Sylvania Silverstar --short life?

[Fazer]

Just had to change the headlight bulb--Silverstar 9003 after about a year. The high beam was ok but the low beam was DOA.  I had purchased a two pack so at least i had a replacement, but if they only last a year, will have to keep an extra on hand.  Does that seem like a short life?  Are there better options without adding any additional load or heat inside the bucket?  I have a smart switch by BonS installed.

Greg

[bikerboy1951]

I had a set of Silverstars in my pickup.  They lasted less than a year.  I called Sylvania and they said that that was normal.  They are considered a high performance bulb and do not have the life of a normal bulb.

Brad

[Houdini]

I've gotten as little as 3 months and rarely do they go a year for me.  I only use them in my IS now and not my standard since the IS has two headlights and at least I have one left if the other goes out.  I keep a spare in my saddlebag but want to use something else, something that is a little longer lived. 

I'd like to go LED but my experience with them so far has been very disappointing.

My standard is currently running an Osram, very bright and I've gotten more than a year out of it so far.

[Chrisj CMA]

Ya much discussed here.  A year was al most were reporting as a maximum.  That's why I went with the Sylvania ExtraVision.  brighter than stock, not as bright as Silver Star but long lasting.  Had mine for at least 5 years now, cant really remember

[Valkorado]

These are good high performance halogen H4 bulbs made by Philips.  I like them better than Silverstars.  Manufacturer claims "up to" 450 hours lifetime.

https://www.amazon.com/Philips-X-treme-Vision-Headlight-Bulbs/dp/B00QJWUPC6

[fudgie]

Mine was still going strong when I pulled it to add a LED. 8+ yrs

[h13man]

My 1 st. standard SS went in and out of 3 different bikes and 61,000 mi. I liked them so well I put a set in the AWD Suzuki and I burnt out one in 6 mos. driving it as part time vehicle. Now I have heard the SS Ultra are very short lived but the SS standard, well....

[DarkSideR]

Why not go LED? The DayMaker fixtures last a life time, draw less power, and put out more lumens than the halogen bulbs. Since you can now pick them up for around a hundred it's also affordable.