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Message started by argus on 09/19/05 at 11:44:36

Title: headlight
Post by argus on 09/19/05 at 11:44:36

Hello,

I bought a 1998 Savage earlier this summer and love it, and swear this bike has a soul.

The days are getting shorter and I am starting to drive at night. One of the few complaints I have relates to night driving and the amount of light the stock headlight sheds casts.
Are there suggestions regarding the headlight or light bulb replacement to brighten things up.

Thanks!

Title: Re: headlight
Post by Savage_Rob on 09/19/05 at 11:50:11

Replace it with a xenon bulb. It's a big improvement.

Title: Re: headlight
Post by GaThumper on 09/19/05 at 12:02:35

You can also add a light bar - here's a homemade one -

http://www.angelfire.com/al3/myrt/Savage.html

Title: Re: headlight
Post by babbalou on 09/19/05 at 13:19:53

My Xenon headlight bulb was a very worthwhile improvement. It's an H4 type, 60/55 watt. Walmart or any auto parts store has them & they're supposed to outlast the regular bulb too.

Title: Re: headlight
Post by mpescatori on 09/19/05 at 13:50:12

Hello Argus, I'm afraid you have the factory standard 35/50W sealed beam type which is typical to US spec bikes. Not worth much for night driving, I'm afraid.
The 55/60W upgrade everybody suggested is an exelleny way forward, but you'll have to remember to fit a relay to those lights or you could meltthe switch!
Remember, 35W = 3 Amps, 60W = 5 Amps so twice the current = twice the heat through those switches.

I went down a somewhat different route.
I fitted an old MotoGuzzi ignition switch, so that the teensie weensie sidelight in switchable as a "parking light"
I then modified the headlamp mountings in order to have two headlamps, in an "over/under" setup, with the original unit as "under"
Now, for "sidelight" I have the 35W filament, which I use as the daylight driving light.
For "low beam" I have the original 50W which is adjusted in order not to beam strainght into the eyes of oncoming cars, just a little lower, excellent for night driving (even if the beam is a bit too narrow)
Then, for "high beam" I have the second unit come on, it is a similar 5" lamp with a 50W filament, set straight flat.
Works wonders, looks great and nobody's ever even looked twice (the law, I mean...)

Regards,

Title: Re: headlight
Post by Savage_Rob on 09/19/05 at 14:06:08

I believe the stock is a 55/60 halogen; at least mine was (and mine is also a '98). From that, it's only a bulb swap to the 55/60 xenon.

Title: Re: headlight
Post by Dynobob on 09/19/05 at 17:16:54

Savage_Rob wrote:

I believe the stock is a 55/60 halogen; at least mine was (and mine is also a '98). From that, it's only a bulb swap to the 55/60 xenon.

Is the xenon alot better than the stock halogen ? That sounds like a swap I'd be interested in. I hit a large piece of debris in the road at night a few weeks back because on low beam I just didn't see it in time.

Title: Re: headlight
Post by babbalou on 09/19/05 at 17:26:24

Yes, it's much brighter & makes you more visable at night. I got my Xenon after getting smacked by a cager at night by a guy who didn't see me.

Title: Re: headlight
Post by Savage_Rob on 09/20/05 at 05:32:20

Dynobob wrote:

Yes. It's a cheap & easy mod that makes a big difference.

Title: Re: headlight
Post by PerrydaSavage on 09/20/05 at 07:14:06

The VZ800 Marauder headlight is a straight swap to the LS650 ... it's a larger diameter, better looking and brighter headlight than the stock LS'

Title: Re: headlight
Post by savage777 on 09/20/05 at 10:06:16

will a xenon fit the 2001 headlight assy?

Title: Re: headlight
Post by Savage_Rob on 09/20/05 at 11:20:34

savage777 wrote:

will a xenon fit the 2001 headlight assy?

I seriously doubt they've changed the headlight assembly.

Title: Re: headlight
Post by Oklahoma_Mike on 09/20/05 at 13:38:18

Savage_Rob wrote:

Replace it with a xenon bulb. It's a big improvement.

Hey Rob what's the Part# for that puppy?
8)

Title: Re: headlight
Post by Savage_Rob on 09/20/05 at 14:25:41

I just picked one up at the auto parts store. It's the type that's important and it's listed in the owner's manual. I'm thinkin' it was an H4 but I'd have to check to be sure.

Edit: I just read above and Babbalou confirmed H4 type & 55/60 watt.

Title: Re: headlight
Post by Oklahoma_Mike on 09/20/05 at 14:49:21

Thanks man

Title: Re: headlight
Post by dannimal on 09/21/05 at 21:50:47

Hey babbalou and Rob, when you guys bought the bulbs for the upgrade, did you have to get them in a box that had two (bulbs) in it or were you able to get them single? and what brand bulb did you get?
I didn't get to Wal mart or Auto Zone yet but when I do (this week) I want to get the right one without the B.S. and guessing stuff.
I ride home at nite from work at 10:30 p.m. about 20 miles and I am always on the high beam with the stock bulb. the low beam really stinks!!
It would be good to have a better light for the daytime too the cagers are really rude and/or blind around here!
Thanks ;D

Title: Re: headlight
Post by sluggo on 09/21/05 at 21:56:44

dannimal wrote:

It would be good to have a better light for the daytime too the cagers are really rude and/or blind around here!
Thanks ;D

sorry dude but no matter what you do, they will not see you. that knowledge will save your life one day.

Title: Re: headlight
Post by babbalou on 09/22/05 at 04:16:56

dannimal, I can't remember the brand I got but they only came in pairs for about $16.00 or so. They also had Sylvania SilverStars (in pairs also) but it was nearly double the price so I got the cheapies.

Title: Re: headlight
Post by Savage_Rob on 09/22/05 at 05:44:30

babbalou wrote:

Basically the same answer. I don't remember the brand but I can probably find out by taking a look at the other of the pair I bought. I think I managed to find a pair for $14. I see them on eBay all the time too. Here's one for basically $15. (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SUZUKI-SAVAGE-XENON-LIGHTS-H4-BULBS_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ34284QQitemZ4565661027)

Title: Re: headlight
Post by dannimal on 09/23/05 at 01:39:35

Thanks for the info!! ;)
The Internet/Website you have suggested is the best option to purchase the Xenon headlight bulb.
The bulb guarantee is far better than could be expected.

Yes,Yes, Sluggo I am 100% sure about the cagers will always be that way as well!! I'm just tring to get any (reasonable) advantage I can bro!! ;D

Title: Re: headlight
Post by Savage_Rob on 09/23/05 at 06:01:10

SirWilhelm (http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?board=;action=viewprofile;username=SirWilhelm) tacked this question onto the end of a post in the Technical Corner, I've moved it since he didn't read the bold post at the top of that forum telling him not to post questions there and didn't notice this thread either.

Quote:

Has anyone gone with the brighter Xenon bulbs? The one I found are not that much brighter than the factory halogen ones. But on eBay there are HID Xenon H4 bulbs, but I think to use them you have to have a power booster or doubler. Hard to decipher all the different ads for different bulbs. To get more light you need more watts out, and also with a cooler color, like in the 7000 Kelvin range. Most of the lights say they are brighter but the output is only 4500 to 5000k (55/65W) which is still a yellow headlight. I realize that there is a huge controversy over the brighter bulbs, but I'd rather have them complain about seeing me than to pull out. These yellow lights just are not bright enough in the daytime. At night maybe they would do, but the brighter lights like we are seeing on newer, more expensive cars is a bit like saying you can't have it because you didn't pay $50,000 for your bike.
So any ideas from the in-the-know riders?
Tnx
Bill
(hot and dry, and a long way from the coast, West Texas)

Title: Re: headlight
Post by Savage_Rob on 09/23/05 at 06:04:11

I am using a 55/60 xenon bulb (white, almost blue light) and find it much brighter. Higher intensity bulbs may be available but you should check the wattage. If it exceeds 55/60, you'll want to determine whether it's legal in your location and then consider possibly upgrading portions of your bike's electrical system since it was designed for a 55/60 light.

Title: Re: headlight
Post by WD on 09/23/05 at 07:36:28

Just run over to your "friendly neighborhood Kawasaki dealer". Kawi's run a WHITE 55/60 watt bulb, stock. I sell them at work all the time for other bikes. Whopping $16.95 plus tax. No, I don't work for Kawasaki. The new Suzuki twins run the white light version as well. You can get white 55/60 in an $8.95 bulb as well.
-WD

Title: Re: headlight
Post by Mr 650 on 10/14/05 at 10:11:05

I tried the Silverstar.
The Silverstars sold in the US are blue coated and that reduces the life of them. The Osram silverstar is the Euro version, w/o the coating and is brighter. You won't find it hanging on a hook at Advance Auto, that is the Sylvania Silverstar (Osram?) H4/9003. (H4=9003)
In addition, the Philips VisionPlus is similar to the Euro Osram.
You want one of these for max output @ stock wattage.
Sylvania Silverstar is an improvement to my OEM bulb.
I was not happy to discover the life expectancy of this Silverstar. Euro version lasts longer due to US ver. "blue coating- marketing gimmick to make it whiter.
W/ my luck it will go out on the edge of a decreasing radius cliff-hanger like "Toonces the Cat".
Good discussion:

http://autopia.org/forum/archive/index.php/t-44340.html

Title: Re: headlight
Post by mpescatori on 10/15/05 at 01:26:52

There's a growing trend here in Europe to fit yellow bulbs to motorcycles, it's a 'less luminous' color than clear white BUT it has the advantage of sticking out from the crowd.
I used them on all my bikes and since they're road legal in France they are road legal in all of Europe. I wouldn't know about the US.
If anybody has extra lights on a bar, you can try yellow 50W bulbs on either the central or the side lights, they WILL be noticed.

Maurizio

Title: Re: headlight
Post by Jim_R on 10/15/05 at 08:13:09

Hey if u want to stick out from a crowd check this out. Since we only have one headlight get the RIGHT side one if u order one from somone. I think it looks pretty neat. Its called a rainbow strobe, but its basically a cage that fits over ur h4 bulb.

http://www.mklsportster.com/strobe.jpg

http://www.mklsportster.com/xllighting.htm