View Full Version : Headlamp upgrade - any suggestions?
I'd like to upgrade the head lights on my Suzuki GSXR 750 - any suggestions on what's going to give me a decent improvement, to help see where I'm going at night?
Go for some super brilliance bulbs from Halfords.
I think they're on some kind of 2 for 1 or buy one get one half price deal at the moment.
I changed mine and they're great now. Same wattage, but a lot brighter even on winter nights!
Mitch9128
21-09-12, 07:20 AM
Hid conversion
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_trksid=p3984.m570.l1313&_nkw=gsxr+750+hid& _sacat=0
Geordie Stu
21-09-12, 08:52 AM
I had a GSXR600 & changed the bulb which gave a whiter light worked very well.
www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/
Thanks all :)
I've been looking at PIAA bulbs and wondered if anyone's tried them? http://www.piaa.co.uk/bulbs/bikebulbapplicshow.asp?model=GSX-R750
On one of my bike's I have gone the HID route - but thats a bit specialist and you would have to consider legalities etc. One thing that's worth pointing out is that the normal HID kits off ebay etc supply a standard non-hooded bulb and its these which tend to generate glare. If you go the HID route I would stronglt recommend you first check your reflector type is suitable, the heat won;t be an issue and you use a hooded "R" type bulb. Expensive but really good kits can be bought from HID50.com and they can also supply the hooded bulbs which match the standard halogen bulb in regards to controlling glare.
On my other bike I have stayed with the halogen set up but fitted a headlamp relay so I have optimised the power actually getting to the bulb. Of the bulbs I tried (does not include PIAA's) I have found the Philips Xtreme to be the best. That's in H4 and H7 versions.
On one of my bike's I have gone the HID route - but thats a bit specialist and you would have to consider legalities etc. One thing that's worth pointing out is that the normal HID kits off ebay etc supply a standard non-hooded bulb and its these which tend to generate glare. If you go the HID route I would stronglt recommend you first check your reflector type is suitable, the heat won;t be an issue and you use a hooded "R" type bulb. Expensive but really good kits can be bought from HID50.com and they can also supply the hooded bulbs which match the standard halogen bulb in regards to controlling glare.
On my other bike I have stayed with the halogen set up but fitted a headlamp relay so I have optimised the power actually getting to the bulb. Of the bulbs I tried (does not include PIAA's) I have found the Philips Xtreme to be the best. That's in H4 and H7 versions.
Thanks - yes I've done a bit of reading on HID kits and am not too keen for the reasons you mentioned.
I dont do enough night riding to justify spending a huge amount on a proper HID conversion so am really looking at some decent uprated bulbs.
Ducatista
21-09-12, 12:59 PM
I have the Osram night racer H7 bulb, which is meant to give up to 90% extra light.
It was definitely an improvement although I am still not keen on riding at night.
On one of my bike's I have gone the HID route - but thats a bit specialist and you would have to consider legalities etc. One thing that's worth pointing out is that the normal HID kits off ebay etc supply a standard non-hooded bulb and its these which tend to generate glare. If you go the HID route I would stronglt recommend you first check your reflector type is suitable, the heat won;t be an issue and you use a hooded "R" type bulb. Expensive but really good kits can be bought from HID50.com and they can also supply the hooded bulbs which match the standard halogen bulb in regards to controlling glare.
On my other bike I have stayed with the halogen set up but fitted a headlamp relay so I have optimised the power actually getting to the bulb. Of the bulbs I tried (does not include PIAA's) I have found the Philips Xtreme to be the best. That's in H4 and H7 versions.
Thanks - yes I've done a bit of reading on HID kits and am not too keen for the reasons you mentioned.
I dont do enough night riding to justify spending a huge amount on a proper HID conversion so am really looking at some decent uprated bulbs.
In that case, RIDE mag did a test a while ago and the Philips Xtreme came out as the best in both H4 and H7 versions. I can't remember if they tried the PIAA's or not. My second choice would be Osram Night Breaker bulbs which in my opinion are very close to the Xtreme's in terms of performance but I had two blow and so far no such problems with Philips Xtreme.
On one of my bike's I have gone the HID route - but thats a bit specialist and you would have to consider legalities etc. One thing that's worth pointing out is that the normal HID kits off ebay etc supply a standard non-hooded bulb and its these which tend to generate glare. If you go the HID route I would stronglt recommend you first check your reflector type is suitable, the heat won;t be an issue and you use a hooded "R" type bulb. Expensive but really good kits can be bought from HID50.com and they can also supply the hooded bulbs which match the standard halogen bulb in regards to controlling glare.
On my other bike I have stayed with the halogen set up but fitted a headlamp relay so I have optimised the power actually getting to the bulb. Of the bulbs I tried (does not include PIAA's) I have found the Philips Xtreme to be the best. That's in H4 and H7 versions.
Thanks - yes I've done a bit of reading on HID kits and am not too keen for the reasons you mentioned.
I dont do enough night riding to justify spending a huge amount on a proper HID conversion so am really looking at some decent uprated bulbs.
In that case, RIDE mag did a test a while ago and the Philips Xtreme came out as the best in both H4 and H7 versions. I can't remember if they tried the PIAA's or not. My second choice would be Osram Night Breaker bulbs which in my opinion are very close to the Xtreme's in terms of performance but I had two blow and so far no such problems with Philips Xtreme.
Thank you - just found the test here -
http://www.ride.co.uk/upload/Ride%20Magazine/Product%20test%20pdfs/Headlight%20bulb%20test.pdf
some more reading for tonight :)
I have the Osram night racer H7 bulb, which is meant to give up to 90% extra light.
It was definitely an improvement although I am still not keen on riding at night.
Thank you.
I freely admit I'm not a fan of night riding either - just cant see enough.
Ducatista
21-09-12, 03:44 PM
Snowy has just reminded that my bulb did break.
It was in the garage at the time it was noticed and they only had a normal H7 so I took that.
I have the Philips Xtreme in my Honda. I don't rate it at all, my mate has a halfords bulb in his bike (same as mine) and that it much brighter.
In my Kawasaki it was much brighter.
How about fitting extra LED lights??
Good thread here http://www.wiltshirebikers.co.uk/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1337014318
I have the Philips Xtreme in my Honda. I don't rate it at all, my mate has a halfords bulb in his bike (same as mine) and that it much brighter.
In my Kawasaki it was much brighter.
How about fitting extra LED lights??
Good thread here http://www.wiltshirebikers.co.uk/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1337014318
Don't bother with LED's if you want extra light for night riding - they're worse than useless. OK as daytime marker lights though if that's your thing ;)
Nikki I have a spare H4 Philips Xtreme, yours for £10 if it fits your bike.
Nikki I have a spare H4 Philips Xtreme, yours for £10 if it fits your bike.
Oh that's really kind of you thank you :) but they are both H7's.
No worries :)
On my other bike I have stayed with the halogen set up but fitted a headlamp relay so I have optimised the power actually getting to the bulb. Of the bulbs I tried (does not include PIAA's) I have found the Philips Xtreme to be the best. That's in H4 and H7 versions.
Maybe that's what I need to do to mine? Like I said it was great on the Kawasaki (really white) but it's rubbish on the Honda (yellowish)
alanTDM
22-09-12, 04:38 PM
I have used PIAA Extreme White on a Thundercat i had.The headlight on the Thundercat is pants,so i tried the H4 PIAA EW bright wasnt the word, white reflective sign posts blinded you in fact were to bright really the PIAA EW Power Sport ones are for Motorcycles anti vib.The problem with the Thundercat headlight is it spreads out to much rather than like a spot in the middle but that was due to the plastic lens on the front.They made a difference in brightness but not on beam pattern :-[.Plus they only lasted 6 months.The PIAA H4 EW draw only 55w but output was 110w.
I need to upgrade my headlight bulbs on the TDM but mine are H1 and H3 right pain.Im going to try PIAA Night Tech but can only get them as far as i know in pairs these are normal 55 or 60w bulbs and about £23 on Ebay least if one blows i got a spare and if blows to frequent then ill change to another make.
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