Brighter bulbs

[eteb3]

Evening folks,

Hope y'all don't mind helping a total newbie with his really newbie questions.

I'm the happy owner of a CB250 from 1997, lovely deep red and great except that the headlight struggles to light a roadsign on 'dipped', and full beam is so dim you can ride it all the time and no-one flashes to tell you to dip it.

Halfrauds recommended me an H4 xenon - but it's rated 60/55W and my manual says it needs 50/35W. Is that just cos it's a brighter light, and I should fit it anyway like they say, or is it going to blow something up?

Any help much appreciated!

Ed

[druidsam]

i changed my bulb and it made a huge difference easy headlight upgrade. i would change the bulb if i was you

and you could say hello to everyone here New Members - The Biker Forum



...................Sam

[Reborn]

Your headlight may also be angled down to much. If you are on good terms with your local bike MOT spot, pop in and ask them to give it a quick check. It would only take two minutes if they aren't busy.

[jonnywombat]

I guess you would be ok with a 60/55, I have in my youth run 100/80 on standard wiring but you really should wire in a new relay at that sort of power, and they are not road legal...

I have the blue/white light type of bulbs in me car and I think they do make a difference... and have been thinking of fitting them to the bandit, the main beam is ok on that but dip is a bot feeble

[Reddit]

Originally Posted by eteb3

Evening folks,

Hope y'all don't mind helping a total newbie with his really newbie questions.

I'm the happy owner of a CB250 from 1997, lovely deep red and great except that the headlight struggles to light a roadsign on 'dipped', and full beam is so dim you can ride it all the time and no-one flashes to tell you to dip it.

Halfrauds recommended me an H4 xenon - but it's rated 60/55W and my manual says it needs 50/35W. Is that just cos it's a brighter light, and I should fit it anyway like they say, or is it going to blow something up?

Any help much appreciated!

Ed

Hi Ed, and welcome.
If you're gonna go for the bulb upgrade, buy a reputable one. Haven't any experience of the ones from Halfords (own brand), but I use Osram Silverstars or Phillips Vision Plus. I tried the cheaper blue hid fake versions off the likes of fleabay (which all originate from dubious areas of the orient) and (imo) they were bloody dangerous! The light output was feeble and a funny grey colour, and they were so poorly made that it threw the headlight adjustment right out. You pay your money and take your choice, but if your life depends on it, what's a couple of quid extra? Don't go for anything above the 60/55w or you'll melt the wiring / reflector (or both if you're really unlucky).
Happy biking

[FirestormMike]

I replaced the Firestorms candle with a Philips "blue" type, made quite a difference, plus it only cost me £4 for two from Rufforth autojumble.

[druidsam]

i used vision plus and its been great



..................Sam

[eteb3]

Cheers for all the help and advice, guys. For the time being I've put the brighter bulb in, but I'm trying to track down a xenon with a lower wattage (any idea if I'll manage?!)

Jonnywombat, do you know why it wouldn't be road legal if I upgraded the relay? Know how I can get round the legal stuff? Thanks again.

Ed

[Bill CBF1000]

want to upgrade my headlight bulbs but daft as it sounds, don't know the code or type fitted (i.e. 2 lug, 3 lug, etc) and as it involves stripping front fairings (and fairing lowers) I really dont want to unless I have to ......

[indie]

Originally Posted by FirestormMike

I replaced the Firestorms candle with a Philips "blue" type, made quite a difference, plus it only cost me £4 for two from Rufforth autojumble.

mine are so poor that i would compare them to a cheap match stick