The Buell XB9S Lightning front turn signal requires a 5008 bulb size, while rear turn signals use either 232 or 5008 bulb sizes. The replacement chart covers 2003 to 2004 vehicle production years with corresponding bulb specifications.
The year-by-year compatibility chart below provides a quick reference to verify the correct bulb size for your vehicle.
The Buell XB9S Lightning uses two distinct bulb types across its front and rear turn signal positions: the 5008 and the 232, both conforming to ANSI standards applicable in the US and Canada.
The 5008 is a single-filament bulb with a BA15s bayonet base, operating at 12V. It is described as a lower wattage variant of the more common 1156 bulb, sharing the same base type but drawing less power.
The 232 is a festoon bulb with an SV8.5 base, rated at 12V and 3W. Festoon bulbs are cylindrical in form and seat by contact pressure at each end rather than by a twist or push-in base.
The BA15s bayonet base of the 5008 features a single contact pin, distinguishing it from the BA15d base found on dual-filament bulbs. This single-filament configuration means the 5008 serves only one function per socket, such as turn signaling alone.
For the 2003-2004 XB9S Lightning, the front turn signal position uses the 5008 bulb in both model years.
The rear turn signal position differs between model years. The 2003 model uses a 5008 bulb, while the 2004 model uses a 232 festoon bulb instead.
Because the 5008 uses a BA15s bayonet base and the 232 uses an SV8.5 festoon base, these two bulb types are not interchangeable. The socket design for each position is specific to its respective bulb type.
The change in rear turn signal bulb type between the 2003 and 2004 XB9S Lightning indicates a difference in socket design between those two model years for that position, meaning rear turn signal bulbs are not cross-compatible between the two years.