Report on conversion to HID

[eddd]

A few weeks back I asked about improving my headlight. I weighed all the advice, plus did some other reading and decided to give HID a try. I figured that if it didn’t work out, I could always sell it and only be out $30 or $40.

 

The package arrived Friday, and the kit was installed on Saturday morning. The components included the light, a ballast, a relay, and several wiring harnesses. I was able to fit the ballast (which is larger than I thought it would be) in the right speaker area. The relay went in the left speaker area. Total installation took about an hour and a half and required that I remove the left tupperware to connect the power leads to the battery. (I actually picked up the positive from the starter and the negative from the adapter I have on the negative side of the battery.)

 

I am very pleased with the results. The improvement is significant for both high and low beam. A servo moves the bulbs position to allow for both high and low beam and the results are excellent. Suffice to say this setup is significantly better in every respect.

 

One of the drawbacks of this lighting system is supposed to be that there is extra light but it is not focused where it is needed and will in fact make it harder for you to see. This is not a factor with my installation. All the light is usable and where it needs to be. The high beam setting is truly outstanding. I got better results on high beam with my PIAAs off. They reflected off the road in front of the bike and were a distraction. With them turned off I could see better.

 

The only drawback I have found is that the optimum low beam setting makes the high beam just a bit too high, and of course the reverse is true. I’ve left the setting optimal for the low beam. Even at this setting the high beam is excellent, and no, I don’t look like I’m hunting coons.

 

Any concerns that this setup would blind or annoy other motorist were quickly eliminated. Just looking at the pattern on the road, I couldn’t imagine there would be a problem, but to confirm my impression, I rode last night and early this morning into oncoming traffic on undivided streets and highways. No one has flashed their high beams at me. Just to be certain, I had a friend approach me on the road so that I could get some first hand impressions. He told me that while he could tell the light was clearly brighter and whiter, it was in no way a problem.

 

How could this installation be perfected? Power headlight adjuster so you could adjust on the fly, or at least more easily! Of course that would be a nice feature for almost any bike where you are riding solo one day and two up and loaded down the next.

[OoPEZoO]

[eddd]

Keith, my experience seems to mirror yours. Thanks for your help.

[OoPEZoO]

Keith, my experience seems to mirror yours. Thanks for your help.

 

Yup, anytime. Glad everthing worked out, and you are pleased with the results

[mirage]

Ed,

 

Thanks for the HID report. Would you mind letting me know who's HID kit you used and what part numbers and costs?

Just bought caliper motolights but have not installed them yet.

After installing HID on my K1200LT and Harley's I'm trying to find a good solution for the 99' R1100RT.

I have installed kits from http://www.cqlight.ca and I recall they make a dual hi/lo single bulb setup.

 

Thanks.

 

Mirage

[eddd]

Ed,

 

Thanks for the HID report. Would you mind letting me know who's HID kit you used and what part numbers and costs?

Just bought caliper motolights but have not installed them yet.

After installing HID on my K1200LT and Harley's I'm trying to find a good solution for the 99' R1100RT.

I have installed kits from http://www.cqlight.ca and I recall they make a dual hi/lo single bulb setup.

 

Thanks.

 

Mirage

 

I purchased one suggested by JR356, a member of the board:

 

linky

 

I got the Bi-Xenon in color 4300k.

[JR356]

Hi,

 

Glad that the system has worked out well for you.They look to be one of the few sources for the Bixenon setup

I had actually just purchased the CQlights system for my GS,when I saw Jim VonBaden and others talking about purchasing from the source I sent you.

This was from a long thread on Adventurerider.com

 

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=265148

 

For the price you can't go wrong.I paid about $80 for my single H7 setup, whereas I could have bought the hi/lo two bulb setup for about the same price from VVME.

 

Quality looks similar,the only benefit with the CQlights setup is maybe a smaller ballast.I have not seen them side by side to compare.

 

JR356

[snod]

Thanks for the report! This appears to have solved the problems of running HID instead of H4. Is the instalation done in such a manner that you could bypass a failing HID and revert back to a standard H4 along side the road? I don't want to be in a NO headlight situation in Lusk WY at 0200. The servo motor looks to be totaly inclosed? Has any body had the in and out action fail?

[eddd]

You can easily change back with the system I used. The standard plug is retained. It plugs into the wiring harness that controls the relay. The only thing that is permanently altered is the large rubber boot that enclosed the back of the headlight assembly. I had to cut the back portion of that off so the larger HID bulb would fit. I also used some sealant around the bulb to keep out dirt and moisture.

 

Using the system I purchased, you have an additional bulb and ballast for spares, since it was designed for a car.

 

The servo is totally enclosed and is actually a part of the bulb assembly.

[kcscout]

I purchased one suggested by JR356, a member of the board:

linky

I got the Bi-Xenon in color 4300k.

 

I'm assuming the size was H4-3... yes?

Any installation pics?

[eddd]

[quote

I'm assuming the size was H4-3... yes?

Any installation pics?

 

Yes, the H4-3. I didn't take any pictures, but I'm going back under the dash to move the ballast since I don't care for the way I can see the bracket (It just sticks out a little). While I'm in there I'll take some pictures.