H7 Headlight question

4622 Views 69 Replies 20 Participants Last post by LarryM, Feb 9, 2009

ldr_doug

Discussion Starter · Feb 2, 2009

I've been looking at getting some brighter headlights on my 08 ABS. One manufacturer sells H7 bulbs that are "55/110" and say that they draw 55W, the same as the original bulbs, but put out 110W of equivalent light.

I can't seem to get my head around that. Experience tells me that there's no free lunch, perpetual motion machine, or money for nothing.

Can anyone provide some clarification to this confusion?

tia

41 - 60 of 70 Posts

LarryM

· #41 · Feb 8, 2009

I'm sorry that guy behind you didn't have sense enough to turn off his modulator while in a group..
No one and I mean no one should run a modulator if riding in a group unless they are the leader..:wrong:!!

Now that is a logic I have never understood. It's wrong to have a modulator turned on if there are motorcycles in front of you because it is blinding and irritating. but it's ok if you blind and irritate a motorist in front of you? (all in the interest of being seen of course)

Sounds like a double standard to me.

Rocky

· #42 · Feb 8, 2009

LarryM said:
Now that is a logic I have never understood. It's wrong to have a modulator turned on if there are motorcycles in front of you because it is blinding and irritating. but it's ok if you blind and irritate a motorist in front of you? (all in the interest of being seen of course)

Sounds like a double standard to me.

Well Larry.Allow me to enlighten you..
It's like this .On coming car don't give a crap about motorcycles and pass them rather quickly going the opposite direction..
I'd rather them see me than cut in front of me!.

When a guy is in a pack of bikes he doesn't go by you but stays behind you (if he leaves his modulator on) that's the annoying part for anyone in front of him!..

Now do you get the drift?? :shrug:

ldr_doug

Discussion Starter · #43 · Feb 8, 2009

I'm beginning to regret asking the question.

Rocky

· #44 · Feb 8, 2009

ldr_doug said:
I'm beginning to regret asking the question.

Nawww..:doorag:

LarryM

· #45 · Feb 8, 2009

Rocky said:
Well Larry.Allow me to enlighten you..
It's like this .On coming car don't give a crap about motorcycles and pass them rather quickly going the opposite direction..
I'd rather them see me than cut in front of me!.

When a guy is in a pack of bikes he doesn't go by you but stays behind you (if he leaves his modulator on) that's the annoying part for anyone in front of him!..

Now do you get the drift?? :shrug:

I thought it was pretty clear that I was talking about following a motorist, not a motorist driving by you in the opposite direction. I wanted to know if you give motorists that you are following the same courtesy of turning off your modulator like you do if you are following a motorcycle?

Now do you get the drift?

cycledude

· #46 · Feb 8, 2009

ldr_doug said:
I've been looking at getting some brighter headlights on my 08 ABS. One manufacturer sells H7 bulbs that are "55/110" and say that they draw 55W, the same as the original bulbs, but put out 110W of equivalent light.

I can't seem to get my head around that. Experience tells me that there's no free lunch, perpetual motion machine, or money for nothing.

Can anyone provide some clarification to this confusion?

tia

well SORT OF back to your original question

just like u i was very curious about this 55-110 thing, so curious that i spent the 50 some dollars to see for myself :shock:

i have found that if u ride side by side with another GL1800 the difference in brightness after dark is pretty significant, my PIAA bulbs are installed in the low beam position only

lots of folks say these brighter bulbs have a much shorter life span, i will make my final decision as to weather or not they are worth the extra money to me after i find out how long they actually last

when looking to buy the PIAA bulbs i ran accross a website that said ALL PIAA products came with a lifetime warranty, of course they were charging an extra $25 for a pair so i didn't buy them there, since then i have learned that there is no lifetime warranty on PIAA bulbs

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Rocky

· #47 · Feb 8, 2009

LarryM said:
I wanted to know if you give motorists that you are following the same courtesy of turning off your modulator like you do if you are following a motorcycle?

Now do you get the drift?

Well Buddy..I don't know of anyone else who called Kisan and asked them what wire to tap into to turn of just the modulation on a headlight modulator while leaving the high beams on all the time..

I even built an extra switch to the left of my CB cluster,So I can turn it off/on with my left thumb.

Does that answer you question? :shrug:

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Waldo

· #48 · Feb 8, 2009

I usually don't participate in these kinda threads but ----- I do have a dog in this fight.

I HATE MODULATORS! I believe they should be banned. They make cage drivers act in unpredictable ways, such as stopping to let an emergency vehicle to pass by or slowing down below the speed limit suddenly. Who the freak are you to think you have more right to the right-of-way than the next guy? Anything that makes cagers act MORE unpredictably than they already do is BAD NEWS! I agree as well - friggin modulators suck in a group ride.

Related: Wig WaG sucks. I will NOT run behind a bike with WIG WAG. I know how the wings turn signals work and they STILL piss me off. At first, you don't know if that bike up there is turning right or left or if it's just dammed confused. Imagine being in front of a cager on the cell not knowing the GL1800 light layout off by heart. bad....

HID - You can have WAY too much light. Not only for the oncoming traffic, but for YOU too. I bet if we took an accurate survey, we'd find that the majority of us are over fifty. Guess what. You can't see as well as you used to. Contrast especially. Even if you are alone on a road with your EIGHT over driven lamps (hi - lo - fog - extra in the faring) reflectors, road signs, guard rails and anything that reflects light will end up feeding your retina too much information and contrast and you'll miss that raccoon sitting there staring at you because he's not wearing an orange vest with yellow reflective stripes.

Light, it seems, is a "guy" thing or something. Like, "My lights are brighter that yours and my Dad can kick your Dad's ass." Well, he probably could now because my Dad's dead, but my Dad was a decorated participant in the Battle of the Bulge in Bastogne and I'll warrant he was a pretty tough character back then like most of them. Anthony McAuliffe said when asked to surrender simply "NUTS!"

Well, in no way am I comparing myself to my Dad nor the good general, I'd say this thread is NUTS!

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Rocky

· #49 · Feb 8, 2009

Hello Dr.Phil have we got a doosy here for you..:roll::roll:
ROTLMAO

Sleddog

· #50 · Feb 8, 2009

LarryM said:
As far as the Wing goes, I can't imagine why anyone would need to modify those flamethrowers.

I read this as you saying there is no need to modify the lights

LarryM said:
I actually don't have a problem with higher wattage bulbs, and I stated that in an earlier post. My concern was aimed specifically at the technical problems involved in higher wattage bulbs, which is the reason I haven't done it myself. That's a legitimite concern & needs to be discussed. But look at the above quote. You said there is no reason to modify.

Regardless, I don't see a problem with someone making a post downplaying a modification to a bike, whether it's lights, suspension or whatever. If you can state what you think is a good reason, then it is a useful post. Most posters want to hear the good, the bad, and the ugly. If a person only wanted to hear the good, why bother posting? :shock: They may as well just go out and buy it, because according to your posting preferences, nobody is going to tell them not to. Would that make any sense at all?

I agree, if you want to debate because of concerns of what affect the modifications will have, that's good. But to say there is no need to change because stock is good enough is BS. No matter if it's bulbs, seats, tires, oil, etc.

Sleddog said:
Larry, it's when someone comes to the board, asks a question & others start preaching there is no need to change. Hell, there are aftermarket companies that make their living selling parts that no one needs.
How many times have you read that "I have x amount of miles on my stock seat & it's the best I've ever ridden" or "I have x miles on stock suspension & see no need to change" or "I get xx,xxx miles out of brand x tires & they're the best, no need to change"

You're partially correct about my posting preferences. Ask a question, listen to the good, bad & ugly & make a decision. But I'm not going to listen to someone that has not tried it, because in their opinion it's not needed.

And remember what I said "You have to make the decision if it's worth the risk"

Sleddog

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Sleddog

· #51 · Feb 8, 2009

Waldo said:
HID - You can have WAY too much light. light will end up feeding your retina too much information and contrast and you'll miss that raccoon sitting there staring at you because he's not wearing an orange vest with yellow reflective stripes.

This is rich.....TOO much light, OMG!

On the way home tonight (using my bright 80's) I saw a racoon sitting on the edge of the road with a sign that said "Where's Waldo"

Sleddog

LarryM

· #52 · Feb 8, 2009

No Rocky, you didn't answer it, even though it was a very simple yes or no question. You are the one who said it was rude for riders in a group to leave their modulators turned on because it is irritating to those in front. You are the one who said they could be easily turned off. I will even re-quote your post.

I'm sorry that guy behind you didn't have sense enough to turn off his modulator while in a group..
No one and I mean no one should run a modulator if riding in a group unless they are the leader..:wrong:!!

All I asked was whether you offer a motorist in the same situation the same courtesy that you do for a motorcycle. You are skiritng around the question like a politician that got his had caught in the cookie jar.

LarryM

· #53 · Feb 8, 2009

Sleddog said:
I read this as you saying there is no need to modify the lights

I agree, if you want to debate because of concerns of what affect the modifications will have, that's good. But to say there is no need to change because stock is good enough is BS. No matter if it's bulbs, seats, tires, oil, etc.

In many ways, I agree with your statement. But taking that one sentence out of my post completely changed the intent of what I was trying to say. Myabe I could have phrased it differently. I think there is a difference of opinion here on what is considered a "modification". I don't think simply putting a brighter bulb in the bike is a modification. In the context of my statement, I was referring to an HID conversion as a modification.

To explain further. Most people would agree that the Goldwing already has the best headlights on any motorcycle, meaning there is nothing fundamentally wrong with them from the start. Even though we would all like to have our headlights as bright as possible, installing an HID kit on the Wing that potentially causes a dangerous situation for oncoming motorists is, in my opinion, completely unnecessary, and irresponsible.

Now if the Wing had headlights that performed as poorly as the lights in my Grand Prix, which I used as an example, I could see why people would be willing to go this route.

HID guys don't fool me. They aren't installing these kits because they have a hard time seeing or because they want to be seen better. They do it because they are obsessed, and can't stand the thought that other vehicles have brighter headlights than they do. Some people claim that they do it because they will do anything to be more visible, regardless of the consequences on traffic around them. If this really is true, then these people need to find a new hobby, because their intense fear is just creating an unnecessary hazard on the roadways.

[/color]
You're partially correct about my posting preferences. Ask a question, listen to the good, bad & ugly & make a decision. But I'm not going to listen to someone that has not tried it, because in their opinion it's not needed.

I think that is very shortsighted to ignore people just because they haven't tried something. I will give you an example.

About a year ago, on the electronics board, a number of people suggested that a poster use a Y cable to connect his mp3 player and radar detector to the aux input at the same time. I strongly urged against doing this, because with my experience in electronics I knew that there was a very strong possibility of damaging both units. Now keep in mind I gave this warning even though I had never done it before.

Just like you are suggesting, he ignored my warning and installed the Y cable anyway. Well guess what? About a month later I found that he had made a post asking for help as to why his radar detector and mp3 player no longer put out audio. He had blown up both units just as I said might happen.

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LarryM

· #54 · Feb 8, 2009

Quote:
Originally Posted by ldr_doug
I've been looking at getting some brighter headlights on my 08 ABS. One manufacturer sells H7 bulbs that are "55/110" and say that they draw 55W, the same as the original bulbs, but put out 110W of equivalent light.

I can't seem to get my head around that. Experience tells me that there's no free lunch, perpetual motion machine, or money for nothing.

Can anyone provide some clarification to this confusion?

tia

As Cycledude said, getting back to your original question:
Yeah, your thinking is correct. There is no free lunch. But there are differences in the performance of bulbs between manufacturers, even when the wattage is the same. No one manufacturers has any advantage over the others in terms of brightness. Everything that one manufacturer know, the other know about as well.

One way that bulbs can be made brighter without drawing more current by increasing the efficiency of the bulb. Manufacturers do that by using different mixtures of materials to make the filament. But this is where that "nothing is free" part comes in. The same materials that make the bulb more efficient don't last as long as the tried and true methods used by other manufacturers.

Manufacturers have a goal as to what image they want among consumers. Some, like GE, want affordability and reliability to be their image. They are more than capable of making a bulb just as bright as a Piaa, but it would go against their corporate philosophy. Others, like Piaa, have ultimate performance as their goal, with price and reliability being secondary. I imagine that Piaa probably does make standard bulbs, but that is not what they are known for. Still others, like Philips, simply rely on outlandish claims and marketing, while making substandard products. You have to choose what is more important to you.

Many manufacturers flat out lie. Many times their claims are based on obscure tests and references that don't mean anything in the real world. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

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Roadie

· #55 · Feb 8, 2009

Rocky said:
I even built an extra switch to the left of my CB cluster,So I can turn it off/on with my left thumb.

That switch looks very nice...looks OEM.

BTW, do you have a link for where I could get some of those Piaa 4oooK Kevlin 55/119w bulbs? I don't need them for my Wing.......but my 09 Honda Civic has the worst headlights that I have ever had....maybe these bulbs would help.

Sleddog

· #56 · Feb 8, 2009

LarryM said:
HID guys don't fool me. They aren't installing these kits because they have a hard time seeing or because they want to be seen better. They do it because they are obsessed, and can't stand the thought that other vehicles have brighter headlights than they do. Some people claim that they do it because they will do anything to be more visible, regardless of the consequences on traffic around them. If this really is true, then these people need to find a new hobby, because their intense fear is just creating an unnecessary hazard on the roadways.
That, my friend, is the kind of BS comment I refer to.
There may be a few that install HID's for the reason you state, but I've ridden with too many bikes that have HID's that are adjusted properly, don't get flashed by oncoming traffic. In fact, a few weeks ago I rode several hundred miles, during the night, with a friend on a VFR that had HID's installed. I had to keep looking for him behind me. I was surprised that the HID's were not "in my mirrors". I even asked him at one fuel stop if they were HID's. He said they were, but keeps them adjusted so as not to blind oncoming traffic.:yes1:
Not all HID users are jerks

I think that is very shortsighted to ignore people just because they haven't tried something. I will give you an example.

About a year ago, on the electronics board, a number of people suggested that a poster use a Y cable to connect his mp3 player and radar detector to the aux input at the same time. I strongly urged against doing this, because with my experience in electronics I knew that there was a very strong possibility of damaging both units. Now keep in mind I gave this warning even though I had never done it before.

No, you gave advise based on facts. You didn't say "the GW has the best radio & sound system, I don't see why anyone would want to hook up an mp3 player"
Larry, are you getting what I'm trying to say? I'm all for debating the issues of modifications, changes, alterations. I just don't want to listen to "experts" that in their opinion think I don't need to change something.
Again an example....
"The Goldwing has the best lighting of any motorcycle, I don't see any reason why someone would want to add higher wattage bulbs or HID's"

Sleddog

GWTony

· #57 · Feb 8, 2009

LarryM said:
Still others, like Philips, simply rely on outlandish claims and marketing, while making substandard products. You have to choose what is more important to you.

Many manufacturers flat out lie. Many times their claims are based on obscure tests and references that don't mean anything in the real world. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

So I think this may possibly answer my question way up there...
I was wondering if anyone has tried the Phillips Xtreme power bulbs?
At one point I tried other bulbs from some companies like Luminics and they were not what they claimed at all.... as far as brighter lights, they sure can be too bright and reflect those speed limit signs back at you!

Rocky

· #58 · Feb 8, 2009

LarryM said:
No Rocky, you didn't answer it, even though it was a very simple yes or no question. You are the one who said it was rude for riders in a group to leave their modulators turned on because it is irritating to those in front. You are the one who said they could be easily turned off. I will even re-quote your post.
All I asked was whether you offer a motorist in the same situation the same courtesy that you do for a motorcycle. You are skiritng around the question like a politician that got his had caught in the cookie jar.

Morning Larry I know you aren't that dense,Why do you think I even bothered to make this custom switch for..to answer stupid questions from guys who can't figure it out for themselves?
Seeing you didn't get them message clear enough? :shrug:

YES I DO TURN OFF MY MODULATOR FOR "EVERYONE" WHEN I FEEL IT"S NOT NEEDED WHEN I"M OUT RIDING..most of my riding is solo btw,and I still only use the modulator when I'm in congested areas to help be seen..Your Federal government give me the right to run a modulator all the time if I feel like it?
Not everyone uses a modulator as conservatively as I do.

BTW:
I hate all politicians!

Rocky

· #59 · Feb 8, 2009

Roadie said:
That switch looks very nice...looks OEM.

BTW, do you have a link for where I could get some of those Piaa 4oooK Kevlin 55/119w bulbs? I don't need them for my Wing.......but my 09 Honda Civic has the worst headlights that I have ever had....maybe these bulbs would help.

Sent you a PM.

WINGERWING

· #60 · Feb 9, 2009

LarryM said:
HID guys don't fool me. They aren't installing these kits because they have a hard time seeing or because they want to be seen better. They do it because they are obsessed, and can't stand the thought that other vehicles have brighter headlights than they do. Some people claim that they do it because they will do anything to be more visible, regardless of the consequences on traffic around them. If this really is true, then these people need to find a new hobby, because their intense fear is just creating an unnecessary hazard on the roadways.

I have been running HID's in my wing since I purchased it. I have yet to be flashed at by oncoming traffic nor have I been bothered by area law enforcement. I am mindful of having the lights adjusted "down" just a little. In fact, with the high beams on, I don't get flashed at.

I am concerned about light scatter enough so that I had a friend drive the wing with me in my vehicle driving towards the bike. Not a problem.

The HID's do make me stand out a little more and that just might give me an edge of being seen.

I usually ride with one friend, and we love the secondary roads in WA. At night, Rich enjoys that my headlights will overtake his so he can see a little further down the road.

Intense fear, not. Therefore, I will continue to enjoy the hobby. Should I change bikes for whatever reason, HID's will be one of the first changes I do.

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