What lightbulb can I upgrade to?

[Gibbo89]

*What headlight can I upgrade to rather*

I have read in previous threads using the search function that HID lights are illegal, and most people seem to not put HID lights in their bikes because they might fail wof's etc. Except for DangerousBastard who put it in his Hyo.

I want a bulb that is basically better than my stock one, (so one that is great at night with a clearer and better range, in low beam and high beam).


If it is an expensive job, then I won't bother with it (i.e. needing a whole new electrical system).

But what light bulbs are available for me that are better than my current standard bulb?

Thanks for any advice.

[Gremlin]

what light bulb and type do you currently have? Plenty of threads on this too. Use the word hella with bulb etc, and you'll get some more threads. :D long story short, its easy to do

[Gibbo89]

what light bulb and type do you currently have?

I have absolutely no idea... :facepalm:

In a 1997 manual I have for a Zeal, it says: quartz bulb (halogen), obviously this might bot be in mine

I will have a look tomorrow, if it isn't too hard.

[davebullet]

Asuming the Zeal takes an H4 - something from the Philips range (like this) would bake your noodle:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Car-parts-accessories/Performance/Bulbs/auction-325710479.htm

[LBD]

go to... http://db.hella.com.au/cgi-bin/catalogue.pl?flcmd=showsection&flrecsection=Automotive
Identify the globe you have and buy the largest "plus" version from your local dealer/auto sparkie or hella dealer.

Same current draw, same heat generated and much more illumination

[Juzz976]

Polishing and aligning your headlamps will help restore some illumination.

HIDs can sometimes blind oncoming traffic.

I also only buy bikes with 2 headlamps, improved visibility and if 1 fails your not stuck on the side of the road at night (not that I''ve had 1 fail as yet).

[davebullet]

I also only buy bikes with 2 headlamps, improved visibility and if 1 fails your not stuck on the side of the road at night (not that I''ve had 1 fail as yet).

I'm pretty bright so hoping that will do in the dark should mine fail.

[Owl]

Asuming the Zeal takes an H4 - something from the Philips range (like this) would bake your noodle:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Car-parts-accessories/Performance/Bulbs/auction-325710479.htm

Like Dave said, but they're cheaper from here and free worldwide freight.:yes:

http://www.powerbulbs.com/philips-xtreme-extreme-power.asp?cat1=37&cat2=73

They also have the new Philips-Extreme-Vision +100, but they're fairly expensive.

[Flip]

The problem with HID's is they take time to start, so unless you have 2 headlights you have a bit of a problem.

Phillips do a H4 plus 50% which I am sure you will find is a whole pile brighter. I have seen them at Repco, but I brought mine from the auto electrical store on St asaph near Wards brewery (Cant think of the name). Check with Max on the WNR.

Check out how bright the head light on my bike is, its a +50. I have fitted 75 and 100W bulbs to my Landrover and I would say that the +50 is as bright as any of them, but won't fry your electrical system, the landy has a 100 amp 24v alternator.

Check the glass and reflector is clean it also makes a diference.

[notme]

*What headlight can I upgrade to rather*

I have read in previous threads using the search function that HID lights are illegal, .......

HID is perfectly legal as long as you replace the complete assembly, as the reflector needs to be different.


The problem with HID's is they take time to start, so unless you have 2 headlights you have a bit of a problem.
Buy a good brand. You will be at about 90% of full brightness in under 15 seconds, and during the 15 seconds you will have some light if you really must move off within seconds of starting the engine.

[Gibbo89]

Buy a good brand. You will be at about 90% of full brightness in under 15 seconds, and during the 15 seconds you will have some light if you really must move off within seconds of starting the engine.

as i only have the 1 light, does it take time for the high beam to kick in? driving at night, you flick from low to high quite a bit. i read that you may have a few seconds of darkness when going to high beam, maybe that is just for the 'illegal' one i mentioned before. Although i saw from allun that it is not illegal, but if it is expensive, then the upgrade that Flip mentioned might be the way to go...

[notme]

as i only have the 1 light, does it take time for the high beam to kick in? driving at night, you flick from low to high quite a bit. i read that you may have a few seconds of darkness when going to high beam, maybe that is just for the 'illegal' one i mentioned before.

A proper full kit will not have a problem with low to high beam transitions. Another reason to ignore the crappy "upgrade" kits. There is no such thing as a legal or proper "upgrade" kit for HID, there are only replacement kits which include the whole headlight assembly.


Although i saw from allun that it is not illegal, but if it is expensive, then the upgrade that Flip mentioned might be the way to go...

It will be expensive, if you want to do it properly. If you want a quick cheap and easy solution, do as others have suggested above and get better conventional bulbs...