F800GS headlight upgrade - Page 2

vtbob · 01-09-2013, 04:17 PM

fwiw I have the "silver star" H7 replacement bulbs....not the Osram....but similar idea conventional Halogen bulb designed for a bit higher color temp but the same 55w. these are noticably better, brighter than the stock bulbs. and they do match the stock head light/reflector design and laws. I'm happy with them....an I'm way to cheap to do a real HID conversion.

In the past a used (on other bikes/cars) several of the "100w" bulbs with marginal improvement. These bulbs did not come from the framiliar names like Phillips etc. the light was a bit brighter but not twice as bright and the bulb did run hotter and I had some plastic deformation in one case. I think the extra watts went more to heat than light..ie sloppy design.

I'm waiting for the LED solution...but that too, like the HID article above said, will require a whole lens/reflector redesigned head light to be effective

mustardfj40 · 01-09-2013, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRWooden

Yeah... big problem is that once the reflective coating starts to go ... the problem feeds on its self....
darker = more heat absorbed = hotter = more damage = .....

From what I read, you can't simply replace the light reflector only, BMW only sells the whole unit which is expensive?

KLRscoob · 01-09-2013, 06:41 PM

I have been using a pair of 1200kv HID's in my F8GS for 4 years. No burnt out bulbs, no discoloration, no tickets, and more light than I know what to do with!

JRWooden · 01-09-2013, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mustardfj40

From what I read, you can't simply replace the light reflector only, BMW only sells the whole unit which is expensive?

yeah... According to the parts list the reflector is only available as part of the complete assembly for about $440 USD... you can't just buy the reflector ....... Even if you could get just the reflector, the glass is apparently "glued" in with a adhesive / sealant which "inhibits" dis-assembly ... kind of a bummer .........

LukasM · 01-10-2013, 06:27 AM

No way to replace a cracked lense or damaged reflector, entire new unit only.

The flaking and discoloration of the reflector with HID lights is common, and AFAIK not really due to extra heat (usually 35W vs. the halogen 55W) but rather the higher UV emission of the aftermarket Chinese HID bulbs.

JRWooden · 01-10-2013, 11:08 AM

Myself and several other GS owners have had the problem using only the OEM-style bulbs

01-09-2013, 06:41 PM	#18
KLRscoob Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2008 Location: San Diego CA Oddometer: 203	I have been using a pair of 1200kv HID's in my F8GS for 4 years. No burnt out bulbs, no discoloration, no tickets, and more light than I know what to do with! __________________ www.ARMYMILLARD.com In honor of Gregory N. Millard Son - Brother - Hero

01-10-2013, 06:27 AM	#20
LukasM Beastly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2006 Location: Vienna, Austria Oddometer: 4,927	No way to replace a cracked lense or damaged reflector, entire new unit only. The flaking and discoloration of the reflector with HID lights is common, and AFAIK not really due to extra heat (usually 35W vs. the halogen 55W) but rather the higher UV emission of the aftermarket Chinese HID bulbs. __________________ Proud member of the HUSABERG ADVENTURE TEAM! '12 Husaberg FE570, 09 KTM XC-F/ 450 RFS hybrid, 07 KTM 450 SMR, 08+09 BMW F650GS twins/F800GS conversion, 03+05 YZF-R6

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01-09-2013, 04:17 PM	#16
vtbob wanderer Joined: Jun 2009 Location: Western Vermont Oddometer: 417	fwiw I have the "silver star" H7 replacement bulbs....not the Osram....but similar idea conventional Halogen bulb designed for a bit higher color temp but the same 55w. these are noticably better, brighter than the stock bulbs. and they do match the stock head light/reflector design and laws. I'm happy with them....an I'm way to cheap to do a real HID conversion. In the past a used (on other bikes/cars) several of the "100w" bulbs with marginal improvement. These bulbs did not come from the framiliar names like Phillips etc. the light was a bit brighter but not twice as bright and the bulb did run hotter and I had some plastic deformation in one case. I think the extra watts went more to heat than light..ie sloppy design. I'm waiting for the LED solution...but that too, like the HID article above said, will require a whole lens/reflector redesigned head light to be effective

01-10-2013, 11:08 AM	#21
JRWooden Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2008 Location: The great state of confusion Oddometer: 3,444	Myself and several other GS owners have had the problem using only the OEM-style bulbs