If you are feeling crafty and decide to do the modification, there is a lower wattage H4 bulb that Honda uses on some bikes which would be less of a draw on the system. While most standard H4 bulbs are 55/60 watts, Honda part #34901-MN5-003 uses just 45 watts on both high and low beams, while still providing an improvement in output over the stock unit.
Now, if your REALLY serious about night riding, or just want to be noticed on the road, convert to an H3 socket and use a PIAA Extreme White bulb. They have an H3 thats only 35 watts low beam, but puts out better than most normal HIGH beams. Just don't leave the high beam on for long, it's 70 watts!
Will this headlight work on my bike?Although the Honda bulb is higher price, your local guy seems to have gone a bit beyond m.s.r.p.. You can probably find it much cheaper aftermarket.
If your dealer uses Tucker Rocky distributing try part number 20-0406. It's an H4 35 watt listed for $5.50. If they're a big enough shop they can probably get one within a few days if they don't have it in stock. Being that H4's are one of the most widely used headlight bulbs around, and that they are also used for automotive purposes, they are also obtainable outside the powersports market in a wide variety of wattages and styles, and usually for a good deal less than the OEM motorcycle replacement part. Supply and demand dictates alot of the priceing at bike shops, and until there are as many shops as there are "Pep Boys", "Advance Auto"or "NAPA"'s and enough powersports consumers to warrant them, the price of having a friendly familiar face at a local shop to deal with is always going to be higher than what you're used to at the automotive shop. It's just a side effect of the lingering paranoias associated with motorcycles in the U.S. mindset. Middle America still remembers "The Wild One" and "Hell's Angels" so were still a minority. What did your mother say about motorcycles? Mind you, that's no excuse for price gougeing, unless, of course, you have a hefty logo that's plastered all of over hats, shirts, chain wallets and the TV screens of the cable watching consumer sheep who dream of becoming "The Wild One"! Sorry, that's just a little industry pet peeve of mine I'll try not to rant on. (there initials stand for another "Hundred Dollars") So, yes, you can save on certain items by shopping outside the industry. And an H4 will provide you with many more options than other bulbs. Myself , I prefer the Xenon H4's. Generic equivilant of the "PIAA Xtreme White", it puts out a higher quality, more white beam at the same wattage as a halogen bulb.(for about half the price!) Especially advantageous for those of us who's eyesight is getting worse at night. Plus it's alot more noticeable to the myopic motorists in your path! Dream bulbJust saw these on ebay. This guys has lots of old bulbs. Ietm # 110096955574
Davomoto
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