18 replies to this topic

[hallrob1]

I've had problems with the dip bulbs blowing regularly on both my niners and I've been using the high output Osram, Philips, Ring etc which aren't cheap.

 

They seem to last 6 months at most, usually blowing on the start of my journey home from work in the dark - I guess I do about 5000 miles in that time. Does anyone else suffer from this or is this what I should expect? 

 

My main question is what has the experience been on the longevity of the bulbs in HID systems - would that solve my problem whilst also improving the light output? 

[celticbiker]

I had a similar problem on my '02 for a while but a cleaning of connectors (under the air box) seemed to sort it out.

Only other suggestion would be to check the output from the reg rec in case it's starting to break down but I've never heard of one going on a 9er.

[divvxj]

no problems here and iv done approx. 35- 40,000 , now rear bulbs , that's another story

[Luke]

Hi there. 2002 miner, never blown a bulb in 35k. I have had dipped his for a few years, and still going strong.

[dablik]

2002 had one blown bulb in 20,000 miles, had a HID on dipped for approx 8,000 no issues..

[DeeBee]

My old 2002 only had 1 bulb blow in 50,000 miles

I changed to HID  a couple of years ago (16,000miles) and have had no problems

I swapped the old  HID to my new 2012 with no problems

If you are thinking about changing to HID just do it because they are FANTASTIC and make a massive difference.

I notice you live in Edenbridge, I am in Oxted/Hurst Green so if you want to see the difference with mine let me know.

Richard

[ChrisG]

Are you sure your headlamp unit is correctly fastened and not bouncing around?  My Mk1 had a dodgy mount on the rear light and used to wobble around it which caused it to eat bulbs every few months until I replaced them with LED's that are a bit tougher.

 

I'd expect HID to be tougher than a filament bulb however if it is moving around a bit you really don't want an HID in there as it will dazzle everyone as it bounces around.

[hallrob1]

My old 2002 only had 1 bulb blow in 50,000 miles

I changed to HID  a couple of years ago (16,000miles) and have had no problems

I swapped the old  HID to my new 2012 with no problems

If you are thinking about changing to HID just do it because they are FANTASTIC and make a massive difference.

I notice you live in Edenbridge, I am in Oxted/Hurst Green so if you want to see the difference with mine let me know.

Richard

 

 

I didn't realise I had a neighbour that close, Oxted is on my route to work so I must pass pretty close to you.

 

I've already got HID on the main beam (it's a fast start up ballast) and that turns night into day. The last time the dip bulb blew I tried riding home on main beam but I lit up the inside of cars and  could nearly see the back of the driver's retina's so I had to wait for a car to follow down the country lanes! 

[dmmsta]

I've only had 1 dipped lamp blow in ~ 75K miles.

 

I've run HIDs and never had one blow.

 

Worth noting the recent comments on HIDs, and only running one...makes pattern alignment wrong.

 

Basically you need to run BOTH HID or BOTH filement to ensure beam pattern for both lamps is correct.!

[hallrob1]

Are you sure your headlamp unit is correctly fastened and not bouncing around?  My Mk1 had a dodgy mount on the rear light and used to wobble around it which caused it to eat bulbs every few months until I replaced them with LED's that are a bit tougher.

 

I'd expect HID to be tougher than a filament bulb however if it is moving around a bit you really don't want an HID in there as it will dazzle everyone as it bounces around.

I'm certain they are located correctly Chris, a couple of times they didn't seat correctly so I've worked it out now. I've had plenty of opportunity to practice changing bulbs!

[dmmsta]

Also - if you go HID you'll need an adapter to hold the lamp in correctly...

 

Like this...http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/331323123510

[ChrisG]

Worth noting the recent comments on HIDs, and only running one...makes pattern alignment wrong.
 
Basically you need to run BOTH HID or BOTH filement to ensure beam pattern for both lamps is correct.!

How come? One does dipped and the other full, you might get slightly different pattern when both are on but when dipped it's fine. Worth using the H7r bulbs though which have a little metal strop along the top which sorts out any pattern issues when using HID in a reflector.

[dmmsta]

From what I read (CelticBiker I believe) it's more to do with adjustment of both bulbs...

 

Here's the thread:

http://www.carpe-tdm...ent#entry302823

Post #10 details the findings...

[ChrisG]

Interesting, I've got a HID dipped but went back to a standard full beam as I didn't like how long mine took to start up, I've not ridden the bike much at night since then and when I have it's mainly been on roads where I've not been able to use full beam so I've not noticed it being an issue, but it does make sense.

[dmmsta]

Interesting, I've got a HID dipped but went back to a standard full beam as I didn't like how long mine took to start up, I've not ridden the bike much at night since then and when I have it's mainly been on roads where I've not been able to use full beam so I've not noticed it being an issue, but it does make sense.

Same when I had HID in dipped myself.

 

We're all aware of having to tweak the beam postiion when moving to HID, so makes sense that a mix of lamps will make one or other alignment incorrect...

[Longstroke]

Mine blows about every 6 months (normally on the way to the wof (MOT) !

[JBX]

Never had to replace a blown bulb since 2002 !

I guess it's because I carry spare bulbs under the seat...

[Bjørge]

Me, no bulbs since 2005 . . . unless the MkI is supposed to have 2 rear driving lite bulbs ?

[Favs]

Lots of anecdotal and professional evidence of shorter life of high output bulbs such as Osram et al on the web, Some of these manufacturers state shorter life on the carton and some manufacturers offer a standard output lamp with guaranteed longer life (Osram for sure). I have had high output bulbs in the cage (plus several bikes), and have replaced them, (on premature failure IMHO), with Poundland variety which, while no brighter than standard, have proved a cheap, long-lasting replacement and provide a bonus of other spare lamps too.

 

As for HID (Hi n Lo) - I dunno no problems and over 20K miles to date.