Which H4 Performance Bulb?

[NorCalDave]

Am trying to squeeze as much performance out of my 90 TA's headlight as I can by installing a Headlight Relay kit from EasternBeaver.com and by upgrading the stock H4 bulb. H4 choices over here in the States seem to be pretty limited from what I can find so was thinking of purchasing from www.motorbulbs.com which is based in the UK and has a lot of choices. They also offer "free" international shipping so the prices seem fair to me. I'd go for a true HID conversion if I could afford it but can't right now and am not sure if HID would drastically improve vision and reach used with the less than optimal reflector of the TA's stock headlight.

From what research I've done, I want to stay with a stock wattage bulb that offers increased performance through optimal design and the use of Xenon gas rather than by higher wattage resulting in lessened bulb life. None of that Blue rubbish either - I want the maximum visible light spectrum from the bulb I buy resulting in bright, white light.

If anyone has any experience with motorbulbs.com or any of the bulbs I've listed, has heard good or bad reports, or has other suggestions, please chime in. Another bulb I had heard about available in the UK was the Halfords Super Brilliance but these aren't available through the motorbulbs site - Halfords must be an Auto Parts chain similar to our Auto Zone and Kragens stores over here?

I'm leaning towards one of the following bulbs - am waiting for a reply from Osram UK as to whether the Night Breaker bulbs cast light in a blueish or pure white tint as the product info states they are manufactured with a "blue-ring coating".

Osram Night Breaker H4 +90% - £23.98 US $41.37 Two Pack

Philips X-Treme Power H4 +80% - £24.99 US $43.12 Two Pack

Philips Vision Plus H4 +50% - £18.45 US $31.83 Two Pack

Osram Silver Star H4 +50% - £15.94 US $27.50 Two Pack

[NorCalDave]

C'mon - don't tell me none of you Blokes has an opinion on who makes a cracking light for our TA's?

[piguglyshandydrinker]

Dunno about anybody else but I'm still on the stock bulb (650 Alp) and not had any experience of 'high performance bulbs.

Sorry it doesn't help your dilema!

Maybe if you post a similar article in the 'bike tech' section, more will read it and maybe there is someone who has experience of the alternative bulbs that you mention?

I'd certainly be interested in whether they are worth the expenditure, for future reference.

Phil

[sproggy]

I used a Phillips Vision Plus in my 650 and it made a difference. More to the speed with which cars got out of my way on the motorway in daylight (probably due to the blue tint) than to how much I could see in the dark, but there was a small improvement in light output. For what it cost I'd say it was a worthwhile upgrade.

I can't speak for the other bulbs you mention.

[Rorsh]

I used the Philips X-Treme bulb on my last bike after being given a pack by a rep.

http://www.google.com/products?q=phi...eme+h4&show=dd

I'd say they made a noticable difference, and since you only need the one in the TA you'll have a spare too, Those guys had the bulbs on sale in the States from $22.95 so have a look.

Don't know about the OSRAM Nite-breaker, but Autoexpress didn't really rate em

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/product...t_breaker.html

Whereas they gave the X-treme 'accessory of the year'

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/product...eme_power.html

[Austin]

This subject has been discussed a couple of times before, IIRC some people say noticeable improvement, some say can't tell (I am one of them), and then someone usually chips in and says they have got the Xenon gas conversion and that's what you need. I think its down to the quality of the reflector and lens set up and sticking in a super bright bulb or even a 100+watt bulb makes precious little difference to the quality of beam.

I think its a bit like a water tank and a tap. No matter how big the tank is the tap will only flow so much water.

[sproggy]

I think its a bit like a water tank and a tap. No matter how big the tank is the tap will only flow so much water.

Whereas punching a couple of extra holes in the tank (i.e. fitting extra spotlights) can make it flow a whole lot more

[Austin]

Whereas punching a couple of extra holes in the tank (i.e. fitting extra spotlights) can make it flow a whole lot more

yup, I'd go along with that, as long as your water company (alternator & battery) can keep the tank topped up through their distribution network (wiring loom).

[NorCalDave]

Thanks for the replies

I ended up going with the Philips VisionPlus - found them over here at at www.bulbs.com/espec.aspx?id=13524

I've got the Eastern Beaver HD Relay kit on the way too so hopefully will get a noticeable improvement once everything is installed. I plan on adding a set of Hella FF50 driving lights also once I figure out how to mount them to my Givi crash bars.

Am not tapping the alternator for any other accessories right now so should be fine there. I'm also going to eventually replace my tail light/stoplight bulb and dash light bulbs with LED bulbs to free up additional alternator power.

[Austin]

Thanks for the replies

I ended up going with the Philips VisionPlus - found them over here at at www.bulbs.com/espec.aspx?id=13524

I've got the Eastern Beaver HD Relay kit on the way too so hopefully will get a noticeable improvement once everything is installed. I plan on adding a set of Hella FF50 driving lights also once I figure out how to mount them to my Givi crash bars.

Am not tapping the alternator for any other accessories right now so should be fine there. I'm also going to eventually replace my tail light/stoplight bulb and dash light bulbs with LED bulbs to free up additional alternator power.

There's a thread in the Varadero forum about LED tail light bulbs - worth a look first. My limited experience of LEDS for dash light bulbs is that they aren't bright enough. I tried some blue LEDS bulbs to match my bike but I really couldn't see the clocks so tried white one's and again only just bright enough. Gone back to standard 1.2watt bulbs now.

I run 2x55w foglamps and in the winter heated grips as well, and until my battery began to go a bit suspect all was fine except in prolonged (1hour+) very low speed urban traffic when the grips will switch off due to low voltage. As long as the revs are up a bit most of the time and battery is is good condition you should be able to run the Hella's fine.