What headlight bulb are you using?

agentbad · January 28th, 2014, 07:29 AM

The stock headlight bulb seems far to weak for night riding. What's a good bulb to improve visibility at night? H4, LED, HID, Night vision goggles?

DaBlue1 · January 28th, 2014, 07:54 AM

I have the Phillips MotoVision Motorcycle Bulb H7 bulbs. Its an excellent stock replacement. You need an H4 bulb. Quite a few members on other forums use them. They also have great reviews in the motorcycle community.

The light beam is white, goes out further and is about 40% brighter than stock. There is a very slight orange glow in the reflector, but you have to be on the right angle to see. It also shows on the ground at the trailing edge of the light beam closer to the bike.

Here is what the Phillips Motovision looks like on high beam during the day shining into a camera lens.

You may be able to find other inexpensive H4 headlight bulbs that are brighter compared to stock but maybe more expensive or lower quality.

Philips is known for making very good lighting products. Some others are listed below.
PHILIPS MotoVision Light Bulb
PHILIPS Xtreme Power H4
Philips Blue Vision
Bikemaster Vision X H4 Bulb
GE Nighthawk H4-55NH/BP
Sylvania SilverStar Headlight Bulb

agentbad · January 28th, 2014, 02:39 PM

Okay +1 for motovision.

choneofakind · January 28th, 2014, 02:50 PM

I used a Sylvania Silverstar for the longest time. Really liked it as far as a stock voltage Halogen went.

Then I did a full bixenon retrofit with a D2S projector and 35W 4300k HID setup. I like that even better because it looks awesome and gives nice even lighting.

agentbad · January 28th, 2014, 02:53 PM

Very cool did that all fit inside the stock light housing?

choneofakind · January 28th, 2014, 02:58 PM

Yepp, barely. But it's in there. You have to get creative with the wiring.

tfkrocks · January 28th, 2014, 03:22 PM

If you want, I'll sell you a set of Sylvania SilverStar H4 bulbs at a nice discount. I had bought them instead of H7 bulbs and only realized it after I had cut off the UPC. Other than missing the UPC, the packaging is still intact.

agentbad · January 28th, 2014, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tfkrocks

If you want, I'll sell you a set of Sylvania SilverStar H4 bulbs at a nice discount. I had bought them instead of H7 bulbs and only realized it after I had cut off the UPC. Other than missing the UPC, the packaging is still intact.

Hell yeah thanks.

n4mwd · February 11th, 2014, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agentbad

The stock headlight bulb seems far to weak for night riding. What's a good bulb to improve visibility at night? H4, LED, HID, Night vision goggles?

If the H4 stock bulb isn't bright enough, go with HID or LED. The high intensity halogen superbright bulbs draw too much current and can also overheat things. Not to mention that they burn out really quick.

kirk595x · February 12th, 2014, 12:07 AM

H4 Hyper White I think..maybe 6K. Cheapy off of Ebay for $6. First one lasted 8k miles and I use Hi 100% of the time.

FvnnyL3tt3r1ng · February 12th, 2014, 05:26 PM

Couldn't find it on their website but cycle gear was/is selling LED headlight for $30. I believe it fits right into a bucket but it's up to the user to install it. It would fit just fine in the stock assembly.

RBN · February 15th, 2014, 02:05 AM

Not wanting to jack your thread, but I've been wondering about these el'cheapo HID systems:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291019662888

That's two 'bikesworth' of lighting for £23 I've heard varying reports about them, I figure if one bulb/ballast lasts a year then i'd be happy. And doesn't require any actual "wiring" just plug and play.

Anyone actually tried them?

choneofakind · February 15th, 2014, 09:58 AM

El Cheapo HIDkit = no bueno

cmbeebe · May 21st, 2014, 08:37 PM

I have been looking at two different types here. One is the h7 here http://www.cyclegear.com/CycleGear/P.../p/34909_41208
The other one is the motovision you guys have been talking about.
http://www.cyclegear.com/CycleGear/P.../p/34200_41212

Is it worth the extra 14$ (two bulbs) for the motovision??

EsrTek · May 22nd, 2014, 04:36 AM

Sylvania SilverStar is what I use on mine...I believe DaBlue was one of the people who asked me what bulb I used during a group ride in Asheville.
Even the guy w the HID (mommaru) mentioned how bright my light looked.

I personally loved that light and went right out and bought 2 more for my new 300

I would suggest going w a brite white model and not anything w/ a blue film...although thats just personal opinion.

cmbeebe · May 22nd, 2014, 08:13 PM

How long have they lasted for you? I keep seeing that they do not last to long?

EsrTek · May 22nd, 2014, 08:44 PM

I had my bike 2yrs, 12k+ miles and they still worked when I sold bike.

January 28th, 2014, 07:29 AM	#1
agentbad ninjette.org sage Name: bob Location: Earf Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Ninja 250, 2006 SV650N Posts: 642	What headlight bulb are you using? The stock headlight bulb seems far to weak for night riding. What's a good bulb to improve visibility at night? H4, LED, HID, Night vision goggles?

January 28th, 2014, 03:22 PM	#7
tfkrocks ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rebecca Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300 w/ ABS, 2014 NC700X, 2008 Ninja 250 (sold), 2002 Ninja 250 (sold) Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jan '18, Sep '13	If you want, I'll sell you a set of Sylvania SilverStar H4 bulbs at a nice discount. I had bought them instead of H7 bulbs and only realized it after I had cut off the UPC. Other than missing the UPC, the packaging is still intact.
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

February 12th, 2014, 12:07 AM	#10
kirk595x ninjette.org guru Name: Robbie Location: Sacramento Join Date: Jan 2013 Motorcycle(s): 03' Ninja 250ex Posts: 333	H4 Hyper White I think..maybe 6K. Cheapy off of Ebay for $6. First one lasted 8k miles and I use Hi 100% of the time. __________________________________________________ Perform Random Acts of Coolness!!ATGATT

February 12th, 2014, 05:26 PM	#11
FvnnyL3tt3r1ng ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Justin Location: Florida Join Date: Aug 2012 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 2001 Posts: A lot.	Couldn't find it on their website but cycle gear was/is selling LED headlight for $30. I believe it fits right into a bucket but it's up to the user to install it. It would fit just fine in the stock assembly. __________________________________________________ Mods: Offset clutch pressure plate

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January 28th, 2014, 07:54 AM	#2
DaBlue1 Long Time Rider Name: Blue Location: Charlotte, NC Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	I have the Phillips MotoVision Motorcycle Bulb H7 bulbs. Its an excellent stock replacement. You need an H4 bulb. Quite a few members on other forums use them. They also have great reviews in the motorcycle community. The light beam is white, goes out further and is about 40% brighter than stock. There is a very slight orange glow in the reflector, but you have to be on the right angle to see. It also shows on the ground at the trailing edge of the light beam closer to the bike. Here is what the Phillips Motovision looks like on high beam during the day shining into a camera lens. You may be able to find other inexpensive H4 headlight bulbs that are brighter compared to stock but maybe more expensive or lower quality. Philips is known for making very good lighting products. Some others are listed below. PHILIPS MotoVision Light Bulb PHILIPS Xtreme Power H4 Philips Blue Vision Bikemaster Vision X H4 Bulb GE Nighthawk H4-55NH/BP Sylvania SilverStar Headlight Bulb

January 28th, 2014, 02:39 PM	#3
agentbad ninjette.org sage Name: bob Location: Earf Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Ninja 250, 2006 SV650N Posts: 642	Okay +1 for motovision.

January 28th, 2014, 02:50 PM	#4
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	I used a Sylvania Silverstar for the longest time. Really liked it as far as a stock voltage Halogen went. Then I did a full bixenon retrofit with a D2S projector and 35W 4300k HID setup. I like that even better because it looks awesome and gives nice even lighting.

January 28th, 2014, 02:53 PM	#5
agentbad ninjette.org sage Name: bob Location: Earf Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Ninja 250, 2006 SV650N Posts: 642	Very cool did that all fit inside the stock light housing?

January 28th, 2014, 02:58 PM	#6
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	Yepp, barely. But it's in there. You have to get creative with the wiring.

February 15th, 2014, 02:05 AM	#12
RBN ninjette.org member Name: Nate Location: UK Join Date: Feb 2013 Motorcycle(s): Frankenstein Posts: 49	Not wanting to jack your thread, but I've been wondering about these el'cheapo HID systems: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291019662888 That's two 'bikesworth' of lighting for £23 I've heard varying reports about them, I figure if one bulb/ballast lasts a year then i'd be happy. And doesn't require any actual "wiring" just plug and play. Anyone actually tried them?

February 15th, 2014, 09:58 AM	#13
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	El Cheapo HIDkit = no bueno

May 21st, 2014, 08:37 PM	#14
cmbeebe ninjette.org member Name: Chad Location: Provo, UT Join Date: Apr 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250r Posts: 12	I have been looking at two different types here. One is the h7 here http://www.cyclegear.com/CycleGear/P.../p/34909_41208 The other one is the motovision you guys have been talking about. http://www.cyclegear.com/CycleGear/P.../p/34200_41212 Is it worth the extra 14$ (two bulbs) for the motovision??

May 22nd, 2014, 04:36 AM	#15
EsrTek ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Eric Location: Murfreesboro, TN Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): '13 300 Posts: A lot.	Sylvania SilverStar is what I use on mine...I believe DaBlue was one of the people who asked me what bulb I used during a group ride in Asheville. Even the guy w the HID (mommaru) mentioned how bright my light looked. I personally loved that light and went right out and bought 2 more for my new 300 I would suggest going w a brite white model and not anything w/ a blue film...although thats just personal opinion.

May 22nd, 2014, 08:13 PM	#16
cmbeebe ninjette.org member Name: Chad Location: Provo, UT Join Date: Apr 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250r Posts: 12	How long have they lasted for you? I keep seeing that they do not last to long?

May 22nd, 2014, 08:44 PM	#17
EsrTek ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Eric Location: Murfreesboro, TN Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): '13 300 Posts: A lot.	I had my bike 2yrs, 12k+ miles and they still worked when I sold bike.