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Visibility is a significant factor to consider when riding a motorcycle. You want to be as visible as possible at all times so that the other drivers can notice you on the road.
Before you start investing in reflective equipment, you may want to consider finding a solid motorcycle headlight bulb.
Having a bright and reliable bulb makes all the difference, especially because original lights are usually not bright enough.
Take a few minutes to discover the top headlight bulbs and their pros and cons. Make sure to check out the buyer’s guide as well since it can help you choose the best one for your bike.
7 Highest Rated Motorcycle Headlight Bulbs Review
| PRODUCT | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|
TOAUTO  | TOAUTO Features: Quick cooling, easy installation Life span: Over 40,000 hours | Check Price |
XSTORM  | XSTORM Features: Long lifespan, 1500 lumens Life span: Up to 40,000 hours | Check Price |
Octane Lighting  | Octane Lighting Features: Simple installation, weather-resistant Life span: N/A | Check Price |
KaiDengZhe  | KaiDengZhe Features: Waterproof design, resistant to vibration Life span: Over 50,000 hours | Check Price |
Kids ATV  | Kids ATV Parts Features: Affordable, easy installation Life span: N/A | Check Price |
Powerty  | Powerty Features: Resistant and durable, waterproof Life span: Up to 50,000 hours | Check Price |
S&D  | S&D Features: Long life span, IP68 waterproof Life span: 50,000 hours | Check Price |
TOAUTO – Easy Installation
This upgraded bulb is some 400% brighter than your original one. It’s an ideal choice for motorcycles and cars, making you more visible when riding in the dark.
The color temperature is 6000K and is xenon white. Its working wattage is 30W. It’s important to note that this one has an aviation aluminum body with a built-in cooling fan.
This one cools rather quickly, so there’s no risk of overheating. It takes some 15 to 20 minutes to install it since it’s a plug-and-play product. It fits some Yamaha, Honda, BMW, Kawasaki, KTM, ZERO, and CanAm motorcycles.
It’s designed to consume less energy, having a life span of over 40,000 hours. This saves you the trouble of having to change the lamps as frequently.
PROS
- Quick cooling
- High and low beam
- Easy installation
CONS
- Doesn’t fit as many bikes
XSTORM – Fast Heat Dissipation
XSTORM headlight is some 300% than most stock halogen headlights. It requires no time to warm up, providing a clear beam pattern.
This one cools quickly thanks to the high-grade aluminum shell. It’s stable and easy to install, providing up to 40,000 hours of run time.
This is a plug-and-play product, so you probably won’t need any more than 10 minutes for the entire process. You can do this without any previous experience.
It’s a great choice for Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki, BMW, KTM, and other similar bikes. Use it to light the road ahead so that you can avoid tar snakes, potholes, and small objects in your way.
The headlight features twelve LED lights that are lighted on a high beam, along with six LEDs lighted for low beam.
PROS
- Long lifespan
- Easy to install
- 1500 lumens
CONS
- Fits only a few bike models
Octane Lighting – Halogen
This is probably the best choice if you’re looking for halogen motorcycle headlight. It’s a 5-3/4’’ glass-faced semi-sealed bulb that fits most bikes with a 6-volt electrical system.
The most interesting thing about this one is that it features a three-prong plug design. You can easily plug it into your original wiring harness without any modification.
Because the cover is made of glass, you can expect it to be quite resistant to weather. However, it will most definitely break in case of a crash or if your bike falls.
It’s a simple headlight that provides enough brightness to make your rides easier and safer.
It allows you to ride in pitch black, lighting the road ahead while also making you more visible for other riders.
PROS
- Simple installation
- Weather-resistant
- Bright and long-lasting
CONS
- The glass cover is easy to break
KaiDengZhe – Corrosion Resistant
This corrosion-resistant bulb can withstand vibration and shaking, so it’s ideal for riders who are often riding across bumpy terrain.
Its 360° beam angle provides the maximum light output and lighting distance. This ensures you’re visible enough so that other riders notice you.
One of the most important things to note is that this one is IP67 waterproof. It can withstand bad weather, rain, fog, and snow without any issues.
It’s a long-lasting headlight because it doesn’t overheat. It cools quickly thanks to the aviation aluminum housing that offers better heat dissipation. This provides some 50,000 hours of run time.
The alloy shell has good corrosion resistance and is completely sealed. It’s easy to install as it’s made as a plug-and-play product. You don’t need any particular experience to install this LED headlight.
PROS
- Waterproof design
- Resistant to vibration
- Lasts over 50,000 hours
CONS
- Some people don’t find it bright enough
Kids ATV Parts – Ideal for Scooters
This is a set of two bulbs and is ideal for mopeds, ATVs, go-karts, and scooters. It’s easy to install and long-lasting, so you don’t have to worry about replacing the lights as frequently.
The most important thing to remember is the size since these are relatively small. For this reason, they’re only compatible with scooters, mopeds, and ATVs.
The diameter of the base is 15mm, while the diameter of the base plate is 24.7mm. The bulbs have two contact dots.
Another thing to mention is this is a single light. There is a high or low beam, which is something you should keep in mind before purchase.
Other than that, these are pretty simple to install and use for a long period. However, professional installation is recommended if you’re unsure.
PROS
- Easy installation
- Affordable
- Solid and durable construction
CONS
- Single light only
Powerty – Extremely Bright
This is an all-in-one LED bulb kit that’s easy to install even if you’re a beginner. The headlight has both high and low beam and is among the best choices when it comes to replacing original headlights.
Each headlight bulb lights up to 6000 lumens thanks to the Lumileds ZES-2016 LED chips. The extremely bright xenon white light is approximately 400% brighter than stock halogen bulbs.
These are quality-made, and you won’t see any shadowed areas or dark spots. The lights won’t blind other riders that are coming your way.
The most important thing to mention is how energy-efficient the bulbs are.
The aviation radiator and cooling fan provide great heat dissipation and help to prolong the life expectancy to up to 50,000 hours.
Also, these are IP65 waterproof and can handle temperatures of -40°C to 80°C.
PROS
- Easy installation
- Waterproof
- Resistant and durable
CONS
- Not as compatible with most bikes
S&D – Hi/Lo Beam
S&D is known as 300% brighter than your original H4 bulbs. The 6000K color temperature ensures your visibility without blinding the oncoming traffic.
These CSP LED chips are expected to last some 50,000 hours, ensuring continuous light output. They’re saving far more energy than halogen lights.
It’s easy to install thanks to the plug-and-play design. They work as direct replacements of your existing H4 lights. Also, keep in mind that these are highly compatible with Suzuki, Harley, Ducati, BMW, and others.
The six CSP LEDs on one side are meant for a high beam while the six CSP LEDs on the other side are meant for a low beam. They work together to provide a clear pattern that lights up your way while enhancing your visibility as well.
PROS
- Long life span
- Easy to install
- IP68 waterproof
CONS
- Doesn’t fit all motorcycles
What To Consider When Buying Motorcycle Bulbs
Compatibility
The first thing you should consider is whether or not the bulb is compatible and will fit your bike. Most lights are made to fit a certain standard, although some models are different.
In most cases, manufacturers list the motorcycles that the bulb can work with. However, you want to take a few extra steps to ensure compatibility.
Measure your headlight to figure out if the bulb of your choice will fit. Most motorcycle headlights measure 7 inches in diameter.
Brightness
Brightness is what makes and breaks the product in this case. Make sure to check the brightness by checking the number of lumens it outputs when it’s set to high beam.
Those that have the highest number of lumens are the most powerful ones. Still, the number of lumens is something you want to be careful with. A bulb that’s too bright could blind the oncoming traffic, which is definitely something you want to avoid.
Ease of Installation
As you noticed, most of these products are designed as plug-and-play. This means that all you have to do is remove your old bulb and place a new one in its place.
However, the process can be a bit more complicated, depending on the particular product you choose. Some are designed differently, which means that they could potentially be more complicated to install.
Either way, ease of installation is critical, and you should pay special attention to it.
Waterproofing
The last thing you want is water getting inside the light. For this reason, make sure that the model of your choice is waterproof and can endure rain, snow, and fog.
Look for the one that comes in a waterproof case. This allows you to ride in different weather conditions without fearing that water could damage the light.
Although most models are waterproof, this is something you want to double-check. It’s even more important if you live in an area where it often rains.
More Reading: Top Motorcycle Rain Gear
Durability
Look for a bulb that’s durable and will last you a long time. In most cases, durability depends on the quality of the case.
Make sure that it comes in a durable casing so that it doesn’t damage as quickly. This will also ensure a long lifespan.
Some lenses are made of durable, anti-scratch, and anti-shock materials. Take some time to find the strongest option because headlights are typically among the first things that break in case of an accident.
Lumens
As we already mentioned, lumens determine the overall brightness. So, you can easily check how bright a bulb is by checking the number of lumens it outputs.
You can see a clear difference between LED and halogen bulbs by comparing the lumens. Halogen bulbs produce around 450 lumens while LED ones project up to 4000 lumens.
This is an important factor to consider, so make sure to take your time when comparing lights.
Features
You may think that motorcycle headlight bulbs don’t really come with as many features. It’s a common misconception since these are usually pretty packed with unique features and accessories.
As you noticed, some of the models we reviewed come with ring adaptors. It’s a small accessory that makes a big difference in how stable your headlamp is.
Some models are also waterproof and scratch-proof, which enhances their overall performance. It’s up to you to choose among the few feature and accessories, depending on your needs and preferences.
Safety
Safety is always an important factor to consider. You want the headlight to enhance your visibility and light up the road ahead, making your rides safer.
However, a light that’s too bright could potentially put other drivers in danger. You’d blind the oncoming traffic, making it difficult for other drivers to pass.
On the other hand, a light that’s not bright enough can’t illuminate the road in front of you. In this case, you could fail to notice obstacles on the road.
More Reading: 10 Motorcycle Safety Tips for New Riders
Beams
As you noticed, motorcycle headlight bulbs have high and low beams. However, some are single lights as well, so make sure to double-check the information.
A high beam is usually used only occasionally since it’s sometimes too blinding. For this reason, make sure that the low beam is still bright enough to illuminate the road ahead without blinding the ongoing traffic.
Think about whether or not you want the option to change between low and high beams. It’s a handy feature, but not one everybody needs.
Types of Headlights
Projector
Projector headlights are among the most modern models. This type of light is packed in a compact housing and usually features a magnifying glass in the front.
Such construction helps to extend the illumination power, keeping the light in focus at all times. As a result, you get directional light and maximum visibility, which is great when riding in the pitch black.
Reflector
Reflector headlight is a tungsten filament bulb, featuring a reflective material. The design helps to throw the light forward so that you can see as much of the road ahead as possible.
Still, keep in mind that this is among the oldest headlights on the market. They’re cost-effective but quite energy-consuming. A reflector headlight burns out rather quickly as well.
Multi-directional
These headlights come with high-intensity LEDs placed in a multi-directional pattern. This ensures superior illumination, along with adjustability and versatility.
You can program the LEDs by turning specific parts on and off to achieve the best light output for the particular situation you’re in.
It’s a great choice for people who often ride in all kinds of conditions.
How to Install Motorcycle Headlight Bulbs
You should first check your owner’s manual to see which headlight bulbs are the best to use for your bike. This is an important step because some lights require conversion adapters. Get the fitting light and all the tools ready before you start the process.
Park your bike on a level surface and use a screwdriver to open the headlight casing. Disconnect the coupler and the bulb cover before unhooking the bulb holder.
Unscrew the old light and replace it with a new one. Make sure to replace all the parts you removed as well.
Cleaning How-To
Clean the outside of the headlight before you decide to clean the inside. Sometimes, the cloudiness is due to dirt that’s accumulated on the outside, and there’s no need to open the casing at all.
Consider buying a restoration kit in case your headlight is damaged by UV rays. It includes all you need to keep it clean and bring it back to life. However, make sure to follow instructions on how to use the kit to avoid further damaging the casing.
Cleaning the inside is even easier. Use some rubbing alcohol and a quality cloth to wipe any residue away. You can also use ethanol if you don’t have any rubbing alcohol.
Additional Tips
Although motorcycle lights are typically durable, they can sometimes turn yellow and wear out. The best way to prevent this is by cleaning the headlight regularly.
Sand the polycarbonate surface or buy a specialized product that’s similar to toothpaste. These are simple and quick to use.
Remember that measuring your original headlight makes it easier to find a fitting replacement. Most bikes use 7-inch headlights, so make sure that the replacement you buy fits the size.
Also, most motorcycles come with halogen lights. Although halogen isn’t necessarily bad, you may want to consider replacing it with LED or Xenon if you’re looking for longevity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make my motorcycle headlight brighter?
The best way to improve the brightness of your headlight is to clean and restore it. Clean the light following the steps we talked about earlier in the article.
You can also buy a restoration kit that comes with precise instructions to follow for the best results.
When should I replace it?
You don’t have to replace your lights as long as they serve you well. Most bulbs have a life span of 30,000 to 80,000 hours, and you’ll probably notice when the time is up.
One the bulb starts to lose the brightness, it’s probably due to the end of its life span.
Are LED bulbs better?
As we said, LEDs are much brighter than halogen lights. On top of that, LEDs are much more durable and will last you a longer time than halogen lights you received with the bike.
However, keep in mind that not all LEDs are the same. They differ in longevity as well as the number of lumens they output.
Set your ride apart with a sweet, reliable LED kit.
Conclusion
At this point, we hope you’ve found a motorcycle headlight bulb that fits your needs and preferences. As we said, you should always measure your original lights first to ensure that the new ones will fit.
It wouldn’t hurt to check the owner’s manual for requirements just so that you’re sure. Luckily, most manufacturers list the bikes they’re compatible with to make your choice a bit easier.
Take a moment to reread our reviews, keeping in mind the buying factors we discussed. The information we shared can help you to choose a bulb from our list if you haven’t already.
