Busted high beams

Ocho

Ocho

Well-known member
Hey guys,

New bike owner here (and complete mechanical noob). I bought a used bike this weekend and failed to notice the high beams don't work. Whenever I turn the switch to high beams or use the flasher switch, no lights. Low beams work fine.

I want to believe it's just the bulb and not cable/electrical stuff going on, however I can only find LED replacement bulbs online. Are these easy to install?
 
J

Junkie

gone for now
This is the DL650? If so, it uses H4 headlight bulbs, which are very common. You can find them lots of places online, or at an auto parts store.

Or, it could be a fuse.
 
dravnx

dravnx

Well-known member
The problem with LEDs are the headlight reflector is engineered for the light pattern of the H4 Halogen bulb. I haven't done the research lately on LED replacements but in the past the technology hasn't caught up with reality. Perhaps someone has designed the correct bulb. It would have to involve little reflectors on the bulb to simulate the H4. Let me know if you come up with something. I replaced mine a couple of years ago and they are less then perfect. The pattern is good and they are definitely brighter but the light pattern doesn't throw down the road as well as the stock H4. This works for me as my Vstrom is my commuter and I only ride it at night when I'm on well lit roads during commute times.
 
G

greg57vw

Well-known member
Someone may have installed Hid lights. This was the case for me. Flipped up for brights and nothing.
 
Ocho

Ocho

Well-known member
I guess it makes sense it's the fuse since low beams are fine and both bulbs seem to malfunction on high beams (contrary to just a random one going bad).

greg57vw said:
Someone may have installed Hid lights. This was the case for me. Flipped up for brights and nothing.
Click to expand...

Oh, are Hid lights no high beam/low beam kind of light? Just one setting?
 
Last edited:
splat

splat

Well-known member
What do you mean both bulbs seem to malfunction on high beams?

Do you have two dual filament bulbs?

Can you give a little more information like YMM of the bike?
 
Ocho

Ocho

Well-known member
Yeah I actually went ahead and bought those earlier today. I had some trouble getting the fuse out, waiting on the owners manual to figure it out. Wasn't sure if i needed to disconnect anything before prying the fuse out.
 
m0t0_ryder

m0t0_ryder

RYD!
For pulling fuses... just have the key off.
Pull and visually examine... or test w/multimeter (best).

Here's a link to a 2008 DL650 manual (pdf).
http://mybikemanuals.com/suzuki/suzuki-dl-owners-manuals/
(click on the '08 DL650 one)

Here's a link to a DL650 Service Manual...
https://www.manualslib.com/manual/792723/Suzuki-Dl650.html?page=3#manual
(model year not provided)

Best upgrade I did for headlights for my (2) DL1K's was going to Sylvania Silver Star H4/9003 bulbs. The stock headlights on the Vstrom I found to be very good. The Silver Stars just increased the amount of light.
Osram's are also good choices as you can get Heavy Duty versions that take off road romps a little better. They are hard to find though and usually special order. I have one in my KTM 950S.
 
m0t0_ryder

m0t0_ryder

RYD!
Oh, and I agree w/Dravnx.
LED tech, while good and efficient, is not quite ready for retrofitting to todays headlight reflector designs.

And please avoid HID.
While very bright (even annoyingly so to oncoming cars) they also have a fairly high failure rate.
Especially the cheap Chinese ones people seem to gravitate to.
 
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