Headligh bulb blew

[Brendan W]

Headlight bulb blew this morning. Switched up to main beam and that had failed soon after.
Not bad for seven years plus whatever the PO had it in for.
What's the herd wisdom on a better replacement H4.
I think I only noticed because I was less noticeable if that makes any sense

 

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Truck-Lite

 

[Redman]

Headlight burning out after a few years is not too much of a concern.
... but two of them in short order causes concern for if the charging system has a problem and voltage is WAY too high.
Check the battery voltage at 5000 rpm.

 

[Gorminrider]

Buy a "name brand".

Incandescent bulbs:Check the packaging for expected lifespan. Normal bulbs last longer than super-duper bright.

Sealed beams: My experience has been VERY poor with sealed beams- their lenses are going to plastics too. Glass rules.

LEDs: Last I have "heard" , the Trucklight really is good. Bulb replacements are chancy

Try here to get away from us. It's naturally full of trendy LED stuff but you might find some incandescent too
Automotive, Motorcycles Included.

 

[Brendan W]

Headlight burning out after a few years is not too much of a concern.
... but two of them in short order causes concern for if the charging system has a problem and voltage is WAY too high.
Check the battery voltage at 5000 rpm.

14.3 - 14.4 all the way from 2000 to 5000. Have a 775 in there.
If anything am losing nearly a Volt at the bulb plug again.
Time to go back to the ign switch and fusebox.
Battery is dropping a bit fast as well.
Yuasa lead acid getting on for four years.

 

[Grimly]

In the higher-output halogens, Osram Silver Stars lasted well for me, enough that I'd not go back to a standard halogen if I had the choice.
However, I now have a bucketful of halogens that I'll probably never use since everything I have is now fitted with decent H4 LEDs that have the quasi-filaments in the right place.

 

[2BRacing]

I have had great performance from a Philips X-tremeVision Moto H4 halogen bulb. It is supposedly more vibration-resistant than normal H4 bulbs.

 

[Brendan W]

Thank you all for taking the time.
The Focus decided to stop charging at 6:30 this morning with No2 son on his way to work only a mile from home so swapping cars was easy.
We'll see in the morning. With luck it's brushes or a connection.
These things happen in threes so I'm waiting for the last thing.
Think I'll get a named brand long life high output.
Night riding has been a bit tricky.

 

[rphillips]

Ever since back in the 80's I've ran higher watt headlights. Our GS's come with 55W/60W (I think) H4 bulbs. I get like 60/80 or 60/100 Off road bulbs. Same as OEM. on Lo, but much better on Hi. As yet had no fuses blowing or wires overheating from the extra load. Whatever you do, be respectful & switch to lo before you blind the driver you are meeting, 4' from you, at 60mph.

 

[Brendan W]

I'm sticking with a 55/60. I imagine the wiring is close to the edge in many places on the bike and I don't want to push my luck with bigger wattages.

 

[Eli69]

I switched to LEDs. I'll never go back. Clearer whiter light.

 

[Eli69]

New LED headlight bulbs just came in for the beemer. The picture is new LED in the high beam on the left and the old halogen on the right. The old bulb looks absolutely yellow. The new low beam bulb is sitting on the fender.

 

[Brendan W]

That looks bright enough to be generating reverse thrust
I've put a halogen 55/60 in and frankly it's a lot brighter than the 7+ year old bulb it replaced.
Perhaps if I was still still doing long night rides I would upgrade to led.
There were nights on the straight high roads in the midlands when you wouldn't see a vehicle for half an hour and if the Moon was full you could see further with the headlamp off.