Aright so I just brought home my new F4I. Now my question is, I'm not happy with the stock headlights so I wanna upgrade. I dont want to get the HID Kit though. I just want to buy replacement bulbs that dont require any modification but def put out more light. Could you guys give me some suggestions as to what brand and wattage to get. I'm fairly new to bikes and I'm not very mechanical with bikes quite yet but I'm learning. Anyway my bike is a 2004 F4I. Also how do I change the light bulbs in this bike, is it easy? Any help would be awesome guys. Thanks...Here's a pic of my bike!!.... http://photos-250.ak.facebook.com/ip...35250_3510.jpg

 

Changing the bulbs out is very easy. It just takes the removal of the molding, then the rubber cap. Next you unplug the harness, release the locking mechanism (don't unscrew the wire thing- you don't need to). When you take the bulb fixture out, there is a small piece- I think it's black- that actually comes apart from the bulb. Have them match the small bulb on the end and not the whole thing. I go to a Yamaha shop here and the guys tried to give me the wrong bulb. Your local shop will have several different brands and colors. FYI- don't go for the blue ones- they are not an improvement from the stock because the blue light reflects less on the road.

 

i think the only TRUE way to get better visibility is HID kit. you may notice a slight different with aftermarket bulb, but it wont last as long and after a few of them you'll exceed the cost of gettin an HID kit.

 

agree with slip on this one. I also got HID's... McCullochs 6000K. Works wonders on the road.

Be very careful on the bulbs you get if you're just swapping bulbs. I have had friends who have put on high wattage bulbs (100watt or more) and they ended up ruining several parts on their bike. It could ruin your headlight housing, wiring, even the electrical system.

If you do have problems like those, you'll be spending more to fix ur bike than buying HID's. I HIGHLY recommend just saving up some $$$ for a little longer and get HID's. It's safer, nicer, and cheaper in the long run. Can't go wrong with that.

 

Yeah, they also last way longer than normal bulbs.

 

there are other ways to make your stockers shine brighter. one way is upgrading the wiring and harness.
i'm not saying so that you can run 100W bulbs, etc...but if you take voltage of your stock wiring, by the time it reaches the bulb it won't be what it was initially rated. there is a voltage drop. reduce the drop and you gots yourself much more light with the same bulbs.