Philips X-tremePower H7 headlight bulbs

arcman · December 10th, 2009, 05:49 AM

I do a lot of night riding and have found it often quite hard to see. I'd heard of replacement bulbs with more light output having done a bit of research on here. I wanted to try the PIIA Xtreme Vision, Sylvania Silverstar Ultras or Hoen Xeonmatch bulbs but no joy, none of these seem to be easily available here in Australia, well, where I live at least. The folks at Hoen replied to my enquiry saying that they'd happily ship bulbs, but well...I wanted something a bit sooner.

So I picked up a set of Philips X-tremePower bulbs part #12972 XP S2, code 53144230 from my local Repco. These are 12v, 55W and claim to give +80% more light and a 25m (~82 feet) longer beam. The packaging says they are OEM quality and "fully compliant with R37 requirements". They look almost exactly the same as the stock bulbs.

The following videos show the stock and Philips bulbs - handy wall nearby made it easy to check my aim - it's quite hard to see but the stock are slightly yellow (6 months old) vs the Philips.

Stock bulbs

Philips X-tremePower

Here is the box they came in now holding my old OEM bulbs - you really can't see any difference between the OEM and Philips bulbs.

I'll report back how they are on a night right later (it's been pouring with rain here today).

A.

00v_Lucky · December 10th, 2009, 07:24 PM

from the videos, I do not see much of a difference =/ but tell me how that ride goes. I have been thinking too either to switch to HIDs or extreme white bulbs.

headshrink · December 13th, 2009, 04:18 PM

Tagging along, but I will tell you that my experience with the Sylvania Silverstar Ultras was exactly what I read on the net..... they appear brighter, but only last 6-9 mo. For $50 a pair, not worth it. I'm not sure what I'll try next...

00v_Lucky · December 13th, 2009, 11:26 PM

I just saw that they are 55w! I do not think you need 55w, 35w should be enough.

arcman · December 14th, 2009, 05:30 AM

...and the results are in.

In a word: "WOW"

Can I say that again? "WOW"

High beam has to be seen to be believed. It's fantastic. Unbelievable. BRIGHT. Bright as.

Did a four hour ride out into the hills well out of Melbourne, pitch black on the way back & the new bulbs made it almost too bright on high beam. The light reflecting off road signs was incredible and really has to be seen to be believed. There were a few long straights with no traffic and on high, well, I've never seen so well nor so far before. Night and day difference to stock bulbs IMHO.

Worth the $s? In my book, yes. Defiantly.

A.

HKr1 · December 14th, 2009, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 00v_Lucky

I just saw that they are 55w! I do not think you need 55w, 35w should be enough.

55w is normal for low beams, or single lense highs.
I always kick my highs to 100w

backinthesaddleagain · December 14th, 2009, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HKr1

55w is normal for low beams, or single lense highs.
I always kick my highs to 100w

Kerry,
IIRC a single lens has 55w for low, and 100 for high, and when on high you only get the 100 lit up. How much better is it with your set up 55w plus 100w when on high.
Thanks.

HKr1 · December 14th, 2009, 11:13 AM

There all 55w. 100w really kicks ass, you have to be carefull on the extra current. Sometimes it too much for the circuit. Like on my camaro, we had to rewire the high beams to handle the 400 watt bulbs.

Have tried other wattages on the low, it's just too much. We just stick with 55w on them.

backinthesaddleagain · December 14th, 2009, 11:39 AM

Thanks Kerry. I think I remember selling a 55/100 bulb which supposedly wasn't legal, as a replacement for a 55/55 or 55/60 or something. (its been 20+ years since i worked at a bike shop).

HKr1 · December 14th, 2009, 02:27 PM

You cant bring "legal" into it

Andrew said the Xtreme bulbs are good, there suppose to be the same light out-put of the higher wattage bulbs. Life span might come into play thou, IDK.
Always fun to play

adouglas · December 14th, 2009, 02:36 PM

Arcman, please do report back if the bulbs burn out quickly.

I also tried the Silverstars in my car a while back and they burned out way too soon.

Cedilla · December 14th, 2009, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adouglas

I also tried the Silverstars in my car a while back and they burned out way too soon.

Me too, mine lasted 6mo and they both went out within a week of each other.
I've been weary of "high performance" bulbs ever since.

addy126 · December 14th, 2009, 10:26 PM

I got about 2.5 years out of my Silverstars on the Wrangler.

arcman · December 14th, 2009, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adouglas

Arcman, please do report back if the bulbs burn out quickly.

Willdo. TBH though after last night I wouldn't mind replacing them every year - I've never been able to see that well before

A.

null0 · December 17th, 2009, 12:05 AM

I use Sylvania Ultrabrites. I had the high beam burn out on a regular basis. Every 6500 miles (6 months) like clockwork. I used to use the Sylvania Silverstars in my Acura Integra. They lasted over 2 years, I sold the car before I had any problems with them.

Justanothermp5 · December 26th, 2009, 03:47 AM

i use HID's and they last alot longer then any bulb ive ever had, plus the extra light is a plus too

Voodoo Rufus · December 27th, 2009, 11:50 PM

I've been using the 9007 version of the Xtreme Powers in my Subaru combined with a relay harness. They do make a significant difference for the better. I've been using mine for about a year and a half now, including using them as DRLs.

arcman · October 25th, 2010, 11:16 PM

Still going strong. Such a difference. Can't recommend them enough.

A.

kenji_808 · October 26th, 2010, 01:23 AM

IMO, riding are bikes is dangerous enough and any type of mod that can help us be seen by CAGERS can only be a plus

I personally get really irritated when cars and trucks(especially trucks) use HIDs/Xenon lights in reflector housings, but then again they don't have to deal with 2-3000+ lbs of heaping metal on wheels just waiting to hit us, with just plastic/foam/leather/mesh material protecting US from harm

Heres a link to a reputable website that i have personally bought from twice for my bike and DD (an acura integra w/oem non hid projectors) hate on me for following the import scene but at least im not running reflector headlights

http://www.ddmtuning.com/products/101/

Spending over $50 for halogen bulbs that according to you guys last 6 months to a year, while these cost me $45(less for most people, Lucky I LIVE Hawaii) for improved vision and visibility to others.....

you dont even need to install both at least just your lo beams, i did both HI/LO but im deciding whether or not to install my HI back to Halogen.

KURT · October 26th, 2010, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by addy126

I got about 2.5 years out of my Silverstars on the Wrangler.

I've had two sets of Silverstars, in my Jeep Wrangler as well. (That's in 7 years.) I'm happy with them.

I've been thinking of trying them as well, in my 650R. Those headlights have never been as bright as the ones in my 250.

stealth250 · October 26th, 2010, 07:48 AM

I had Silverstars in mine as well and they started turning black after about 3 months! I have since switched to Philips Crystal Vision Ultra and they are awesome. Very white light almost like HID. I've had them in since April and have been very happy with them.

arcman · May 17th, 2011, 04:58 PM

FTR I'm getting around 12,000 kms from a low beam with these bulbs. I'd never go back to standard bulbs.

A.

leed · May 19th, 2011, 04:41 AM

That's pretty darn good for lights that are on all the time.

For those that are too lazy to do the math, that's roughly 7500 miles.

And assuming a 55MPH average (88.5 kmh), that's just over 136 hours of run time.

n_aditya · September 27th, 2011, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arcman

So I picked up a set of Philips X-tremePower bulbs part #12972 XP S2. These are 12v, 55W and claim to give +80% more light and a 25m (~82 feet) longer beam.

Quote:

Originally Posted by arcman

Still going strong. Such a difference. Can't recommend them enough.

Quote:

Originally Posted by arcman

FTR I'm getting around 12,000 kms from a low beam with these bulbs. I'd never go back to standard bulbs.

Thanks a ton for your suggestion and review Andrew. My low beam bulb fused out and i had to get a replacement.

Here in India, the Kawasaki 250R (and the recently launched 650R) are sold through Bajaj Motors. Bajaj does the servicing and repairs for these bikes and also stocks parts and spares.... at a premium. When i checked with the dealer, i was told each bulb costs two grand (local currency) or approx $40.

Your thread helped me get a replacement bulb at a philips dealer for around $12 or 600 bucks local currency.

Just to add, X-treme power has been discontinued and now its called X-treme Vision (http://www.lighting.philips.co.in/v2...jsp?id=1088066) with +100% brightness and +35m beam.

I changed the bulbs yesterday. To my surprise the stock bulbs are also Philips (code 12972) but not sure if they are X-treme vision or X-treme power. The high beam looked a wee bit brighter than the low beam. Yet to ride out and check the difference.

Thanks again for your valuable feedback. Much appreciated.

P.S. What make/brand are the stock bulbs on your bikes in the USA?

December 17th, 2009, 12:05 AM	#15
null0 ninjette.org member Name: Allan Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 F17 Posts: 73	I use Sylvania Ultrabrites. I had the high beam burn out on a regular basis. Every 6500 miles (6 months) like clockwork. I used to use the Sylvania Silverstars in my Acura Integra. They lasted over 2 years, I sold the car before I had any problems with them. __________________________________________________ '03 w/ full muzzy exhaust - Racetech .80 springs/emulators - Galfer SS Lines - EBC HH pads - Uni 6" Dual Stage Pods - 110 Dynojet jets - Uni crankcase breather - EX500 adjustable levers

December 26th, 2009, 03:47 AM	#16
Justanothermp5 ninjette.org member Name: Simon Location: Linden, NC Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R Posts: 81	i use HID's and they last alot longer then any bulb ive ever had, plus the extra light is a plus too __________________________________________________ Woodcraft~Area P~Zero Gravity~Dynojet~DDM Custom Paint by- ME

October 26th, 2010, 07:48 AM	#21
stealth250 Gearhead Name: Mike Location: IND Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: 242	I had Silverstars in mine as well and they started turning black after about 3 months! I have since switched to Philips Crystal Vision Ultra and they are awesome. Very white light almost like HID. I've had them in since April and have been very happy with them. __________________________________________________

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December 10th, 2009, 05:49 AM	#1
arcman Love to ride Name: Andrew Location: Melbourne, Australia Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2011 ZX10-R Posts: 36	Philips X-tremePower H7 headlight bulbs I do a lot of night riding and have found it often quite hard to see. I'd heard of replacement bulbs with more light output having done a bit of research on here. I wanted to try the PIIA Xtreme Vision, Sylvania Silverstar Ultras or Hoen Xeonmatch bulbs but no joy, none of these seem to be easily available here in Australia, well, where I live at least. The folks at Hoen replied to my enquiry saying that they'd happily ship bulbs, but well...I wanted something a bit sooner. So I picked up a set of Philips X-tremePower bulbs part #12972 XP S2, code 53144230 from my local Repco. These are 12v, 55W and claim to give +80% more light and a 25m (~82 feet) longer beam. The packaging says they are OEM quality and "fully compliant with R37 requirements". They look almost exactly the same as the stock bulbs. The following videos show the stock and Philips bulbs - handy wall nearby made it easy to check my aim - it's quite hard to see but the stock are slightly yellow (6 months old) vs the Philips. Stock bulbs Philips X-tremePower Here is the box they came in now holding my old OEM bulbs - you really can't see any difference between the OEM and Philips bulbs. I'll report back how they are on a night right later (it's been pouring with rain here today). A.

December 10th, 2009, 07:24 PM	#2
00v_Lucky ninjette.org sage Name: Howard Location: Cypress, So. Cal. Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Candy Thunder Blue Ninja 250R Posts: 618	from the videos, I do not see much of a difference =/ but tell me how that ride goes. I have been thinking too either to switch to HIDs or extreme white bulbs.

December 13th, 2009, 04:18 PM	#3
headshrink ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Bob Location: CA Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250r, '14 CBR500r Posts: A lot.	Tagging along, but I will tell you that my experience with the Sylvania Silverstar Ultras was exactly what I read on the net..... they appear brighter, but only last 6-9 mo. For $50 a pair, not worth it. I'm not sure what I'll try next...

December 13th, 2009, 11:26 PM	#4
00v_Lucky ninjette.org sage Name: Howard Location: Cypress, So. Cal. Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Candy Thunder Blue Ninja 250R Posts: 618	I just saw that they are 55w! I do not think you need 55w, 35w should be enough.

December 14th, 2009, 05:30 AM	#5
arcman Love to ride Name: Andrew Location: Melbourne, Australia Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2011 ZX10-R Posts: 36	...and the results are in. In a word: "WOW" Can I say that again? "WOW" High beam has to be seen to be believed. It's fantastic. Unbelievable. BRIGHT. Bright as. Did a four hour ride out into the hills well out of Melbourne, pitch black on the way back & the new bulbs made it almost too bright on high beam. The light reflecting off road signs was incredible and really has to be seen to be believed. There were a few long straights with no traffic and on high, well, I've never seen so well nor so far before. Night and day difference to stock bulbs IMHO. Worth the $s? In my book, yes. Defiantly. A.

December 14th, 2009, 11:13 AM	#8
HKr1 IC2(SW) Name: Kerry Location: Pensacola Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: A lot.	There all 55w. 100w really kicks ass, you have to be carefull on the extra current. Sometimes it too much for the circuit. Like on my camaro, we had to rewire the high beams to handle the 400 watt bulbs. Have tried other wattages on the low, it's just too much. We just stick with 55w on them.

December 14th, 2009, 11:39 AM	#9
backinthesaddleagain ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Greg Location: Rhode Island Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2013 ZX6R 636 Posts: A lot.	Thanks Kerry. I think I remember selling a 55/100 bulb which supposedly wasn't legal, as a replacement for a 55/55 or 55/60 or something. (its been 20+ years since i worked at a bike shop).

December 14th, 2009, 02:27 PM	#10
HKr1 IC2(SW) Name: Kerry Location: Pensacola Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: A lot.	You cant bring "legal" into it Andrew said the Xtreme bulbs are good, there suppose to be the same light out-put of the higher wattage bulbs. Life span might come into play thou, IDK. Always fun to play

December 14th, 2009, 02:36 PM	#11
adouglas Cat herder Name: Gort Location: A secret lair which, being secret, has an undisclosed location Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia RS660 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 6 MOTM - Jul '18, Nov '16, Aug '14, May '13	Arcman, please do report back if the bulbs burn out quickly. I also tried the Silverstars in my car a while back and they burned out way too soon.

December 14th, 2009, 10:26 PM	#13
addy126 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: addy126 Location: Tx Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Kawasaki N-250 + '09 Vulcan 900 Classic Lt Posts: A lot.	I got about 2.5 years out of my Silverstars on the Wrangler.

December 27th, 2009, 11:50 PM	#17
Voodoo Rufus ninjette.org member Name: Jason Location: Evanston, Wyoming Join Date: Jul 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawi Ninja 250, Blue Posts: 28	I've been using the 9007 version of the Xtreme Powers in my Subaru combined with a relay harness. They do make a significant difference for the better. I've been using mine for about a year and a half now, including using them as DRLs.

October 25th, 2010, 11:16 PM	#18
arcman Love to ride Name: Andrew Location: Melbourne, Australia Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2011 ZX10-R Posts: 36	Still going strong. Such a difference. Can't recommend them enough. A.

October 26th, 2010, 01:23 AM	#19
kenji_808 ninjette.org member Name: Justin Location: Ewa Beach, HI Join Date: Feb 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 CT Blue 250R(Sold), 2008 Black & Silver Honda CBR600RR(Current) Posts: 201	IMO, riding are bikes is dangerous enough and any type of mod that can help us be seen by CAGERS can only be a plus I personally get really irritated when cars and trucks(especially trucks) use HIDs/Xenon lights in reflector housings, but then again they don't have to deal with 2-3000+ lbs of heaping metal on wheels just waiting to hit us, with just plastic/foam/leather/mesh material protecting US from harm Heres a link to a reputable website that i have personally bought from twice for my bike and DD (an acura integra w/oem non hid projectors) hate on me for following the import scene but at least im not running reflector headlights http://www.ddmtuning.com/products/101/ Spending over $50 for halogen bulbs that according to you guys last 6 months to a year, while these cost me $45(less for most people, Lucky I LIVE Hawaii) for improved vision and visibility to others..... you dont even need to install both at least just your lo beams, i did both HI/LO but im deciding whether or not to install my HI back to Halogen.

May 17th, 2011, 04:58 PM	#22
arcman Love to ride Name: Andrew Location: Melbourne, Australia Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2011 ZX10-R Posts: 36	FTR I'm getting around 12,000 kms from a low beam with these bulbs. I'd never go back to standard bulbs. A.

May 19th, 2011, 04:41 AM	#23
leed ninjette.org sage Name: David Location: Loves Park, IL Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): Time will tell Posts: 969	That's pretty darn good for lights that are on all the time. For those that are too lazy to do the math, that's roughly 7500 miles. And assuming a 55MPH average (88.5 kmh), that's just over 136 hours of run time.