Left HighBeam bulb went out

Hewhois

Hewhois

Joined
Jan 8, 2005
Messages
53
Location
Tampa, FL
My left highbeam bulb went out after 12,200 or so miles :mad: Is that a normal life span? Now I need to decide if I should just replace all of them. Still need to do the 12k service, might as well do it all at once I suppose.
 
My left one just blew at 9 months old and 22000 miles. That was the Phillips Vision Plus Bulb.

Curt
 
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Me, fortunately haven't replaced one yet. I had 32k/2years on the 03 and about 10k on the 05 and none went out yet.
 
sokay said:
I had a bulb burn out, and I think it also was the left one, at about 28k miles. Dealer replaced both bulbs at a cost to me of zero, zip, nada. "Warranty." The Service Department at my dealer is clearly of the right sort and I hope no one will be pointing fingers at them and making trouble BUT maybe there is a secret problem with these bulbs. Certainly worth asking about at your dealer. :03biker:
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Interesting. My Left bulb went also.
 
I've not yet have any die in my ST, but my Guzzi, at about 3,000 miles, in my New Beetle at nearly 10,000 and my Mini, just off the lot.

I've replaced lots of bulbs.
 
Do you run with lights on all the time ? we do here in the UK (well I do anyway). UK ST models have H4s as standard as do most bike over here. They seem to last a long time. On my FZ1 I only had one go at 52,000 miles. All still OK on the ST at 23,000 miles. Don't know if you can get them there, but if you think H4s are bright, try Philips Xenon bulbs - 50% brighter again, they are road melting. I think I'll stick with standard H4 on mine though, I find the reflectors give great lighting at night and are quite adequate even on dark country roads - high beam is fantastic. :03biker:
 
nisbeam said:
Do you run with lights on all the time ? we do here in the UK (well I do anyway). UK ST models have H4s as standard as do most bike over here.
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In the US you cannot turn the lights off. No switch. Yes they are H4. In the US they are 45/45 watt. I replaced those with 55/60 watt H4 bulbs.
 
When I was installing my Hella aux lights, I noticed that the stock Honda headlight wiring is pretty wimpy. Can too small of a wire cause problems with the bulb? The wires that come with the Hella lights are twice the gauge as the stock headlight wires.
 
I ride with the highbeams on the whole time during the day, and as much as I can at night. Still haven't had a chance to change it out :( Maybe this weekend if hurricane Dennis lets me.
 
My 04' just turned 30k miles in 15 months and my left high beam went out. It was a vision plus. I replaced them both with the Silver Stars. I was waffeling about changing the right one until I noticed the difference b/t the new and old bulb. Wally-world has the pair for $36USD.
TIme2Get Wet
Neil S.
 
Using passing switch could effect life...

Just a little experience from using my 750 VFR (replaced last week with a 2004 ST1300A). When I first read that in Europe you're supposed to use the 'passing' function before overtaking I got into a habit of flashing before all overtakes. The problem is that the 'passing' light on the VFR does not switch to high beam only- it in fact lights BOTH filaments in the bulb (i.e. Dipped and Main). I was surprised that after only a couple of thousand miles of this habit both blubs blew within a couple of weeks of each other. On reflection it occured to me that the double heating of the bulb by both filaments can only be a bad thing for the bulb life.

My conclusion- assuming the ST is the same (which it seems to be) if you use the 'passing' switch a lot your bulbs are more likely to blow early (IMHO). Needless to say, I no longer 'flash' before overtaking, only signal.

Mark G
 
jdos2 said:
I've not yet have any die in my ST, but my Guzzi, at about 3,000 miles, in my New Beetle at nearly 10,000 and my Mini, just off the lot.

I've replaced lots of bulbs.
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Dude, a New Beetle, and a Mini ... you rock! :bow1: :D
 
My left High beam just went out.. 3 months 8700 miles..
2 choices..Try to get it replace via dealer/warranty
or
Upgrade to 60/55watts (40 bucks for a pair)
I am leaning towards upgrade.

Do I need shims???
How hard to replace??
 
Add me to that list, too. 14 months, 8,300 miles and no left high-beam. (Yeah, I don't get to ride as much as I'd like...)

I'm upgrading to the Osram 55/60s with shims, which I expect in the mail tomorrow or Wednesday. I did a dry run on the left side last night and didn't find it difficult. The right side's a little more cramped but should go just fine. Look here for the beginnings of an article on replacing the headlight. You'll need shims for anything other than the Honda bulbs. I like the idea of shims, because if my lights go while on a trip, I at least have the option of picking up a temporary set at an auto parts store or Wally-Mart. (Better would be for Honda to quit using $#@*& proprietary bulbs!)

Figuring that having both bulbs on means more lighted surface area, I'm limping along on my low-beams. I do notice a big difference in how visible I am to people.

--Mark
 
BTW, they replaced my bulb under warranty, no hassle. Dont recall if I ever updated you all about that.
 
Mark - FWIW - I didnt use shims when I installed my Silverstars - just trimmed the tabs and inserted. The bulbs sit on the flange surrounding the bulb assembly - the tabs are for alignment (turning of the bulb) as I understand. No problems with aiming - just never saw the need for the shims and all is working well - no, way better than stock.
Mick :04biker:
 
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