High intensity discharge lights (HID) [Archive]

huck farley

1st December 2007, 12:17

My bike is hard wired for the low beam only light to come on when I turn the key. I have had a couple of close call when drivers in tin tops just haven't seen me.

I could drive around with my lights on full during the day. But it is not advised. I have tried Xenon lamps but although they do give a brighter light it is still not sufficient to be safe. (well you know what I mean) Is anyone running HID lights on there bike?

I have ordered a couple from England, and are due here in a few days time. I read that they use less wattage than the default lamps that are in my bike now.

I also read somewhere that it is illegal to put a HID lamp into a lamp holder that is not specifiably designed for the HID lamp. Quite frankly I don't give a horses arse about the law. :Police: I want to be seen when riding. Around, town especially.

Also the HID I read from other forums, at night is like riding on a sunny day. I look forward to any feedback re the same. Whether it be positive, or negative. If you want to read up on the HID lighting system then go to
hid50.com there is some good reading about the HID system also price lists.
Cheers all
Huck Farley

Blue Thunder

1st December 2007, 13:19

I use an HID light for diving! they generate a bucketload of heat when not in water.
Thus the need for a specific lamp holder to handle the heat.
Yes the are low wattage and generate a very intense white light, however the bulbs do not like to be whacked around and can break/fail quickly if roughened up.

Gremlin

1st December 2007, 19:07

Don't know about law... In brief... they are freaken awesome.

I rode a blackbird with one fitted on low beam, and I certainly suspected that cars realised I was there more, swerved out of the way when changing into my lane, as they saw the light... and I had plenty complaining about the bloody bright light in their mirrors, or that they had seen me miles away.

I was sold... fitted one to my own bike... Only had it fitted for a couple of weeks now, but I love it. Only problem is that the high beam now looks incredibly yellow next to the HID, and its even a +50% bulb.

Would never go back now... :2thumbsup

edit: When testing your wiring is correct... don't drool over your bulb as it powers up, because you will be seeing spots for hours on end after that.

paturoa

2nd December 2007, 06:42

I always ride on high beam during the day.

Zukin

2nd December 2007, 06:50

huck farley

2nd December 2007, 15:05

[QUOTE Would never go back now.[/QUOTE]

Glad you like yours Gremlin. I have the both coming together, High and low beams. I have read wonderful reports about them. I should keep the tin tops outa my visor now. Also I do a bit of night riding. But only in the bedroom though mate. :eek:

Thanks for the the law quote, I have read it before. But I don't give a toss about the law makers it's my life I'm looking after.

There are heaps of guys all over the planet running HID lamps in their bikes and they say they are having no problems at all with the lamps melting the plastics. Also they only have good shit to say about them. So that's why I bought a pair.

Thanks guys for the feedback!!

The Pastor

2nd December 2007, 21:01

how much are they? my mate had them in his car, and tell you what it was super easy to spot how far behind me he was!

WasPhantom

3rd December 2007, 13:56

Hey there

This is the actual copy of the law :(
I was looking at the same thing
I went with some aux lights instead (but then again mine is so I can see better at night)

HID conversion kits (an HID bulb with a high voltage power unit or ‘ballast’ which fits into the original headlamp unit in place of the original bulb with no change to the headlamp lens, reflector or housing) are illegal on any vehicle being used on New Zealand roads.

However, a complete halogen headlamp unit can be replaced with a complete HID headlamp unit provided that the replacement headlamp unit complies with approved standards.

Cheers Scott

The reasoning for this is simple though, the different light requires a different reflector and lens, else you will be blinding ( not just being noticed better ) other users on the road, which a driver that is blinded by light, is no different to say a driver that is blinded by stupidity.

huck farley

3rd December 2007, 17:20

The reasoning for this is simple though, the different light requires a different reflector and lens, else you will be blinding ( not just being noticed better ) other users on the road, which a driver that is blinded by light, is no different to say a driver that is blinded by stupidity.

The guys on the Tiger1050 forum say to adjust your high beam so as it is not much higher than the low beam, No one has reported any anger from on coming traffic. I guess it's a case of using your noggin when setting up the HID lamps. You don't want to blind the tin top driver so that he takes you out because he's blinded. Believe you me I am far from stupid!!

HOW MUCH ARE THEY
I hope your sitting down!! $552nzd delivered. Check out hid50.com all the guff is on there. The price is expensive, but hey, I want to be seen out and about by the crazy tin top drivers. At least I will have a fighting chance now.
When you think about the price of them. It's only a set of tyres aye!! The HID lamps will last a lot longer than a set of tyres. In fact they have lifetime guarantee.

ajturbo

3rd December 2007, 18:47

i have the same problem with the buell.. the lights suck... a match blown out 3 days ago, is still brighter than what i have.

the cost is a factor for me, but i think that will be the way to go when i have the $$$
new head lights (standard) are $55us.. each and i need 2 of them now... so that is the way i am going till i have the dosh!:doh:

BMW

3rd December 2007, 20:14

I use HID for mountain biking and know of the heat. The unit gets so hot you can not touch it!

I also know the law as the WOF will not pass the bike if they know.
I have used two ( I am also breaking the law) 55 watt spotties mounted under the head lamp. These aid the main beam. I get noticed alot more now with them.

I wish the regs in NZ would wake up and work out more for us bikers. It is safer for us to be more visable on NZ roads!

peg

3rd December 2007, 23:20

Patch

4th December 2007, 04:42

HOW MUCH ARE THEY
I hope your sitting down!! $552nzd delivered. Check out hid50.com all the guff is on there. The price is expensive, but hey, I want to be seen out and about by the crazy tin top drivers. At least I will have a fighting chance now.
When you think about the price of them. It's only a set of tyres aye!! The HID lamps will last a lot longer than a set of tyres. In fact they have lifetime guarantee.

Here is a link to a reasonable seller on trademe

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Car-parts-accessories/Performance/Bulbs/auction-129763836.htm

or these guys come well recommended

http://www.xenonrider.com/flyersale/h4_bixenon_hid_kits.shtml

From what most people have found, with the duel HID HI/Low you will lose the ability to flash the car in front with the pass button, as the HID takes a few seconds to power up (who uses that anyway)

It might pay to put in a switch to turn on the HID when the bike is running as the ballast draws a very large current when powering up.

Apparently the low beam is so good, you will never use hi - apparently.

Pm Zapf, he has them and has done quite a bit of night riding.

huck farley

4th December 2007, 08:15

The reason I bought my HID kit from England is that the vendor has supplied dozens of people these kits on the Tiger 1050 forum and he has an excellent product, I an told. To which, has been endorsed by many owners who have made the switch to HID's. So I guess it's a case of stick to the devil you know!!

Also my Tiger 1050 takes two different lamps, low beam is a H7 and the high beam is a H9. This guy I am buying from. Does a kit for the Tiger 1050's If I buy from Trademe I would have to buy two kits.

But the most important thing in my book is that the complete system I am buying is made in "ENGLAND". You will find the cheaper kits are made in ASIA on Trademe and may be a bit suspect. Plus the ones selling on Trademe are for cars not bikes. The heat is not a problem with the Tiger HID lamps as they are very small lamp compared to say a H4 car HID lamp.

I went to the 50's as there is no delay firing up the main beam. It is instantaneous. Whereas the 35 kits is a 5 second fire up to full power.

These lights are the way of the future. I have an Audi Quattro and it has factory fitted HID's Most European cars especially the German cars all have HID lamps as default lights from new nowadays.

I will report back my findings once I have fitted the HID's which are due here :soon:
Cheers all
H.F.

huck farley

4th December 2007, 08:29

I use HID for mountain biking and know of the heat. The unit gets so hot you can not touch it!

Have you ever noticed the heat coming from a motorcycle's lamps with tungsten fitted factory lamps. They let of just as much heat as the HID lamp!!

Pancakes

4th December 2007, 11:42

The reasoning for this is simple though, the different light requires a different reflector and lens, ...........................

Not different reflector and lens but the point of light in a HID bulb will not be in the same place as the filiment in a conventional bulb so the lights will need adjusting. Most of them are very good now and aren't far out. Some shit ones are way out and affect the light pattern.

.............................From what most people have found, with the duel HID HI/Low you will lose the ability to flash the car in front with the pass button, as the HID takes a few seconds to power up (who uses that anyway)

I haven't seen any dual contact HID's for H4. Some use a servo mounted backing plate to tilt the who bulb up and down. Not a great fix in the units I have seen as it locates the light source in the wrong place causing the issue above and the light isn't cut off correctly as it would be in an H4 with the metal plate between the filiments. The better system for H4 equipped bikes (I know yours isn't but the question is there) is the ones that have a very small metal plate (half a cylinder that is around the bulb) that rotates from the top to the bottom of the bulb as you switch hi/low beams. The actual bulb stays on all the time so no delay. I have never seen a kit in the flesh that has no delay on startup. They need thousands of volts to create the initial spark and that takes some time to charge up in the capacitor on a 12v bike.

It might pay to put in a switch to turn on the HID when the bike is running as the ballast draws a very large current when powering up.

I would always make a new loom. Your pulling the bike apart enough to mount everything nicely and spending hundreds on the kit. Another $20 and 30 mins will be well spent. These things want at least 12v all the time, not 8 -9 or whatever your bike gives, bike wiring is not a priority from what I have seen!

Apparently the low beam is so good, you will never use hi - apparently.

Pm Zapf, he has them and has done quite a bit of night riding.

The cut off is still the same so yes and no. It would mean that you need to adjust your lights for sure once you fit the HID cos your whole setup is low and your using the high to compensate for a shitty low beam. A trip to a dark long road to setup will be on your list eh!

Good on ya, these lights will make the world of difference. I think the colour difference makes people look twice too and makes you stick out from the cars.

huck farley

5th December 2007, 08:34

Pinfold... of motorcycle communication fame, is selling HID conversion kits for Lucas H4 fittings for $160 on his website (http://tinyurl.com/239k8b)and also on Trademe (http://tinyurl.com/22vm5n)

They're also available on eBay, though you need to be careful that you get one with HID both high and low beam.

If Pinfold's HID's are anything like his rider to pillion head sets. I wouldn't touch them with a barge pole.

Anything cheaper than say $500nzd in the HID range. Is likely to be made in China, Taiwan, I was told to keep well away from the Asian HID's. They will not last. E-bay HID's are all Asian, made in China. And I have also been advised to put them in the don't touch with a bargepole categorie, by riders that have fallen into the trap. I'm afraid regardless of the cost. I put quality before quantity

Ocean1

5th December 2007, 08:48

classic zed

5th December 2007, 16:47

I use an H4 type HID in my Z1300, Its fantastic, perfect at night and I can be seen very easily during the day too.

I wouldnt use anything else:woohoo:

HungusMaximist

6th December 2007, 15:28

You HID punks should certainly come out for a ride with us one day, I'd be very interested in seeing them in action.

The best I can get for my shocking lens comparement is the phillips crystal vision which is unforunately unavaliable from the shops unless you order them. Yea, it's one of those white halogen globes and they are a much better build than Narva +50 or arctic crap.

Let Zapf/Felix know, he'll able to recommend some stuff.

huck farley

9th December 2007, 07:46

Yeah, they ain't great. Are you aware of a good kit that works with the standard XB12R units?

Go onto eBay and look a member up called rayp48 he sells a great lamp for all sorts of bikes. The guys on the Tiger forum swear by his lamps as an alternative to the default rubbish. His prices are very reasonable also. He is a very obliging bloke to deal with. Check it out. If you want to make an affordable improvement.

Pancakes

9th December 2007, 18:08

Disco Dan

9th December 2007, 18:28

Just had my own "high intensity discharge" ...it felt good.

Pancakes

9th December 2007, 19:21

Just had my own "high intensity discharge" ...it felt good.

+1, that really does add to your reputation!

The Pastor

9th December 2007, 20:41

they are super expenive tho aye?

Pancakes

10th December 2007, 10:09

It's not a "they" it's a "him". and I've heard Dan can give you a happy ending for under $5!! Bargain if your into that.

Yeah at hundreds of dollars per bulb they aren't cheap but what if you have a $15,000 bike and you can't properly use the power at night (or anytime your not at work in winter with the short daylight hours) $300 to $500 bucks (for single or double ones) is not much to pay to make the rest of your power and cornering useable eh?

HungusMaximist

10th December 2007, 14:11

Try PartsMaster too. Not as well know as Repco or Supercheap but better than either of them/both of them together! and have good shit at reasonable prices.

What bulbs are you after?

I've been to partsmaster the one in Grey Lynn, but as soon as I walked in I felt totally lost, as it looked like it was fully committed in selling stuff for cars aye.

Maybe I was in a rush but would you mind explaining what's so great about it?

Pancakes

10th December 2007, 18:26

It isn't just a car supermarket run by part-timers and one hot but dopey chick. They service lots of small mechanics etc so know what parts are interchangeable and stock good stuff not cheapo fathers day special stuff a-la Supercheap. Good prices too, I haven't picked any items and seen what they cost compared to Repco but I'd say the knowledge of the staff, the quality parts and not cheap but reasonable cost will keep me going back.

Reminds me of what places used to look like too not all spotless and shiny. The Grey Lynn one and Henderson are the ones I've been to.

edit, yeah they are for cars but bulbs are all the same, odd hose bends etc. All good. Haven't done any serious bike work.

huck farley

10th December 2007, 22:35

Got the HID lamps fitted in today, a 10 year old boy could fit them they are so simple to fit. Well I was like a kid on Christmas eve waiting for Santa. But I wasn't waiting for Santa I was waiting for it to get dark, so I could try out my new lights.

It Finally got dark so I took the bike up the Para Paras. Man what a difference it's absolutely mind blowing the amount of light coming out of tiny wee lamps has to be seen to be believed. I was barreling up the Paras as if I was riding in the daylight.

I adjusted my high beam down before I left home, because I didn't want to piss anybody of. It can stay where it is I stuck a couple of stock trucks head on no flashes, and even a car, so I'm not pissing anyone of at the moment.

My bike the Tiger 1050 is hard wired so as the low beam comes on at start up. When I put the high beam on. It's just like the rally drivers lights. Only they have half a dozen HID's. They certainly attract the bugs though.

The main beam fired straight up, no delay whatsoever firing up to full power, (well if there was I certainly couldn't tell the difference) As far as the heat factor went, I had the low beam on for 1 hour and estimate the full beam would have been on about half of that.

I'm pleased to report no melted wiring, no melted plastic, not even a smell of plastics cooking. Early days yet though, but me thinks if it was going to cook everything plastic, it would have done it by now.

You know it's a great saying is, you pay for what you get. As far as I'm concerned it's the best $550 I have ever spent on an aftermarket bit of kit.

Start saving up to get some fellas. They are truly out of this world!! It is as if someone has switched the daylight on again, riding at night. I will give the tin tops a look at the low beam tomorrow.
thanks for all your feedback.
H.F. :apint:

huck farley

11th December 2007, 07:56

Yeah, they ain't great. Are you aware of a good kit that works with the standard XB12R units?

You will have to determine, what bulbs you have in your bike, then go to the OSRAM Website and do a search. I did a lot of reading about lamps before I shelled out big dollars for my HID lamps.

Out of nearly all of the suppliers. I found that Osram has the best range of lamps to fit motorcycles.
Good luck in finding a set to suit your bike. :niceone:

huck farley

11th December 2007, 16:12

they are super expensive tho aye?

Yes I do agree with you they are expensive. But when you take into consideration that during the day, your lights are your first line of defense against tunnel visioned tin top drivers. They just don't see us guys on bikes.

Well I can tell you that today was in town day, and with the low beam on I got flashed a couple of times. I was a bit concerned, but It turned out it was a couple of mates out and about for work.

One of them rang me up. He said mate what a wicked light you have on your bike. What the fuk is it? I told him it was a HID, I asked if it dazzled him. He said hell no mate. It's the colour of it, is just so unusual it seems to change colours, you just can't help but notice it.

That said it all to me. I haven't wasted my hard earned dollars. I think I have made a very smart investment. I am being noticed!! So I have a show of living a lot longer now, than if I had have kept the originals lamps in. There will be no going back for this bloke. Even if they were a $1000 a pair I would still buy them, and pay them of on the drip.

JUST A SUGESTION
If you don't commute, and only use your bike for a ride out on a weekend. I suggest you only buy the low beam if you have twin lights. One HID is very affordable. And also very affective!!

The Pastor

12th December 2007, 06:23

how do you find out what sort of bulb you have?

huck farley

12th December 2007, 07:00

how do you find out what sort of bulb you have?

The easiest way to find just what lamps you have in your bike is to look it up in the owners hand book if you have one.

If that fails ring the local agent up and ask for technical information.

The third way is to take out the bulbs and have a look. Do not touch the bulb with your bare fingers, use a cotton or clean bit of rag whilst taking out and putting back. The bulbs are filled with gas and could shatter if touched or scratched in any way.

Let's know how you get on.

I have two euro dezign bulbs 65watt X 12volt for sale. They have the blue tint for anybody who wants them. I replaced the factory lights with the Euro dezign bulbs. 100% better than the factory bulbs. But I have since replaced them with the HID system.

huck farley

12th December 2007, 07:15

Yeah, they ain't great. Are you aware of a good kit that works with the standard XB12R units?

Check in the owners manual to see just what lamps you have in the bike first.
Then I can tell you what replacement lamp will fit your system.

huck farley

2nd January 2008, 10:05

I would always make a new loom. Your pulling the bike apart enough to mount everything nicely and spending hundreds on the kit. Another $20 and 30 mins will be well spent. These things want at least 12v all the time, not 8 -9 or whatever your bike gives, bike wiring is not a priority from what I have seen!

Good on ya, these lights will make the world of difference. I think the colour difference makes people look twice too and makes you stick out from the cars.

New loom is not required. these HID lamps draw way less than the original lamps and they also run a hell of a lot cooler. I have had them in a fair while now. I can report that the H7 HID lights up as soon as the key is turned on no delay whatsoever.

The H9 full beam does take maybe 5 seconds to power right up, but once the ballast is primed. If I turn the high beam of because a car is coming towards me. After it has gone I put the high beam HID on again it fires up immediately on full power.

In hindsight, I should have only got the low beam as it alone is awesome and is really, really, bright. But the only drawback (if you could call it a drawback) is that the two lights are a different colour. Low beam is a brilliant white with a blueish aura to it, and the standard high beam is a yellow colour in comparison.

I did play around with adjustment the high beam was over to the right a bit so I dragged it back over with the adjustment, and also raised it a little. I have the HID,s Spot on now. And I do reiterate to anyone contemplating doing the swap to HID's they do not need a separate wiring loom and they run cooler compared to the bulbs (Silvain's) that i replaced with them......

I consider that the $532 I shelled out for these lamps is the best investment I have ever made to preserve My wife and I whilst out riding around. As we are noticed by the tin tops immediately, as the HID lamp that's hard wired on gets there attention, simply because it is soooo bright with the unusual blueish aura that it displays.
Happy new year to all on the KB site.

sAsLEX

2nd January 2008, 10:22

I consider that the $532

Was alot of money?

http://www.xenonrider.com/products/h7_xenon_hid_kits.shtml

300 odd from there

Zapf

2nd January 2008, 10:56

Was alot of money?

http://www.xenonrider.com/products/h7_xenon_hid_kits.shtml

300 odd from there

yep, bought mine from them. All good.

huck farley

2nd January 2008, 15:41

Was alot of money?

http://www.xenonrider.com/products/h7_xenon_hid_kits.shtml

300 odd from there

I'm happy with my made in England HID kits. At the price that the company you put a link up. I was advised by members of the Tiger 1050 forum they are made in Asia and to give them a wide berth. Don't forget to add the shipping cost!!! Mine from England cost me 30 Quid. That's about $90.00 our money. How much really did your hid's cost together with the shipping cost?
But hey, If your happy then fair enough. Have a happy safe new year.

sAsLEX

2nd January 2008, 16:17

I'm happy with my made in England HID kits. At the price that the company you put a link up. I was advised by members of the Tiger 1050 forum they are made in Asia and to give them a wide berth. Don't forget to add the shipping cost!!! Mine from England cost me 30 Quid. That's about $90.00 our money. How much really did your hid's cost together with the shipping cost?
But hey, If your happy then fair enough. Have a happy safe new year.

Fair enough..... but most things are made in Asia these days..... hell all my bikes are/have been!:Pokey:

Yeah shipping can be a pain, I jsut was trawling you tube and someone posted up that site for their HIDs and recommended them.

Delphinus

2nd January 2008, 17:31

huck farley

3rd January 2008, 17:03

Whats the light output when you're on a reasonable lean in a corner?
At the moment my lights are ok on the straight, but as soon as I lean the bike over into a corner i get no light on the corner, so you're just riding into pitch blackness.

Sadly that's the norm with most lights even car lights are the same. I can tell you that the H7 the low beam, has a very wide spread off about 5 meters. So I have about two to three meters that lights up the left hand side off the road, and is perfect for a tight turn. But the mainbeam is like yours, and goes straight ahead. (for a very long way)

Zapf

3rd January 2008, 19:06

I had seprate cornering lights :)

and the xeonrider price inc shipping to NZ!

Delphinus

3rd January 2008, 19:25

I can tell you that the H7 the low beam, has a very wide spread off about 5 meters. So I have about two to three meters that lights up the left hand side off the road, and is perfect for a tight turn.
Yeah my lights are plenty wide enough, but when lent over, i get a nice lit up road immediately infront of me, but nothing actually round the corner. Due to no height.... Does it help with that?

I had separate cornering lights :)

and the xeonrider price inc shipping to NZ!
How'd you work that? Pics please?

mxracer_nz

5th January 2008, 16:21

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/H7-Headlight-Kit-HID-Honda-CBR-1000RR-600RR-F4i-RC51_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35598QQihZ011QQite mZ320201506343QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

$180 nzd including shipping, theres quite a few different kits on ebay

NighthawkNZ

5th January 2008, 16:52

My bike is hard wired for the low beam only light to come on when I turn the key. I have had a couple of close call when drivers in tin tops just haven't seen me.

You could put spot lights on and driving lights wear a HiVis vest, and have brightly coloured helmet with blinking lighhts, have a christmas tree blinking on the back of your pack rack and you could have loud pipes and air horns, and they still won't see or hear you.

sAsLEX

5th January 2008, 17:02

You could put spot lights on and driving lights wear a HiVis vest, and have brightly coloured helmet with blinking lighhts, have a christmas tree blinking on the back of your pack rack and you could have loud pipes and air horns, and they still won't see or hear you.

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ruphus

7th January 2008, 10:58

Yeah my lights are plenty wide enough, but when lent over, i get a nice lit up road immediately infront of me, but nothing actually round the corner. Due to no height.... Does it help with that?

One thing with HIDs is that they have a very sharp cut off on them.

I'll take some pics tonight against the garage door to sow you what I mean. I've had mine installed for ages now.

Heaps better then the standard Gixxer bulbs.

sAsLEX

12th April 2008, 09:42

One thing with HIDs is that they have a very sharp cut off on them.

I'll take some pics tonight against the garage door to sow you what I mean. I've had mine installed for ages now.

Heaps better then the standard Gixxer bulbs.

That is not the HIDs but would be based on the reflector in the headlight unit.

LoC

12th April 2008, 10:12

There is no goin back once you get them, Had mine for a couple of months now, they are getting cheaper now too. Mine were 400 bucks for 2 sets, so I have a spare set that no one seemed interested in when I posted them on another thread.
Watch some of the ones on Trademe as I went though a set of dodgy ballasts! They were the slim ballasts, I replaced them with full sized ones and haven't had a problem since.
Also watch out if you have a headlight shield (protector) your headlight will cook it if it touches it.
Umm use a relay...to much juice for the original wiring loom.
Newer bikes which have lights on with ignition, some have a built in delay to crank the motor before the lights fire up, I would suggest you install a delay with hids if yours doesn't.
I'm no sparky but every forum I have read suggests doing so (well busa sites).
My sparky who did them also left the old wiring so I could go back to standard anytime.
And my busa well she's a squid fishing boat at night, not being seen just doesn't happen anymore even during the day.
Good luck all I totally recommend them.
If you are in Canterbury pm me if you need a sparky as he is half the price of shops and double the speed.
Cheers!

scumdog

12th April 2008, 11:11

HOW MUCH ARE THEY
I hope your sitting down!! $552nzd delivered. Check out hid50.com all the guff is on there. The price is expensive, but hey, I want to be seen out and about by the crazy tin top drivers. At least I will have a fighting chance now.
When you think about the price of them. It's only a set of tyres aye!! The HID lamps will last a lot longer than a set of tyres. In fact they have lifetime guarantee.

I fitted small 'spot' type lights to the HDs of mine and CBs, those annoyingly bright little lights people fit to the lower pan on the front of their WRX etc.

The reason I picked them?

Cost: about $90 or so the pair with kit
Cost of bulbs: about $12 for 2 @ the Warehouse
Safety: there's two of them so if one goes you've still got one working.

The bulbs are the same ones used in jewelry shop window displays etc, I think they have a 37 degree dispersion of light and they last for yonks.

The downside is that the pods that hold them might look ok on a HD but might might not suit a sprots-bike for looks.

Oh, and they work, trust me they really work, motorists notice you - especially those down side stret/driveways etc where in daylight they wouldn't notice your narrow focussed-beam headlight.

And ask anybody who has seen them about how bright they look.

Drew

12th April 2008, 11:26

The 999 in the garage at the moment has a swanky light of some kind in the low beam hole. It actually warms up when the key is turned on, and again when ya start it. Real bright, and very good visibility.

Has a relay and a box with cooling fins to drive it mounted by the battery. Only down side is that wired up the way it is, the bike thinks it is over charging and the check engine light is on all the time. Cant get my head around why for sure, because it is only charging at the desirable 14.something volts.