillinme

What is everyone using to replace the non-usable headlight (lowbeam) on the 900?

Replace that whizz yellow factory bulb w/ a Sylvania Silverstar H4 headlamp $21.45 @ Autozone.
It's a bright white light and you'll have no problems on low beam w/ one of these.
I replaced my headlamp w/ one of these and also the stop-tail bulb w/ Sylvania 2357 LL $2.79. The taillight is the same brightness, but the stop is brighter. Good safety upgrade for little $$$.

[Kebo]

Or check out XenonLink.com HID Conversion Kit. and get a HID light for less than $100.

[REFUGIO]

Go with a BP1210 Wagner Bulb.
You can get them from NAPA.
It's 80w on low beam and 100w on high beam.
I've had one in for over a year now....no problem.
It is very bright compared to the stock bulb.

[Trashman900C]

Originally Posted by Kebo

Or check out XenonLink.com HID Conversion Kit. and get a HID light for less than $100.

do you have one of these kits?

[Kebo]

Yes I do.......there is another thread about this here, http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/fo...piaa-bulb.html

[Bucket Head]

Originally Posted by REFUGIO

Go with a BP1210 Wagner Bulb.
You can get them from NAPA.
It's 80w on low beam and 100w on high beam.
I've had one in for over a year now....no problem.
It is very bright compared to the stock bulb.

+1

[Trashman900C]

Originally Posted by Kebo

Yes I do.......there is another thread about this here, http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/fo...piaa-bulb.html

Thanks.......which temp did you get? how does it look, any issues, etc.?
and how is the install, plug and play?

Sorry for all the questions.......

[Kebo]

Originally Posted by Trashman900C

Thanks.......which temp did you get? how does it look, any issues, etc.?
and how is the install, plug and play?

Sorry for all the questions.......

I got the 8000k (blue white), no installations issues everything is "plug-n-play", and the look is great IMHO. Brighter than halogen, runs cooler, and the color attracts attention.

[Cowboydave157]

There are a lot of misconceptions and myths out there concerning enhancing the useable light output of a vehicle. These misconceptions and myths apply to any vehicle cycle, car or truck.

Here is some information that might be helpful if you’re thinking about upgrading your headlight.

Misconception #1 - Over wattage bulbs gives more light.
Fact: To a point this is true. However, useable light output is a combination of bulb output, headlight reflector and lens. If you have a poorly designed lens, putting a high output bulb will create more glare than useable output.
Fact: Most factory headlight wiring harnesses are not designed to handle high output bulbs safely and provide full voltage. They really don’t handle stock bulbs all that well.
Fact: Over wattage bulbs are illegal
Fact: Over wattage bulbs tend to have a very short lifespan
Fact: In some cases, over wattage bulbs can melt your headlight lens and socket.

Misconception # 2 - My factory wiring harness can safely run over wattage bulbs because the factory fuse will handle the load.
Fact: The factory wires are very thin. I have seen 18-20 Ga wire feeding headlights. Putting a higher load through thin wire causes resistance. Resistance causes heat (dangerous), more resistance and voltage drop. Lower voltage reduces the light output of any bulb. At cruising RPM’s, my Vulcan 900 puts out 11.2 volts at the high beam. Most vehicle charging systems put out 13.2 – 13.4 volts. The net effect on light output (lumens) drop exponentially with the drop in voltage. Here are some numbers;
10.5V : 510 lumens
11.0V : 597 lumens
11.5V : 695 lumens
12.0V : 803 lumens
12.5V : 923 lumens
12.8V : 1000 lumens
13.0V : 1054 lumens
In my case, 30% - 40% of my bulbs output has been “lost” because of thin wire.


Misconception #3 - Blue bulbs give better light.
Fact: There are thousands of pages of documents having to do with light output and color. It is true that higher temperature bulbs (4300 K HID systems) produce a bluish color.
A number of companies such as PIAA, Osram and Philips and others sell “blue” bulbs. They get the blue color by coating the bulbs, not by temperature. It is the 4300 K temperature of an HID system that produces the bright like. Not the blue color. I have read a number of independent lab reports testing “blue” bulbs. They all come back with the same result, junk. They all actually produce less useable light than good quality standard bulbs.

Misconception #4 – Retrofitting to HID is a great option.
Fact: Retrofitting to a HID system is illegal.
Fact: The beam output of a HID system is completely different than a conventional bulb. So the headlamp lens on your vehicle was not designed to properly focus the light in a proper, legal pattern. The lens of your headlight is similar to eyeglasses. Imagine wearing glasses designed for someone else’s eyes.

To produce the highest legal output on my bike, I am doing a couple of things. I am adding a light bar and upgrading the bulbs to 35W. I have also built a prototype wiring harness for my light bar and headlight. This kit has marine grade 16Ga wire, Bosch (now Tyco) relays and separate fused circuits for the light bar, low beam and high beam. I am also reviewing a number of high quality legal bulbs available by my supplier.

I hope this information is helpful.

[Trashman900C]

^^So what do you think of these kits?
XenonLink.com HID Conversion Kit.

[LT_Rider]

Originally Posted by REFUGIO

Go with a BP1210 Wagner Bulb.
You can get them from NAPA.
It's 80w on low beam and 100w on high beam.
I've had one in for over a year now....no problem.
It is very bright compared to the stock bulb.

This was the change I made and there was (to me) a noticeable difference. I too changed my taillight to a 2357LL. At $2.99 for a 2 pack it seemed worth it to get the extra couple of watts of light on my brake light.

In addition I have the Signalminder Turn signal cancelling unit installed which converts my rear directionals to always on running lights. Any extra visibility is a plus in my book. As an added bonus the signalminder has 4-way flasher functionality and parade mode (alternating left-right directionals) built in.

Works for me,
Mark

[Trashman900C]

Originally Posted by LT_Rider

As an added bonus the signalminder has 4-way flasher functionality and parade mode (alternating left-right directionals) built in.

Works for me,
Mark

Thats good stuff.......
what part of LI are you located?

[LT_Rider]

Shirley/East Yaphank depends on who you ask (It's a long story). How 'bout you Trashman?

[Trashman900C]

Thats a long ways from me......
Im in Valley Stream.....

[bluestringer]

The Wagner 80/100 H4 is much brighter than the stock. It is legal. I had one in my 800 for 2 years without a problem with the harness, lens or socket.