| Author | Message | ||
     Pons |
I'm sure this has been covered a jillion times, but once more plz. What bulbs can I upgrade to safely on the Uly? I don't wanna do HID or anything fancy just a brighter bulb. | ||
| Mark_weiss |
Motorcycle specific bulbs cost more than automotive bulbs but seem to be more durable. Standard automotive H7s last a lot longer than the high brilliance automotive units. | ||
| Motorbike |
I currently have a set of Sylvania SilverStar Ultras in my 08 XT and also wired the switch so both are on when on bright. Works great so far. Paid about $40 for the pair. Do they make a motorcycle specific SilverStar Ultra H7? Thanks. | ||
| Etennuly |
The standard H7 works well if you pair the hi beam to be on when the low beam is on. You can experiment with toggling the hi beam switch to where they are both on at the same time. It gives a good bit more light than you would think. The Silver Stars are brighter but do not last nearly as long. Be careful about too high of a wattage bulb because they can melt or discolor the reflector housing. | ||
| Jasonb |
I put the silverstars in and can attest to the heat. I also have both lights on high beam and ride most of time that way. I noticed the heat late in the season. It did t have any issues. I was letting the bike warm up as I got my gear on and looked at something on the fly screen. I could t believe the amount of heat created in a few minutes. I haven't had any problems, but I think I am switching them this year. | ||
| Tootal |
I use these: http://store.candlepower.com/osraulhiouh7.html They work great and have lasted a long time. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
A brighter halogen H7 will give you +/- 5% more light, often at the expense of bulb life. Why wouldn't you just go HID H7 and get +/- 50% more light? I know you said you didn't want to, but that's like saying you want more traction without switching to a stickier tire. HID is the way to go. Stick with 35 watt and you don't need to rewire anything. It's plug and play, takes about 10 minutes longer to install (because you have to zip-tie a ballast up in there), will last longer, and free up some watts for other electronics. Slim ballast, H7, 35 watt, 4500k or 5000k; you won't be sorry: http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/DDM-HID-Kit-Slim -Ballast-35W-or-55W | ||
| Darth_villar |
I completely agree with Mike, running the 35 Watt on the low beam ONLY (flashing is not good for the HID) is supremely simple and easy to install. No relay necessary. Much, much more light than anything else. I don't feel the need to have more lights even though I often right at night, just using my low beam 35 watt HID. It is the best money spent on "safety" equipment you can buy for your motorcycle IMO. | ||
| Jasonb |
Thanks for the heads up Mike. Ordered a set! | ||
| Pons |
I might do the same thing. If you get 50% more light for under $40. | ||
| Tootal |
A brighter halogen H7 will give you +/- 5% more light, often at the expense of bulb life. Actually the Osram Rallye bulbs are 2100 lumens with 500 hour life. That's 50 percent more lumens with the same life. This is a H9 bulb soldered to a H7 platform and is 65 watts. I'm not saying they are better than HID just that they are a LOT better than any standard H7. | ||
| Swampy |
Chinese Company, fast shipping though.... I will attempt the install tonight... | ||
| 7873jake |
The DDM units are direct-shipped from China and took about 10 days to get to me. I had actually forgotten I ordered the dang thing until it showed up yesterday. My daughter came in from the mail box and yelled "Mom, looks like dad ordered take-out in the mail!" and then handed me a box covered in Chinese writing. I shoulda had more dogs, less kids. Its a nice, small unit. Fired it up off of a Ryobi 14.4 battery to test it and after my vision returned to normal, I was able to pick it up off of the floor after I dropped it, flash blinded and startled by its luminescence. | ||
| Motoroilmccall |
And its seriously 50% more light? That's crazy. I run both a high and low beam together and its a good amount of light... Can't imagine with both high and low on at the same time, each with 50% more light output. | ||
| Tootal |
Standard H7: 55w, 1400 lumens, 500 hours H7 rallye+65: 65w, 2100 lumens, 500 hours 2100 - 1400 = 700 lumens. That's 50 percent of 1400. Therefore 50 percent more lumens than a standard bulb. A big part of the problem with the Buell headlight is how it's directed. I really don't like the reflector as you can't adjust the high and low separately and the high beam still seams to have a cut-off. Making it brighter helps but it's still a lousy headlight. My 91 Harley had a much better headlight! | ||
| Uly_man |
"A big part of the problem with the Buell headlight is how it's directed." Very true but the later bikes seem better. Mine is. The new HID slimline systems are great. Water/vibration proof, a twin H7 system costs less than one PIAA Extream lamp and much better. It is a little tricky to fit all the cables in the backing cup but no real problem. You can also change back to a normal lamp if you need to, change the HID colour with ease as well and they use less power. | ||
| Jasonb |
I installed my HIDs last night. Wow what a big difference. I'll post some pic later since I can't off my iPhone (unless some knows). | ||
| Uly_man |
Many years ago I borrowed a VW Bug. This thing had the original 6 volt lighting system. If you think a Uly has a lighting problem then a 6 volt Bug will scare you to death. HID is now so cheap it should be OEM on everything. | ||
| Swampy |
Now let me tell you, I'm getting old, my eyesight is fading, I had the chance to drive with the HID in the car tonight and I was lighting up the road something tremendous! I can't wait to put them in the bike. I did a little refitting with them tonight and I broke one of the small positive wires at one of the connectors, I'm not happy about that but a little solder and some shrink tube and all is well! The wife even commented "so you mean to tell me that we have been driving around without headlights all this time?" If you want to light up the road, don't hesitate, this stuff works! | ||
| Swampy |
I finished the Low Beam all the time and HID Low Beam only. The light is remarkably "Whiter and Brighter" than the Hi beam which is a yellow color. | ||
| Aabikrman |
I'm interested in improving the stock lighting on my newly acquired '10 Ulysses. The HID kit sounds promising but I'm not sure if I understand what needs to be ordered. In the drop down menu on the DDM websitehttp://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/DDM-HID-Kit-Slim -Ballast-35W-or-55W what I need to order is only 35watt/H7/5000K ? Nothing in the lower drop down menu's needs to be ordered ? Only the low beam bulb is replaced with the DDM kit ? Thanks in advance for any info. Love this website, great source of info.... | ||
| Swampy |
All you need to order is that kit. You can use it for the low or high beam as they are both the same size bulb. Since it takes a few seconds to get the HID running you WILL want to do the Low Beam on all the time modification when you install the HID. I don't think it is necessary with the 35W kit but you can run the HID from a relay, but you will have to run a wire from the battery to the under fairing area and wire up a relay which would not be hard to do. |
