Interstate headlight upgrade questions

[kodiakfisher]

I just want to upgrade my bulbs with something brighter and I am only interested in plug and play.

It is very important these bulbs work with modulators. My headlight modulator has saved me at least twice as I drive in Portland, OR traffic occasionally. The upside is occasionally people pull over and let me pass thinking I am an emergency vehicle, some of the looks are priceless.

Anyways I have done a few searches and can't seem to combine the info for Interstate bulb and modulator friendly. I will choose simple with less light over modification with the best light. I drove down I-84 in September getting blasted with rain at night and did pretty well with the stock bulbs but would have felt a bit better with more light. I also have fog lights now...didn't have them previously.

Thanks for any help.

Doug E on the Valky

[The emperor has no clothes]

The stock bulbs are 45/45 watts. I've been using the H4 60/55 watt bulbs. You will have to break off one of the tabs though, but it works just fine. Some guys even go up to the off road 100/90 bulbs.

[Willow]

Look into the Smart Switch from BonS.  They're supposed to give you 35 - 40% increase.

SmartSwitch and DigiSync link

[Jess from VA]

Plug and play.

https://www.amazon.com/HELLA-H4-100-80W-Halogen/dp/B000COBLKW

[gordonv]

I just bought these today from amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Porsche-Bulb-Halogen-Headlight-HELLA/dp/B009GJ74VY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1482980115&sr=8-3&keywords=Porsche+968+Bulb+55%2F60w

Was Hella for $8.50 for a pair and free shipping. Will not know until riding season again, and I have the bike on the road.

I wanted better light, but didn't want to go for those 100/80W bulbs. Going from 80W total, to about 40% more at 115W. I also have a modulator in my NTM bike, but haven't figured if it's working or how to turn it on. Will know more after I open the fairing.

The Smart Switch is another option, if I want more power after trying the higher wattage bulbs. I don't do much night ridding, just want some more to be seen.

[Valkorado]

Went back to halogens on my IS after trying some LED bulbs that were burning too hot and spider webbing the reflector.  

These:

https://www.powerbulbs.com/us/product/philips-xtreme-vision-130-h4-twin



are an awesome bulb, I think the brightness and color are far superior to Silverstars. Read the reviews. You can find them on eBay for slightly less.

[gordonv]

I looked up the link.

60/55W, 3700K brightness, but was up to 450 hrs life. On a bike that is always on, these may not last as long as you would like. But they seem very nice.

I like that they are the same Watt as I just bought. But they where 3X the price.

[kodiakfisher]

Thanks for info on LED's spider webbing the reflector I will stay away from those. 450 hours does not seem like very long life. I know I will put about 100 hrs on the bike in June alone.

Still thinking...

Went back to halogens on my IS after trying some LED bulbs that were burning too hot and spider webbing the reflector.  

These:

https://www.powerbulbs.com/us/product/philips-xtreme-vision-130-h4-twin



are an awesome bulb, I think the brightness and color are far superior to Silverstars. Read the reviews. You can find them on eBay for slightly less.

[davit]

Went back to halogens on my IS after trying some LED bulbs that were burning too hot and spider webbing the reflector.  

These:

https://www.powerbulbs.com/us/product/philips-xtreme-vision-130-h4-twin



are an awesome bulb, I think the brightness and color are far superior to Silverstars. Read the reviews. You can find them on eBay for slightly less.

I'm very happy with these and I do a fair amount of riding at night.  Much better light than the 100/80 Hellas.