Improving the headlight

[HDSickness]

Originally Posted by Harley Rider

I know a lot of people like PIAA bulbs but I for one will never buy them again. I paid a lot of money for them and went through 6 of them in about 3 months. Each of them either burned out one or both of the filaments. Thinking it must be a problem in my wiring, I checked everything out and it was all fine. Put in an el cheapo bulb and not had another problem in 3 years now. I'll never waste my money on PIAA crap again.

When installing bulbs DO NOT touch with bare fingers or they will burn out quickly. Never had a problem with the PIAA bulbs.

[Harley Rider]

Originally Posted by HDSickness

When installing bulbs DO NOT touch with bare fingers or they will burn out quickly. Never had a problem with the PIAA bulbs.

Good advice on not touching the bulbs. But I knew about that and was very careful to follow that rule. Maybe I just got several from a bad lot? I ordered them all at once from the same place because I was putting them in auto headlights as well. But that was just my experience with them. I've since replaced all of them with the cheapest auto parts store bulbs I could get and haven't had any of the cheapies burn out on me after more than 3 years of use.

[Wild hog md]

LED if you can change it out. Great difference, if you want to go that way.

[Smokin Sam]

I use a "super white" 55/100 from Motovan. #04-156. They are cheap as beans and work awesome as an upgrade.

[phubacek]

I've replaced the stock bulb with the P.I.A.A. Super Plasma GX. It last 1.5 yrs. and had a blue/purple tint on Low. Was great otherwise. Now I'm running a P.I.A.A. Super White. Also a good bulb without the purple.

I have been warned not to go beyond the stock wattage - heavier wiring or not - because the higher wattage will generate enough heat in the shell to do other damage.

I find these bulbs to do the job for me at stock wattage and I didn't want to pay to go the LED or HID route. I'd try the easy/lower cost route before considering the extra $$$ solutions.

[russelblue2]

If I was to replace my OEM headlight on a 1993 FLHTC for a brighter light, without a major project, what would be my best option?

[royal]

Riding at night here in Kansas is getting so dangerous during the summer that I try to avoid it with a passion. Several riders have been killed on Interstate highways by deer and the rural blacktop roads almost seem like a nightly meeting place for them. This gets a little away from what headlight works best but deer come up out of the ditches so quickly that is barely matters what headlamp you have.

[HandOverFist]

Originally Posted by chasarms

I installed the Harley Davidson headlight that has the separate halogen bulb for the high beam and low beam. It replaced the sealed beam light in my 2004 heritage. It made a huge difference in the amount of lighting produced. Visibility is significantly improved.




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This lamp is by far the best bang for the buck out there atm, however the OP is talking about a Sportster which has a smaller bucket size as well as a sorry reflector. I have no experience with those and can't comment on improvement.

[checkers]

Originally Posted by XL1200R

Amazon.com: Sylvania 9003/HB2 SU/2 BP TWIN SilverStar Ultra Headlight - Pack of 2: Automotive

All ya need IMHO

It is worth a try before ya start ripping into wires and stuff

This is good advice, I have updraded each of my Harley's with set up for years, about $12 at Wally, never had to replace 1 after upgrading. Brighter and wider lite. Money well spent. Plug and play.

[Craiger]

I'll prolly go for the Sylvania bulbs. Just gotta figure out which #'s

I like the look-a-like HID'S that Sylvania has...Need all 3 bulbs passing and head light. Juts like the cool blue'ish looking bulbs.