Yellow Headlight Bulb Swap

[LaGrasta]

Last week I spotted a dual headlight motorcycle behind me, super bright yellow bulbs. I was struck at the difference, vastly safer. As the bike passed me (I was in a car), the driver in front of me actually gave him the thumbs up as he passed him. He too had appreciated the easily spotted cyclist. I want those!

 I did a quick search this morning and found Nokya Hyper Yellow H4 bulb mentioned. Anyone else have a say?

[rocker59]

Check your State's laws regarding headlamp color.  They may require at least one white/clear.

If you have a single headlight, they may be illegal.  Back in the late '90s and early '00s, I used to see a lot of dual headlight sportsbikes with one yellow and one white headlamp bulb, which was legal here.  Definitely improved visibility to oncoming traffic.

[toma nova]

Last week I spotted a dual headlight motorcycle behind me, super bright yellow bulbs. I was struck at the difference, vastly safer. As the bike passed me (I was in a car), the driver in front of me actually gave him the thumbs up as he passed him. He too had appreciated the easily spotted cyclist. I want those!

 I did a quick search this morning and found Nokya Hyper Yellow H4 bulb mentioned. Anyone else have a say?

I'm using these exact bulbs in both my Stelvio headlights.  Good contrast to other DRLs on the road, high beam during the day is even better.  No problem with the amount of light they throw at night and never an issue with LEOs.

I also run Skene Design amber conspicuity lights in front on the forks down low and two sets of red in the rear as running / flashing brake lights.

Oh, and I have bright LED off road lights in the crash bars.  Even with all that, I still ride like I'm invisible.

Tom

[LaGrasta]

Thanks for the feedback. I didn't even think to check if these are legal in California.

[atavar]

Please don't run with high beams during the day.  It really doesn't make you any more visible, all it does is make you more annoying and gives the general populace more reason to complain about motorcyclists.  As if loud pipes weren't bad enough.. 

Flame away, I can take it. 

[Triple Jim]

There sure are conflicting views about daytime high beams.  From the North Carolina DOT Motorcyclist's Handbook:

"HEADLIGHT
The best way to help others see your motorcycle is to keep the headlight on — at all times (although motorcycles sold in the USA since 1978 automatically have the headlights on when running).  Studies show that, during the day, a motorcycle with its light on is twice as likely to be noticed.  Use of the high beam during the day increases the likelihood that oncoming drivers will see you.  Use low beam at night and in cloudy weather."

[Doppelgaenger]

Please don't run with high beams during the day.  It really doesn't make you any more visible, all it does is make you more annoying and gives the general populace more reason to complain about motorcyclists.  As if loud pipes weren't bad enough.. 

Flame away, I can take it.

I'd say that rings true for HIDs. They are too bright. I had a friend that put them on his buell, I could look in my rearview mirror in the car and INSTANTLY spot him almost two miles back.

However, he also said ever since he installed them he's never had a car pull out in front of him ever again.

I'd take the improvement on the Breva's lights. I find that even with high beam I can't see much of anything at night and I've never had anyone flash their brights at me for having the high beam on, even at night.

[Idontwantapickle]

Please don't run with high beams during the day.  It really doesn't make you any more visible, all it does is make you more annoying and gives the general populace more reason to complain about motorcyclists.  As if loud pipes weren't bad enough.. 

Flame away, I can take it.

Agreed  :1:
I find a blinding light on a bike in the daytime makes it harder for me to judge the speed of the oncoming bike.
While I do appreciate Jim's quote from the NCDMV handbook, it's a pretty bad publication. I've only ever used it to annoy the examiner! 

I might try a yellow in one of the Norge lamps. Maybe I will start calling it Winkie.

[toma nova]

Here are some crappy garage photos.  The yellow bulbs are very yellow - you won't mistake them for "warm" halogens.  The Skene flicker LEDs are near the brake calipers.

Low beam


High beam with LED driving lights


Rear with two sets of Skene P3s


Brakes activated.  I have the P3s set to flash three times then stay lit.


Tom

[aschem]

I've thought of wearing an LED safety vest at night.

[atavar]

There sure are conflicting views about daytime high beams.  From the North Carolina DOT Motorcyclist's Handbook:

"HEADLIGHT
The best way to help others see your motorcycle is to keep the headlight on � at all times (although motorcycles sold in the USA since 1978 automatically have the headlights on when running).  Studies show that, during the day, a motorcycle with its light on is twice as likely to be noticed.  Use of the high beam during the day increases the likelihood that oncoming drivers will see you.  Use low beam at night and in cloudy weather."

The thing about running high beams in the daytime is that the motorcyclists that do that forget that they are under the same restrictions as at night to dim the lights for oncoming traffic.  That is what makes it annoying.  You don't get to just leave your high beams on full time because it is daytime. 
Even NC code does not make an exception for daytime high beams. Dimming and raising the beam as appropriate will increase your conspicuousness.  Leaving the light on high may make you a target.

Just sayin..

[atavar]

Agreed  :1:
I find a blinding light on a bike in the daytime makes it harder for me to judge the speed of the oncoming bike.
While I do appreciate Jim's quote from the NCDMV handbook, it's a pretty bad publication. I've only ever used it to annoy the examiner! 

I might try a yellow in one of the Norge lamps. Maybe I will start calling it Winkie.

If I were going to try those in the Norge lamps I would put one in the right low beam and one in the left high beam..  That way when you flicked the passing switch the yellow would bounce back and forth and up and down.  Maximize the conspicuity. 

[Triple Jim]

Dimming and raising the beam as appropriate will increase your conspicuousness.  Leaving the light on high may make you a target.

Interesting point, atavar.

[rocker59]

You really don't "need" the brights on during daylight with modern motorcycles.

They all have BRIGHT lights !!!

[redrider]

Several years ago I installed 4 H7s in the Benelli and the difference was astounding. People would move aside for me possibly thinking I was an EMT. Did the same on the Cafe Sport. Even in daylight, road signage glows yellow. Less annoying reflective glare at night. With a yellow Sun, the yellow lighting makes sense to me.

[LaGrasta]

toma nova, what brand are your yellow bulbs?

redder, 4H7s are yellow or white?

[atavar]

Several years ago I installed 4 H7s in the Benelli and the difference was astounding. People would move aside for me possibly thinking I was an EMT. Did the same on the Cafe Sport. Even in daylight, road signage glows yellow. Less annoying reflective glare at night. With a yellow Sun, the yellow lighting makes sense to me.

From somewhere in my dark memory I recall that there was much scientific study done in the 40's/50's to determine the best color for auto headlights.  The dimness of those old bulbs was because of design limitations at the time, but the filaments were specifically selected to emit that warm yellow glow you remember so fondly.  They said that color created the least glare, cut fog and mist better, and was easier on the eyes. 

Interesting read --  https://www.quora.com/Why-the-headlights-of-a-vehicle-are-generally-yellow-in-colour-rather-than-white

[redrider90]

There sure are conflicting views about daytime high beams.  From the North Carolina DOT Motorcyclist's Handbook:

"HEADLIGHT
The best way to help others see your motorcycle is to keep the headlight on � at all times (although motorcycles sold in the USA since 1978 automatically have the headlights on when running).  Studies show that, during the day, a motorcycle with its light on is twice as likely to be noticed.  Use of the high beam during the day increases the likelihood that oncoming drivers will see you.  Use low beam at night and in cloudy weather."

I've got a Bosch unit in my Mille which is much brighter than the stock Guzzi unit. I often ride with it on high beam during the day and have never been high beamed back at me as long as it is during day. I will use the high beam if I am  going east/west and the oncoming traffic is looking into the morning sun or late afternoon sun.

[charlie b]

And, FWIW, the eyes are more sensitive to yellow light.

[Triple Jim]

And, FWIW, the eyes are more sensitive to yellow light.

True, but I think these bulbs get their color from filtering out blue.  In other words, they're subtracting some light to get them to be yellow, not putting all their energy into making yellow light.

[atavar]

Correct.  They call it "reduction yellow".

[jas67]

Here are some crappy garage photos.  The yellow bulbs are very yellow - you won't mistake them for "warm" halogens.  The Skene flicker LEDs are near the brake calipers.

I have the Skene "Blaster" flicker LEDs on a few of my bikes.   The flicker really does make them stand out.    Others that I ride with have commented on how they make me instantly stand out

The theory behind how they work is that the flickering makes them much more conspicuous in a person's peripheral vision, such as when you are approaching a car that is waiting to pull out into traffic, and they aren't looking directly at you, yet, they are not blindingly bright when looking at them head on.

I also have the Skene stop lights, as does a friend who I ride with quite often.   We did a dual sport ride last year with about 15 riders.   He was leading a group of 7, I had the rest behind me in the second pack.   I could pick him out from WAY back.    And, there is no mistaking when he is using his brakes.

Another good way of being visible is a high-vis yellow helmet.   Another friend rides with one.     On an early spring ride, he was about 3 riders back behind me.   I knew exactly where he was at all times.   My next helmet is going to be that color.

[redrider]

The H7s are yellow. The Benelli uses the faceted reflector to shape and control the beam and all four are the same wattage. Only two are used for low or high beam. The Café Sport uses a dual filament single bulb.

[Cam3512]

Last week I spotted a dual headlight motorcycle behind me, super bright yellow bulbs. I was struck at the difference, vastly safer. As the bike passed me (I was in a car), the driver in front of me actually gave him the thumbs up as he passed him. He too had appreciated the easily spotted cyclist. I want those!

 I did a quick search this morning and found Nokya Hyper Yellow H4 bulb mentioned. Anyone else have a say?

Nokya Hyper Yellow H4 - Got a link?

[toma nova]

toma nova, what brand are your yellow bulbs?

redder, 4H7s are yellow or white?

Nokya Super Yellow NOK 7613.  60/55W H4 (HB2 / 9003), 2500K.  amazon.

[Triple Jim]

I just checked the NC motor vehicle code, and it appears that headlights must be white or yellow here.  Virginia's law is worded so that yellow headlights appear to be illegal, and I do enough riding in VA that I guess yellow is ruled out.  Now on to the next problem in life.   

[redrider]

What if the vehicle is registered in NC and just passing through?

[Triple Jim]

There's a good question.  I guess the general version is: Do states enforce all of their motor vehicle regulations on out of state vehicles?  I would have guessed they do.  For example, I believe I've seen signs on the NC interstates that say that it's a state law in NC that you have your headlights on if you're using your wipers.  That would imply they may enforce that on out of state vehicles.  Same with the oddly worded "Motorcycles must burn headlights in daytime."  I bet there are some members of law enforcement here who could shed some light.

Edit:  A quick look at a law enforcement board showed that some states make some exceptions for vehicles that comply with the laws of their home states, but it's not universal, and many states require all vehicles to comply with the laws of their state.

[rodekyll]

The real question is -- are yellow lights worth the delays, expense, and paperwork associated with fighting the ticket?  It sounds like a 100%-avoidable path to trouble.

[redrider90]

There's a good question.  I guess the general version is: Do states enforce all of their motor vehicle regulations on out of state vehicles?  I would have guessed they do.  For example, I believe I've seen signs on the NC interstates that say that it's a state law in NC that you have your headlights on if you're using your wipers.  That would imply they may enforce that on out of state vehicles.  Same with the oddly worded "Motorcycles must burn headlights in daytime."  I bet there are some members of law enforcement here who could shed some light.

Edit:  A quick look at a law enforcement board showed that some states make some exceptions for vehicles that comply with the laws of their home states, but it's not universal, and many states require all vehicles to comply with the laws of their state.

Off course they enforce headlights and wipers on esp. because NC posts those rules on the highways. But to expect someone to change  out a headlight bulb when passing through the state is pretty hard to swallow.