I'm buying a new headlight bulb, but I need some help.

Michael · August 12, 2009, 11:35:14 AM

I have a 1996 m900.

Here are 3 choices (I'm assuming these will work on my bike, but let me know if they won't).

PIAA H4 Xtreme White Bulb 60/55W = 110/100W Anti-Vib
$39.99

PIAA Xtreme White Plus Bulb- H4 Single Pack (H4 60/55w=135/125w Xtreme White Plus)
$28.99

PIAA H4 60/55=110/100 XTRM WHT 70456
$47.99

numbskull · August 12, 2009, 02:13:50 PM

Pretty sure the H4 will be fine but be careful of going to these extreme white bulbs. The whiter they are (cooler or blue-like), the less light they will throw down the road. I know there's a thread about this somewhere.

He Man · August 12, 2009, 03:24:30 PM

Quote from: DucAtomic on August 12, 2009, 02:13:50 PM
Pretty sure the H4 will be fine but be careful of going to these extreme white bulbs. The whiter they are (cooler or blue-like), the less light they will throw down the road. I know there's a thread about this somewhere.

Its not that significant until you start going into a color that isnt white. pure white or a bit yellow i sthe way to go. unless you like blue.

Im on sylviana star (the $20 pepboys one) people say they dont last that long though... ive heard great reviews on the phillips H4 bulbs though.

Old_and_slow · August 13, 2009, 09:01:07 AM

Great stuff on this site...start here:
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/blue/good/good.html

ute · August 13, 2009, 04:39:53 PM

silver stars are amazing ...used in all my vehicles and bikes

but as stated a short life span

Michael · August 14, 2009, 03:44:18 PM

Quote from: Old_and_slow on August 13, 2009, 09:01:07 AM
Great stuff on this site...start here:
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/blue/good/good.html

That was very helpful. Thank you.

64duc · August 17, 2009, 12:08:32 PM

I like Hella 80w100s myself.

dlearl476 · August 18, 2009, 08:43:52 AM

I've been using Phillips VisionPlus bulbs on all my vehicles since 2002 and have yet to have one fail, including the one on my F650 which has been ridden off-road a lot.
I get them from www.powerbulbs.com ~$30/pr IIRC>

Christian · August 18, 2009, 11:47:58 AM

My suggestion is the Osram Silverstar H4 bulb. Here's an Amazon link:

http://www.amazon.com/Silverstar-64193SVS-OSRAM-H4/dp/B001HF2IR0

Michael · December 29, 2009, 03:14:31 PM

Follow up ....

I still haven't bought a new bulb, but I'm about to. The Ducati dealer said that I should have an H7, is that right?

I don't think he realized I had the older (1996) M900.

Either way, should I get a H7 or H4? And what wattage?

ducpainter · December 29, 2009, 03:33:48 PM

Quote from: 64duc on August 17, 2009, 12:08:32 PM
I like Hella 80w100s myself.

I've been running one for 7 years and 28K.

ute · December 29, 2009, 03:36:18 PM

i am not 100% positive but it must be a H4

as for wattage go with stock wattage 60/55 and a sylvania silver star bulb

Michael · December 29, 2009, 10:28:25 PM

A few months ago I lost my service manual, but I got a new one this afternoon (or rather, I checked one out from the local library), and OEM is H4 halogen 60/55w.

Slide Panda · December 30, 2009, 06:56:19 AM

Your library had Duc tech manuals? Mines not that cool...

The Hella lights DP and 64duc mentioned are a whopping $8 - less than a third of the cheapest one you listed originally. Can't hurt to try. Or maybe one of the +50 lights discussed on that Daniel Stern site

Michael · December 30, 2009, 07:02:52 AM

I was thinking about those extreme white bulbs, and I realized that I never use my headlight -- not for seeing anyway (I live in one of the largest metropolitan areas in the country; there are streetlights wherever I go).

I realized that the only thing I use it for is to be seen by other people on the road.

So why not go extreme white?

News:

I'm buying a new headlight bulb, but I need some help.