The silverstar bulbs burn out quick. They don't tell you that on the package. I use Osram 100/80 with ceramic sockets wired in. Sometimes the higher powered bulbs will melt the stock headlight socket from the heat.

 

What wattage/size do I need for the main light and passing lights. I thought that the main light was 55w but it seems like a lot of guys are going with 80-100w. I don't want to worry about burning something up, or melting my headlight housing.

 

Perhaps the best bang-for-the-buck headlight upgrade is to replace the stock fluted headlamp with an non-fluted E-code (European) light. Add an 80/100w bulb and you've got a major improvement in visibility for about $50.

I have the Hella E-code headlights with Hella 80/100w bulbs and the difference is amazing, especially for the cost. Much-improved low-beam pattern and much better "seeing distance" on high-beam. No problems with the high-powered bulbs used on two bikes in the past 12 years, but if you use high-wattage passing lamps you may want to put them on a relay since they are wired into the low-beam circuit. The 80w bulb adds 2A to that 15A circuit which may overpower the fuse, but stock passing lamp bulbs shouldn't be a problem.

Cibie is another E-code option, but I selected Hella because they cost half as much and are equally high-quality products.

It's amazing to me that more riders haven't discovered this low-cost way to improve headlight performance.

 

PIAA Extreme White are very good option over stock. I am very satisfied with mine.

 

I replaced my stock lights with the Silver stars but wasn't really thrilled with them. I installed a set of HIDs and that lights the road up now. I don't overdrive the headlights now, even at 75+.

 

The hella bulb says 100 hr average use.. Is that true ? seems like you would be changing bulbs a few times a year ?

 

ICLICK,
I have a question also, what about the average hours (100) is pretty small amount of hours? And the website says not leagal on the highway. Any insight into this?

Thanks

 

My only beef with the Silverstars is that each one only ever lasted me about a year. I think I only ever changed the headlight once in the 8 years I owned the old Superglide. I have a regular Sylvania bulb now, and it is brighter than the stock, don't remember the model number though...

 

The H4 is the main headlight

Running lights,
Silverstar
880ST 27w
893ST 37.5w

I have been running Silverstar for quite a few years. And agree the main headlight does not last very long. Either the high or low beam burns out (could be due to the vibration) usually the high. The running lamps are 2 years old and still burning brightly. HTH

 

Thank you!