High intensity discharge lights (HID)

**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.

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...

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

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

**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.

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

Originally Posted by Zukin

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

Originally Posted by WasPhantom

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!

**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

Pinfold... of motorcycle communication fame, is selling HID conversion kits for Lucas H4 fittings for $160 on his website and also on Trademe

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

**Patch** · 4th December 2007, 04:42

Originally Posted by huck farley

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-Mo...-129763836.htm

or these guys come well recommended

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

Cheers all
H.F.