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Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? Anything to do with the bikes equipment, saddlebags, etc. Questions on repairs and maintenance of the bike itself belong in the Brand Specific Tech Forums.
Photo by Ellen Delis, Lagunas Ojos del Campo, Antofalla, Catamarca

I haven't been everywhere...
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Photo by Ellen Delis,
Lagunas Ojos del Campo,
Antofalla, Catamarca



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  #1  
Old 10 Aug 2007
JULESKLE500's Avatar
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Headlight H4 improved bulbs
Hi everyone,
I want to replace the headlight bulb and install a more effective one. The usual H4 is almost like a candle and I have heard about Philips Motovision or Premium (motorcycle specific bulbs) or Nightguide and VisionPlus (car bulbs).
Have any of you tried any of these bulbs? Is it noticeable the upgrading of light?
I also know about Phillips Rally 100W, but they are not legal, and they end burning the headlight itself, darkening it, and because of that I have rejected the idea of trying one of those.

I will appreciate any advice about this issue.

see Philips bulbs here
Motorcycle and scooter lighting
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Jules
Now Kawa KLE500 dirty-knobby tires, noisy Thunder exhaust.
Waiting for the new 2008 Yamaha XTZ660 Ténéré
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  #2  
Old 10 Aug 2007
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I put Xenon bulbs in any bike as soon as I acquire it (cars too for that matter).
They do give more light than normal or even Halogen bulbs, but have the same standard wattage, so do not overload the wiring causing possible melt or fire to wiring or fitments as can happen by putting in a higher watts bulb.
I have not found a downside to Xenon bulbs.
They cost a little more but beware heavy price mark ups in some stores. They appear on Ebay at practically trade prices.

These are not the 'cosmetic' bulbs that give a very white or blue light that actually does not seem to translate into more light, just less money in the owners pocket!
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  #3  
Old 15 Aug 2007
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An H4 is a dual filament bulb with one filament for low beam and one for high. The original equipment H4 bulbs on most cars and motorcycles are 55 watts low, 60 watts high. The rating is stamped on the base of the bulb.

Higher power H4 bulbs are available at many auto parts stores and motorcycle shops in North America, I would imagine that is the case in Europe too. While Phillips is an excellent brand, I have used plenty of brand X high power bulbs, often made in Hungary or India, with excellent success.

The most common high power H4 is the 80/100 watt and I have used these in many cars and motorcycles with excellent success. On a KLE500, or other mid-sized single cylinder dual sports, I would probably recommend a 55/100 watt, which will be the same as stock on low beam, but give a stronger high beam. With a 55/100 you will not tax your charging system in stop and go riding, but you will have the strong high beam when you are out on the open road. I used a 55/100 H4 on my dual-sported Honda XR650R from the U.S. to Yaviza Panama and back with no problems.
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Old 17 Aug 2007
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Hi Jules,

I've used the Philips X-Treme H4 bulbs, which are the same wattage as the standard bulbs. I've found that they offer a genuine improvement in the penetration (Oh er Matron) and a much clearer pure white light.

The down side is that I average about 500 hours of use per bulb, which consider I ride at least two hours a day then they don't last anywhere near as long as the oriinals.

However as the beam is so much better then I'll continue to use them.
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