Sylvania SilverStar Help?

[redhot]

I am trying to replace my low beam bulb and a friend recommended "Sylvania SilverStar" - I looked up the link and it says you can buy it at an Auto store. Welllll - I went to Advance Auto and they had an H4 Sylvania SilverStar but the guy told me not to buy it. He said that the bulb would maybe last 2 days or 2 weeks - he said something about how the wires (or whatever those lumen things are) were crossed that if I hit a bump - I would probably blow the bulb....

Another comment from someone on IBMWR was to buy the SSS but buy the European version and not the US version.

Does ANYONE have any experience or advice that they can give me on what bulbs to use??? :confused:

[username]

did you search the older threads on this? there was some good discussion in the past.

i've got a sylvania silverstar bulb on my bike, and i bought it at autozone. it's the lousy american version. as of this writing, it's got about 7k miles on it...

the low-beam seems to jiggle a little when i ride, like a headlight modulator. i assume that's the flaw manifesting itself. the high beam does not jiggle. both throw WONDERFUL light in front of my bike. i told myself i would ride with it till it broke, then replace it with a superior european bulb. (after i try out the high wattage bulbs i bought from susquehana motorsports...) but the dang thing has lasted on my bike somehow. i've ridden a few miles on dirt roads too, with bad wash-boarding. interestingly, i have to tighten the screws holding my beak, but the dang bulb keeps on ticking. so i ride with a spare, and wait for it to fail. i'm sure it will eventually. (in the rain, in the cold, on a 12% grade. :D )

i'd say getcherself one from the autoparts store and try it. keep your stock bulb with you on the bike, just in case. if you want, buy a spare "superior" european bulb and keep it on hand.

i've also installed headlight relays from easternbeaver.com (that's a fun thing to have on your credit card bill) and my riding buddy says my lights are crazy bright now.

[2whelman]

I tried one of the auto parts store bulbs and had the same wiggling light problem, it drove me crazy. I ordered a PIAA replacement (Antivibration-pricey)
knowing the bulb wasnt going to last. It didnt, it failed on me the same week.
I have driving / fog lights on my bike, so it wasnt critical, but when it burnt out I was heeled over midcorner on a dark night. The worst possible time.

My personal suggestion FWIW is to not try the auto bulb, unless you have some back up lights that are going to be on when the cage light goes south.

Good riding.

[lorazepam]

I have been running a silverstar bulb for over a year (H4) and no problems at all. I like the improvement over stock it makes. I have silverstar bulbs in the driving lights as well, and I like them a lot.

[RebeccaV]

The last two Silverstar H4 bulbs I've used have had a very short life-span. I don't know exactly how short, but it seemed mighty short. I'm on my third bulb of the year, actually.

But I really like the cooler light of the Silverstar bulb - I've been told that my beam really stands out and that it makes me more conspicuous. I like that.

So next time I need to order bulbs I'll order from this website to try them out:
www.powerbulbs.co.uk/ (http://www.powerbulbs.co.uk/) They're definitely not less expensive (but right now they do have a b1g1f offer and shipping is free worldwide), but if I have to change them less frequently I will be a happier camper.

[xsPain]

My xs1100 special has had a silverstar bulb for 6k, without any problems, including wiggling.

That bike is a 1980, though, maybe the mount is different?

[lorazepam]

The last two Silverstar H4 bulbs I've used have had a very short life-span. I don't know exactly how short, but it seemed mighty short. I'm on my third bulb of the year, actually.

But I really like the cooler light of the Silverstar bulb - I've been told that my beam really stands out and that it makes me more conspicuous. I like that.

So next time I need to order bulbs I'll order from this website to try them out:
www.powerbulbs.co.uk/ (http://www.powerbulbs.co.uk/) They're definitely not less expensive (but right now they do have a b1g1f offer and shipping is free worldwide), but if I have to change them less frequently I will be a happier camper.

So you get 30k miles out of a bulb? that isnt bad for us mere mortals.

[deilenberger]

I am trying to replace my low beam bulb and a friend recommended "Sylvania SilverStar" - I looked up the link and it says you can buy it at an Auto store. Welllll - I went to Advance Auto and they had an H4 Sylvania SilverStar but the guy told me not to buy it. He said that the bulb would maybe last 2 days or 2 weeks - he said something about how the wires (or whatever those lumen things are) were crossed that if I hit a bump - I would probably blow the bulb....

Another comment from someone on IBMWR was to buy the SSS but buy the European version and not the US version.

Does ANYONE have any experience or advice that they can give me on what bulbs to use??? :confused:

Sure - someone mentioned Powerbulbs in the UK - the Osram Silverstar is an excellent bulb as is the Philips VisionPlus. Both put out ~50% more light than a standard bulb, and the current drawn is the same as stock, so you won't heat up or overload your wiring.

For some DATA on these - you can refer to two articles I wrote for the BMW-Car Club of America magazine, Roundel:

http://www.bmwcca.org/members/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Let_There_Be_E36_Light

http://www.bmwcca.org/members/AM/BMWCCA/roundel/archive/2005/08/EuroSoBright-August2005.pdf

While the bulbs tested are not the same series part# bulbs (H1, 9005) as most of our bikes use - the manufacturers and models are the same, and I expect the same results with bulbs such as H4 and H7 series bulbs. Sometime after the first of the year, and after I finish another Roundel article I may take a quick look at some motorcycle headlights and bulbs.. mebbe.. depends on if any more car articles come up.

Best,

[RUBBERT]

http://www.lildevilmotorsports.com have been great. I have been using Hella optilux 100watt on all three of my K1200s headlights. The only time I have had a problem was with a 130watt bulb in my last RT.

[dlearl476]

Does ANYONE have any experience or advice that they can give me on what bulbs to use??? :confused:

Yes, ****-can the SSS and buy some Phillips VisionPlus* bulbs from John at Power Bulbs UK (http://www.powerbulbs.co.uk/) .

I've had them in all my vehicles and they last, they are bright, and relatively cheap (for a GOOD bulb) I've had one in my F650 for at least 3 years and I do a LOT of off-road riding on it. Last time I bought them, they were $27/pr with free shipping from the UK and arrived in less than a week.

Another thing to remember with ALL high power bulbs is that oil from your hands will create a hot spot on the glass that will burn a filiment. It's of the utmost importance when you install a bulb that it's clean, and you don't touch it with your fingers. I have a cotton glove (available in most cosmetic depts. of phamarcies) that I keep in a ziplock for just such a purpose. Most bulbs also come with a protective wrap that can also be used to keep the mitts off, but I've found they are easier to use on Autos than M/Cs.


*NOT the "BlueVision".

Oh, one more thing. Mention the MOA and John might give you an extra special deal. Last time, that was free US shipping, then he made it a policy. He usually give the Chain Gang 10% off. (or did)

[cjack]

Yes, ****-can the SSS and buy some Phillips VisionPlus* bulbs from John at Power Bulbs UK (http://www.powerbulbs.co.uk/) .

I've had them in all my vehicles and they last, they are bright, and relatively cheap (for a GOOD bulb) I've had one in my F650 for at least 3 years and I do a LOT of off-road riding on it. Last time I bought them, they were $27/pr with free shipping from the UK and arrived in less than a week.

*NOT the "BlueVision".
Oh, one more thing. Mention the MOA and John might give you an extra special deal. Last time, that was free US shipping, then he made it a policy. He usually give the Chain Gang 10% off. (or did)

I tried to buy them last night and the website wouldn't accept my AMEX card. Something about AMEX declining...no reason given. I checked my acct with American Express and everything is jake so must be some kind of glitch or maybe AMEX filter for offshore. Anyway, do ya'lls cards work over the internet with this firm?
Thanks,

[dlearl476]

Jack, mine always has. But I use a B of A Visa. Does the site say they accept Amex? If it does, you could just call or email. If John is in the office, he'll get right back to you. As a matter of fact, I may have ordered through email both times I did. I've set up two special deals, one for F650 and one for Triumph ST list. (free parking bulb 5W5 with a pair of VPs).

You may have to wait until Monday though. I don't know if anyone will be in the office on SAT.

[cjack]

I tried to buy them last night and the website wouldn't accept my AMEX card. Something about AMEX declining...no reason given. I checked my acct with American Express and everything is jake so must be some kind of glitch or maybe AMEX filter for offshore. Anyway, do ya'lls cards work over the internet with this firm?
Thanks,

But, should I get the Osram or the Phillips or the Hella euro bulbs? They are all xenon.
I didn't notice any b1g1f offer on the UK website...

[cjack]

Jack, mine always has. But I use a B of A Visa. Does the site say they accept Amex? If it does, you could just call or email. If John is in the office, he'll get right back to you. As a matter of fact, I may have ordered through email both times I did. I've set up two special deals, one for F650 and one for Triumph ST list. (free parking bulb 5W5 with a pair of VPs).

You may have to wait until Monday though. I don't know if anyone will be in the office on SAT.

OK. Thanks. I try to use just the one card for all my online stuff...thinking that if it gets fouled up, then I just have to deal with the one.
I'll try the email.

[RUBBERT]

Jack:

These folks have what you need, excellent pricing and QUICK delivery.

Scott C.

[deilenberger]

But, should I get the Osram or the Phillips or the Hella euro bulbs? They are all xenon.
I didn't notice any b1g1f offer on the UK website...
Hi Jack!

Osram Silverstar or Philips VisionPlus - both are excellent. I haven't measured the Hellas. I'm running the Osrams on my M3 (4 wheeled BMW) and the VisionPlus on my K75S.

BTW - "xenon" means nothing at all. ALL halogen lamps use some xenon in the gas mix - it helps in transferring heat from the filament to the envelope. The use of it in advertising is to imply they are sorta like HID bulbs - which they are not. It's a case of marketing hype... or as it's sometimes called, BS.

[cjack]

Hi Jack!

Osram Silverstar or Philips VisionPlus - both are excellent. I haven't measured the Hellas. I'm running the Osrams on my M3 (4 wheeled BMW) and the VisionPlus on my K75S.

BTW - "xenon" means nothing at all. ALL halogen lamps use some xenon in the gas mix - it helps in transferring heat from the filament to the envelope. The use of it in advertising is to imply they are sorta like HID bulbs - which they are not. It's a case of marketing hype... or as it's sometimes called, BS.

OK. Thanks. I may try some of these...finally...after 31 years since the H4 in my first R90