How much life are you getting from HID headlight bulb?

[Firehawk068]

I know a bunch of you guys are running the HID headlight bulb kits on your FJ.
What is typical of your bulb life?
My headlight just burned out the high beam filament(I typically always ride with it on high beam during the day and twilight hours)
I had an Automotive bulb(9003 Sylvania, Silverstar Ultra ), and it lasted me a bit over 2 years of riding.......
I'm trying to decide if I should spend the $26 and get another Silverstar Ultra? Or spend roughly double, and get an HID kit?
If I decide to go with an HID kit ( I really like the light output of the ones I've seen), would I be replacing HID bulbs all the time?

[FJmonkey]

I know a bunch of you guys are running the HID headlight bulb kits on your FJ.
What is typical of your bulb life?
My headlight just burned out the high beam filament(I typically always ride with it on high beam during the day and twilight hours)
I had an Automotive bulb(9003 Sylvania, Silverstar Ultra ), and it lasted me a bit over 2 years of riding.......
I'm trying to decide if I should spend the $26 and get another Silverstar Ultra? Or spend roughly double, and get an HID kit?
If I decide to go with an HID kit ( I really like the light output of the ones I've seen), would I be replacing HID bulbs all the time?

I have had my HID in for about 2 years but I do not commute, I would guess I have less than 3k on them. I know Garth had an issue with his HID, he suspected the bike's vibration affecting it, the bulb did not fail. Other brands may fare better or worse. One of the bulbs failed on my truck and it was replaced under the lifetime warranty from DDM. The DDM kit allows switching back to regular bulbs in the field so I keep my old bulb with me on all rides.

[Firehawk068]

So I did some research, and this is what I ordered.......
55w, 4500 color temperature kit. I wanted the brightest kit I could find. It was $62.21 shipped to my door.

[Derek Young]

Cool Alan.  I put the 55 watt kit on my 86 in 6000 temp. and a 35 watt low beam and 55 watt high beam on Donna's ninja, also 6000 temp.  I like the slight blue colour so I can pick Donna's light out in my mirrors.  That way I know she's still behind me when we ride in a group. Its been almost two years now . I'm hoping my bulb made it through the crash so it can go in my next FJ.

Derek

[1tinindian]

So I did some research, and this is what I ordered.......
55w, 4500 color temperature kit. I wanted the brightest kit I could find. It was $62.21 shipped to my door.

Damn it Alan, quit giving me ideas! LOL!!!

Been looking to do the same mod myself, actually.
Let me know how the install goes and how much you like them over OE.

Leon

[carey]

Alan,

Look on the back of the Sylvania package.  The better the bulb, the shorter their life.  Two things that shortened bulb life on my FJ.  The first was overgharging by the generator, and the second was the adjustment linkage broke and allowed the bulb/reflector to rattle around inside the housing.  Once I corrected those two items, I never had to replace another bulb.

[Firehawk068]

Alan,

Look on the back of the Sylvania package.  The better the bulb, the shorter their life.  Two things that shortened bulb life on my FJ.  The first was overgharging by the generator, and the second was the adjustment linkage broke and allowed the bulb/reflector to rattle around inside the housing.  Once I corrected those two items, I never had to replace another bulb.

Yeah, tell me about it...........Unfortunately. the bulbs I like to use(Silverstar Ultra) for brightness reasons, are some of the shortest lifespan bulbs........My reflector/adjuster assembly is solid. And I was happy with the life I got out of the last bulb(2 and a half years)
I have been wanting to do the HID bulb kit for a couple seasons now, and after seeing Ed's bike at the Rally, I guess now is the time.
Lots of deer, and Elk, and Moose here in Colorado to avoid......

[Dan Filetti]

Y'all know the point about never putting your greasy (literally) fingers on the bulb glass?  Apparently the oil from your hands gets on the bulb glass, and it super-heats when the bulb is lit.  This in turn dramatically reduces bulb life from what I've read...   

If it happens, you are supposed to wipe the glass with rubbing alcohol to get the oil off, before installing.

Dan

[Firehawk068]

Y'all know the point about never putting your greasy (literally) fingers on the bulb glass?  Apparently the oil from your hands gets on the bulb glass, and it super-heats when the bulb is lit.  This in turn dramatically reduces bulb life from what I've read...   

If it happens, you are supposed to wipe the glass with rubbing alcohol to get the oil off, before installing.

Dan

This.........Very true^

[pdxfj]

My experience with the DDM HID is it was really bright, but the vibes from the bike caused the lamp housing to eat itself.  Anything above about 2k RPM would cause the beam to jump up and down 20+ feet.  This was with the Hi/Low model.  If you only bought the "lo" beam version, I think it would work ok.

The Sylvania Silver Star lamps do not last all that long.  This is by design as they have to overdrive the filament to get enough brightness through the blue coating on the lamp.  What you need to look for are the imported Oshram Silver Star lamps.  These are made in Germany and last much, much longer.  I know there is at least one motorcycle related web site that sells them, but can't remember what it is.  You could also go with a PIAA lamp.

If by chance you touch the quartz glass on any halogen (or other) lamp, use rubbing alcohol to clean it.  The oils in your fingers will cause a hot spot on the glass and end up popping it.

[moonrunnah]

i was thinking of putting hids on my bike but i dont like the headlight it self (the lense) i want one of those crystal clear ones, has any one made one for the fj or is there a mod for it

[andyb]

The Sylvania Silver Star lamps do not last all that long.  This is by design as they have to overdrive the filament to get enough brightness through the blue coating on the lamp.  What you need to look for are the imported Oshram Silver Star lamps.  These are made in Germany and last much, much longer.  I know there is at least one motorcycle related web site that sells them, but can't remember what it is.  You could also go with a PIAA lamp.

I've had good luck with the Sylvania lamps, though they're awfully expensive.  I'm using Silver Star Ultra's in my wife's car and my bikes.  I had one burn out on me in the bike, and when I took the damned thing out I saw fingerprints on the glass, so I can't blame anyone but the hamfist who put it in

Though I'm gonna give the same argument that I give for tires here.  If you don't mistreat them (excessive vibration, get them wet, put your fat fingers on the damned glass, etc), they last reasonably long enough.  In the meantime, the ability to see a reasonable distance at night is as useful as having a grippy tire... There's places to compromise, and that's not one of them.  If you can't: see (lighting), can't be seen (other lighting), can't grip (tires), can't stop (brakes), or can't go (chain) as well as you would like, then riding is much less fun... nevermind less safe.

[DB Cooper]

Alan,
I have the same DDM kit, and temp rating as you. So far, after 4000kms, zero issues. At night, all the guys get me to lead the way.
One of my favorite mods so far!
Kevin

[E Double]

I'm running the DDM kit as well.  I got 25K miles out of the first bulb, a 3K bulb.   I have about 10K on my current bulb, which is a 4K.

[Firehawk068]

Alan,
I have the same DDM kit, and temp rating as you. So far, after 4000kms, zero issues. At night, all the guys get me to lead the way.
One of my favorite mods so far!
Kevin

Thats good to know............Once I get the kit, and install it. I'll post up.