Best St2, St4 Or St4s Headlight

Discussion in 'Sport Touring' started by Blueyfarm, Aug 26, 2016.

  1. Hi,
    I have just pick up a 2004 ST4S and will probably need to upgrade the lighting. Is this something you could do for me and also possibly fit?
     
  2. Hi Bob just seen your post so welcome to the world of the ST! Lots of options available for this bike and after much experimenting the simple and effective one is to change the bulbs and clean the lens. The hard part is removing the dash trim, mirrors, upper fairing and then the headlight… Where in the country are you? Regards Andy.
     
  3.  
  4. Hi Andy.
    Thanks for the response and I'm in St Albans, Herts
     
  5. Hi Bob, close-ish then as I am Maidenhead, Berks. Happy to help or just demonstrate some options if that helps… Message me with some contact details to discuss. Regards Andy.
     
  6. Got involved in this some years ago and gave up as my brain couldn't cope! Has the technology changed now so that a simple bulb change can do the job? I am probably capable of that! If so, what bulb do I require?

    Thanks for any help.
     
  7. Hi, ignoring the previous overly engineering solution current technology means a simple bulb change will fix most issues! Access is something of a pain so off with the dash trims, mirrors and upper fairing so bulbs can be accessed. High is H1 (reflector) and low is H3 (projector). If you can take the headlight out it can be separated so the projector lens can be cleaned, that combined with some decent LED bulbs with dramatically improved things. If you are happy to shop around the choice is plentiful but quality can be an issue as many suppliers are still selling 5+ year old technology. Current best probably Philips Pro 9000 - very good but expensive. Older larger bulbs will interfere with the rubber boot on the back of the H3 which accommodates the rev counter cable. Don’t forget to replace the 501 (W5W) side light as well.
     
    • Thanks Thanks x 1
  8. Cheers Bluey - it's always been a problem with the STs and there had to be a better solution. Thanks for your help. :upyeah::upyeah:

    Blimey, just looked em up on ebay - They're not cheap are they? £100+
     
    #28 BrianST4, May 28, 2023
    Last edited: May 28, 2023
  9. Amazon have them for a lot less, I have bought lots of different LED bulbs from China and many are exceptional but sadly some have gone straight in the bin. If I don’t want any comeback or if they are a swine to fit - I will always buy the Philips…
     
  10. Sorry to be a pain but I can't find them cheaper than £106 on Amazon though they are 'a pair' where I only need one. I am happy to use your recommendation, I have had crap lights from China before! Can you send a link to where they are cheaper? Thanks for all the help.

    Aha! Found them, Amazon, about £60, so I've got the order placed.

    Thanks again Bluey!
     
    #30 BrianST4, May 29, 2023
    Last edited: May 29, 2023
  11. So, (I hate it when people begin every sentence with 'So' but I think this one is ok) I heve received the bulbs. They come in three parts, the light unit, the heat sink and a small box of tricks that connects them, but no instructions!
    I took the headlamp out, removed the tiny! bulb that's in it, and tried to fit the new bulb. The spring that holds the bulb in is fine for the original but the Phillips has a much bigger body and the spring won't fit without much bending and manipulation. Has this been a problem for ahyone else? I did manage to connect everything up but the light didn't work!! I may have not pushed the connections together enough as I wanted to return to 'standard' if it didn't work.

    Any hints, tips or copies of instructions available, would be greatly appreciated.

    (And I thought it would be as easy as changing a light bulb!!!)

    Thanks

    Brian
     
Do Not Sell My Personal Information