Alternative Headlight bulbs

[scootdrums]

I know that some of you out there use bulbs other than stock for the headlights. I would like to see if anyone has opinions on after market bulb types or brands. Right now I have the stock bulbs and am not completely satisfied...especially with the low beams.

Any input is appreciated

-scoot

[02VFR]

I have a 02 VFR and I am looking to replace my low beams (H4's) with the Sylvania Silver Star:

http://www.sylvania.com/auto/silverstar.htm

I have them as high beams in my truck and they are much brighter than my stock ones were.

[Joe]

I stumbled onto this site because I am looking at a used vf. I have a 81 Yamaha xs 400 and I just replaced the stock round 6 1/8th inch sealed beam with a halogen. I had to find it online from a wholesaler and then got a dealer to order it for me. its a candlepower brand. Cost 51 bucks and I am a bit dissappointed. I dont see that much difference. Do not use a automobile halogen. apparently they are different and are not approved for bike use though they cost a lot less. Good luck.

02VFR,

Thanks for the insight. I neglected to mention that my viffer is an '01. Do the H4 model silverstart fit? Just wondering if you knew.
Maybe I should just take my butt to the autoparts store!

-scoot

My 2000 will not accept standard h4 bulbs. Honda is just out to make a buck on this one. The OEM honda bulbs are exactly the same as standard H4s, but they have moved the 'tabs' a bit on the mounting ring. Sporttouringusa.com can sell you adapter rings to allow your VFR to take ANY h4 bulb. I have one bulb OEM and one adapted and I challenge anyone to tell the differance.

-Richard

???

yeah richard is right on this one. OEM is @ 30 dollars higher than aftermarket h4 bulbs. I will go to that website to pick up adapter to use h4 bulbs thanks

[Tourmeister]

Howdy,

Save your money. You don't need the adapter. Just bend the two lower tabs back about 85 degrees and push the bulbs into the socket. The tabs will act like spring loaded guides and hold the bulb in place to it won't bounce around. Then put the little clip over the back of the bulb and you are good to go. I've been doing this on both of our VFRs for a combined 95K miles with no problems at all.

Adios,

[atxvfr]

Has anyone had any experiences with PIAA H4 bulbs?

http://www.piaa.com/Bulbs/Bulbs-H4.html

Any other recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

[Webbfire2004]

Like with anything else folks, you get what you pay for. I installed PIAA H4s and H7s in my 02 VFR800 and the difference was like night and day... and it should be for just over $100.00( set of two ). I was so impressed I forked out another $100.00 for low beams in my 2004 Civic Si.

[ZimZima]

Do the '99VFRs use H4's too? I'm considering changing the low beams to PIAA plasma GT-X. Is it just a matter of switching the bulbs out or do I have to upgrade the wire harness to a higher performance one. I heard stories of the bulbs melting the sockets or wires since they r higher wattage and run hotter. Also whatz the procedure to change these bulbs? Do I have to reach in and pull the bulbs out or do I actually take the headlight assembly apart? Help...!!! *???

[bear]

Originally Posted by ZimZima

Do the '99VFRs use H4's too? I'm considering changing the low beams to PIAA plasma GT-X. Is it just a matter of switching the bulbs out or do I have to upgrade the wire harness to a higher performance one. I heard stories of the bulbs melting the sockets or wires since they r higher wattage and run hotter. Also whatz the procedure to change these bulbs? Do I have to reach in and pull the bulbs out or do I actually take the headlight assembly apart? Help...!!! *???

98-01 are the same headlight bulb. H4 will fit if you bend the tabs back on the lower two legs. You can do this with the fairing in place, a bit of a bitch to get the plug off if you go not squeeze the connector at it's widest point.
We cannot get the Silverstar H4 in Canada, so I got some OSRAM H4 Silverstars from the UK. Cannot remember who I got them from, but it free shipping, and the difference in brightness is immense. They do not overheat the harness/plug either. Wattage is 60/55.

[Webbfire2004]

Assuming you have not yet replaced your bulbs, you go in from behind, pull off the rubber boot then pull back on the connector. Remember to not touch the glass of the bulb as any type of oil or grease can cause the glass to overheat and blow. The PIAA bulbs don't rub higher wattage they use an expensive gas to give off a brighter light so don't worry about electrical issues, they are street legal. They also have many different types that give off varying shades of colours. My H4 low beams have a slightly blue quality and the H7 high beams have a slightly purple quality. They are expensive but I'm very happy with the extra light they provide.

[destrux]

I give the thumbs up to the sylvania silverstars... I put one in my 86' and it was much brighter than the stock bulb, and it dropped right in (H4). I also use them in my cars. Watch out for some of the PIAA bulbs with the ultra high wattage (130/110w), they can melt your headlight socket and/or wiring harness. I shouldnt say can... they WILL melt them. The PIAA 60/55w bulbs are great though, but pricey. They are about the same as the silverstars as far as brightness. I paid $20 at the local auto parts store for the silverstar for my bike... it said on the package "for motorcycle use only".

Also, notice that some of the PIAA bulbs are actually 60/55w but say on the package that they put out the same light as a 110/100w light..... those bulbs are safe. PIAA also makes true high wattage 130/110w bulbs though... those are the firestarters. Upgrading the harness isnt very hard, but the lights still might get hot enough to damage the headlight housing if you sit still with the headlight on for a while. I melted my housing on my quad with a 100w H3 bulb cause I left it parked for an hour with the light on. The housing was stamped with a 60w rating. Expensive mistake.

Anybody tried one of those HID conversion kits yet? I was looking at one of those... they look neat and are only about $120.

[WhiteKnight]

I replaced the stock bulbs with Syvania Silverstar H4's. I have used silverstars in my current car and in previous vehicles. I have to say I can tell a big difference. They light up the road ahead so much better than stock. While they are a bit pricier than a "standard" H4, I feel thay are every bit worth the extra cost.

Vinny

[falcon186]

I replace my with EUROLITE Xenon FUSION bulbs both H7 and H4 nice and bright compared to stock.

[dburak]

I replaced my bulbs in my 05 VFR800 with the PIAA GTX and Super Brights. As per the other discussions on the board, they end up with a slightly purplish tint on the low beams, and a bluish tint on the high beams.

You DO NOT need to bend out the tabs on the lights to fit on the wiring harness. Simply stick a small screw driver on the adapter on the oem bulbs and pry off gently. This little adapter will plug directly into your new bulbs, and into the wiring harnes with out bending tabs.

The PIAA lights alough very expensive offer fantastic lighting at night!

[NYMBYSS]

tricktape sell h4 and h7 bulbs for about 15 bucks for two for 100w bulbs they also sell piaa as well they are quick getting the stuff to you as well.

[puffmanxx]

I just bought a 94 and I need to replace both bulbs since the highbeams are cooked. The honda dealer wants $25 a bulb for the standard 12V 45/45W ones. I found some 60/55W H4's at my local autoparts store. Will 10-15 (times 2 of course) watts be detrimental to my electrical system and/or cause things to melt? If I can replace with the aftermarket Sylvanias and save $25 I would be a happy camper.

[NYMBYSS]

i have put 130w bulbs with no problems ,they have xenon bulbs now that cut down heat .

[puffmanxx]

Well, I did some experimenting with some Sylvania 9003 bulbs. Rated at 60/55W. Stock bulbs on low beam had 6.25A current draw. I wasn't able to test on high beam unfortunately since that is the reason I'm in this predicament in the first place. With the Sylvania's on low beam it had a 7.95A current draw and 9.19A on high. I'm guessing that since it increases 1.7A on low and ~3A on high (as compared to low) it should probably be ok since it won't exceed the 20A fuse. I'm just now curious if anyone has seen an increase in voltage regulator or other electrical failures due to a max of 3A current draw increase. Or, just tell me to shut up and quit worrying...

[NYMBYSS]

ok, shut up and quit worring,remember you asked for it,lol