Headlight bulb question--2013 Rocket 3 Touring

[jtanc39]

Check out the "Awesome" regulation in Singapore.

"Vehicles should only be fitted with factory fitted HID lamps as they are designed to meet internationally recognised standards. Aftermarket HID lamp kits retrofitted into existing headlamps may cause unwanted glare when used. Therefore, installation of these kits are not allowed.

Replacement bulbs must be of a design recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. Using a higher wattage bulb may increase the risk of fire because of a greater current being drawn to power these lamps. Therefore, these types of bulbs are not allowed."

Hope someone can share with me what's the wattage of the R3T '08 headlight bulb or what's a good replacement? Mine looks like its going to go anytime soon. I have PDM60 installed if it helps with this question.

 

[Bob R]

Thanks everybody. Can anyone suggest a good replacement, lens reflector unit for a Touring Rocket? And, since that tiny bulb inside the main headlight housing is the parking light, does that mean there's no need to replace it for riding?

That is exactly what that means. The parking light (although they have a different name for it I believe) is an invention of the British, probably Lucas himself to ensure you come back to a dead battery if used for any amount of time. It is turned on by turning your key all the way to the left, past the lock position. If you use your lock always do a quick check to ensure you didn't accidentally go too far and turn on the headlamp and tail light bulbs.

bob

 

[DEcosse]

... Hope someone can share with me what's the wattage of the R3T '08 headlight bulb or what's a good replacement?.....

Those rules are actually in line with many countries - and not particularly inappropriate.
What they are essentially saying is
HID lamps are only legal when part of a factory installed projector that has been properly designed for that light source
i.e. After-market HID bulbs are not permitted to be installed in reflector housings that were not specifically designed for their use.
Bulbs should not exceed the std 55/60 Wattage
i.e. there is potential danger to an electrical system that was designed for lower current and additionally light may not be projected similarly to a 55/60 bulb in a std reflector.

I actually generally agree with these rules.

If you are limited (and wish to stay within the regulations) then you want the best light output you can get in a 55/60 bulb;
Good choices would be
Philips Racing Vision +150 - Philips RacingVision 9003 (HB2/H4) Car Headlight Bulbs (Twin) | PowerBulbs
Philips X-treme Vision +130 - Philips X-treme Vision +130% 9003 (HB2/H4) Headlight Bulbs | PowerBulbs
Osram Night Breaker Laser +130 - Osram Night Breaker Laser 9003 (HB2/H4) Single Car Headlight Bulb | PowerBulbs
Osram Night Racer +110 - OSRAM Night Racer 110 9003 (HB2/H4) Motorcycle Bulbs | PowerBulbs

The +110/130/150 number is an indication of its relative light output compared to a 'std' 55W incandescent bulb
That Philips racing Vision is the first bulb I have seen that has a +150 rating - on paper this would be the brightest bulb available while staying within the legal wattage confines.

The Osram Night Racer claim to fame is that they are reputedly designed specifically for motorcycles and have a higher tolerance to vibration.
That is difficult to quantify as to whether that really is a differentiator is very hard to prove and will vary quite a bit across different bikes anyway; but at least the claim is there that they have specifically designed for motorcycle application.

The other option would be to fit a JW Speaker complete module - this is not a 'bulb' retrofit, but a complete lamp projector assembly; those are actually DOT legal in the US (where in most states the laws are similar to yours);
I think you could probably not be outwith the law if you fitted those and could certainly point to the DOT certification is questioned
Besides - who is going to know they are not standard on a Rocket??

 

[jtanc39]

@DEcosse, should never leave this forum. You are seriously the in-house electrical guru. Awesome reply!

 

[mousseman]

@DEcosse, should never leave this forum. You are seriously the in-house electrical guru. Awesome reply!

Has anybody actually done a headlight replacement that is legal over in Germany and will pass a TÜV/MoT inspection? The bulbs are no prob, but LED is of course much more interesting.

 

[cr0ft]

Check out the "Awesome" regulation in Singapore.

"Vehicles should only be fitted with factory fitted HID lamps as they are designed to meet internationally recognised standards. Aftermarket HID lamp kits retrofitted into existing headlamps may cause unwanted glare when used. Therefore, installation of these kits are not allowed.

This actually applies in America and Europe, also. It's literally illegal to fit HID in a Halogen reflector. Headlights are made to very specific standards and they have to have a DOT or E-code approval stamped on the glass to be legal. Cars or motorcycles, the same is true.

The same applies for LED "bulbs" in the stock reflector, also illegal everywhere.

You are probably allowed to replace your headlights with approved LED reflectors (reflector with built in LED, made in a factory, and DOT and E tested) - JW Speaker, Vision X etc. Not sure if that's true in Singapore, but it is in Europe and the USA.

Headlights need to work properly or they'll blind motorists and cause accidents, so they're heavily regulated.

@mousseman - if you do LED right per the above (for example JW Speaker 8700 or 8790 if you have the cash) it will absolutely pass. They're E code tested and approved.

 

[jtanc39]

This actually applies in America and Europe, also. It's literally illegal to fit HID in a Halogen reflector. Headlights are made to very specific standards and they have to have a DOT or E-code approval stamped on the glass to be legal. Cars or motorcycles, the same is true.

The same applies for LED "bulbs" in the stock reflector, also illegal everywhere.

You are probably allowed to replace your headlights with approved LED reflectors (reflector with built in LED, made in a factory, and DOT and E tested) - JW Speaker, Vision X etc. Not sure if that's true in Singapore, but it is in Europe and the USA.

Headlights need to work properly or they'll blind motorists and cause accidents, so they're heavily regulated.

@mousseman - if you do LED right per the above (for example JW Speaker 8700 or 8790 if you have the cash) it will absolutely pass. They're E code tested and approved.

Ya unfortunately not true for Singapore. Even helmets that doesn't bear our local authority logo are considered illegal. Even if there's DOT certification. That being said, I really agree with the regulation to prevent unwanted glare to other road user.

 

[cr0ft]

Sorry to hear it. Yeah, I understand Singapore is pretty strict about a lot of things compared to us laissez faire Europeans and Americans.