Ok to hold flash-to-pass?

[kennyw]

Yes, agreed, but if the difference in light output is neglible, is longevity and electrical draw the primary benefit? None of my vehicles have an LED headlight (well, the Monkey will) and I have no first-hand experience.

Typically, increasing light output on the incandescent H4 bulbs over stock results in shorter lifespan. A well designed LED can net an increased light output but longer life at the same time. However it is a $100 minimum investment for aftermarket LED vs $18 for high output H4 incandescent.

I think the 2017 LED is a great improvement over the stock H4 that came with my 2013 once it is adjusted properly. The pattern is very picky about being adjusted correctly though. If it is aimed a little high, you loose light output in the middle where you want to see as it is hitting the signs and tree tops instead. There is also less light directed to the ground in front of the bike on the road vs the H4 so it doesn't light up the lines or pot holes as well in your near field.

[GoldOxide_imp]

The light bulb is a kinda classic fitting for ye olde CB retro.

[Paris_imp]

Yes, agreed, but if the difference in light output is neglible, is longevity and electrical draw the primary benefit? None of my vehicles have an LED headlight (well, the Monkey will) and I have no first-hand experience.

Yes and no: for any DOT approved LED sealed beam H4 replacement, the output in lumens is going to be the same as for a halogen H4. Although, the color of an LED headlight is going to be a pure white, which will definately seem brighter.

Still, there are options to exceed the DOT limits with an LED headlight, if that’s what you want to do. Search Amazon, and you’ll find automotive LED conversion kits for round headlights that would fit most bikes. These are headlight housings designed for a separate LED bulb in an H4 mount. Stock H4 housings for halogen bulbs do not spread the light from an LED bulb evenly, which is why you want an H4 housing designed for an LED bulb. The H4 socket connector is the same with halogen or LED, so no wiring modifications are necessary.

Next, what you want to do is search Amazon for high lumen LED H4 bulbs. All of them come from China, and while they are reliable, the rated output in lumens is usually absurdly inflated. All you can really know is that if some are rated at 6000 Lumens for example, they are nowhere near 6000 Lumens, but they will be much brighter than a standard H4. How how much brighter is anyone’s guess. They’re not expensive, selling for between $30 to $100, without much difference in quality between the high and the low.