Headlight bulbs

[Nickster]

I'm looking to replace my boring factory headlight bulbs with new exciting
xenon or similar bulbs. Are both lamps on the rockster the same
i.e. H1 55w/120v? Can i buy the ones in the auto dept. at my local super mega chain store?
Any help would be appreciated.
"Rock" on

[Taipan]

Osram Silverstar 50% brighter bulbs are suposed to be an excellent bulb.

[Nickster]

So both high and low beam take the same bulb?
H1 55w 12v?

[ed@r1150r]

maybe look here somewhere... someone here got's Xenon...

http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?t=2189

[domekrome]

So both high and low beam take the same bulb?
H1 55w 12v?

Did you figure this one out? I too am looking for brighter bulbs.

[rearro]

You Know the guy at the Bmw dealer told me that they were H-7's and that they were both the same But I looked in my owners manual and It did say h-1 ??? does anyone have any words of wisdom? I too would like to "just change the look of the stock Lights"

[berliner]

I've been looking for Xenon lights too. As I learned xenon bulbs won't change much. Main difference ist the colour (temprature) of the light.

I found this at Nippy Normans

http://www.nippynormans.com/products.asp?dept=168

Since this kit is more expansiv than I am willing to spend at the moment I have put it on my list.

[neevee]

Both bulbs are the same on the Rockster. They are H1's. I got a set of PIAA Xtreme White Plus on ebay, and they seem much brighter to the oncoming traffic. I'm not sure if it actually lights up the road better.

[sweatmark]

My "new" Edition 80 has HID main beam, installed by original owner. Light is bright & obviously bluish, beam spread is wide but not as far reaching (straight ahead) as might be desired. Don't think he bought a kit, but rather specialist installer using Philips hardware.

I'd imagine the HID is both noticable and obnoxious to cagers.

The HID relay is wired to ignition to avoid restarts when switching between hi- to low-beam.

Cnventional high beam bulb adds a bit to the HID, but I'd like to try a bulb change to Hella Yellow Star or equivalent. Wish I could focus the high beam further/farther down the road.

Mark
Oregon

[bad n ruin]

I've tried Phillips Silverstar (the alleged 50% brighter variety) and PIAA extreme white flavor, and while each were brighter than stock for nightvision (PIAA being the brightest), they were almost invisible during the day - not good for conspicuity! Because the color temp of these bulbs approach daylight color temp they are barely noticeable during the day. (in fact, I've been told my headlight is "out" from riders ahead of me in a pack!)

If you upgrade to a 'whiter, brighter' headlight bulb for better night vision, additional lighting should have a lower color temp, i.e. yellow.

[socalrob]

Bad n Ruin

Thats an interesting thought. I recently installed a HID bulb/kit on my roadster, which is different than the Rockster in that the roadster has only one H4 bulb, the rock I take it has a different bulb for the high and the low beam.

I really like the HID for night riding. It makes riding the bike at night relaxing in that even on the freeway I don't feel like I'm over riding my light. That said, having the 2 bulbs like the Rockster I think the upgrade would be even better as the highbeam would be normal bulb.

I am considering putting the caliper mounted motolights with yellow bulbs on my roadster both for the daylight visibility you mentioned and to fill in light on the road when I have my high beam on.

BTW, I like your screen name, & also your avatar. Very cool. What/who is it? edit - just realized, agent smith from the matrix?

[bad n ruin]

I am considering putting the caliper mounted motolights with yellow bulbs on my roadster both for the daylight visibility you mentioned and to fill in light on the road when I have my high beam on.

This is e-x-a-c-t-l-y my next (lighting) upgrade! (I think there's install tips somewhere on this site.)

What/who is it? edit - just realized, agent smith from the matrix?

Correct!, Mr. Anderson.

[wardieone]

The Silver Star H1 only lasted about 3 months in my bike. Brighter than stock but life expectancy was horrible. Maybe I am the exception I dunno? Wardieone

[jeffbowman]

I upgraded from stock to the Sylvania Silverstar H1 ST for my '04 Rockster and was very pleased with the improvement in illumination. HOWEVER, as others have noted, they don't last long. In my case, I think about 3,000 - 4,000 miles. OUCH.

I won't go with anything less bright, just from a safety perspective, but I sure would like to find something with more longevity.

Is higher watts with a relay the only way to accomplish this?

Thoughts?

Thanks!

[arbik]

Both bulbs on the Rock are H1s, which is brilliant I think. I follows from the GS design, so its like having a redundant spare bulb with you for your low beam.
I installed HIDs on my 04 Rockster on the low beam, then switched the high beam to the Sylvania SilverStar. The Sylvania burned out in a few months and I switched back to standard high beam bulb.
The colors are very different now. the HID is very WHITE (NOT BLUE, you can hoose the temperature. i chose 4300K I think). And the high beam now, is very yellow compared to it. Its very noticable..which is good.
I'm very happy with the HID. I ride with a few guys who have done the conversion and are happy with them. I did the conversion, so if ever, on the road my bulb goes dead, I can just pop a regular bulb in there, and be on my way, only by swapping some connectors.
the only hard part was stuffing the ballast. I stuffed it in the frame cavity right up front behind the shock.
hit me up if you have any questions.
I basically bought a car HID set, and split it with my buddy.
Piece of cake.

-arbi

[jeffbowman]

I did some more searching around and found the following product for GS that should work for the Rockster also --> http://www.bestrestproducts.com/celesti ... /?recno=66

I went ahead and ordered hoping that (a) they're about as bright as the Sylvania Silverstar H1 and (b) the year-long warranty they talk about is the real deal.

We'll see. I'll report back.

Failing success here I go straight to HID.

Thanks for the tip!