Topic: H4 Headlight

[Bob Wessner]

I was prowling eBay the other day and saw a 7" 60/55w unit that I was considering for my 750. I did a search but found nothing related to my particular question. The unit on eBay had a front/back picture. On the back side image I thought I made out a tag that said "For Off-Road Use Only." Why would that be, lens shape or light pattern perhaps??

[BobbyR]

I was prowling eBay the other day and saw a 7" 60/55w unit that I was considering for my 750. I did a search but found nothing related to my particular question. The unit on eBay had a front/back picture. On the back side image I thought I made out a tag that said "For Off-Road Use Only." Why would that be, lens shape or light pattern perhaps??

Bob, my friend has been wholesaling bulbs and lamps for years. These and all decent lights are not DOT approved. The sticker circumvents that law. The DOT does not regulate off road applications.   

[Bob Wessner]

Not sure how to interpret that. Does it mean not a good one to use??

[BobbyR]

No not at all. It just means that the candlepower exceeded the DOT standard so technically it is illegal to use it on public roads. You cannot sell a non DOT bulb for public highway use. So, they mark it "Off road only", so it becomes your choice as to how you are going to use it. I guess we Americans are expected by the Govt to drive in the dark for some reason. I may start using one myself, however there is a true off road H4 bulb with more rugged filaments. Those are the best to use on bikes since the bulbs are subject to more vibration. 

[Bob Wessner]

Thanks for clarifying. Hmm, too bright, but they allow cars with those Zenon lights?!

[andy750]

Bob,
I just bought one myself and it came yesterday. It also has the "Off road use only" mark on the box. The lens is squarer at the corner than stock but it seems to fit in the rings ok but I havent completely assembled yet to make sure....but it does seem to fit. I got this one...great price as well:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=013&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&viewitem=&item=230132545131&rd=1

Good luck!
Andy

[Bodi]

I haven't been "blinded" by a Merc, Beemer, or Acura with xenon lights - the color is different and they seem more dazzling (possibly because the light is a small point source?) but I don't find them dangerous. I have seen dangerously bright glaring xenon lights on Civics and Mazdas - most likely the non-DOT HID "H4" lamps that the rice rocket crowd love since these cars do not come with such lights... I haven't seen any DOT aftermarket xenon/HID lamp kits.
The H4 lamps are in a bit of legal limbo. A decent brand H4 system will have a "legal" light pattern, but DOT regulations are a bit strange. As I read the regulations, you can't install a better light than the vehicle came with... so if a sealed beam was stock, an H4 is not allowed. There may be some slack when the headlight assembly as a whole is identical (except for the removable lamp) but that's a grey area as I read it... and probably it isn't allowable. So apparently headlight units that meet DOT luminance standards (bright enough where you need light, not too bright where it shines at oncoming drivers) can't be installed on vehicles with pitiably dim stock headlights.
This restrictive regulation makes HID H4 conversions totally unacceptable - good in my view as they are the worst for blinding oncoming drivers/riders - but catches reasonable unpgrades using acceptable luminaires as well. The regulations should probably be rewritten so that the actual light pattern is all that matters: if a headlight gives an OK light when installed on my bike then I should be able to use it. Unless that happens, almost all aftermarket lights will be "offroad only" and we have no way of really knowing whether what is available is a good headlight or a road hazard.
Be careful with ebay stuff. I started to install a set of H4 headlights (from ebay) on a friend's car and noticed the lenses looked funny. Experimentation soon showed they were for some drive-on-the-left country - the light pattern was flat to the right and way up from centre to the left... perfect for blinding an oncoming driver and exactly opposite to the pattern I was used to with locally purchased units.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Shiite Bob. It's 14 bucks. WTF. Go for it. One less meal for you and the Mrs at Burger King. If it's a little bright for the oncoming traffic, that will only last a moment for each vehicle just don't blind them for heaven's sake. If it's that bright your charging system won't handle it anyway for long. I remember when I bought my new 91 Acura Legend that had those funny new halogen headlights. Nobody was used to them and I got flashed at on low beam all the time. They seem very dim now compared to my Acura RL with the new fancy HID headlights that turn when I turn the steering wheel. Hell, I've even gotten used to those #$%* Beemer drivers that have these fancy new funny colored lights that illuminate my rearview mirror and seem to bounce up and down now that I have my Acura HID's. Us old codgers can still learn a few tricks.

[Bob Wessner]

Be careful with ebay stuff. I started to install a set of H4 headlights (from ebay) on a friend's car and noticed the lenses looked funny. Experimentation soon showed they were for some drive-on-the-left country - the light pattern was flat to the right and way up from centre to the left... perfect for blinding an oncoming driver and exactly opposite to the pattern I was used to with locally purchased units.

I don't recall, nor could I find the one I originally looked at, but you raised a noteworthy point about the country of intended use. In searching for other H4 listings, I found some that make no reference, some make a reference to "Euro" and some that they are "DOT replacements for specific sealed beams" so I think there is validity to your concern about the light pattern and where it is intended to be used. Thanks for bringing that up.

[eurban]

Consider installing a relay system to power your new headlight.  Oem wiring, switches, and connectors are pushed to the limit to handle the higher wattage.  The headlight will be brighter too with more direct power supply.

[andy750]

Ah good point Bodi! In the UK we arent supposed to use USA headlights for that reason. Im now wondering if my Ebay purchase, which clearly states Euro, is in fact European or UK.....I guess Ill need to plug it in and point it against a wall and see which way the light goes.... 

Andy

[Head]

It all comes down to the lens pattern,for example compare a stock 7 in automotive head lamp
to one marked motorcycle! The light dispersement is angled differently between the two lenses. Motor cycle head lamps will also take more vibration.  head

[merc2dogs]

Thanks for clarifying. Hmm, too bright, but they allow cars with those Zenon lights?!

Not to mention those headlight bright turn signals.
 I'd rather have someone coming at me with their brights on then a lot of those newer turn signals flashing in my eyes.

Ken

[BobbyR]

Our chances of blinding someone with a single 65W H4 is slim. Since we do most of our riding in daylight hours anyway, I would like a brighter light and even more dispersed without a sharp cut off since we really need to be seen. When I took MSF course they advised us to ride with the high beam on all the time.

[Dave Wyatt]

After a few years of using the factory candle and white cane set up, I went to the local outlaw bike shop and bought a halogen upgrade kit.  It came with a lens, reflector, and an H4 bulb.  It was about $45, but it was worth it.  I have now upgraded the bulb to a Sylvania ST version for brighter light at the same wattage.  The strain on the electrics was minimal, but I do pop a main fuse about once per year, sooner with heavy high beam use.  Realys are going in this year.