To HID or not to HID

[BiXXer Bob]

MY view on new HID light conversion

Fitted some HIDs same as Rolfy's. Went for a blast in the dark last night - first time since fitting the HIDs, so here's the verdict:

- Initially, I was disappointed. As it started to get dark I couldn't see any trace of them working. Turns out that's cos the colour is very close to daylight.

- As it got darker, the dip really started to improve. As a precaution, I'd dropped the beam down a bit so as not to dazzle anyone. I had to pull over and reset it back to normal. While riding you can see by the very sharp cutoff that it's not dazzling anyone coming the other way, because by the time they are in the beam, they are just about passed me anyway. I was a bit concerned about cars in front of me, but again, the cutoff line was jus below boot lid line on most so ok there as well.

- Once it was fully dark I have to say I was frankly amazed. (Ok, so £86 lighter, you would think maybe I would say that, but I don't want anyone to buy on an overinflated recommendation). To be picky, if you're not used xenon white lights on your car, a more yellow light might suit you. If that's the case, order the 4000k instead of the 6000k bulbs. The different spec is to do with the colour of the light, not the brightness. The dip beam gives a very good pool of light on the road where you need it, and also a good spread of light to the sides - which with the original bulbs was so weak I didn't know the beam extended that far.

- Likewise, on main beam the spread of light is excellent. The only criticism is that the bulb takes four or five seconds to reach full brightness, so a quick flash of main beam has little effect. Once its warmed up, as I said, it's fantastic. It's the first time I've ever had bike lights that come anywhere near those of a car. I've got xenons on the truck and these are at least as good.

- Also, not sure why, maybe it's cage drivers not being used to a really white single light coming up on them, but on the dual carriageway they sure got out of the way better than I'm used to...

If you do a lot of riding in the dark (as I'm about to with my weekly commute) these have got to make it safer. They get the BB thumbs up!!

In fact, if you consider £86 against the cost of seats, bling, screens, huggers etc it's gotta be the best value money around in terms of improvement to safety .....
_________________
I don't want to achieve immortality through prayer, I want to achieve it through not dying.

[jack]

Shared a HID setup with Maxx a month or two back, worked out at about £60 each but fitted it to the full beam as I didn't want to annoy on coming drivers, even in daylight, if you stand in front of them, you get 'blind spots' and it sends the retina to the back of your skull for a few minutes

Got to say, on dark roads, it's like riding in daylight but when you turn the bugga to dip, it's like being immersed in a pool of darkness for a few seconds before your eyes adjust.

[frenchie]

Hi y'all
just ordered my HID kit upon Rolfy's reccomendation, looking forward to fitting it and being able to see again at night and not riding like Mr Magoo
had a look at MaXX's today and have to say was very impressed with the difference...
i will definately be changing both lights...
have priced these kits up on another site and they were retailing them at £255.. managed to get mine for £84.. a bloody bargain if there ever was one i say

[Tigger]

i told yawll a year magoo

[aj]

just orderd some offa this fella


http://stores.ebay.co.uk/xenon-lights-direct

they will be fitted by this time next week...(not by me you understand ) look forward to the improvement

regards
aj

[jack]

The same as Mick and me (I) have aj. you won't be disappointed

[Speedy]

If any of the other 'busa owners are considering HID, let me know so we can go halves on the two different sets.

[ScaredWitless]

I notice several people have fitted these lights - how much of a conversion is it? Is there a specific kit for the "Bird"?

[Tigger]

I notice several people have fitted these lights - how much of a conversion is it? Is there a specific kit for the "Bird"?

Not really a specific kit. you need an H7 kit cos has H7 bulbs. The hard part is if our is FI model as there is precious little space behind the panels for wiring and ballast box. The carb has no ram air pipes so loads of room. The only large space on an FI model is under the headlight or the tank. But most kit wiring isnt long enough or under the tank.

Follow rolfy or reefers example. think maxx2 also has them now. Youll never have another bike without.

[ScaredWitless]

Scuse me cos I am a dimmo!
Am I right in assuming you can order this kit from the ebay link above and have everything you need to covert the ? Bulbs, ballast boxes etc etc?

Scuse us southern softies for not knowing

[aj]

Scuse me cos I am a dimmo!
Am I right in assuming you can order this kit from the ebay link above and have everything you need to covert the ? Bulbs, ballast boxes etc etc?

Scuse us southern softies for not knowing

thats about it ...about te find out for myself at anytime now


regards
aj

[Tim]

Soo....you get a kit right...from a Trustworthy bloke in a place called China right...so any probs ya can just ring him up...or call in right...and is there a guarantee like....that's worth the paper it's written on?....call me sceptic...but how long do these bulbs last for?.....and how much is a replacement?.....don't know fook all about these..except that the light is fantastic....just wondering the cost if it goes tits up.....They use very very high wattage too don't they?...Anybody had any problems with it affecting bike alarms for example?...Sat Nav?....



You never get owt for nowt.... ...well I fookin don't anyway...they usually see me coming a fookin mile off and count their blessings....

[aj]

Soo....you get a kit right...from a Trustworthy bloke in a place called China right...so any probs ya can just ring him up...or call in right...and is there a guarantee like....that's worth the paper it's written on?....call me sceptic...but how long do these bulbs last for?.....and how much is a replacement?.....don't know fook all about these..except that the light is fantastic....just wondering the cost if it goes tits up.....They use very very high wattage too don't they?...Anybody had any problems with it affecting bike alarms for example?...Sat Nav?....



You never get owt for nowt.... ...well I fookin don't anyway...they usually see me coming a fookin mile off and count their blessings....

35w each bulb..last fer 3000 hrs


if yer wasn't such a big daft tvat they wouldn’t see you so easily

swy I didn’t buy from china…. Chose a uk supplier…. total cost..£5.00 more

regards
aj

[Tim]

Soo....you get a kit right...from a Trustworthy bloke in a place called China right...so any probs ya can just ring him up...or call in right...and is there a guarantee like....that's worth the paper it's written on?....call me sceptic...but how long do these bulbs last for?.....and how much is a replacement?.....don't know fook all about these..except that the light is fantastic....just wondering the cost if it goes tits up.....They use very very high wattage too don't they?...Anybody had any problems with it affecting bike alarms for example?...Sat Nav?....



You never get owt for nowt.... ...well I fookin don't anyway...they usually see me coming a fookin mile off and count their blessings....

35w each bulb..last fer 3000 hrs


if yer wasn't such a big daft tvat they wouldn’t see you so easily

swy I didn’t buy from china…. Chose a uk supplier…. total cost..£5.00 more

regards
aj

TIGGER.....TIGGER....can you translate that for me cos I ampt a fookin clue what he's saying....." a bulb costs 35w"?.....what the fooks that all about?

[XXtremist]

Have gone the intermediate route. Replaced the dipped bulb with a H7 Halfords Super Brilliance one, with claimed 50% more light. Larger stores are selling two for price of one at £20. But see also http://www.powerbulbs.co.uk/default.asp, who have a bogof offer on pairs of bulbs from £25.

Did not change the main beam, as I find it quite adequate.

Tried the new one after 5pm today, before pitch blackness. Can already see difference. Whereas the standard bulb gave a narrow focused light just in front of the bike, the new one gives a large circular pool. Not only does it extend further, but there is far more spread to the sides.

Just waiting for an inky black night to see how good it really is.

[MaXX2]

Chris- if ya find the main beam adequate on a dark, unlit country road, move it up to second gear, any inadequacies will become very apparent, very quickly m8

[Akuji]

Chris- if ya find the main beam adequate on a dark, unlit country road, move it up to second gear, any inadequacies will become very apparent, very quickly m8

especially while tryin' to keep up with a FI in wales

[MaXX2]

Chris- if ya find the main beam adequate on a dark, unlit country road, move it up to second gear, any inadequacies will become very apparent, very quickly m8

especially while tryin' to keep up with a FI in wales

Not reeeeally- I didn't need second gear for that one

[Akuji]

Chris- if ya find the main beam adequate on a dark, unlit country road, move it up to second gear, any inadequacies will become very apparent, very quickly m8

especially while tryin' to keep up with a FI in wales

Not reeeeally- I didn't need second gear for that one

no ya needed em all and ya still fell behind - and there was me two up as well

[MaXX2]

I remember- you are a riding god and my hero

[Akuji]

I remember- you are a riding god and my hero

next time i'll really get on it mate

[MaXX2]

I remember- you are a riding god and my hero

next time i'll really get on it mate

That'll make a nice change

[Lexx]

I have been thinking of converting my FI for some time. I guess with all this positive stuff it is going to happen sooner than latter

Anyone fitted a kit to an FI? I read what Tigger said but can someone tell me in English about sighting the ballast box please???

[MaXX2]

Think Frenchie's is an FI Le , he's just sorted his so mebbe drop him a PM

[Tigger]

Anyone fitted a kit to an FI? I read what Tigger said but can someone tell me in English about sighting the ballast box please???

Aged version... i locacted speedys on top of the panel under the headlamp unit. stand by the bike, left side, next to clutch lever. peep down the gap where the forks go. bend foreward slightly, put your arm either through the top or round the side and up in front of the rad. just below the bottom bulb is a fair sized space big enough for a clenched fist. and if you use that space, you wont have far to run the wires. take front mud guard off tho, makes it much easier.