Does anyone use a 90/100 watt headlight bulb?

[warnerwh]

I searched and came up with nothing but would think someone has tried one of these bulbs. Here is what I am referring to:  http://www.chromeworld.com/ProductDetails/ProductDetails.aspx?pid={c115b1c2-cc44-484a-af80-83e684e2102a}&gid={a3bf00d8-f36a-4229-81e8-6929dc86ba55}&GroupName=Honda+Magna+Lights&pname=Kuryakyn+Replacement+Headlight+Bulb+Clear+90/100+Watt&Referer=&Alias=&ptct=GL2-SR&CTitle=&
My main concern is that it may run too hot in there and/or draw more current than our electrical systems can handle comfortably. I'm trying to find a way to make myself more visible as inexpensively as possible. I was also looking at mounting 2 headlights. Any other ideas are welcome.

[hootmon]

IF you are going to just run this bulb there should be enough juice from the regulator to run it, but I would have the same concerns as you - especially the existing wire gauge. So you may want to run new wires/fuse and use a relay off of the existing wiring to turn it on and off. Not sure about the heat factor... (Which probably means two relays - one for low beam, one for high) You could use one wire and feed the two relays source side.

I'm not sure how you would fair with the upgraded bulb AND two additional lights in terms of available power..

I run a improved bulb that Terry suggested (same wattage) and it did improve my visibility at night and I run a 35 watt H3 aux light with the high beam on and the system handles the draw fine.
I have seen Magna's with the dual light bar before and they seem to be fine. I'm just not sure with the extra draw on the main light, how much extra is available..
Lawrence will probably chime in with some super technical mumbo jumbo - listen to whatever he says..

[TLRam1]

I have wondered about the PIAA line.

These use 55/60 watts but equal 100-135 watts depending on the one you choose but I have no feedback or comparison to know what the real deal is.

http://www.cli-maxridinggear.com/servlet/the-117/PIAA-H4-Super-Plasma/Detail

http://www.cli-maxridinggear.com/servlet/the-118/PIAA-H4-Star-White/Detail

http://www.cli-maxridinggear.com/servlet/the-116/PIAA-H4-Xtreme-White/Detail

[hootmon]

Note: I would not install any bulb that projects Blue light (the bulb glass can be blue)..
Blue light might look cool and might make you more noticeable, but blue light reflects off of water droplets (fog) and does not penetrate. This can leave you nearly blind if you get caught in heavy fog.
Just and FYI

[TLRam1]

From what I understand the whites do not project a blue light, have to call PIAA to find out more.

[lragan]

The blue tint on the envelopes of these bulbs will attenuate the red-yellow end of the output of the filament.  In my view, they are tinted to make the output look "cool" -- i.e., shift the average of the spectrum toward the blue light.  I agree with Hoot that this is not "cool" in practical use -- why would one want to filter out the longer wavelengths that penetrate fog better?  Dumb, but hey, it sells.

I don't ride at night except in rare instances where necessary, so knowing the bulbs I use is not of much interest here.

As for the wiring, I doubt it will make much difference in reality.  You may not get as much light as you pay for, but the extra heat dissipated with the higher wattage bulbs should be distributed along the length of the wire, so I doubt it will be an issue.  I would not put in extra relays to run this bulb.  If you are using extra running lights (I use an extra 50 watts or so), then I recommend you don't use the extra wattage headlights at the same time, especially if you have other electrical accessories added to the bike.  You can try it, it won't hurt the Regulator/Rectifier, and won't appreciably increase the temperature of the R/R.   If with your normal riding patterns you don't run down the battery, then you should not worry about it.  I have a relay  in series with the extra running lights on my bikes, which function to turn the running lights off when I am at idle for extended periods, like in traffic, or waiting for a friend to find his way back to the correct route after a wrong turn.  On one of my bikes, the relay operates off the high beam (easiest installation) and the other has a switch installed on the left fork panel.  So the extra load rarely drags on the battery, and I have yet (knock on wood) to experience a battery or R/R failure.

[warnerwh]

Thank you guys for the input. After Googling it I see where many people say that these lights are very bright and white. However I've seen white lights that look like they emit light like the blue lights. I'm going to figure that the motorcycle/auto manufacturers probably researched what light is best and keep what I have. If there was a way to make the light better and legal they would have already done it. Adding a couple of small lights would likely be the more intelligent move.

[lragan]

You may not like them, but Wal-Mart sells pairs of bright, small lights for about $15 per pair.  They are what I use -- learned about 'em from Charles Otwell.  They add to visibility in the daytime, which is why I have them.

[warnerwh]

Actually the Wal-mart lights sound like a good idea. My main goal is to be more visible during the day. They don't have to be motorcycle jewelry just decent.

[Jerry G Turner]

I have a pair on mine and they work great at night also.

[hop along]

FWIW I have the PIAA Extreme White you listed below and enjoy using it. I run high beam almost always, day and night.  I also run PIAA extreme white 1100X auxiliary bulbs, I think they each draw  55w.  Relay on the auxiliary lights, which also have their own switch.  I did not bump up the wire gauge on the driving light.  I've had no troubles with overdraw (unless plugging in the heated jacket with the bulbs on high...) of hte charging system.  This is on my 2003 Magna, I've had this gear on my bike for 30,000+ miles so far without issue.  The PIAA 1100X are not exactly aesthetic to the Magna but are far more functional than the Cobra lightbar with spotlights that I used to have.
Hop Along

[TLRam1]

FWIW I have the PIAA Extreme White you listed below and enjoy using it. I run high beam almost always, day and night.  I also run PIAA extreme white 1100X auxiliary bulbs, I think they each draw  55w.  Relay on the auxiliary lights, which also have their own switch.  I did not bump up the wire gauge on the driving light.  I've had no troubles with overdraw (unless plugging in the heated jacket with the bulbs on high...) of hte charging system.  This is on my 2003 Magna, I've had this gear on my bike for 30,000+ miles so far without issue.  The PIAA 1100X are not exactly aesthetic to the Magna but are far more functional than the Cobra lightbar with spotlights that I used to have.
Hop Along

Do you remember a comparison between the PIAA light and the Magna stock bulb?

[hop along]

The PIAA is brighter by a remarkable extent, I was quite pleased.  It is much easier to see straight ahead of you.  However, the reflector design of the Magna headlamp is not very good at getting light to the outside edges-no matter how bright a bulb you install, you won't see better to the outside edge.  That was why I installed axilliary lights, to help see the critters on the side of the road earlier.  The combo of the two is sufficient, especially when aided by following another vehicle at night and using THEIR headlights to help see even further ahead.
Hop Along

[TLRam1]

Thanks for the report I will pass this along to my brother, he is interested in putting these in his BMW, one day I may try these in the Magna also.

[lragan]

The only problem I have seen with them is that the chrome plating on the mounting brackets is a bit thin.  Since I mounted mine on the bottom of the triple tree where the brackets don't show much, I simply painted the brackets with a tough epoxy enamel before mounting them, after my unscheduled get-off smashed up the first pair.  So far, so good.