Looking for suggestions on head lamps

[Skunk]

I know this is illegal but I replaced the 60Watt bulbs with 100 Watt bulbs on a previous bike, the road lit up just like daylight. Only problem I found was the life span of the bulb was short!

[Old&New]

Regarding the 100 watt bulbs, I'd be careful. I used to work on Porsche's and had to repair the wiring harness after somebody installed high-wattage bulbs in the 55/60 low/high beam connector of a 911 Carrera. If the manufacturer guarantees that the product doesn't pull more amperage, then you should be okay. If not, you could heat the wiring and potentially cause a problem.

I just installed my XP Moto H7's this afternoon, but haven't had a chance to ride and see the difference. I'll pass the results ASAP after a ride.

[SHIVA]

high wattage bulbs not only don't last and will leave you stranded, but they also could toast your wiring, and/or melt your headlight housing, including the front glass.

[dqrkstone]

For ultimate lighting, go with HIDs; I went through almost all the different bulb types before trying HIDS and I wouldn't go back to any standard bulb setups at all.

Additionally, I only use the 35W versions (less power consumption) and they are fine for my riding style (fast on twisty country roads at night). You can get slimline HID kits (which I have) which are very light also, and you certainly won't notice the weight of them .

Finally Bernardo is correct, in that once installed, you have to make sure that the beam pattern isn't going to annoy other road users, as it is slightly different to the normal type bulbs.

[Flyfisher]

A primary cyclist advantage for HID (Xenon) bulbs is contrast on the street for identification. Leaves versus a piece of paper versus potholes vs a rock are critical to differentiate because we have to decide quickly how to react.
Take a look at slides 3 and 4 to see the difference
http://www.ntsb.gov/events/symp_motorcycle_safety/Vehicle%20Design%20Panel/Tom%20Baloga%20-%20BMW.pdf

On cars, HIDs provide a much better "quality" of lights with limited extension of the beam. Also, the lifetime of HIDs is normally far longer than anything else.
There can only be minimal expansion of the beam pattern outside legal limits or oncoming drivers will be dazzled.
I intend to get some of the higher rated bulbs and get some lab comparisons. I'll share this with the forum in a few months (i.e. as soon as possible).

For those who add wattage the risk of overloading the system and blowing fuses, or worse if you up the fuse, is not recommended.

Here's a technical paper from SAE that some might find interesting (sorry...SAE charges $16 to download )
http://www.sae.org/technical/papers/2009-01-0550

[andyrooman]

Sorry to be a dumbass, but do i put H4 or H7 XP moto (extreme power) bulbs in my K12R? I only just bought it and havn't had a chance to even finish reading the owners manual!!

[SHIVA]

H7

[andyrooman]

H7

Andy How many? 3? Low beam, High beam and park?

[Bernardo]

Hi Andy

You can check this by yourself in the K12R manual (page 119) here:

http://www.slideshare.net/edum/rider-s- ... 200-r-2008

[andyrooman]

Hi Andy

You can check this by yourself in the K12R manual (page 119) here:

http://www.slideshare.net/edum/rider-s- ... 200-r-2008

Bugger, theres me thinking i was going to get some free info without having to do any work!!
Im only up to page 37 after losing my manual to my 3 year old for a couple of weeks and only just finding it in one of her miriad of hidey holes

Thanks Bernardo

[SHIVA]

I installed the Philips X-Treme Power H7 low bean back in Feb/March and now they are blown. That's a life span of only about 6 months.

I call that totally and utterly bogus.

I will not change the headlight bulbs with aftermarket again, as the OE bulbs will last for years.

[Eka]

That is just coincidence. I have had those in both bikes after those win local test and not problems so far. But i remember years ago i bought cheap 100W bulbs to my K1200S and those didn't last any bumps. It was like one bulb in month...

[SHIVA]

well Eka, the bulbs came in a pair, so I installed the 2nd Philips Xtreme Power on the bike last night. Let's see how long they'll last this time...

[Eka]

Good luck. Hopefully it's not bad pair

[robertbentley]

bernardo, t would be nice to see a comparison between low-beam OE, Blue Vision and X-Treme Power.

....

I upgraded my OE bulbs on my car to Bluevision a few years ago, here is the comparison pic.

http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aV2ZLa30

The photo looks like there is no difference, but in reality the bluevision gave off a blue-white light, much cooler than the OE yellow bulbs.

I recently changed my OE bulb on my K1300S to an X-Treme Power H7 and it was whiter and less blue than the Bluevision.

All gave the same beam pattern, but the upgrade bulbs were a little whiter. The different bulbs are for vanity reasons, they won't light up more of the road (as that is defined by the reflector design).

If they don't last long (like shiva's bulbs) then I'll go back to OE.

[Bernardo]

Hi Rob

If they don't last long (like shiva's bulbs) then I'll go back to OE.

IMO don't expect better duration than OEM, in fact the rule is more bright - less time, as Philips mention in the especifications. In my case I like the type of light that bring and always carry one in my bag.

[robertbentley]

Hi Rob

If they don't last long (like shiva's bulbs) then I'll go back to OE.

IMO don't expect better duration than OEM, in fact the rule is more bright - less time, as Philips mention in the especifications. In my case I like the type of light that bring and always carry one in my bag.

Last time I blew a bulb, I borrowed a high beam bulb to get me home.

[Bernardo]

Simple solution, take the lamp from the high beam, I've learned this since my last ticket, here is law to turn on the low beam, always

[Cambridge K]

Ditto here as well - Bernardo
Spend $$ on a new bulb then a ticket & bulb $$$. I just carry an extra bulb now in my tankbag.

[Bernardo]

Hi freggel, welcome to the forum

That philips are good lamps, less durability but better (withe) light, I Have both hIgh and low beam, you can estimate aprox. 300 Hs., may be 50%less than normal halogens.

[lanc]

I went with $50 US for true HID low beam from ebay.. 4500k matches tungsten high beams or use a 6000k if you want. works great.. no comparison to standard tungsten low beams and better light than PIAA or sylvan.

[r1 Convert]

Guys

Just looking on flebay, there are 2 options, H7 & H4. Is H7 the 4000 kelvin option or are they different fittings ?

[r1 Convert]

Answered my own question, its different fittings

[Eka]

Those are different bulbs. KS has H7 bulbs. H4 has high and low beam in the same bulb, but hid ones usually has solenoid to move shade for low beam or extra halogen for long beam. H4 is not good idea to convert hid, or just use original lamp with low beam only and put extra high beam lamp.

edit: well, you already find it out....

[r1 Convert]

Those are different bulbs. KS has H7 bulbs. H4 has high and low beam in the same bulb, but hid ones usually has solenoid to move shade for low beam or extra halogen for long beam. H4 is not good idea to convert hid, or just use original lamp with low beam only and put extra high beam lamp.

edit: well, you already find it out....

Thanks Eka