i was in halfords today to get a new headlight bulb (h4) for the xj and noticed that some car headlight bulbs were buy one get one free, but the motorcycle ones weren't, but were the same price, same part number, slightly different box and in a different aisle in the shop. so i checked on t'internet and everywhere said there was no difference between car and motorcycle bulbs. so i got the car one, along with my one free. the shop assistant noticed my hat and asked if the bulbs were for a bike, yes i said, oh, these are no good he says. motorcycle bulbs are made to withstand more vibration than car bulbs. i pointed out they had the same part number and were the same price, implying to me they were the same but he assured me they wouldn't last. anyway with one free even if they last half as long each i've lost nothing, but it has me wondering. thirty years experience and a cynical view of marketing tells me he was attempting to mislead me, but was he? and it case anyone didn't notice, some car headlamp bulbs are buy one get one free at halfords, look on their website and get them for yer cage (oh how american) at least .
Hi,
apart from specialist bulbs there is absolutely no difference I can recall between a newish bike and car bulb. Some of the older (70 & 80s) bikes had more durable bulbs for vibration but these were upgraded car bulbs (eg from a higher spec car)
I run bi-xenon kit in mine and both bulbs (for cars) have run for 2 years and still going.
Thats it no more halfords for me (I prefer to support my local shop)
Rich
I can't remember ever using a 'bike' lamp(bulbs are what you grow flowers from, my old training Petty Officer used to say), in my bike as a replacement ever. always use a normal car lamp. As for the buy one get one free, maybe cus cars tend to have 2 front head lights :-) Mind you years ago didn't most bikes use 6v electrics, now I'm going back abit lol.
Also been given the same bollocks from staff at Halfords. We use the *car* ones if we need a Halfords but prefer to buy online as usually cheaper still.
Well it's good to see so many folks refusing to believe the B******T
Nice to see you back too Rach
I can endorse the "online" option
I've bought quite a few bulbs on "tinterweb"
And I've always been satisfied with my purchases
A kid in a shop "thinks he knows why" so makes the leap to I do know why and imparts his vast knowledge upon the general public...........
He's bulling you, car and bike lamps (or bulbs) are interchangeable unless there just is a dissimilar fitting at the end of that lamp, (some speedo binnical lamps are not available from anywhere else other than manufacturer), I tend to buy off the web now too. Funny that eh MZ?
For the Pan I had to replace the headlight connector as it had melted due to a wiring fault and using those 'orrible stoopid bright bulbs anyway...
Was told to replace connector with a car part as it was the same, and therefore I used car bulbs too. On the BMW its car bulbs all the way. Cheaper and never been a problem. A bulb is a bulb IMO.
I laugh at halfords trying to sell me bike oil too. For the amount I go through oil is oil and they can shove it if they think they are going to sell me bits for extra money simply because it has the word "motorbike" printed on it. The Pan never missed a beat with car oil and the bulbs last just as long as in a van.
Not that i want to hijack this thread bit - Must've been lucky me then coz Bigbird never missed a beat! The BMW now that's a different story....bloody v twin oil. Grrr. :/
Just to cone back on topic- Wouldn't recommend those ultra bright lights though.
Well the guys at work but said get the cheapest. (I'll have to blame them, they said it!!) all the numbers matched :D, they said it would be fine and the bike didn't die, but then it is a Honda...;)
![motorcycle headlight bulbs or car bulbs - Forums [Biker Match]](/images/backgrounds/strips/8mobileLQ.jpg)
![motorcycle headlight bulbs or car bulbs - Forums [Biker Match]](/images/backgrounds/strips/8desktopLQ.jpg)
