high watt bulbs

[Urban Surfer]

Any one use a 100 bulb in the high beem with a relay circuit? If I re-wire the bulb will I still have problems with heat?

[ShovelStrokeEd]

Yes, in fact, it might get a bit worse. The heat thing is a function of the bulb's output, not the wire.

[wolcott]

Jim- the guy that runs www.easternbeaver.com, that makes headlight relay harnesses for bikes including BMW's cautions against running higher wattage bulbs in the RT's due to the design of the headlight (it does not cool well, especially when in heavy traffic or traffic jams). Go to his site and read up on what he has to say. Having said that, I put one of his headlight relay harnesses on my '98 RT with the upgraded Sylvania Silverstar H4 ST bulb (autozone,$20), and it made a world of difference in the lighting. I also put a set of hella ff50's above the mirrors on EMP brackets with an autoswitch. Jim was very helpful with any questions on the install (along with alex-global rider), even answering questions not directly related to his product such as on the autoswitch and posi-lock connectors.

[smiller]

Only a single data point here but I have had a 90/100-watt lamp installed in my 1100RT for nearly 10 years now (including 6 Texas summers) with no sign of any heat damage to the headlight assembly, socket, wiring, or even the rubber boot.

[BUSTED]

I've used 80/100 bulbs in 2 RT's since 1995. Never had any problems.

[DEF]

HIDs are brighter than any bulb available, use less power and create no heat.

[Jerry Duke]

Go to HID: http://www.cqlight.ca/catalog/ $110.99

[John Dickens]

You could try one of the new xenon bulbs. The have the same consumption 55/60w but give much improved light output. For example:-

 

Vision Plus Philips H4

50% more light on the road

A 10 to 20 metre longer beam

Better road/signal reflection

[ednap]

Last weekend I fitted NARVA's H7 +50 to my low beam and H3 +30 to my high beam. These are not higher wattage but do provide additional light (50% or 30%, hence the +50, +30)

 

I'm riding to work in the dark (per sunrise) at the moment and the new lamps have certainly improved things. They also have a wider and longer beam.

 

 

On the same sort of them, I'm not actually sure if the RT headlight is glass or polycarbonate but I noticed some new bulbs in Australia have a UV certification which states they are OK for use in polycarbonate fittings without causing discoloration. This was prominatly displayed on the packaging for the high wattage units.

[bmwmick]

Any one use a 100 bulb in the high beem with a relay circuit? If I re-wire the bulb will I still have problems with heat?

 

I'll add my experience. Just like Seth, I've run 55/100 H4 in my R1100RT for about 9 years. I went to these bulbs right after I installed relays. Never had a problem with the H4 socket OR the reflector.

 

Mick

[DEF]

I have a few H4 HID kits left over from my business. If interested, let me know. Also, I have H1 kits. HIDs are BRIGHT (almost 3X brighter than OE). Also, color is 4300K, the brightest!