PIAA or Philips Bulbs

[fcasado]

I want to fit better bulbs to a 1150GS and after doing a search here these two came up as the popular ones:

PIAA Xtreme white bulbs (Part nº H214)


Philips Vision Plus H1

The PIAA costs £57.00 and the Philips £18.45, I'm happy paying the extra dosh for the PIAA AS LONG AS they're worth it, has anyone here fitted them?

The other question is:

How do I replace the bulbs (in the headlights)?

Yesterday I tried to take them out, following what the Service manual says - "Turn the handlebar to the left, turn unit anti-clockwise..." but it won't come off, is there a knack to do it??

Thanks for the help (and the abuse )

 

[ed4554]

turn unit anti-clockwise..." but it won't come off, is there a knack to do it??



Yep once turned anti-clockwise a bit of a tug as the cover has an "O" ring which will be greesed and tends to stick a bit.

Ed

 

[fcasado]

Yep once turned anti-clockwise a bit of a tug as the cover has an "O" ring which will be greesed and tends to stick a bit.

Ed

Thanks Ed

 

[Humbug]

I haven't tried the Philips bulbs but have fitted Osram Siverstars to my 1200 which didn't make an appreciable difference.

Since then I have fitted PIAA's and wow! What a transformation.

So my recommendation would be for the PIAA's everytime even bearing in mind the price.

However, it is important that you buy the Powersport Plus Extreme White as these are specifically designed for bikes and ATV's due to higher levels of vibration.

I got mine from my dealer, CW's in Dorchester but you can buy them from Nippy Normans by mail order.

Andy

http://www.piaa.co.uk/bulbs/bulbshow.asp?ID=powersport

http://www.nippynormans.com/products.asp?dept=311

 

[fcasado]

Cheers Andy

I'll check if I can get from piaa.co.uk, if not NN will be the way to go!

Thanks again mate

 

[Big Lee]

£57 for bulbs!! I`d rather put money to & get some auxilary lights & buy the philips bulbs!
I`ve got the philips fitted in my 12`s headlights & am pleased with them, I followed a bloke on a Fazer the other night home from work & my headlights drowned his out & I was behind him

 

[BTBR]

No question about it...............PIAA's every time, despite the cost

BTBR

 

[finglonga]

DON'T get the 'vision plus'! They just fail too soon, bought some for the car and the bike and both sets failed within 6months.
There was even a disclaimer on the packaging stating they dont las as long as std bulbs due to the "special" coating on the glass(they overheat and go pop). Plus the light increase is negligable, ysa its a nice blue tinge but not much extra throw to the light, its the headlight units design that is at fault.
Best solution by far (could also work out cheaper) is Aux lights.

 

[Steptoe]

No question about it...............PIAA's every time, despite the cost

BTBR

Xenon HID spot for me - ask the guys who went on a night ride along the Todra gorge in morocco, and who had normal spots fitted and thought they were OK, until i turned my HID on -

 

[fcasado]

Best solution by far (could also work out cheaper) is Aux lights.

How can it work out cheaper?The cheapest one I've seen fitted would be about £175.00

Do the PIAA's fail too soon like the Philips?

TIA

 

[matt_bailey]

I tried the Phillips and the PIAA.

PIAA much better in my opinion, and the difference is quite marked, not only with what I was able to see, but also the reaction of other road users, who seemed much more able to see me.

Mine supplied by Nippy Norman.

Matt

 

[cookie]

ride a bit slower, cost FA



just a thought

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

Go out for a ride on a 60's BSA / Triumph 6V system bike.

....then marvel at the massive bmw light output.....