PIAA High Intensity Lighting

See and be Seen with PIAA High Intensity Lighting

The fall riding season is upon us and that means fewer day light hours and the likelihood of overcast weather conditions. This combination increases the need for safety awareness and the need for maximum visibility.

PIAA is a manufacturer of high quality lighting and has a product line especially for motorcycles. PIAA offers several cost effective options in the form of replacement bulbs for all popular motorcycle brands. PIAA makes auxiliary systems for bikes as well.

The beauty of the PIAA replacement bulbs is that they literally plug into the existing receptacles on your bike. In addition, PIAA bulbs use the same amount of power as the OEM bulbs so no increase in current draw is placed on the motorcycles electrical system. The PIAA bulb creates a much brighter and intense light compared to the stock bulbs used by manufacturers.

PIAA rates the brightness of their bulbs compared to sunlight. Sunlight is, on average, measured at 5100 degrees Kelvin. PIAA Extreme White or Super Plasma bulbs generate light in the 4700 to 5000 degree Kelvin range! A standard halogen bulb may be as low as 2800-3000 degrees Kelvin and create a yellowish beam where the PIAA bulbs are pure white to blue white light.

The benefit is better visibility for you and those you encounter on the road. You will see the road in higher detail and illuminate the path in front of your direction of travel at a greater distance as well. Oncoming traffic will see you sooner as the intensity of these lamps are highly conspicuous.

We created a side by side test using the Honda VFR where we could put PIAA bulbs on one side of the four bulb layout while leaving the other side stock. It is amazing how much brighter and whiter the light is when you look at the PIAA products in direct comparison.

I put a PIAA in my KLR due to the KLR having a bit of a reputation for weak lighting and a less than powerful alternator and charging system. The amount of light I now have is greatly improved and I have never had an issue with battery life or a dead battery even when running the PIAA in high beam mode all day long. I replaced the turn signal and tail/brake lamp bulbs with PIAA high output units as well. The PIAA tail lamp is the same brightness as the stock brake lamp and my brake lamp is twice the amount of light intensity!

Perhaps the major benefit PIAA has to offer is the cost. PIAA replacement bulbs sell for a fraction of the cost of auxiliary lighting and without the cost of installation (for do it yourselfers) or risk of compromising the motorcycles electrical system. PIAA replacement bulbs are robust and built to withstand vibration associated with motorcycle riding on and off road. The PIAA lamps in my KLR have 3 years and 10,000 miles on them without failure and I ride it a good bit on gravel roads.

PIAA replacement bulbs are available from $20 to $50 and cover applications for headlamp, tail lamp and turn signals. Installation is easy for most motorcycle applications. Contact us for more information and please ride safely.