BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

in another current thread rdsmith3 mentions he has a 90W headlight bulb (melted an aftermarket LED). i didn't want to do the ol' HIJACK to ask the question about

what kind of "over-wattage" bulbs are you guys using? additional mods needed (melting issues)?

i have looked for addtional lights, and never liked the appearance of them. i even bought some that were really cheap, but that i thought looked OK. I planned on putting some high output aftermarket bulbs in those lights. I never got to it because after a few weeks i pulled the stupid lights off. I couldn't even stand the look of those.

I really don't ride my bike around town. I am not as concerned about being visible to other motorists, as I am about nightime highway ILLUMINATION. I want really bright "brights", but not something that is a hazard to drivers coming from the opposite direction.

MY BIG FEAR: DEER jumping out of the ditch, field, woods. That is my problem when I poorly judge my joy ride. I ride to far, and can't make it back before sundown. Just the time those pesky buggers start their entertainment of iowabeakster hunting.

Well, as you know, I use a 90/100 watt bulb in mine. What you should also know is that I added a relay. I used this one, but others are available:

http://www.easternbeaver.com/Home/Main/ ... _kits.html

I have been using a high wattage bulb for a couple of years with no problems at all. The relay ensures that your bulb gets as much current as possible, and your switch doesn't.

The headlight made a huge difference in illumination.

I also use two 50 W yellow motolights, which help both illumination and conspicuity. People tell me that they see me coming.

Over a year ago I bought a twin-pack of PIAA Xtreme White 135/125W bulbs on fleaBay for under $50 shipped. Big difference in light output, no problems whatsoever.

I just installed an Osram Rallye 70/65W H4 in my bike on Sunday. I also put relays in from Daniel Stern (VaSteve did most of the work). It's noticeably brighter and I did get stuck riding at night twice since then. High beam is totally awesome. But low doesn't shine too far out, so maybe I need to realign it. I'm still wondering if I can find a Silverstar in the same wattage. The only ones I've seen in H4 are around 50 or 55W. I don't plan to do much night riding, but I want my light to be bright and seen by all, day or night.

stick a candle on your lid/helmet

I fitted an Osram Silverstar, standard wattage, and it is way brighter than standard. Good enough for me but I admit that I rarely ride in the dark.

The Silverstars are nice, I used to use them on my car as well, but they don't seem to last long, less then a year. So if you choose to use them, carry a spare.
Don

thx guys.