Motorcycles are one of the great joys in life, but not seeing what’s ahead can ruin the fun. A lot of bikes new, old, and in-between have headlights that were never as effective as they should be. And unlike a fine wine, those weak, insufficient headlights definitely don’t get better with age. Clear plastic parts can become yellow and cloudy, and electrical connections can get corroded, making already weak headlights dimmer than a dollar-store flashlight.
That’s why Holley developed RetroBright LED headlights – a combination of classic styling and modern technology that redefines the way riders illuminate their journeys. They’re the perfect upgrade for riders who want the benefits of powerful modern lighting, with easy installation and choices of light color to suit the style of their bike.
To learn more about RetroBright headlights, we sat down with Holley’s Alex Stivaletti and Evan Moskal. Besides knowing the product line well, they’re also veteran riders with years of experience on a wide variety of different motorcycles. They use RetroBrights on their own bikes, and after seeing the difference, they’re true believers in the advantages of these modern replacement headlights.
Alex Stivaletti and his wife Kristina love their Harleys, but their bikes' dim stock headlights made night rides pretty sketchy on the dark roads near their home in Kentucky. Alex upgraded both bikes with RetroBrights, choosing RetroBright Classic White for her vintage-style 2002 Fat Boy, shown here. For his 2003 Electra Glide Ultra Classic, he went with the pure white tone of RetroBright Modern White.
One of the most compelling reasons to consider Holley RetroBright headlights is their superior light output. Many stock bikes have inadequate headlights that use technologies far less sophisticated than even the most basic new cars sold today. “Even on my mid 2000s Moto Guzzi, the headlights are really bad,” says Moskal. “It’s old technology. My wife has said, ‘I'd appreciate it if you’d get a better headlight, because it’s really hard to see you.’”
Stivaletti’s experience was similar: “The light on my Harley was an aftermarket headlight that was probably installed when the bike was new, in 2003-2004. It wasn’t good. Even with the spotlights on too, you wouldn’t see a whole lot. And my wife’s Harley wasn’t much better. She had a newer sealed beam in hers, but it still didn’t put out much light.”
To remedy these all-too-common scenarios, RetroBright headlights produce over twice the light of traditional halogen beams. This increase in brightness not only enhances the rider's vision but also significantly boosts safety. And it’s a difference you can immediately notice.
“Where we live, it gets dark fast,” says Stivaletti. “You go five minutes off a major road, and it’s pitch black – you’re not seeing anything at all. When you’re riding a bike on dark roads like that, you want to see not just what's in front of you, but what's on the edge of the roadway. RetroBrights fan out much wider than stock lights. You have a larger field of vision. You're not just looking ahead. You can see what’s on the sides. That’s a huge benefit.”
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The stock headlight on Alex's Harley Electra Glide (left), compared to the RetroBright Modern White replacement. RetroBright headlights produce over twice the light of traditional halogen beams, and have a more effective wide pattern that illuminates the sides of the road for maximum visibility.
Besides the advantage of being able to see better, the brighter lighting of RetroBright headlights also makes riders more visible to other drivers. This significantly improves safety, giving riders greater peace of mind. “Being seen is a very important part of riding motorcycles,” says Stivaletti. “You want people to know you’re there. Having a brighter headlight like a RetroBright definitely helps with that.”
Even with the significantly higher light output of RetroBrights, they’re safe in traffic, without fear of blinding oncoming traffic. RetroBright’s no-glare beam pattern meets or exceeds the stringent requirements set forth by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and the Department of Transportation (DOT). This compliance ensures that riders not only benefit from enhanced visibility but do so without causing undue glare to oncoming vehicles.
If your original headlight was properly aimed, there isn’t any need to readjust it when you install a RetroBright. And even if you do want to re-aim your RetroBright, the simple procedure for doing so remains the same as that of a stock headlight.
Many motorcycle owners want to preserve the authentic, period look of their bike. Holley RetroBright headlights are designed to maintain that vintage aesthetic while still incorporating the advantages of modern LED technology.
Retrobrights are available in three different colors of lighting, to suit a wide range of styles and preferences: The Classic White at 3000K has a warm, vintage glow. The Modern White version at 5700K has a cleaner, contemporary appearance. And the Yellow Lens, which utilizes the 5700K bulb, is perfect for café customs and other Euro-styled machines. This variety allows riders to personalize their lighting according to their preferred style or to suit the theme of their vintage ride.
“The Modern White is a pure white,” says Stivaletti. “It definitely isn’t that harsh, blue kind of color a lot of people associate with LEDs. And the Classic White, although it’s still very bright, has a different tone. It’s more of that vintage off-white color.”
RetroBright headlights are available in several different lighting colors. The Modern White (left) has a neutral, contemporary vibe. Classic White (center) is designed to emulate the warm, buttery glow of vintage headlights. The yellow version (right) is ideal for riders seeking an eye-catching Euro look.
And Holley understands the uniqueness of classic vehicles, which is why these headlights are engineered for proper fitment. They effectively accommodate most shallow light buckets commonly found on classic motorcycles, making them a versatile choice for a wide array of applications.
“Of course we’re talking about Harleys when it comes to tradition,” says Stivaletti. “But that definitely isn’t all. Most motorcycle headlight buckets are either 5 ¾- or 7-inch. So RetroBrights will fit a lot of different bikes, from many different eras.”
In addition to their impressive brightness, Holley RetroBright headlights are designed to operate efficiently. They draw less current compared to traditional halogen sealed beams, which means less strain on the electrical system. This low draw not only contributes to overall energy efficiency but also ensures longevity – RetroBrights have a lifespan six times longer than that of standard halogen lights, resulting in reduced maintenance and fewer replacements over time.
One of the standout features of Holley RetroBright headlights is their ease of installation. Designed to plug directly into the factory wiring harness, these headlights offer a hassle-free setup, allowing even novices to upgrade their lighting without the need for complex rewiring or additional tools. “It's a super-fast, easy install – anybody can do it,” says Stivaletti. “There aren’t any ballasts, resistors, or anything like that to mess with on RetroBrights. You just plug it in and it’s good.”
And along with easy installation, RetroBrights are also engineered for simple, affordable serviceability. They use replaceable LED cartridges, meaning that in the event of a failure or preference for a different light type, riders can easily change out the cartridge rather than needing to replace the entire headlight unit.
Best of all, RetroBrights are backed by Holley, one of the most trusted names in performance upgrades. And these headlights were developed in conjunction with Morimoto, a leader in LED lighting for vehicle applications. “The same bloodline that runs through all Holley products runs through RetroBright,” says Moskal. “Our company is built on the premise of ‘For Enthusiasts by Enthusiasts.’ You’re getting a trusted brand and a quality product, along with the backing of our entire customer experience group and technical sales team to help you. It really makes the experience easy.”
Whether you’re restoring a classic bike, or simply looking to improve your ride’s visibility and safety, Holley RetroBright headlights offer the best combination of design and performance for any kind of riding. Their blend of contemporary engineering and vintage style makes them the ideal choice for motorcycle owners looking to upgrade their bike without compromising the aesthetics they’ve worked so hard to perfect.
For those who love to ride, it’s an easy choice. “RetroBrights are the perfect mix,” says Stivaletti. “You’re getting modern technology, but with the classic look.”
