Head Lite Replacement

[indiojoe]

I recently replaced my stock headlamps with PIAA Night Tech H4. wattage 12V 60/55W. They really made a big difference. Now I'm concerned that they may draw too much juice or weather the stock wiring can handle these. The service rep from the Yamaha who sold these to me said they were OK!!! They are just so much brighter!

Thanks for your replies.

 

[mcatrophy]

I recently replaced my stock headlamps with PIAA Night Tech H4. wattage 12V 60/55W. They really made a big difference. Now I'm concerned that they may draw too much juice or weather the stock wiring can handle these. The service rep from the Yamaha who sold these to me said they were OK!!! They are just so much brighter!

Thanks for your replies.

They are quoted as the same power (60/55) as a standard H4 bulb, so the current draw will be identical.

If anything, as the light output is greater, they won't get quite as hot, more energy going out as light rather than wasted as heat. But I doubt you'll notice that.

 

[Eric L]

I recently replaced my stock headlamps with PIAA Night Tech H4. wattage 12V 60/55W. They really made a big difference. Now I'm concerned that they may draw too much juice or weather the stock wiring can handle these. The service rep from the Yamaha who sold these to me said they were OK!!! They are just so much brighter!

Thanks for your replies.

Id be more worried about their short life span, being overdriven. And once one blows, the other often blows right after the first one. Something about electrons or quarks, I dunno.

 

[Afast03nNJ]

Id be more worried about their short life span, being overdriven. And once one blows, the other often blows right after the first one. Something about electrons or quarks, I dunno.

PIAA lights have a lifetime warranty. I have a set in my Nissan that are over 8 years old.

 

[Eric L]

Id be more worried about their short life span, being overdriven. And once one blows, the other often blows right after the first one. Something about electrons or quarks, I dunno.

PIAA lights have a lifetime warranty. I have a set in my Nissan that are over 8 years old.

the bulbs have a lifetime warranty? Didnt know that. Cool.

 

[fossilrider]

Id be more worried about their short life span, being overdriven. And once one blows, the other often blows right after the first one. Something about electrons or quarks, I dunno.

PIAA lights have a lifetime warranty. I have a set in my Nissan that are over 8 years old.

the bulbs have a lifetime warranty? Didnt know that. Cool.

I have never heard of any manufacturer offering a Lifetime Warranty on a headlight bulb! Piaa 1year Warranty

 

[redtail]

I have never heard of any manufacturer offering a Lifetime Warranty on a headlight bulb! Piaa 1year Warranty

one year... lifetime... I guess it depends on how you ride! :blink:

 

[bramfrank]

Your PIAAs are not brighter than stock lights - the only technology that delivers more lumens per watt with a traditional filament environment is HIR technology, which is unfortunately not available in an H4 format.

The PIAAs have a blue coating to make the output SEEM whiter, but the reality is that the blocked photons make the bulb emit fewer lumens, run hotter internally and have a shorter life span than a quality conventional bulb of the same wattage.

There's an acknowledged lighting guru named Daniel Stern who has a very informative web site: https://www.danielsternlighting.com/

Save your money for effective farkles.

 

[chivvalry]

Xenon HID for FJR

 

[bramfrank]

Beyond the fact that the reflector in the FJR isn't designed for HID bulbs, conversions are not street olegal. Much better to go for auxiliary lighting to supplement the bike's conventional. In my case I also have a headlight modulator on the mains. I run HID driving lights (Hella Micro DE Xenon) which are extremely effective, much more than LEDs. I also have a small police light bar out back as an auxiliary brake light.

Very effective.

 

[Top_Speed1]

Your PIAAs are not brighter than stock lights - the only technology that delivers more lumens per watt with a traditional filament environment is HIR technology, which is unfortunately not available in an H4 format.

The PIAAs have a blue coating to make the output SEEM whiter, but the reality is that the blocked photons make the bulb emit fewer lumens, run hotter internally and have a shorter life span than a quality conventional bulb of the same wattage.

There's an acknowledged lighting guru named Daniel Stern who has a very informative web site: https://www.danielsternlighting.com/

Save your money for effective farkles.

I gave ya a +1 on this post. Spot on pretty much, forget those colored bulbs that filter out the amber light... lumens are def lost! whiteness may fool your eyes but it's still lost light! "Stage Lighting 101" will teach anyone the basics of this, gels may color up a light but they also dim dramatically... try a Roscoe #59 (deep violet gel) over a Par64 1K-watt stagelight... cool purple but dim! Take the gel out of the frame... woha, you'll need your shades

So..on my GM-Volt.com forum I'm known simply as the HID-King! (lol). And yes, I also co-own a Sound & Stage Lighting Company and the above was spoken from 25 years of experience in that business.

Been into (real) HID's Xenon's since 2002 and now have every vehicle and toy equipped with such. The FJR does really well with HID headlight (H4's biXenon's, servo driven for H/L) that have a dome housing covering the capsule so there is no direct capsule to eye blinding contact. The results are amazing compared to the normal stock halogens. Night and Day may be overused but it holds water here.

On my FJR I use the Osram/Philips in 5200K (forget the fleaBay junk kits btw!). The 5200K has an intense white and not the slight blue tint that the 6K's output. These things are simply THE BEST farkle I have ever added bar none. Anybody who has seen mine at night just drool. In the day? So much safer for caged traffic too. No need for any added LED's or DRL's. Keep the aim down a tad and you will never get flashed either. BESTESTIST FARKLE EVAH when you factor in the safety side of being seen better AND better/further downroad and side vision (like seeing that deer a second sooner!)......

Priceless!

 

[Bugman]

The FJR does really well with HID headlight (H4's biXenon's, servo driven for H/L) that have a dome housing covering the capsule so there is no direct capsule to eye blinding contact.

So where do you get these great HID headlight kits for the FJR?

 

[LAF]

I had thought there is a German made H4 bulb that is better then the rest. Cant seem to recall the manufacturer but I remember they are German made, do not suffer from short life and put out more lite than any other H4 bulb available in the USA.

Anyone remember or know who those bulbs are made by?

 

[Top_Speed1]

The FJR does really well with HID headlight (H4's biXenon's, servo driven for H/L) that have a dome housing covering the capsule so there is no direct capsule to eye blinding contact.

So where do you get these great HID headlight kits for the FJR?

If you want the "real" Philips/Osram like the ones I got LINK here BUT there are many more vendors selling (google philips H4 HID, just make sure you get the original Philips and not a knock-off. 4300K seems to be the normal OEM push but I was able to find some 5200's that were more white. Also, find a vendor that has the new mini or micro ballasts, they will fit just under the headlight (shelf) perfectly on the FJR. You will need to do a total front cowling removal for installation (took me a complete afternoon for installation).

I have used these German made kits as well in some of my other toyz (less expensive but still premium unlike the feaBay ones)

 

[someguy]

The FJR does really well with HID headlight (H4's biXenon's, servo driven for H/L) that have a dome housing covering the capsule so there is no direct capsule to eye blinding contact.

So where do you get these great HID headlight kits for the FJR?

If you want the "real" Philips/Osram like the ones I got LINK here BUT there are many more vendors selling (google philips H4 HID, just make sure you get the original Philips and not a knock-off. 4300K seems to be the normal OEM push but I was able to find some 5200's that were more white. Also, find a vendor that has the new mini or micro ballasts, they will fit just under the headlight (shelf) perfectly on the FJR. You will need to do a total front cowling removal for installation (took me a complete afternoon for installation).

good first hand experience and info...

i'm curious if there is info or you can comment on your understanding of the life of these Philips/Osram bulbs/ballasts?

and is this a kit purchase or something you put together? the link is to the website but not a specific product...

 

[Top_Speed1]

@someguy- That website should have a toll free number?, if you like those guys just call. BUT there is a more (in)expensive Kit mentioned that if I had to do it again??? hmmm. Life expectancy is probably the life of your bike if you go with one of these premium kits. My 1st set in my Silverado was back in '02. The guy that has the truck now still has them cranking out pure white light. (btw- I paid $1500 for that set back in '02). It was more an experiment that made me fall in love with "real" HID lighting. Every one of my China made kits are in the dumpster. I probably have had more than 10 of those through the years, mostly in my sleds. They just aren't as bright and they blow way too soon ....and with the job for replacement in an FJR I recommend that you do it only once and the right way.

As said keep away from the China made ones and you should be good to go.

Once you ride at night w/ a set of hi-end HID's (and see the HUGE difference) you will literally crap your panties. Let me know if you find any makes and need me to critique them, chances are I probably have tried 'em

EDIT: And why the hell did you get a (-) for that post? haters are present huh?

 

[Top_Speed1]

If ya wanna go fleaBay (I know.. PayPal etc) I do own a set of these "Canbus" 6K models running in my Chevy Volt. It's easy access to them so I figured why not? Bought the Volt for my work transportation car back last Sept., put these in immediately and what a difference. Still perfect to date but I'm still in beta mode but every one of the cheap China kits have ship the bed way before this so maybe this kit is acceptable, time will tell.

This set cost under $150 w shipping and they seem pretty good so far. (link given is for the H4 bi-xenon with relay harness that would be needed for the FJR)

 

[Top_Speed1]

fleaBay option #2 (micro ballast H4 bi-xenon servo controlled).These ballasts fit a lot easier under the headlight (shelf) on the FJR.

...BUT as said above a couple of posts, "IF" you can swing a few more bucks, go for the German made ones. Osram capsules are very desirable in the hi-end HID capsule market along with Philip ballasts.

 

[TomInPA]

For inexpensive HID I have settled on this guy who is running a small business HIDLook.com

He is offering a 30 day money back guarantee and is using all AC ballasts. I have had experience with a few of his sets, and of the inexpensive kits, they are by far the best, and you have to like a guy who personally stands behind his sales and actually answers the phone. Anyway, that is my recommendation.