Headlight bulbs

[snakemeister]

  What's the brightness headlight bulb you can put in a '97 Tourer

[Jess from VA]

With or without a wiring and socket upgrade?   

I don't have one, but I hear the light bucket gets really hot... and contains a lot of wiring for the bike.

I run 80-100 and 90-100 H4 offroad bulbs in my interstates, and no issues. The fairing flows air. 

[Former BMW Guy]

PIAA Extreme series.....

http://www.piaa.com/store/p/159-H4-XTreme-White-Plus-Single-Halogen-Bulb.aspx

JP

[john]

         " What's the brightness headlight bulb you can put in a '97 Tourer "
      auxiliary lights ...             

[BF]

         " What's the brightness headlight bulb you can put in a '97 Tourer "
      auxiliary lights ...             

What John said.   

Get yourself a light bar and add some more lights.  It's probably easier than doing all of the mods needed to add a high power light bulb to your headlight bucket. 

[Bocephus]

Does the piaa get hotter than stock bulb????? ??? ???

[Former BMW Guy]

According to the PIAA website, their power consumption is the same as the standard halogen bulb so heat generated should be the same as well.
I've used PIAA bulb in numerous motorcycles as direct replacements and never had a problem.

Joe P

[Len]

It is not a bulb upgrade, but I installed a H.I.D. kit from Yana Shiki for less than $90.00.  It is the H4-8K kit and it offers both Low & Hi beam functions by tilting the bulb.  The light output is excellent and it is all plug 'n play.  It also comes in a 6K bulb.....

Just my $0.02

[Jess from VA]

Speaking of PIAAs (1100X), these little units can be mounted almost anywhere, and are brighter than my interstate brights (when I ran 55/60 bulbs).  The 55W bulbs put out 70 of light.  They make a bunch of kits that are motorcycle specific, but not for valk. 

Their 005s, are chrome, and nicer looking, but more expensive, and not as much light as the 1100Xs

http://www.amazon.com/PIAA-1100X-Multi-Fit-Lamp-74220/dp/B000WJJBQI

http://piaalights.com/details.php?productName=1100X%20PLATINUM

TOTW Forward Facing Driving Lights PIAA Video Install

[Earl in Pensacola]

If it were up to me I'd not mess with a higher wattage bulb in the OEM headlight.  I ran a 80/100 for awhile and it started to "smoke-up" the reflector.  Of course, I run high-beam 100% of all day-time riding.  Too much heat!!  If you need more light, do it right, buy a high quality light bar.

[PAVALKER]

I am willing to bet that if you put in a Sylvania SilverStar (not the Ultra) and then adjust your headlight you will be pleasantly surprised.  Stock bulbs go dim over time, they all do actually.  You can add some driving lights available at Wally World or most Auto Parts Stores to the lower side of the engine guard that will help with visibility at night, and even more so with oncoming traffic with the light pyramid. 

[BF]

It is not a bulb upgrade, but I installed a H.I.D. kit from Yana Shiki for less than $90.00.  It is the H4-8K kit and it offers both Low & Hi beam functions by tilting the bulb.  The light output is excellent and it is all plug 'n play.  It also comes in a 6K bulb.....

Just my $0.02

Is this it?

http://www.yanashiki.com/product_p/hidh4-8k.htm

Can you provide any installation details?

[big poppa pump]

You can get a HID kit for a lot less from DDM Tuning. One of the reasons I've stayed away from HID's is if your ballast decides to crap out in the middle of a ride, especially in the night, you are SOL. It's easier and cheaper to carry spare H4's in your saddlebags. If you want brighter lights I would suggest going with auxiliary lights.

I have 2 of these...http://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/mini-auxiliary-lights/2-round-10-watt-led-mini-auxiliary-work-light/1386/, one on each side of my bike on the engine guard and 1 of this http://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/mini-auxiliary-lights/45-dual-led-mini-work-light--20w/1496/ mounted underneath my headlight. You can spot my bike from about a mile away even during the daytime.

[MarkT]

Sorry guys.  I've been running a 130/90 headlight in my '98 std for over 100,000 miles now.  No problem with heat behind the headlight reflector, or the reflector getting "smoked" from heat, or the lens melting/degrading in any way.  Look closely at the bezel around the headlight - there's a good gap that lets air pass in all around the reflector, and it exits out the large wire hole in the back.  I find bees / wasps (BIG bugs) in there everytime I open the bucket. To handle such a load, you DO need to upgrade the wiring with relays, and get a higher-power plug, available at Autozone IIRC. That 130/90 headlight will light up a dark road BRIGHTLY for a MEASURED half-mile.  BEFORE I turn on the Aircraft landing lights.

This upgrade will also preserve your starter switch - as the headlight load on it will now only be trigger power for the relays.  The bulbs typically last me 2-3 years.

Cost - the bulbs are $15.99 at http://www.compacc.com/p/Kuryakyn-Replacement-Headlight-Bulbs
Two 4 or 5 pin relays at say Autozone / Pep Boys etc for $6-11 ea.  Wire - use at least 14ga.  Fuse holder - $3 or so.  Seeing a half mile w/o hurting your wiring - PRICELESS.

How to do it - not hard - see http://www.horseapple.com/Valkyrie/Tech_Tips/Headlight_Upgrade/headlight_upgrade.html  The work to do this - you need to pull the gas tank to run the heavy wire along the frame.  Easy to get it done on a Sat afternoon even if you're not very electrical.