Topic: LED Headlight for CB350F

[Gibbit]

So there seems to be a bunch of discussion around LED headlights but I didn't see anything specific to this type:

BEAMTECH H4 LED Headlight Bulb, 50W 6500K 8000Lumens Extremely Brigh (9003 Hi/Lo) CSP Chips Conversion Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XHD78DQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_8LGjzb4V9EBE1

Anyone have experience with these types of bulbs? This one in particular is fan-less which I like compared to some other LED offerings. Also 25w low beam and 50w high.

I recently installed a H4 style bucket / reflector on the 350F. So far I've gone through two 35w bulbs in 2 weeks. One was seriously not bright enough and the other one burned out after 3 days, high beam still works but no low beam.  There seems to be very few options for 35w H4 bulbs and they all have horrid reviews whether not bright enough or burning out too soon.

I want to stay away from the 55/60w bulbs just to not put anymore tax on the electrical than necessary. Otherwise I'd go with the philips moto vision bulbs, but they are only in 55/60w versions.

Are there any other good options I'm not finding?


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[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I wonder about the bulb being fan-less.  What is going to cool that closed space with nothing but wiring in a "hot box"?

[Gibbit]

Just pulled the trigger on this guy:

https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/back-up-light-bulb/motorcycle-led-headlight-conversion-kit-h4-led-headlight-bulb-conversion-kit-with-compact-heat-sink/3930/8566/

SBL seems to have a good reputation on the forum here and this one is marketed specifically for motorcycles.  Will report back when it's installed and hopefully it lasts.

[Gibbit]

After riding a couple weeks with the new headlight, I can say that this was an awesome upgrade.  Results may vary depending on your own reflector / housing, but on my cheapo housing it increased the brightness tremendously.  Plenty of light at night time, uses only 18w whether on low or high beams, very visible during the day, much more so than the 35w/35w H4 bulb I had before.  Zero complaints.

We'll see how long it lasts, but as smooth as the 350F is, I don't suspect vibration will be an issue.  Can't say anything about the heat it generates, but honestly I suspect very little... maybe next time I go on a long ride I'll pop the cover off afterward and check.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Any reason why you chose the superbright branded led bulb over the beamtech in your initial post?

[Gibbit]

Any reason why you chose the superbright branded led bulb over the beamtech in your initial post?

Simply based on the feedback from forum members about superbright being a reputable and solid brand. I also got the LED tail light from them too as others had recommended. Both were excellent upgrades.


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[jas67]

@Genesee -- can you share a link to the H4 headlight reflector that you're using?

Thanks!
Jay

[FlyingLowStevo]

Just pulled the trigger on this guy:

https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/back-up-light-bulb/motorcycle-led-headlight-conversion-kit-h4-led-headlight-bulb-conversion-kit-with-compact-heat-sink/3930/8566/

SBL seems to have a good reputation on the forum here and this one is marketed specifically for motorcycles.  Will report back when it's installed and hopefully it lasts.

Looks good but color is 7200K which is on the bluewhite end of the spectrum. I'm looking for one around 3000K, more yellow old school look. Anyone found a good LED headlight bulb in that color range?

[RAFster122s]

Blue gets reflected really bad causing glare...Around 5k is better I think.  They generallygo for the high temp to get that brighter whiter light...just pushing the perception of better...

David

[Gibbit]

@Genesee -- can you share a link to the H4 headlight reflector that you're using?

Thanks!
Jay

I got this guy.

http://4into1.com/build-your-own-6-5-side-mount-halogen-headlight/

Cheap and effective. Much better than the cracked stock housing.


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[jas67]

I got this guy.

http://4into1.com/build-your-own-6-5-side-mount-halogen-headlight/

Thank!

[Bodi]

I was going to suggest Candlepower, but they don't have the small H4 headlights now. The factory was too close to the Fukushima power station.

[RAFster122s]

There has not been a lot of media coverage of that area after the meltdown.  It left a large area uninhabitable.
the initial sensational news gets reported but they do not give air time to things after they have had their moment in the headlines.  The media only reports that which is schocking or bad and they sensationalize things and often give something of little importance more attention than warranted to  drive to their ends or a message they want  to push.

I wonder how many people were displaced and how many structures and businesses not destroyed by the flooding were rendered uninhabitable?
Hopefully the people living there were evacuated quickly enough to avoid the cancers and other health affects of the radiation.

David

[Dunk]

What reflector are you using? Cibie is one of the best, I've used them on multiple bikes. The cheap generic H4 relfectors do not tightly control the beam to put light where you want it. That may be a factor depending on the reflector you have.

Did you install relays? This makes an appreciable difference in headlight brightness even with a sealed beam. Eastern Beaver sells compact Panasonic relays that fit in the headlight bucket without much fuss.

[Lou]

Any reason why you chose the superbright branded led bulb over the beamtech in your initial post?

How easy/challenging was it to install the  Motorcycle H4 LED Fanless Headlight Conversion Kit with Compact Heat Sink - 2,000 Lumens ?

Did you have to modify anything that takes away from the stock look?

[spotty]

I was going to suggest Candlepower, but they don't have the small H4 headlights now. The factory was too close to the Fukushima power station.

so you don't need to turn the headlight on anymore, they just glow all of their own accord ?

[Deltarider]

What is this obsession with superbrightness? You won't see anything better and you may be treated by blinding roadsigns and exaggerated shadows. About being seen: orangish/yellowish is still the best. It is the colourtemp humans will notice best. Why? It is in our genes.

[spotty]

What is this obsession with superbrightness? You won't see anything better and you may be treated by blinding roadsigns and exaggerated shadows. About being seen: orangish/yellowish is still the best. It is the colourtemp humans will notice best. Why? It is in our genes.

Not sure about NC, but where I live, out in the un-street-lighted hills of southern Australia, superbrightness is paramount
I use 90/110W halogens in any bike I have, it enables me to see maybe half a mile down the road, I can see road hazards, stupid local suicidal/homicidal animals, downed trees and countless other death dealing items
Also the advantages of super bright in being seen cannot be ignored, yes, superbright might annoy other road users but at least they saw you, and it works during the day
Orange/yellow ' natural light' may be what the human eye is expecting but it's not a danger trigger, it doesn't stand out against light behind you whereas bright white/blue does

Of course it's all personal choice and so far I've tried LED but the jury is still out for me as the ones I've tried don't have the distance I want ( so superbright you can be seen from the moon but can't see 100 yards ahead) but the tech is changing all the time so maybe I'll give it another go in a while

[Deltarider]

What is this obsession with superbrightness? You won't see anything better and you may be treated by blinding roadsigns and exaggerated shadows. About being seen: orangish/yellowish is still the best. It is the colourtemp humans will notice best. Why? It is in our genes.

Not sure about NC, but where I live, out in the un-street-lighted hills of southern Australia, superbrightness is paramount

Brightness is not a quality. In most circumstances we ride, daylight is very bright. If you wanna be noticed, better opt for a slightly different colour temp.

I use 90/110W halogens in any bike I have...

Another misconception that could come straight from misleading advertisements. Watts just indicates how much energy is used. Could well be that energy is transformed in just heat. Watts doesn't say much about the quality of the light, let alone the lumens produced. We had those 100 Watts bulbs here too, unbranded ofcourse. They were not as good as the H4s produced by original equipment manufacturers like Philips and Osram. Although I haven't seen those 100Watts bulbs in a long time, they no doubt will surface again (Alibaba probably) because 'more' in advertisements will always sell.

... yes, superbright might annoy other road users...

But... you as another road user wouldn't mind being annoyed ofcourse... Well I personally don't want to annoy anybody. The more uniform lighting in traffic is, the better it is for all of us. Luckily legislation allows us motorcyclists to choose a more orangish/yellowish headlight to stand out.

Orange/yellow ' natural light' may be what the human eye is expecting but it's not a danger trigger, it doesn't stand out against light behind you...

Are you kidding me? Ever wondered why indicators - even in the front - blink amber and not bright? Orange/yellow/amber is the colour par excellence that triggers our attention. It is in our genes.
Why is it people go for these silly - often not street legal - Chinese junk products? Is it because reading the ads they project their childish fantasies in the promised high quantities of Watts (before) and Kelvin (now)? It seems to work in markets where people are conditioned to interpret quantity as quality.

[spotty]

also to be taken into account is the pattern and style of both the reflector and lens, which affect spread and direction of beam, its often a game of trial and error getting both of those right and working well with your choice of bulb ( either incandescent traditional, incandescent halogen or led)

and yes many people choose to stay with whatever the manufacturer gave them in the first place but having started riding life on vespas with 6V 25/35 headlights i have been inspired ever since to find better, even mrs spotty, after finding out i had got myself a ZZR11,  asked me when i was going to change the headlight and indicators......

 there's nothing wrong with trying to find better , you just don't always succeed, but at least you've tried

then theres the style part of the equation, again personal choice but one that should never over-rule function or if it does then accept the consequences

[ofreen]

There is something about the quality of LED light that my eyes don't like.   I've had a series of LED work lights that I use for a while, then give away.  I haven't liked them as well as the old halogen lights for seeing what I am doing.  Admittedly, I am old but I still don't need glasses, even for close work.  As time has gone on, the LEDs have gotten better, such as the Snap On work light I have now which is tolerable.  But I still grab the old 18V Ryobi light with incandescent bulb for a lot of work.  Same thing with the LED headlights I've driven behind.  They look brighter but paradoxically it seems like I can't see as well.  Too contrasty, shadows are deeper.  I know my experience isn't universal, because a lot of people don't know what the hell I am talking about.  (Of course, a lot of people don't understand why an LED TV is almost unwatchable to me because I am used to our old plasma.)

[Deltarider]

There is something about the quality of LED light that my eyes don't like.   I've had a series of LED work lights that I use for a while, then give away.  I haven't liked them as well as the old halogen lights for seeing what I am doing.  Admittedly, I am old but I still don't need glasses, even for close work.  As time has gone on, the LEDs have gotten better, such as the Snap On work light I have now which is tolerable.  But I still grab the old 18V Ryobi light with incandescent bulb for a lot of work.  Same thing with the LED headlights I've driven behind.  They look brighter but paradoxically it seems like I can't see as well.  Too contrasty, shadows are deeper.  I know my experience isn't universal, because a lot of people don't know what the hell I am talking about.  (Of course, a lot of people don't understand why an LED TV is almost unwatchable to me because I am used to our old plasma.)

Thanks, Ofreen, I thought I was the only one. Whenever I do something in the garage with Led light, it always hinders me. Somehow the light is always in my eyes, no matter how I position the lamp. I don't have that problem with conventional lamps.