Need new headlight bulb udates?

[diamond_jim]

Several riders have changed out their stock cruiser headlight bulb for a better aftermarket bulb. I'm looking at doing the same thing. I've searched and saw a lot of people talking about the SilverStar line of bulbs.

Who's ever changed out their headlight bulb, could you tell me:

1. What brand and model headlight bulb did you use?
2. Did you buy a single bub or did you have to buy a two-pack?
2. How much of a difference did it make?
3. Any problems with it?
4. Are you using a headlight modulator?
3. Where did you get it and how much?

[DrBob]

Switched to a Sylvania SilverStar bulb couple years ago on my Suzuki, and last year on my Harley. They were about $12 each in single packs, I forget where I got them- local mottorcycle shop or auto parts store. BIG difference, maybe 1/3 more visability. No headlight modulator.

[cycloptic1dr]

on my old bike i found/bought an off road bub. 80w low/100w high big diff but had to run a relay to keep from frying the harness. this bike i think i am gonna stay away from that bulb i also went with a silverstar. love it at night and still very eye catching in the day. no headlight modulator

[diamond_jim]

Which SilveStar models did you all use?

[NCxM50]

1. What brand and model headlight bulb did you use?
Sylvania Silverstar Ultra H4 MotorCycle bulb

2. Did you buy a single bub or did you have to buy a two-pack?
The motorcycle specified packing comes in single packs. I bought one, and keep the stocker in the toolbox compartment as a just-in-case

2. How much of a difference did it make?
Holy wow. I run the Sylvania Silverstar bulbs in my car, my wifes car, and now the bike. I'll never buy anything else until I buy a vehicle that comes with HID stock (i'm not paying 200-300 bucks just for the kit that lets me run more expensive bulbs.

3. Any problems with it?
Never.

4. Are you using a headlight modulator?
Nah.

3. Where did you get it and how much?
I bought it at Auto-Zone as an impulse buy when I was picking up oil drain pan liners. Paid 18 bucks, probably could have picked it up at Wal-Mart for 15, but I live 30 minutes from civilization, I prefer to make my trips to town one stop shopping.

[diamond_jim]

Originally Posted by NCxM50

1. What brand and model headlight bulb did you use?
Sylvania Silverstar Ultra H4 MotorCycle bulb

2. Did you buy a single bub or did you have to buy a two-pack?
The motorcycle specified packing comes in single packs. I bought one, and keep the stocker in the toolbox compartment as a just-in-case

2. How much of a difference did it make?
Holy wow. I run the Sylvania Silverstar bulbs in my car, my wifes car, and now the bike. I'll never buy anything else until I buy a vehicle that comes with HID stock (i'm not paying 200-300 bucks just for the kit that lets me run more expensive bulbs.

3. Any problems with it?
Never.

4. Are you using a headlight modulator?
Nah.

3. Where did you get it and how much?
I bought it at Auto-Zone as an impulse buy when I was picking up oil drain pan liners. Paid 18 bucks, probably could have picked it up at Wal-Mart for 15, but I live 30 minutes from civilization, I prefer to make my trips to town one stop shopping.

Awesome. Thanks for the info guys.

[05HDRAM]

I am running some Xenon bulb, and I don't think it is very bright. I am looking to try the Sylvania pretty soon. I did add an aux light which made a huge difference.

I do run a headlight modulator, and have not had any problems with any bulbs. I like it when I am riding by myself, but my friends find it annoying when we ride in a group. A little piece of tape over the sensor is an easy way to run your highbeam without modulating.

[christopher1013]

What type of headlight modulator did you buy and how $ was it? Hard to install?

Thanks,
Christopher1013

[05HDRAM]

Originally Posted by christopher1013

What type of headlight modulator did you buy and how $ was it? Hard to install?

Thanks,
Christopher1013

The previous owner installed it, looks like this one:
Headlight Modulator and Solid-state "Relay" kit.

This one does not look too bad, and has a switch to turn it off:
Motorcycle Headlight Modulator - Diamond Star by Signal Dynamics

The intallation is not very difficult. You have a sensor to run, a hot wire to the battery, then splice into the headlight.

[diamond_jim]

Thanks for the info guys. I'll be going to Autozone or Advance Auto and picking up a new bulb today.

[wildwolf]

Originally Posted by DrBob

Switched to a Sylvania SilverStar bulb couple years ago on my Suzuki, and last year on my Harley. They were about $12 each in single packs, I forget where I got them- local mottorcycle shop or auto parts store. BIG difference, maybe 1/3 more visability. No headlight modulator.

Same, but just on the suzukis (no harley) and got mine at walmart.

[diamond_jim]

I was at Autozone yesterday for other stuff and I remembered to look at light bulbs. I remember NCxM50 wrote that he used a "H4". I saw some H4 bulbs and almost got one but I wanted to check this thread again one more time to make sure I'm getting the right one. I'll probably go tonight and get it.

[NCxM50]

yep, it's the H4 bulb.

Once you replace the bulb, heres a suggestion. Keep the shaped hard plastic packing it comes in, and cut it down to a rectangle around the bulb insert (or if you buy the single pack, just cut the top tab off). Put your OEM bulb into the plastic. Wrap this in one full sheet paper towel for padding, and put it in a ziploc sandwich bag for water protection. the tapered shape is a perfect fit into the left portion of the toolbox compartment on the side of the M. Now you've got a spare bulb. If your headlight dies at night, you can pull over and replace it in minutes (especially if you also stuck a AA Maglite in that compartment like I did). If it dies during the day and you get pulled over (it's required here in NC to run the headlight at all times) you can change it on the spot, and very likely avoid a ticket at all.

[diamond_jim]

That's a snazzy idea, NCx. Good thinkin'!

[geoffsimpson]

Originally Posted by diamond_jim

That's a snazzy idea, NCx. Good thinkin'!

snazzy?

[jmckell]

Are the replacement bulbs everyone is buying have both low and high beams?

[05HDRAM]

Originally Posted by jmckell

Are the replacement bulbs everyone is buying have both low and high beams?

Yes they do.

[jmckell]

Thanks

I will purchasing one today.

[CheapBike]

I use an h4 I got off of ebay, came in a two pack and yes, it's bright.

I don't drive at night enough to really appreciate it but at least it's a bit brighter in the daytime for visibility purposes, can't see how you could go wrong.

The guy selling em on ebay sold them in two packs but they're supposed to last forever.

[1badbaker]

I got a kuryakyn H4 on cruisercustomizing when I was picking up a couple other things.
It was $9 on sale
No modulator
Yes it's brighter, no problems so far

FWIW, my dad used to run silverstars on all his vehicles (he's all HID now, including the Goldwing), I've ran them in two trucks, never had problems, they're great lights.