Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > Sport Touring: ST4 / ST3 / ST2 > dip bulbs

[ratchet]

I know a few of you have tried these fancy xenon bulbs etc, but has anyone just gone for a higher wattage for dip, I ran a rally spec 81w/100w bulb in my monster without any problems, except you could fry an egg on the lens, but heyho it was all glass so nothing to melt. is the st light the same or will something melt, as with renault headlamps if you up the watts......

[Rushjob]

It's not somehing I'd do without uprating the system with a relay & heavier gauge wiring... I have experienced the results when a previous owner did just that without mods & it melted my switchgear.

Also with the ST range unlike the Monster, when main beam is on, so is dip therefore you will be drawing about 180W instead of 115W meaning that the earth side for the headlamp needs up speccing and the drain on your charging system increases by over 150%......

HTH

[ratchet]

possibly not looking at such a big watt increase as with the monster, only dip bulb needs upped, not sure what powers are available, would think switchgear will quite easily take a small increase in consumption, but depending on construction of the unit the extra heat generated by a bigger bulb could be the first stumbling block, before even considering capacity of switchgear..

[Rushjob]

I'd seriously consider spending less than £10 first on an Osram silverstar or Halfords 30/50% brighter bulb to see if that sorts it for you.
Funnily, I was more bothered about main beam than dip when I did mine.
Think I'm going down the HID route this year for mine.....

[Carbon749]

There was a thread on here recently about a guy that had fitted a HID lighting kit, looks simple and gave a very white / blue light similar to modern cars.

[rockhopper]

Just been thinking. In the five years that i've owned Ducati's i've only ever ridden in the dark once!

[Derek]

Rather annoyingly the H3 dip bulb is not available in the 50% brighter versions, only the +30%.
If I can scrape together the cash I'm going for the HID mod.

[John W]

It was me that has fitted the HId kit to my ST
Any questions, feel free to ask.

The kit is fitted without any modification to the existing wiring, and uses its own relays so no risk of overloading the loom.

It aint cheap, but boy does it transform the lights.
I have pictures of my install somewhere. One of these days I'll remember to post them up...
(just had a look - must be on the other pooter)

[YMFB]

John, when you say its not cheap do you mind saying what it did cost and where did you buy it.