Upgrading the Headlight Bulb on a motorcycle

mandyrana · 30th March 2009, 12:42

I want to updgrade bike headlamp from 35W to 60/55w. What should I do. Is there special relay needed for bike.

Technocrat · 30th March 2009, 13:36

Which bike is this?

Please let us know more details to help you better

i_own_xeta_glx · 25th May 2009, 01:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Technocrat

Which bike is this?

Please let us know more details to help you better

Ok. I have a KB 4S Champion (first bike so still in love with it), and interested in doing something similar. Can you please help ?

aaggoswami · 25th May 2009, 08:22

What bike you are riding and how old is it ?

I think I can throw some light on this issue.

Earlier I had Caliber. The stock lamp was from Philips, 40/45W as compared to the industry standard of 35/35W. The beam throw was excellent and the intensity was not missing anywhere. Later on I thought of increasing the bulb wattage to get more light considering my fast driving routine.

I upgraded to 55/60W Halonix +60. It was very very nice, the bike ran on this bulb for quite sometime without giving any trouble till I exchanged the bike for Zeus that I am currently having.

In Zeus, when I did the same modification, the battery was drained within 60 minutes of night driving. Clearly the electricals struggled to glow up the bulb.

My general observations are :

1) Its best to change the wiring, holder and working on the coil to get reliable performance.

2) Today's bikes have the electrical system designed such that they are on threshold point. Any thing more than what is provided and then reliability is an issue. I have observed this on other bikes too, for example, Discover.

3) High wattage bulb with make the reflector yellowish, affecting the beam throw and intensity significantly in negative manner.

4) The condition of reflector is very critical to the overall performance of light. Generally from what I have experienced, the core problem is badly designed reflectors and poor beam throw.

@ mods : Sorry if my post is off-topic, but I was keen to put up views from my experience ( and experiments ).

naveenroy · 27th May 2009, 19:19

Hello all,

I am looking to change the stock headlamps of my RE Thunderbird and am lost....have no idea where to look. At the Rider Mania recently, I saw some bikes with some great beams but I am certain that the Battery, wiring etc has been changed. Is there any way that just changing the Halogen bulb alone can bring a difference? I have heard of HID. Is that useful. Costly, yes but if it can provide a great beam without strain on the battery, that is fine.

mithun · 28th May 2009, 14:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by i_own_xeta_glx

Ok. I have a KB 4S Champion (first bike so still in love with it), and interested in doing something similar. Can you please help ?

In 4S Champion, if you need to upgrade the headlamps you need to do re-winding.

junkishya · 28th May 2009, 22:12

I've very recently changed the standard 40/45W Philips on my RE 500LB to HAlonix 55/60W. The light is excellent. I haven't changed anything .. wiring / holders / etc. Just bought the bulb and installed it myself; just a matter of 3-4 minutes.

I bought the bulb from Sampada / Swapna Automotive on J.C. Road which is is just above the RE authorized spare parts shop. It costed just Rs. 75/-.

The 500LB comes with a 14Amp battery. Hence my guess is that the wiring / alternator should be able take the required load.

Rennjit · 28th May 2009, 23:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by junkishya

.. changed the standard 40/45W Philips on my RE 500LB to HAlonix 55/60W..
The 500LB comes with a 14Amp battery. Hence my guess is that the wiring / alternator should be able take the required load.

No worries mate, it'll be fine for normal running. May be you feel a momentary dip only when you take a turn ie., indicators, brake & honk all with headlight On. The battery picks over almost immediately from the dip.

Some one pls comment on the continuous night usage of 5-6 hours. stress on battery / chargers?

Cut the load: remove Ammeter bulb, change pilot lamps to 1w/ Leds, change tail lamp to 5/10W. Hope you run low beams as much possible, Bullet's high beam can give much glare to oncoming traffic with this rating & being DC powered. I'm running Philps x-treme power on Electra for last 6 months. Btw, dealer name is m/s Sandhya it seems.

naveenroy · 29th May 2009, 12:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by junkishya

I've very recently changed the standard 40/45W Philips on my RE 500LB to HAlonix 55/60W. The light is excellent. I haven't changed anything .. wiring / holders / etc. Just bought the bulb and installed it myself; just a matter of 3-4 minutes.

I bought the bulb from Sampada / Swapna Automotive on J.C. Road which is is just above the RE authorized spare parts shop. It costed just Rs. 75/-.

The 500LB comes with a 14Amp battery. Hence my guess is that the wiring / alternator should be able take the required load.

I cannot use this option on my Thunderbird as it is the 12 battery. Damn, any other options that we lesser mortals have?

WanderNomad · 29th May 2009, 17:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rennjit

I'm running Philps x-treme power on Electra for last 6 months. Btw, dealer name is m/s Sandhya it seems.

What is the wattage, what are the changes? I recently bought a preowned Electra and I find the headlight extremely poor. I am seriously thinking of an upgrade and have been searching for the way out.

Rennjit · 29th May 2009, 18:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by WanderNomad

What is the wattage, what are the changes? ...

its a 55/60W. Changes: H4 (HS1) Beam & holder. Make sure you have higher rated battery (as 14Ah on all ES models) to be on the better side.

asethi · 31st May 2009, 01:28

Guys I have Pulsar 150 DTSi (2004 model). I want to upgrade the headlight badly. Please suggest which wattage bulb should I go for. I don't know the stock wattage, just know it's a Phillips. Do I need to go for relay?
I enquired from an accessory shop on Sarjapur road, he said Pulsar can even go for 90/100W bulb without any change in wiring!

But I really doubt him!

motionfreak · 31st May 2009, 04:22

90/100 -- No way, definitely melt the reflector

Instead install Avenger 180's coil and put 60/55W bulb.
chepest yet safest option. I have done numerous night tours with this config

aaggoswami · 31st May 2009, 10:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by asethi

Do I need to go for relay?
I enquired from an accessory shop on Sarjapur road, he said Pulsar can even go for 90/100W bulb without any change in wiring!

But I really doubt him!

Yes, you are correct in your doubt. Anything over 65W and wiring will have to be changed.

I think that Eliminator/Avenger have more powerful lamps. Try putting their electricals in your bike. But dont go for any bulb higher than 60-65W without making changes to coil and other electricals.

asethi · 31st May 2009, 20:44

Thanks guys! I'll definitely consider your suggestions :-).
One more help please, is there any bulb available within 65W range that has more light than the stock ones?

30th March 2009, 12:42	#1
mandyrana BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Faridabad Posts: 180 Thanked: 18 Times	Upgrading the Headlight Bulb on a motorcycle I want to updgrade bike headlamp from 35W to 60/55w. What should I do. Is there special relay needed for bike.
	() Thanks

30th March 2009, 13:36	#2
Technocrat Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: GTA Posts: 14,815 Thanked: 2,703 Times	Which bike is this? Please let us know more details to help you better
	() Thanks

25th May 2009, 08:22	#4
aaggoswami Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Vadodara Posts: 4,988 Thanked: 2,971 Times	What bike you are riding and how old is it ? I think I can throw some light on this issue. Earlier I had Caliber. The stock lamp was from Philips, 40/45W as compared to the industry standard of 35/35W. The beam throw was excellent and the intensity was not missing anywhere. Later on I thought of increasing the bulb wattage to get more light considering my fast driving routine. I upgraded to 55/60W Halonix +60. It was very very nice, the bike ran on this bulb for quite sometime without giving any trouble till I exchanged the bike for Zeus that I am currently having. In Zeus, when I did the same modification, the battery was drained within 60 minutes of night driving. Clearly the electricals struggled to glow up the bulb. My general observations are : 1) Its best to change the wiring, holder and working on the coil to get reliable performance. 2) Today's bikes have the electrical system designed such that they are on threshold point. Any thing more than what is provided and then reliability is an issue. I have observed this on other bikes too, for example, Discover. 3) High wattage bulb with make the reflector yellowish, affecting the beam throw and intensity significantly in negative manner. 4) The condition of reflector is very critical to the overall performance of light. Generally from what I have experienced, the core problem is badly designed reflectors and poor beam throw. @ mods : Sorry if my post is off-topic, but I was keen to put up views from my experience ( and experiments ).
	(1) Thanks

27th May 2009, 19:19	#5
naveenroy Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,511 Thanked: 1,255 Times	Looking for a "headlight" upgrade on Thunderbird Hello all, I am looking to change the stock headlamps of my RE Thunderbird and am lost....have no idea where to look. At the Rider Mania recently, I saw some bikes with some great beams but I am certain that the Battery, wiring etc has been changed. Is there any way that just changing the Halogen bulb alone can bring a difference? I have heard of HID. Is that useful. Costly, yes but if it can provide a great beam without strain on the battery, that is fine.
	() Thanks

28th May 2009, 22:12	#7
junkishya BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 153 Thanked: 74 Times View My Garage	I've very recently changed the standard 40/45W Philips on my RE 500LB to HAlonix 55/60W. The light is excellent. I haven't changed anything .. wiring / holders / etc. Just bought the bulb and installed it myself; just a matter of 3-4 minutes. I bought the bulb from Sampada / Swapna Automotive on J.C. Road which is is just above the RE authorized spare parts shop. It costed just Rs. 75/-. The 500LB comes with a 14Amp battery. Hence my guess is that the wiring / alternator should be able take the required load. Last edited by junkishya : 28th May 2009 at 22:14.
	() Thanks

31st May 2009, 01:28	#12
asethi BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 459 Thanked: 246 Times View My Garage	Upgrade for Pulsar! Guys I have Pulsar 150 DTSi (2004 model). I want to upgrade the headlight badly. Please suggest which wattage bulb should I go for. I don't know the stock wattage, just know it's a Phillips. Do I need to go for relay? I enquired from an accessory shop on Sarjapur road, he said Pulsar can even go for 90/100W bulb without any change in wiring! But I really doubt him!
	() Thanks

31st May 2009, 04:22	#13
motionfreak BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Thane Posts: 193 Thanked: 66 Times	90/100 -- No way, definitely melt the reflector Instead install Avenger 180's coil and put 60/55W bulb. chepest yet safest option. I have done numerous night tours with this config
	() Thanks

31st May 2009, 20:44	#15
asethi BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 459 Thanked: 246 Times View My Garage	Thanks guys! I'll definitely consider your suggestions :-). One more help please, is there any bulb available within 65W range that has more light than the stock ones?
	() Thanks