[Austinlindsey1]

What is the best options for brighter lights?

I have read a couple threads that the LED bulbs don’t have good high beam spectrum which has me skeptical. I would like to find a brighter light that performs well in factory housing if possible. Im also considering replacing the entire fixture but unsure of what options are available that will,
1) be able to hold the wiring like the stock housing, and 2) mounts where the stock housing mounts (I do understand modifications may be required.)
Would gladly appreciate any links, photos or info to what you all run and have had the best performance with!

 

[Ramie]

I'm sure there will be some different opinions on this but here is mine. Some LED bulbs don't work well with the reflector and lens because the reflectors are made for a incandescent bulb and they reflect light differently. I would either up grade to a Sylvania silver star bulb or go with something like this.

Eagle Lights 5 3/4" LED Headlight Kit with Halo Ring for Harley Davidson and Indian Motorcycles - Generation II

The Eagle Lights 8900 Series is the next evolution of LED motorcycle lighting. Our 8900 LED headlight kit provides nearly 6X the safety and visibility compared to the stock headlight unit. It is a plug and play LED headlight kit that fits Harley Davidson and Indian model motorcycles with 5 3/4"...

www.eaglelights.com

You would have to modify the mount for it to fit the bucket or buy a Harley bucket and fit that to your ride.

 

[punxsybob]

Silver Star bulb AND go through the trouble to accurately aim your headlight housing. Late night, dark tree lined road, (little to no traffic) and have a buddy help aim it while you sit on it . JMO

 

[oldguy]

Mine too, exactly what Punxsy said. And I'd add do it on a deserted flat road with you or someone the same height/weight sitting on the bike in your lane. Aim it so the high beam bright spot is centered in your lane and as far down the road as possible without lifting the spot off the pavement. Found my last 3 bikes came with the high beam hitting the road 50 to 100 feet out, aimed WAY too low from the factory.

 

[D's Spirit]

Howdy Austinlindsey1!

I replaced the standard Halogen H4 headlight bulbs with plug and play LED's on both the Spirit and my Valkyrie. These LED's were inexpensive finds off of Amazon. The "mystery" manufacturer claimed a 30,000 hour bulb life with a color temperature of 6000˚K. Both bulbs have worked great since August 2021.

I did do some testing when I replaced the Halogen headlight bulb on the Valkyrie...

The headlight was on high beam for both Halogen and LED bulbs. My incident light meter was set 10ft from of the front of the headlight in the middle of the beam. The bike was up on my lift and the front wheel was held steady by a wheel chock.

Halogen Headlight Bulb: 156 foot candles, with a color temp of 2800˚K (about the same color as a standard incandescent household bulb)
LED Headlight Bulb: 356 foot candles, with a color temp of 7000˚K (about the same color as an overcast day outside)

Simple math yields that the LED is more that 2.28 stops brighter than the Halogen bulb. Since one stop of light increase means double the amount of light, the LED is more than 4.5 times brighter than the standard Halogen headlight bulb.

Not bad for a $30 investment!

 

[Peppysfireball]

I posted pictures last year after putting in the silverstars. It was brighter on both our bikes. I can't put in led as I ha e a headlight modulator

 

[Austinlindsey1]

Silver Star bulb AND go through the trouble to accurately aim your headlight housing. Late night, dark tree lined road, (little to no traffic) and have a buddy help aim it while you sit on it . JMO

lol right outside my front door is a dark tree line road. thank you for you input

 

[Austinlindsey1]

@Peppysfireball @oldguy @punxsybob can you guys send me a link of which one you recommend?
9003 bulbs?

Sylvania Home

SYLVANIA is the leading automotive lighting supplier, providing high performance lighting products. Use our bulb replacement guide to find the right bulb that fits your vehicle.

www.sylvania-automotive.com

 

[Peppysfireball]

@Peppysfireball @oldguy @punxsybob can you guys send me a link of which one you recommend?
9003 bulbs?

Sylvania Home

SYLVANIA is the leading automotive lighting supplier, providing high performance lighting products. Use our bulb replacement guide to find the right bulb that fits your vehicle.

www.sylvania-automotive.com

It will be a blue package and say silverstar

 

[Peppysfireball]

Here is silverstar ultra. If you look at my posts I have up a video of before and after with both my bike and my husbands

 

[Austinlindsey1]

Here is silverstar ultra. If you look at my posts I have up a video of before and after with both my bike and my husbands

can you post a link to the video/post I'm unable to find it, again thank you!

 

[Peppysfireball]

Thats more work than I can manage at the moment. I wouldn't k ow where to start. I'll jist say it was way brighter on both our bikes