I replaced the oem bulb with a Sylvania Silverstar #9003 and oh my! I can see at night!

Diane,
On a side note, when I replaced my stock bulb (two years ago) with a Sylvania SilverStar, I was told they don't last as long as the stock bulbs.

My stock bulb lasted about 7-years and the SilverStar is on its 2nd year now.
The way I look at it........even if the SilverStar only lives half as long as the stock bulb; it's still worth it because of the safety and extra visibility these bulbs create.
Phil

 

Wow, what a difference. :shock: I replaced the oem bulb with a Sylvania Silverstar #9003 and oh my! I can see at night! I have such a wider range of view. Then when I turned on the hi beam, that was a double wow! :shock: The whole night lit up!!

Yeah it does make a difference -- I did the same a couple years back. Now, add a lightbar and you'll really light up the night!! And be seen better in the daytime, too.

 

I tried to replace mine but coulde'nt see where/how you take the old one out. (doesen't say in the manual) Dumb I know But was it hard?

 

If you run the Sylvania on high beam during the day -- it will last 2-3 months (I've done that)

If you run low beam during day, and high beam at night (when alone on the road) it will last at least a year

$20 for the bulb ??? Worth every day whether I replace it once a month or once a year.

light= life

 

Anyone have any experience running one of these with a modulator?

Just curious on the lifespan with one.

 

Anyone have any experience running one of these with a modulator? Just curious on the lifespan with one.

Yeah use a modulator with it, but only since around January (the modulator was a Christmas present to myself....). Been working fine, but it obviously it hasn't been all that long.

I tried to replace mine but coulde'nt see where/how you take the old one out. (doesen't say in the manual) Dumb I know Crying or Very sad But was it hard? Smile

Nah it was easy, it's just replacing your headlight bulb, no biggie. Unplug the old one, put the new one in (I think, it's been awhile since I put the Silverstar in....).

 

Nah it was easy, it's just replacing your headlight bulb, no biggie. Unplug the old one, put the new one in (I think, it's been awhile since I put the Silverstar in....).

I watched my uncle install mine and that is what he did being very careful not to touch the new bulb, so he used a clean dish towel to handle the bulb.

 

I've had my Silver Star installed for the past 5 years and always run with the high beam on. I haven't had to replace it yet.

 

I've had my Silver Star installed for the past 5 years and always run with the high beam on. I haven't had to replace it yet.

I like what I am hearing!

 

Possibly silly question... would that 9003 fit on an 88 VLX? The repair manual doesnt have the light "numbers", only the voltage and wattage ratings. My low beam is fried so I need a new bulb anyway.

 

Possibly silly question... would that 9003 fit on an 88 VLX? The repair manual doesnt have the light "numbers", only the voltage and wattage ratings. My low beam is fried so I need a new bulb anyway.

Very possible. Take the old lightbulb to Walmart and compare the 9003 to yours. That is how I figured out which one to buy.

 

I've had my Silver Star installed for the past 5 years and always run with the high beam on. I haven't had to replace it yet.

PainterD,
Maybe she installed the standard (Auto Type) bulb instead of a motorcycle specific bulb. When I purchased mine; the package was clearly labeled for motorcycle use. I think the motorcycle specific bulbs are more durable and able to take vibrations associated with motorcycles.........
Phil

 

Wow, what a difference. :shock: I replaced the oem bulb with a Sylvania Silverstar #9003 and oh my! I can see at night! I have such a wider range of view. Then when I turned on the hi beam, that was a double wow! :shock: The whole night lit up!! My headlight before was so weak I would use my hi beam during the day and hope I was seen. Not anymore!!

DGimps comparision post on bulbs was a big help on what replacement to buy.
Here is a link to his comparision thread:
http://www.hondashadow.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=62713&highlight=headlight

Thanks DGimp!

Malu from GLP is that you ?

 

Just out of curiosity, why use the 9003 instead of the H4ST which has the same stats and is supposedly the one for motorcycles? I would assume the interior construction is more robust to accommodate the vibration.

 

DGimp's comparision post on bulbs was a big help on what replacement to buy.
Here is a link to his comparision thread:
http://www.hondashadow.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=62713&highlight=headlight

Thanks DGimp!

You're quite welcome! I'm glad it was helpful!

In answer to the H4/9003 questions:

I have not found any reputable place (like Sylvania, Phillips, or other lighting manufacturers websites) that says there is ANY difference between the 9003 and H4 bulbs.
From what I have found, H4 is just the European designation of the American 9003 bulb.

 

In answer to the H4/9003 questions:
I have not found any reputable place (like Sylvania, Phillips, or other lighting manufacturers websites) that says there is ANY difference between the 9003 and H4 bulbs.
From what I have found, H4 is just the European designation of the American 9003 bulb.

DGimp,
On the Sylvania website:
http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProducts/AutomotiveLighting/HighPerformance/Silverstar/ProductLine/
In the SilverStar Product listing; the first bulb listed clearly states the H4 SilverStar Headlight is for "Motorcycle Use" - and lists the part number: H4ST

Then, if you go down seven more listings to the 9003 bulb, it lists that bulb as a "High Performance Halogen Headlight" with no motorcycle notations.
According to Sylvania, the H4 is definitely a motorcycle specific bulb!
Phil

 

DGimp,
On the Sylvania website:
http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProducts/AutomotiveLighting/HighPerformance/Silverstar/ProductLine/
In the SilverStar Product listing; the first bulb listed clearly states the H4 SilverStar Headlight is for "Motorcycle Use" - and lists the part number: H4ST

Then, if you go down seven more listings to the 9003 bulb, it lists that bulb as a "High Performance Halogen Headlight" with no motorcycle notations.
According to Sylvania, the H4 is definitely a motorcycle specific bulb!
Phil

Yes, I know.
But if you click the more information link under each bulb, they have the same exact specifications -- right down to the same filament!
It is probably listed that way because they figure it is easier to give people what they want ("I need an H4 bulb for my bike"), rather than explain that it is the same bulb as a 9003.
Nowhere does it state there is any difference between the bulbs.
Phillips has a "motorcycle bulb" (designated H4) that has an orange base, but other than that the specs match their 9003 bulbs.
As I said, I haven't found anywhere reputable that shows any difference between the H4 and 9003.
There are however websites and sellers on eBay that will say that the H4 is motorcycle specific.

You can buy a 9003 bulb in a variety of wattages and colors, but it is still a 9003 (or H4) because of the shape of the base and plug and the fact that it is a bulb with both a high and low beam.

 

I went ahead and installed a 9003 ST last night and the difference is incredible (although it didn't prevent someone from trying to make a left hand turn in front of me this morning.) We'll see how it holds up.

Coincidentally, when I pulled the old bulb (which had been in there since before I bought the bike) it was a Sylvania 9003 XV. It seems to have been holding up pretty well. :wink:

 

My Silverstar has held up for over a year (about 16,000 miles). I would never go back to the stock bulb.

I certainly can't be certain, but I wonder if the short life that is often reported fro these bulbs is due to improperly handling during installation. Even a single fingerprint on the glass part of the bulb will cause it to fail prematurely.

 

Maybe she installed the standard (Auto Type) bulb instead of a motorcycle specific bulb. When I purchased mine; the package was clearly labeled for motorcycle use. I think the motorcycle specific bulbs are more durable and able to take vibrations associated with motorcycles.........
Phil

+1

 

I have been using the SilverStar for a couple of years and been very happy. A friend of mine that works at Advance Auto talked me into buying a generic brand and trying it. I have been using it for six months and it seems just as bright( hard to tell without side by side comparision). I hit a deer and took a spill on the bike and it made it through that. Best part the bulb was about $6 instead of $19.

 

I don't run a Sylvania blue, but long ago in all bikes I went from the Honda to H4 headlights. Low is regular, but High has more watts, works great, lasts as long as a stock bulb, and costs about $1.50.

I put them in the Wing about 1994, the Ace about 1996, and I've had one fail in the Wing, about 2000, and they are all running today!

135K on Wing. 25K on Ace

 

Nah it was easy, it's just replacing your headlight bulb, no biggie. Unplug the old one, put the new one in (I think, it's been awhile since I put the Silverstar in....).

I watched my uncle install mine and that is what he did being very careful not to touch the new bulb, so he used a clean dish towel to handle the bulb.

That's a VERY important step when handling bulbs of any significant brightness (like headlights).

Any oils or dust on the bulb itself will cause an overheating situation and possibly even cause the glass to fail. Whatever is on there will burn to the glass, and at the VERY least you get a dimmer, yellower light and a shorter light lifespan.

I'm also an advocate of keeping a spare headlamp bulb on your bike somewhere (unless you run a bar). If that thing goes out at night you are HOSED. (if you do a lot of night riding in BFE, if your'e alwaus in town at night, not so much)

 

Well just replaced the bulb with a silverstar. For those who would like to know : Just remove the (2) 8mm bolts at 5 oclock & 7 oclock (looking in front of bike) to headlight. Pull front of case off. Note: (tab on top so pull out on bottom then pull down.) Pull back rubber boot from light bulb assembly. Push down on copper wire clip to remove bulb.then just pull bulb straight out. Reinstall new bulb (taking care NOT to touch new bulb with skin) re-install copper wire clip, pull rubber boot over bulb assembly.re-install front case, 8mm bolts and your done. You may or may not need to re-adjust your light beem. I must say bulb is much brighter than stock. will try it out tonight.

 

Wow, what a difference. :shock: I replaced the oem bulb with a Sylvania Silverstar #9003 and oh my! I can see at night! I have such a wider range of view. Then when I turned on the hi beam, that was a double wow! :shock: The whole night lit up!! My headlight before was so weak I would use my hi beam during the day and hope I was seen. Not anymore!!

DGimps comparision post on bulbs was a big help on what replacement to buy.
Here is a link to his comparision thread:
http://www.hondashadow.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=62713&highlight=headlight

Thanks DGimp!

Hey All™,
Get you a Phillips +80 Xtreme, and forget the Silverstars!