Replacing headlight bulbs, GN250

**nzcanadian** · 11th August 2007, 20:38

Hi, does anyone know how to replace the headlight bulbs in the GN250 (2006E)?
I've taken out the 3 screws around the circumference of the glass but it won't open.

Also, the bulbs burn out quite regularly (about every 3000km). Has anyone else encountered this problem?

**Madness** · 11th August 2007, 20:49

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**bimotabob** · 11th August 2007, 21:33

Hi

One thing to note also, their are two different type bulbs for these in service.
They are not interchangable.
Be aware of it.

Cheers

**xwhatsit** · 11th August 2007, 22:00

If it's a 2006 model, surely it'll be an H4-style bulb?

3000kms for a bulb doesn't seem normal. If it's 2006, still under warranty? Might pay to have the shop check it out.

**nzcanadian** · 11th August 2007, 23:46

Thanks for the tip about the Halogens; I'm presuming the bike shop stocks them. The GN lights are very dim to start with and I travel at night a lot - much appreciated.

**xwhatsit** · 12th August 2007, 00:11

Originally Posted by nzcanadian

Thanks for the tip about the Halogens; I'm presuming the bike shop stocks them. The GN lights are very dim to start with and I travel at night a lot - much appreciated.

The H4, which is a halogen bulb, is what most bikes run. The bike will probably already have one in there (if it's 2006 model at least, I don't think anybody still manufactures bikes with sealed-beam style headlights). They sell them everywhere, very common -- you can buy them in Repco, I've even seen them in petrol stations.

If it's a bit dim, try going up in wattage. Don't go excessively high as I've heard of melted wires and the like, but I find a 60/55W is more than adequate. It's worth noting that a decent quality bulb will be brighter for a given wattage than a crappy one.

Check how high the beam is aiming as well. I found there was a surprising difference in perceived brightness if the beam was incorrectly adjusted, and it wasn't immediately obvious that a too-low or too-high beam was to blame.

**bimotabob** · 12th August 2007, 09:16

Hi

The NZ spec ones from the eighties don't use H4, the chinese replicas
to the best of my knowledge don't either.
There are many non halogen bulb types available and currently in service
in the commuter end of the market.

xerxesdaphat - I think some GN's run the same type as your CB250RS.
large globe P15D type - no?
And the chinese use the bosch BA20D? - could be the other way round.

3000km life - check the voltage reg and quality of the bulb.

Cheers
BB

**xwhatsit** · 12th August 2007, 16:18

Hmm, that's very interesting. I always thought that the major headlight technologies were either H4 or sealed-beam. Interesting that such a popular model used something like this.

No the CB250RS uses a standard H4 fitting, from the RSA/RSC to the RSDX. It's possible some export models were fitted with something different, but the Japanese domestic and UK models (what we've likely got here in NZ) are H4.

nzcanadian -- you can buy very cheap H4 inserts that just bolt into the headlight rim. I've seen them for as little as $US30, but if you want a nice quality Cibie or Hella headlight then you'll pay as much as $NZ100. Perhaps not worth it if you can get these P15D/BA20D bulbs for cheap.

**bimotabob** · 12th August 2007, 20:22

Originally Posted by xerxesdaphat

Hmm, that's very interesting. I always thought that the major headlight technologies were either H4 or sealed-beam. Interesting that such a popular model used something like this.

No the CB250RS uses a standard H4 fitting, from the RSA/RSC to the RSDX. It's possible some export models were fitted with something different, but the Japanese domestic and UK models (what we've likely got here in NZ) are H4.

nzcanadian -- you can buy very cheap H4 inserts that just bolt into the headlight rim. I've seen them for as little as $US30, but if you want a nice quality Cibie or Hella headlight then you'll pay as much as $NZ100. Perhaps not worth it if you can get these P15D/BA20D bulbs for cheap.

The bugger is H4 is no longer the flavour of the month for cars now - probably bikes too.
They use all kinds of different bases which add to the costs no doubt.
All the small Chinese bikes I have seen are not Halogen factory to save dosh.
Lucky your CB250RS is Halogen mine took the same bulbs as my mum's Fiat uno.

Regards

**nzcanadian** · 18th August 2007, 13:10

Does anyone know how to physically replace the bulb? I undid the 3 screws around the outside of the headlight but it won't open.

**xwhatsit** · 18th August 2007, 13:40

Usually just two screws underneath the headlight, around the rim. It's held in place by a tab at the top, you just pull the rim out from the bottom and it should pop off the tab at the top. But then again your headlight is a bit different from what I'm used to.

**BASS-TREBLE** · 23rd September 2007, 10:22

My '05 GN had the BA15D bulb, it looks like the tail light bulb but a little bit bigger.
After I dropped her I needed a new headlight lens but that was like $150 from Suzuki so I bought a completely new headlight for around $80 which did have a H4 bulb.
It might pay for you to look at something like that.

Just my opinion.

**Macktheknife** · 23rd September 2007, 10:55

In some models of the GN, a small amount of turn is required to free the light body from the mounting frame. Try undoing the screws and turning the H/L anticlockwise from facing the bike head on, this should free it for removal, replace in the reverse order.
Good luck