Hey where do you get those brighter European

[HotRod]

  head light bulbs? Anybody got a part # ?

[fordmano]

How bright and how much do you want to spend???

I was running PIAA brand and they were awesome but I am upgrading to HID with all my other projects. The PIAA can be found for about $60 a pair, but others like to run the higher wattage bulbs I did not want to have to deal with upgrading my wiring that is why I am trying the HID set they cam be had from EBay for around $80 for the set and supplied wiring.

[JC]

I found the 80/100W 'off road' bulbs at NAPA. Makes a big difference, and so far no LEO  has complained!

[Ricky-D]

YELL OUT!

***

[Kaiser]

When going brighter, a lot of us opted for Sylvania SilverStars.  I don't if that's what you want, but searching "Slyvania" should give you enough to read.  There's even pics on here of one I/S stock bulb and one SilverStar installed side-by-side.

(on edit) - FOUND IT!  Scroll down to see pics:

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,14567.0.html

Hope this helps.

[sugerbear]

+1 on the silverstar, huge difference upgraded to the 65/65 i think it was. 2k I/S

[Earl in Pensacola]

FYI:

A couple of years ago I "up-graded" to one of the H-4 80/100 watt bulbs and it wasn't long before I noticed the reflector part of my head light starting to get a clouded or smoked looking haze.  TOO HOT!!  I immediately went back to the OEM 55/60 (?) bulb.  Just a couple of days, ago I install one of the new Sylvania Silver Star 55/60 bulbs and it IS WHITER and without the extra heat. 

[MarkT]

I've been running 130/90 headlight from Comp. Acc. for over 10 years with no adverse effect on the reflector or lens.  I did have to replace the plug to a heavier one.  Of course, this is with the headlight re-powered with relays and 10ga wire.  Actually that's heavier than necessary.  This headlight will provide all the road lighting you need.  Though I also run two other pairs of spots for safety / visibilty.  One pair is aircraft landing lights and the other is those mini-spots with 55 watt dichroic halogen bulbs.  Both pairs of spots have 3-pos selector switch and relays, so you can select the relay trigger from the headlight power wire (blue/white) hi-beam (blue) or off.  The headlight also has a Kisan modulator on it.  The A/C lights typically selected to come on with hi beam, the other 2 with ignition.  So I get a potential left-turner coming at me, I hit the hi-beam - then they get all 5 lights with the headlight modulating at 130watts, and the A/C spots to melt their retinas.

[Blackduck]

+1 on the AC lights, just run the standard headlight bulb and the 2 spots take care of lighting up anything. Also slaved through the Hi beam so go off when dropping back to low beam.
Cheers Steve

[Kaiser]

...and the A/C spots to melt their retinas.

 

While that is funny, unfortunately all that does is make the cager already turning left in front of you blind.  At least they can't say they didn't see you.

I can see it now..."the last thing I saw was a bright white light.  I thought I was dead."

But I like the way you think.

[fudgie]

SS Ultras are better then the original SS. World of differance.

[HotRod]

When going brighter, a lot of us opted for Sylvania SilverStars.  I don't if that's what you want, but searching "Slyvania" should give you enough to read.  There's even pics on here of one I/S stock bulb and one SilverStar installed side-by-side.

(on edit) - FOUND IT!  Scroll down to see pics:

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,14567.0.html

Hope this helps.

Great,thanks for the info man! No wire upgrade right?

[Kaiser]

Right.  Just plug-and-play...er, I mean...plug-and-ride.

Well, almost.  You gotta snap off one tab on the new light.  It's so simple, even I can do it (and my bike still ran afterwards)!

[HotRod]

Right.  Just plug-and-play...er, I mean...plug-and-ride.

Well, almost.  You gotta snap off one tab on the new light.  It's so simple, even I can do it (and my bike still ran afterwards)!

That's cause you got the best color out there!

[Kaiser]

That's cause you got the best color out there!

Likewise.  I just took this pic a few days ago.  (Proud-of-my-bike-pic in 3, 2, 1...)

[MP]

Hey, I resemble that bike!
Pic taken at Hannigan when we first got the sidecar mounted.  Charlene in the sidecar.
MP

[OverdueBill]

I must admit that ya'll do have the best color Valk ever made.  Hmmm, they actually look like mine. 

[NITRO]

That's cause you got the best color out there!

Likewise.  I just took this pic a few days ago.  (Proud-of-my-bike-pic in 3, 2, 1...)

That bike looks familiar to me, too! I'm still happy with what I bought when I was going to buy one of those '01 red and blacks...

[HotRod]

That's cause you got the best color out there!

Likewise.  I just took this pic a few days ago.  (Proud-of-my-bike-pic in 3, 2, 1...)

Simply beautiful brother!

[HotRod]

Hey, I resemble that bike!
Pic taken at Hannigan when we first got the sidecar mounted.  Charlene in the sidecar.
MP

Very sharp,I'm liking the side car man!

[HotRod]

That's cause you got the best color out there!

Likewise.  I just took this pic a few days ago.  (Proud-of-my-bike-pic in 3, 2, 1...)

I love the blue/silver,almost bought one,very pretty!

That bike looks familiar to me, too! I'm still happy with what I bought when I was going to buy one of those '01 red and blacks...

[HotRod]

[Kaiser]

Hey, I resemble that bike!
Pic taken at Hannigan when we first got the sidecar mounted.  Charlene in the sidecar.
MP

MP - see ya in a few days (I hope).  Be safe and give a call when you get close.  As of right now, "they" are saying it should be partly cloudy, high of 68, and 10% chance of rain.  Looks like good ridin' weather to me.  Lookin' forward to it.

[Kaiser]

That bike looks familiar to me, too! I'm still happy with what I bought when I was going to buy one of those '01 red and blacks...

Nitro - you should've grabbed it while you had the chance  .  Don't know if you've seen my current posts, but I lowered the asking price from $20K to $15K after reading some of the "e-bay" posts on here.  (Extreme sarcasm intended, for those of you who think I'm serious).

I really like the blue/silver color combo.  There is a local guy (Rick/Flask) that has a gorgeous blue/silver.  I'd probably look for that color if I'm ever in the market for another Valk I/S.

[MP]

Right now am hoping to get in your area, Kaiser, Sunday evening.  Maybe we can get together Monday AM?  I need to be down to the Tampa area before dark, so I can get set up in the campground.

MP

[Kaiser]

That'll work.  I was feeling sick on Monday, anyways.

[MP]

That'll work.  I was feeling sick on Monday, anyways.

LOL   

MP

[Chattanooga Mark]

     I cut and posted below directly from the SilverStar website. Guess that should make a difference.



Claims based on measured comparisons between SilverStar and SilverStar Ultra product families at 100% light output and standard halogen bulbs at 80% light output.  Actual performance may vary by product use, vehicle model and usage.


http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProducts/AutomotiveLighting/HighPerformance/SilverStarUltra/



     I put Sylvania SilverStars in my 2000 Interstate and honestly couldn't tell the difference. Maybe the oem bulbs were working pretty good. That bike also had the Hondaline spot lights in the radiator pods so maybe that's why I couldn't tell a difference.


Mark

[HotRod]

     I cut and posted below directly from the SilverStar website. Guess that should make a difference.



Claims based on measured comparisons between SilverStar and SilverStar Ultra product families at 100% light output and standard halogen bulbs at 80% light output.  Actual performance may vary by product use, vehicle model and usage.


http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProducts/AutomotiveLighting/HighPerformance/SilverStarUltra/



     I put Sylvania SilverStars in my 2000 Interstate and honestly couldn't tell the difference. Maybe the oem bulbs were working pretty good. That bike also had the Hondaline spot lights in the radiator pods so maybe that's why I couldn't tell a difference.


Mark

Thank you Mark

[Cliff]

I installed Silverstar Ultras on my 2000 I/S in April 2009 one of them failed September 2010, replaced both with two more of the same. almost 2 seasons out  of them.

[Jess from VA]

There are two upgrades for H4 bulbs; you can buy more expensive, allegedly better and brighter bulbs at the usual automotive 55/60 wattage (Silverstars, etc), or you can just get standard bulbs in a higher/brighter wattage (off-road 80/100).  

The Interstate fairing is so well vented that guys have run the higher wattage 80/100 off-road bulbs for years with no melt, wire, or reflector issues.  Std/tourer (sealed) light buckets and wiring cannot handle the heat of these higher watt bulbs....... for long.

I don't know, but have read that the more expensive, standard-watt bulbs generally only last a year or so...... so for interstate, I think the better upgrade is the relatively cheap 80/100 off road bulbs.... which I have heard, properly aimed, on dim, do not have trouble at night getting flashed, or any LE interest.

I got my 80/100s for ISs on Amazon. (not yet installed)
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=80%2F100+H4+bulbs&x=16&y=17

When talking headlight bulbs, you must be clear if you are talking IS or std/tourer (apples and oranges).

[HotRod]

I think I'll just stick with the silver star ultras , it get so hot here in the summer I don't want any melt downs.

[X Ring]

I installed the S/S Ultra in Sandman after Fudgie recommended them.  I was so impressed I installed them in my truck also.  That was a C Note but I tell you they've been the best headlights I've ever had and really helpful in spotting deer on the side of the road.

Marty

[MarkT]

The Interstate fairing is so well vented that guys have run the higher wattage 80/100 off-road bulbs for years with no melt, wire, or reflector issues.  Std/tourer (sealed) light buckets and wiring cannot handle the heat of these higher watt bulbs....... for long.

I got my 80/100s for ISs on Amazon. (not yet installed)

When talking headlight bulbs, you must be clear if you are talking IS or std/tourer (apples and oranges).

I wouldn't speak for standards & tourers, with your experience being interstates.
Like I said - I've been running a 130/90 headlight in my standard since 1998 without the heat causing any problems.  Though my wiring and the plug is upgraded, the HEAT has been no issue.  Frankly, why folks are adverse to doing this mystifies me.  It's basically a one-afternoon project, and costs much less than an HID mod, or expensive so-called hi-output bulbs, which cost more every time you replace them, which is more often as they burn up faster.  I'll put my 130watt hi-beam up against any HID headlight, or any of the so-called hi-output bulbs - and I'll bet a beer it will outshine them.  Not to mention, with this mod the original headlight circuits now power only relay triggers, so the mod preserves both the hi-lo switch and the starter light switch.

[Jess from VA]

Though my wiring and the plug is upgraded,

Of course this makes all the difference, and is not that difficult a project.

But I believe I was accurate about stds and tourers if OE and unmodified.