Piece-of-crap stock headlight bulb

I'm @ 42K miles on my 1150GS with the original stock bulbs. Figured I'd replace them with silverstars when they go. Still waiting.

Your lucky .... 42000 km, changed low beam three times ... High beam once.

I've used Sylvania and ultra expensive PIAA Super Bright White ... Not any better ... PIAA warranty is worthless ...

Paul Jr
R1200GSA oO

So are you guys running with bad TB syncs, or what?

my stock 12gs bulb lasted 9500 miles with probably more starts than most of you.

My stock bulbs were fine when I replaced them with HID at 20,000 miles.

The lifespan of a bulb seems to be affected by how much you shake the bike.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
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Here in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" /><st1:State w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Quebec</st1lace></st1:State>, paved road are really bad, and car blown suspension components is common...

Gravel roads do no help either. I do both.

HID would solve my problems. But I am too lazy to install a retrofit kit.

Regards

Paul Jr
R1200GSA oO

I decided to swap my stock pos, for silverstars right away, the first low beam lasted for 4,000 miles. On the second one now. Kept the stock on hand though, just incase I get tired of dropping $20.00 bucks a pop, if they go out every 4k miles. That is what has me leaning towards the HID, retrofit when I return from deployment. I've heard they last a hell of a lot longer. I know it isn't legal, but I think I earned the right to break a minor law or two!!

I think we can come up with an ADV Servicemember's support fund if it becomes an issue

I thought the low beam was an H1?

They're talking about the 12GS. H7 high and low beam.

I absolutely agree on the improved (apparent) illumination. The only problem is that the Silverstars are notoriously short lived. My experience with them concurs with that notoriety. I have had several in the past year on a couple of my bikes and they go 4-6,000 miles for me, a lot less than stock. In the end, you have to decide if the better illumination is worth 4 to 6 times the cost of a standard bulb. For me the choice was clear so I added other lights to my bike for improved vision/conspicuity. My experience with PIAA bulbs is the same: nice light, short life.

My stocker died in the first 200 miles of ownership. Bike had 12k on it when I picked it up. I replaced both bulbs with Silverstars from fleabay 17.99 shipped for 2 H7 55w. Hopefully they last longer than 4k but at $ 9.00 a piece I guess I"ll get some more when they die.