Sylvania Silvertip

[Tundra]

For those of you using the Sylvania Silvertip in a Standard or Tourer.
  What kind of life are you getting out of these bulbs?  I just replaced my second Silvertip in one year!!! Never had to replace my stock bulbs, just wanted to try something new and brighter. I think I'm going back to a stock H-4 type from the local auto parts store.
  PS...I always run with my high-beam on and can only ride during daylight ours, due to my eyes. The high beam is what went both times.  The cost of one of these probably exceeds what I've spent on bulbs my whole life.  Any thoughts ???

[RP#62]

I'm still on my original one, installed in '04 (approx 40,000 miles).  I seldom if ever use high beam.
-RP

[PAVALKER]

I'm running 2 on my Interstate and one on my VTX... and have for years.  However, I don't run on high  beam unless I need it at night.  The Silverstar is much brighter than the standard bulb so I don't hardly put it on high beam, and it very well could be the high beam element life is not meant for that kind of use.  OR.... and there has been issue with this, when installing DO NOT touch the bulb with your bare hands... the oils from your hands have been known to cause overheat and burn out.  Make sure you wear a rubber glove or have it wrapped in a paper towel when installing.

[mellowyellow#7933]

Same problem, on my 3rd or 4th one running on high beam. Get about 10,000 kms or 3/4 of the season & high beam goes. I will try the Sylverstar Ultra next time, supposed to be brighter & longer lasting.
Much brighter than stock & worth it if you are forced to travel at night for some reason, otherwise run it on low beam & adjust h/l bucket up a bit if you are looking for more daytime conspicuity.

[DFragn]

I believe those are halogens. If your bare handling them skin oils on the bulbs cause them to run much hotter and decrease life expectancy.

If you don't use fresh rubber gloves to install them you must clean the bulbs with rubbing alcohol before firing them up.

No bare hands or fingers...Maybe that's the reason for short life.

[John U.]

There doesn't seem to be a magic answer to the high output vs. long life problem. Here's a discusion in greater detail: http://store.candlepower.com/osnibr.html

Ive been using these heavy duty bulbs in my I/S, they throw more light than stock and last. You might want to run a higher output bulb in a Standard or Tourer though they won't last nearly as long.
http://store.candlepower.com/rose12v60h4h.html
No affiliation, etc.

[fudgie]

4 yrs and 30k+ so far. I really dont like it for driving at night. It is bright during the daylight. I saw a new one out that has a wider light pattern. I might try it.

[doubletee]

Yep, same problem here. I run high beam during daylight, too. These bulbs usually last about 1 -1.5 years for me. I'm also very careful about not touching the bulb with bare hands during installation.

[Bob E.]

4 yrs and 30k+ so far. I really dont like it for driving at night. It is bright during the daylight. I saw a new one out that has a wider light pattern. I might try it.

Why do you not like it at night??

[Ricky-D]

So I guess the reason for those who run high beams during the daytime is a safety issue.

I can't see where there is any measurable difference in oncoming motorcycle high beam compared to low beams.   I think the real test would be how many drivers flick their high beams back at you because you're blinding them with your high beam.

If you are of a mind to capture more attention regarding your oncoming approach by the vehicles in front of you what you really should consider is a headlight modulator.

Now these modulators are the read deal and you definitely will be noticed when you employ them. You don't need to run them all the time but it doesn't hurt because they automatically stop modulating when darkness falls.

I have modulators installed in my Interstate and I use them where I feel the need to grab a little more attention from that person who I feel is not seeing me too well. It sure has stopped a few people from pulling out in front of me, and at times it has gotten people to move out from the hammer lane in order to let me pass.  Some on this forum would tsk tsk at that note!

Finally, as a note, I must say that if you think that running with the high beam during daytime is helpful you must necessarily know that the headlight of you motorcycle is aimed to avoid shining the high beam at oncoming traffic so what is gained. Maybe 20 watts of additional brightness. You ought to get one of those bicycle lights that attach to the handlebars for as much good it would do and it also wouldn't hurt to stop shining your brights into the mirrors of your buddies in front of you!

***

[fudgie]

4 yrs and 30k+ so far. I really dont like it for driving at night. It is bright during the daylight. I saw a new one out that has a wider light pattern. I might try it.

Why do you not like it at night??

It seems like a flood light to me. Light all around and not to far down the road. The brights do well out the sides but not to far infront. I definitly noticed a different from the oem. But maybe I drive beyond the head lights.  ???

[fudgie]

So I guess the reason for those who run high beams during the daytime is a safety issue.

I can't see where there is any measurable difference in oncoming motorcycle high beam compared to low beams.   I think the real test would be how many drivers flick their high beams back at you because you're blinding them with your high beam.

If you are of a mind to capture more attention regarding your oncoming approach by the vehicles in front of you what you really should consider is a headlight modulator.

Now these modulators are the read deal and you definitely will be noticed when you employ them. You don't need to run them all the time but it doesn't hurt because they automatically stop modulating when darkness falls.

I have modulators installed in my Interstate and I use them where I feel the need to grab a little more attention from that person who I feel is not seeing me too well. It sure has stopped a few people from pulling out in front of me, and at times it has gotten people to move out from the hammer lane in order to let me pass.  Some on this forum would tsk tsk at that note!

Finally, as a note, I must say that if you think that running with the high beam during daytime is helpful you must necessarily know that the headlight of you motorcycle is aimed to avoid shining the high beam at oncoming traffic so what is gained. Maybe 20 watts of additional brightness. You ought to get one of those bicycle lights that attach to the handlebars for as much good it would do and it also wouldn't hurt to stop shining your brights into the mirrors of your buddies in front of you!

***

I use my highs only when the sun is behind me. Cars will pull out in front of you no matter what you have going. People pull out in from of our ambulances all the time. If they cant see strobes, flashing head lights, flashing red & white LED's, and a big white Ford coming, it wont matter if your bike brights are on or not. 

[R J]

Ricky-D, I'm like fudgie.    Hi beam all the time & also when the sun is at my back.

If you put 2 bikes behind you, put 1 on low beam and the other on hi beam, there is one hell of a difference.   Low beam looks like a pee hole in the snow.  Ain't much of an attention getter.

BigBF (AZ) talked me into this bulb when I popped mine in Prescott on the get it on deal.

Believe that was in 03, still in there and 99.9% of the time it is on high beam.  Haven't been signaled to dim them yet either.   I should also say I have 2 50 watt Cobra lights set at about a foot below the high been at 50 feet, I think it is.   An old vehcile inspector told us to do that with our Trooper bikes.   I called the old boy in California & he told me the distance & my son set these in 97 and memory has blown out the window as of now.........   I just called the son and he doesn't remember either.....

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

So I guess the reason for those who run high beams during the daytime is a safety issue.

I can't see where there is any measurable difference in oncoming motorcycle high beam compared to low beams.   I think the real test would be how many drivers flick their high beams back at you because you're blinding them with your high beam.

If you are of a mind to capture more attention regarding your oncoming approach by the vehicles in front of you what you really should consider is a headlight modulator.

Now these modulators are the read deal and you definitely will be noticed when you employ them. You don't need to run them all the time but it doesn't hurt because they automatically stop modulating when darkness falls.

I have modulators installed in my Interstate and I use them where I feel the need to grab a little more attention from that person who I feel is not seeing me too well. It sure has stopped a few people from pulling out in front of me, and at times it has gotten people to move out from the hammer lane in order to let me pass.  Some on this forum would tsk tsk at that note!

Finally, as a note, I must say that if you think that running with the high beam during daytime is helpful you must necessarily know that the headlight of you motorcycle is aimed to avoid shining the high beam at oncoming traffic so what is gained. Maybe 20 watts of additional brightness. You ought to get one of those bicycle lights that attach to the handlebars for as much good it would do and it also wouldn't hurt to stop shining your brights into the mirrors of your buddies in front of you!

***

I drive for a living and have done so much of my working life. Its very common to flash the lights to let someone out of a side road , let a truck know he has cleared you etc. I saying this because you posted  "  I feel the need to grab a little more attention from that person who I feel is not seeing me too well " ....If you are turning on the headlight modulator when you feel the need the other driver " might " think you are giving the signal to " bring it " .

[PAVALKER]

So I guess the reason for those who run high beams during the daytime is a safety issue.

I can't see where there is any measurable difference in oncoming motorcycle high beam compared to low beams.   I think the real test would be how many drivers flick their high beams back at you because you're blinding them with your high beam.

If you are of a mind to capture more attention regarding your oncoming approach by the vehicles in front of you what you really should consider is a headlight modulator.

Now these modulators are the read deal and you definitely will be noticed when you employ them. You don't need to run them all the time but it doesn't hurt because they automatically stop modulating when darkness falls.

I have modulators installed in my Interstate and I use them where I feel the need to grab a little more attention from that person who I feel is not seeing me too well. It sure has stopped a few people from pulling out in front of me, and at times it has gotten people to move out from the hammer lane in order to let me pass.  Some on this forum would tsk tsk at that note!

Finally, as a note, I must say that if you think that running with the high beam during daytime is helpful you must necessarily know that the headlight of you motorcycle is aimed to avoid shining the high beam at oncoming traffic so what is gained. Maybe 20 watts of additional brightness. You ought to get one of those bicycle lights that attach to the handlebars for as much good it would do and it also wouldn't hurt to stop shining your brights into the mirrors of your buddies in front of you!

***

I drive for a living and have done so much of my working life. Its very common to flash the lights to let someone out of a side road , let a truck know he has cleared you etc. I saying this because you posted  "  I feel the need to grab a little more attention from that person who I feel is not seeing me too well " ....If you are turning on the headlight modulator when you feel the need the other driver " might " think you are giving the signal to " bring it " .

I agree with Joe..... and another reason I do not care for the modulator.  In my opinion, if you want max lighting visibility, have your headlight on (high or not) and mount a set of bright lights low, to give your bike the light triangle.  I have a set mounted under my lower engine guard (scoops) and have had many others tell me that I am extremely visible, even when coming up behind them.


Oh and I am not sure that the Ultras are much brighter, if any, to the Silverstar.  A friend claims he has an Ultra installed in his VTX and during a light comparison with my VTX using a Silverstar, mine appears to be much brighter than his.... not sure why.

[DFragn]

I agree with the others.
A modulator has the potential to create problems.

And no one can convince me a daytime high bean in bright sunlight is as inconspicuous as a low beam. Your funeral procession will have their high beams on for visibility.

Take a look at an approaching group of bikes from a distance. It's easy to spot the riders with their high beams on.