Topic: HID conversion kits

[dummkauf]

I'm thinking about replacing the stock halogen light on my Buell with a HID and I'm curious if anyone here can help shed some light the whole HID dilema I'm having

The thing I'm having trouble figuring out is that I see all of these conversion kits selling bulbs and ballasts together and then also selling the projector and bulbs as well.  I was under the impression that to run HID's you needed a projector to properly aim them so you don't blind everyone else on the road.  Are these bulb/ballast kits I keep seeing really just meant to replace my halogen bulb, and if so how on earth do you aim them and get that HID cut off line to avoid pissing everyone else off on the road?

I'm thinking I should go with the projector if I get HID's(I don't want to blind on coming traffic), but am curious why the majority of the conversion kits I see don't include, or even offer, a projector housing?


This is the kit I just found tonight and am contemplating since it will fit right where my current headlight is: http://www.futurevisionhid.com/hid-xenon-7inch-h6024-projector-headlight-kit-p-69.html

[Bodi]

The HID H4 lamp conversions are basically junk, the H4 reflector is incapable of producing a "legal" light pattern with a HID bulb: these kits modify an automotive HID replacement bulb to kludge it into an included H4 reflector or to put in your existing reflector.
This unit you link to might be OK, no way to tell until you put one in. I doubt if it's DOT approved... they would advertise that if it was. I don't know of any current HID units on cars or bikes that use a movable shield to change from low to high beam, either... that sounds a bit weird.

[dummkauf]

The HID H4 lamp conversions are basically junk, the H4 reflector is incapable of producing a "legal" light pattern with a HID bulb: these kits modify an automotive HID replacement bulb to kludge it into an included H4 reflector or to put in your existing reflector.
This unit you link to might be OK, no way to tell until you put one in. I doubt if it's DOT approved... they would advertise that if it was. I don't know of any current HID units on cars or bikes that use a movable shield to change from low to high beam, either... that sounds a bit weird.

I'd never heard of them before either, but this is also the first time I've ever seriously considered HID's and actually started looking into them....which is why I'm asking questions.  I'm still undecided since I have seen some cars and bikes with these lights that are not aimed properly and blind oncoming traffic which just pisses me off.  I like the fact that they light up the road better than anything else out there, but I don't want to be blinding people in the process either.

[medic09]

Hey Dumm,

Maybe consider just adding touring lights?  Could be easier and less expensive.

On my Sprint I've started by switching the headlamp bulbs to brighter bulbs like those made by Oshram, etc.  I found mine at the local Pep Boys.  It was an improvement for sure, though still not enough projection down the road.  They're also more visible during the day to other drivers.

Next, I'll add on touring lights.  They can be mounted on your forks, fairing, etc.  You can remove them when you sell the bike one day.  PIAA just came out with HID touring lights with ballast built in.  A cheaper route would be Motolights, but they're halogens, not HID.

[eurban]

This one is DOT aproved
 http://www.jwspeaker.com/catalog/forward_lighting/model_8100.htm 
Uses a HID for lowbeam and a halogen for high.  Tis expensive!!

[dummkauf]

Hey Dumm,

Maybe consider just adding touring lights?  Could be easier and less expensive.

On my Sprint I've started by switching the headlamp bulbs to brighter bulbs like those made by Oshram, etc.  I found mine at the local Pep Boys.  It was an improvement for sure, though still not enough projection down the road.  They're also more visible during the day to other drivers.

Next, I'll add on touring lights.  They can be mounted on your forks, fairing, etc.  You can remove them when you sell the bike one day.  PIAA just came out with HID touring lights with ballast built in.  A cheaper route would be Motolights, but they're halogens, not HID.

I may have to take a look at adding some touring lights.  How much of an increase in forward visibility could I expect with a couple of touring lights added to the bike?

I can't find much info about it, but are touring lights legal or am I going to be getting hassled about having those on public roads as well?  I want to light the road up as much as possible but I also don't want to be getting pulled over every time I ride due to illegal light setups, or improperly aimed HID's, etc...

[dummkauf]

This one is DOT aproved
 http://www.jwspeaker.com/catalog/forward_lighting/model_8100.htm 
Uses a HID for lowbeam and a halogen for high.  Tis expensive!!

How expensive is "Tis expensive!!".  I've been looking around the jw website and can't find a price on that anywhere??

[eurban]

They sell them here for close to $370:

http://oviedosafetylights.com/HID-Lighting/JW_SPEAKER_Model_8100_DOT_Approved_HID_Motorcycle_Headlight

Victory apparently uses them on some of their bikes.  The reviews I have seen are pretty positive but the price is a bit steep for my  tastes.