Philips X-treme Power Headlights - Brightest Yet for the GS?

[galahs]

Funny you should ask, I just came inside after doing some thorough tests.


I have to say this is the 2ND BEST upgrade I have done to my bike behind upgrading my front springs!!! 


I can see!!!

It actually feels like I have car head lights.

The light is more white, spreads longer and wider than the stock globes and illuminates the area in-between better than the Philips Vision Plus 50s.

I wouldn't hesitate in recommending these to every GS'er.

I will be getting a set for my car. 


I'll post some pics I too.



P.S. I live in Camden

[galahs]

Now this is a series of pictures with a camera over-ridden to manual settings, on a tripod. These pictures have just been re-sized not modified further in any way.

I parked my bike on its centre stand 15 meters and at 90 degrees from a garage door. The only thing I changed between photos were the globes. All globes were brand new and no other adjustments were made.

OK here are the bulbs on normal beam from top to bottom :
Top = Stock
Middle = Philips Vision Plus 50
Bottom = Philips X-treme Power 80






Next I will post the High Beam lights.

[galahs]

Here are the bulbs on HIGH Beam from top to bottom :
Top = Stock
Middle = Philips Vision Plus 50
Bottom = Philips X-treme Power 80

[galahs]

Those pictures don't seem to show the benefits of the lights as well as you can see the difference on the road. I guess you need to be a further away from the wall to see the benefits.

The real benefit I find with the X-treme 80's is the improvement in low beam. Its superb!!! I can now actually ride with low beam on at 80km/h and see clear and far enough ahead to feel confident. I couldn't do that on the stock bulbs.
Low beam was so bad with the stock globes that I found I HAD to ride every where with HIGH beam on just so I could see.

The Vision Plus 50's were an improvement over the stockers on both low and high beam, BUT the low beam was still less than desirable.

The improvement on high beam of the 80's in comparison to the 50's however was less noticable. The 50s seemed to have decent high beam globe performance. The 50's and 80's have a whiter light and slightly longer beam over the stock globes,  but I didn't really notice any major improvement of the 80s over the 50s. Maybe if I did a test over a longer distance I could actually quantify if there is an improvement or not.

Anyway, I'm still smiling from ear to ear 

Did I mention I can now see on low beam!!!

Again I'd highly recommend the Philips X-treme Power globes to anyone who rides their GS at night.

Don't forget they are standard wattage so no burnt out wiring looms and they are very easy to put in on a GS500F. With the ignition switched off just:
- Disconnect the wiring loom from the main globe by pulling it straight off
- Remove the rubber cap that's over the bulb. Its just a snug fit. Pulls straight off.
- Unhook the retaining clip
- The bulb will come loose
- Replace the globe, do not touch the glass of the bulb with your skin! If you do, wipe it with a clean, lint free cloth with some methylated spirits.
- Hook on the retaining clip
- Push the rubber cap back on. Make sure it fits snugly on all the way round.
- Slide the wiring loom back on
and you're done!!!

Also, remember the importance of a properly adjusted headlight. Adjust the beam so that it is shining high enough to see forward, but not too high that it will blind on-coming traffic.

[Berowra]

galahs,

Agree, the photos do not show any real difference.  Thank-you for doing the tests.

Your own opinion seems to be quite positive.

Now, what's the difference in price?

Do the boxes indicate any difference in life expectancy?

[galahs]

The stock H4 Philips globe costs about $18 for 2
The H4 Philips Vision Plus 50s cost about $30 for 2
The H4 Philips X-treme Power 80s cost about $50 for 2

I would expect a shorter life out of the 50s and 80s as the filament burns hotter. The package doesn't say anything on them about life but I read some where that their life span will be a little bit less than stock globes but nothing you'd notice. Time will tell I guess 

[Zack]

Galahs, thanks so much for taking the time to write about these bulbs. I might just have to buy a set and try them out now! 

Whoa, are these even available in the US? I can only find links to UK sales... 

[galahs]

Yep, they're not available in Australia yet either. I got mine from the UK on E-bay 

I read they will be available in the USA by the end of July.

[galahs]

Driving today during a bright afternoon I got a smile on my face when I noticed that with my lights on low beam, any reflector I approached lit up. Love these lights!!! 

[Onlypastrana199]

My company does a lot of business with Philips.. I'll have to see if I can request some "samples" 

[galahs]

If you can... get some!!! 

[backd00r]

Got some on the way mate.  I remembered your post after a flatbed tried to run me off the road coming down North Rocks Rd tonight.  Bastard.  People will choose to move out of the way now, especially if I angle the headlight just so...   

[cerius]

Funny you should ask, I just came inside after doing some thorough tests.


I have to say this is the 2ND BEST upgrade I have done to my bike behind upgrading my front springs!!! 


I can see!!!

It actually feels like I have car head lights.

The light is more white, spreads longer and wider than the stock globes and illuminates the area in-between better than the Philips Vision Plus 50s.

I wouldn't hesitate in recommending these to every GS'er.

I will be getting a set for my car. 


I'll post some pics I too.



P.S. I live in Camden

What kind of spings did you buy? I wouldnt mind having a better ride

[galahs]

Sonic Springs - Straight Rate 0.85kg/mm 

[cerius]

Sonic Springs - Straight Rate 0.85kg/mm 

nice i will look into those

[galahs]

The website is www.SonicSprings.com they have a weight calculator.

Add your weight and it will tell you the appropriate rate springs to get.

What ever they suggest I'd go up one more size to compensate for when you double someone or are carrying a load.

I would also recommend no one go less that 0.80kg/mm. Its just too soft!

[hmmmnz]

i got these bulbs on my zxr streetfighter. what a difference.
i couldnt see a thing at night before with the stock bulbs.
but these are great.
hmmm might try and get a hid set up

[Y2K6GS500F]

Sonic Springs - Straight Rate 0.85kg/mm 

+1 on Sonic's. I went with .90 and love them. 

On the Philips X-treme Power Headlights, I can't seem to find them anywhere. I'm guessing they are a UK only item. 

[galahs]

The Philips Xtreme-power globes are not available in Australia yet either. I got them from the UK through E-bay.

Cost me about $70 Australian.

[backd00r]

yep, found them on UK eBay just as galahs said and ordered them last Thursday.