weak headlight

Extensive scientific testing has shown LEDs to be superior for recognition & identification distances at night.
Steve - do you have HID numbers for R&I too? - I mean proper homologated HID naturally. I'm looking at cars and and one or two have HID as standard.
 
due to the crap lights on my 2015 roadster,i need to replace the bulbs .
Lets start with the basics - The Triumph reflectors are VERY POOR. Both in design and materials. It is also incorrectly marked for Homologation - but it's original so gets a free ride. It is marked as a 7".

If you stuff in more watts (bigger brighter bulbs) the whole assembly WILL overheat. The H4 connector as already stated has to be replaced with a ceramic one. After a while the silvering will disappear - especially opposite the Graves Shield (The metal bit that hides half the dip filament). This leaves a non-reflective patch so basically even less USABLE light comes out. The same applies if you wire dip to stay on with main.

Eventually the plastic reflector WILL degrade and crumble. The locating tabs snap off easily when the bike is new.

No 5&3/4" Halogen is exceptional as the bulb filaments cannot be correctly aligned to the reflector and lens. Most waste well over 60% of the light as scatter. The H4 bulb was designed to fit 7" and above. Period. (This info comes from Hella). I have done testing with Hella and Cibié units in the past and personally preferred Cibié but nothing gets close to what I now run.

You can be LUCKY with LED bulbs as many are poorly aligned and this can sort of redress the failings in the reflector lens. But (ime) it is more likely that they will simply show up the reflectors deficiencies even more. And so far the harder the "bulb" mfr tries to get the alignment correct to more likely it is to show up deficiencies in anything but a simple 7" unit.

Anybody who says a LED BULB is enough compared to a proper LED unit (especially Adaptive) is sorely mistaken or has very low expectations.

Also LED lights have advanced HUGELY in the last 5 years. Steve has a remarkable set of videos that show the difference between normal LEDs and adaptive LEDs.

Once you have used adaptive lights at night - you will sorely miss the functionality on any vehicle without them.

LED units (I know you don't like them) throw light ONLY where it is supposed to go. Some actually find this disturbing at first. The demarcation of lit to unlit areas is very finite. The wasted light scatter (which most folk associate with bright when they look at the lights) is generally limited and thus a 1500lumen LED lights more road than a 1500lumen Halogen.

If you ride mainly during the day and need "daylight riding lights" then fit LED bulbs. The wasted scatter is then your friend.
If you ride at night a lot, but mainly in built up (lit) areas or motorways then consider cheap LED units.
If you ride in unlit bends at night - Adaptives, only adaptives and nothing else but adaptives.
 
Steve - do you have HID numbers for R&I too? - I mean proper homologated HID naturally. I'm looking at cars and and one or two have HID as standard.

Chris,
I be unaware of any motors with OEM HID light(s).
I do know that all motors tested so far are woefully inadequate (like half the discernable distance) as compared to cars.
I do have numbers for cage HIDS tested.
 
You will also get better lights with an Eastern Beaver headlight harness upgrade and will future proof any further light upgrades
 
Chris,
I be unaware of any motors with OEM HID light(s).
I do know that all motors tested so far are woefully inadequate (like half the discernable distance) as compared to cars.
I do have numbers for cage HIDS tested.
Yup I meant 4 wheelers really - I am looking a a Subaru and it comes with HID from the factory.

I've not seen any bikes with HID as standard - Though I have converted bikes in the past.
And I agree that most aftermarket HID kits are as useable as aftermarket LED "bulbs". If anybody wants to play - I have loads in a box somewhere.
 
MINE are so much brighter than the originals there is no comparison very very bright with total road coverage SO no NEED for me to look for anything else they do a great job
 
You can't get around the deficiencies of the OEM lamp housing - but then LED bulbs can't do that either
As @1olbull says it's all relative - so depending on 'how much' improvement you really want.
The ultimate is JWSpeaker complete LED modules - however if you want simple (relatively) inexpensive improvement over stock, look to some of those bulbs in the linked page.

Back to the original request, there are now LOTS of options for MUCH BETTER Incandescent bulbs than OEM
- and WITHOUT going to a higher Power (which I would NOT recommend) OR LEDs or Xenon conversions.

Since you are in the UK, take a look here - H4 (472) Car Bulbs | Replacement Car Light Bulbs | PowerBulbs

or here - https://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/h4-60-55w-headlight-bulb/

Philips Racing Vision are going to be about the brightest std wattage H4 you can find. or the Ring 150's
 
Chris,
Well stated, Amigo.
What model & year Subaru?