Yes, I have the low-beam only, and it is literally a night and day difference.
I do intend to upgrade to a bi-xenon (high and low) in the future, though!
I do intend to upgrade to a bi-xenon (high and low) in the future, though!
Ebay HID conversions
Guys, there are a boatload of ebay HID conversions for motorcycles for about 50 bucks.
Has anybodytried them? From the pictures they don't look too bad. My low beam is very dull and dangerous, so I was thinking about upgrading.
Has anybodytried them? From the pictures they don't look too bad. My low beam is very dull and dangerous, so I was thinking about upgrading.
1 - 20 of 27 Posts
This is just me, but....
These HID kits are basically re-based HID bulbs (a new bulb on a common H4 base). Your headlight reflector is designed for an H4 (or whichever) bulb, but because the xenon bulb's filament is in a different place (forward a bit), the reflector no longer works as it should and the light scatters instead of making a nice beam. This can cause lots of glare to oncoming traffic.
I'm sure you've seen them. The kids in their civics with the bluish headlights that glare so badly it's like they have their brights on...yep, that's the cheap HID conversions.
So in my opinion, unless you are willing to spend the few hundred bucks to do a proper HID projector conversion, stick with a standard bulb. Get a good name-brand bulb (they have higher wattage bulbs available), make sure your reflector and lens are clean, and upgrade the wiring to the headlight.
Just my $0.02.
These HID kits are basically re-based HID bulbs (a new bulb on a common H4 base). Your headlight reflector is designed for an H4 (or whichever) bulb, but because the xenon bulb's filament is in a different place (forward a bit), the reflector no longer works as it should and the light scatters instead of making a nice beam. This can cause lots of glare to oncoming traffic.
I'm sure you've seen them. The kids in their civics with the bluish headlights that glare so badly it's like they have their brights on...yep, that's the cheap HID conversions.
So in my opinion, unless you are willing to spend the few hundred bucks to do a proper HID projector conversion, stick with a standard bulb. Get a good name-brand bulb (they have higher wattage bulbs available), make sure your reflector and lens are clean, and upgrade the wiring to the headlight.
Just my $0.02.
The kits aren't bad as long as they are the ones with ballasts. As for glare yes the bulbs in our motorcycles aren't 100% ment for them but if you aim it right it will not glare or blind people. As for the blue lights with kids. There are a lot of idiots out there. With hid you can pick the color temperature which should be white. If you're putting blue lights in then expect to be pulled over at some time for it.
Mine is a Euro FX. I guess they are sold in Indiana somewhere.
Mine is a Euro FX. I guess they are sold in Indiana somewhere.
I ordered one with a small ballast. It has high and low beam.
I guess I am excited about the power savings as well as the brightness. Plus, I can't ride at night with my low beam. I can't see more than 10 feet in front of me. It is truly terrifying.
I'll let you guys know how it works!
I guess I am excited about the power savings as well as the brightness. Plus, I can't ride at night with my low beam. I can't see more than 10 feet in front of me. It is truly terrifying.
I'll let you guys know how it works!
The kits aren't bad as long as they are the ones with ballasts. As for glare yes the bulbs in our motorcycles aren't 100% ment for them but if you aim it right it will not glare or blind people. As for the blue lights with kids. There are a lot of idiots out there. With hid you can pick the color temperature which should be white. If you're putting blue lights in then expect to be pulled over at some time for it.
Mine is a Euro FX. I guess they are sold in Indiana somewhere.
Well, I wasn't referring to the blue light as being the problem...just an example most would know since they're annoying.
Yes, you can aim your headlight lower to help alleviate some glare...I still think you'll get better lighting performance out of a properly set-up standard set.
But again, just my $0.02.
I got mine from http://www.xenonexpert.com/ddm_kit_sale.html
I picked up the car kit for my SV650 with the slim ballasts. Plug and play, makes a HUGE difference
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I picked up the car kit for my SV650 with the slim ballasts. Plug and play, makes a HUGE difference
For a similar price to the eBay systems, you can buy from DDMTuning. I've ordered from them and been very satisfied with the product and customer service. Prices are hard to beat as well.
Well, I wasn't referring to the blue light as being the problem...just an example most would know since they're annoying.
Yes, you can aim your headlight lower to help alleviate some glare...I still think you'll get better lighting performance out of a properly set-up standard set.
But again, just my $0.02.
You would think. But I have used sealed beams and H4's and all properly set up and it's like trying to drive holding a AA maglight. The HID I have is doing the job, I see a lot more and I haven't noticeably pissed anyone off.
That's how mine is.... New silverstar, but the low beam can't even shine 10 feet. I've even tried to hook it directly up to the battery.... It's getting proper voltage and it looks alright up against the garage wall, but on a dark back road all that light gets lost. The high beam is pretty good though.You would think. But I have used sealed beams and H4's and all properly set up and it's like trying to drive holding a AA maglight. The HID I have is doing the job, I see a lot more and I haven't noticeably pissed anyone off.
That's how mine is.... New silverstar, but the low beam can't even shine 10 feet. I've even tried to hook it directly up to the battery.... It's getting proper voltage and it looks alright up against the garage wall, but on a dark back road all that light gets lost. The high beam is pretty good though.
I have a silverstar and my low beam is very good. my high beam is even better.
I would check your adjustment to make sure you are pointing it right.
As to the HID's. the best hi/low style have a shield for the bulb. it stays on for hi and low beam but the shield moves to give a clean cutoff for the low beam. this keeps oncoming drivers form being blinded.
it pulls back for n=hi beam to give full light.
yep, that'd be the ones with projectors. i agree with jasonh on this that if you're going to do it you should do it right and get projectors for your hid's. that's what they were designed for. will they work without the projector? yes. will they work better with the projector? yes. i have projectors for my fz6 and the light output is unreal.
yep, that'd be the ones with projectors. i agree with jasonh on this that if you're going to do it you should do it right and get projectors for your hid's. that's what they were designed for. will they work without the projector? yes. will they work better with the projector? yes. i have projectors for my fz6 and the light output is unreal.
Is there a projector housing kit available?
The package should be here today or tomorrow, so i'll be letting you know how they work soon!
The bulb is aimed properly..... The only other thing I can think of is that there is something wrong with my reflector?
Is there a projector housing kit available?
The package should be here today or tomorrow, so i'll be letting you know how they work soon!
The bulb is aimed properly..... The only other thing I can think of is that there is something wrong with my reflector?
I haven't seen a kit specifically, personally. I know for cars, most HID retrofits involve getting the projectors (from BMWs, Audis, Acuras, etc) and modding your headlight housings to fit. This is something I'll be researching in the future, because I would love to have HID projectors.
Here is a popular source for cars:
http://www.theretrofitsource.com/index.php?osCsid=a314963795e6992fd3a1862385d7a5e6
It's all sold in pairs, but I'm sure you could do a couple bikes or do one and sell the other half
While the cutoff is MUCH better with projectors, it's still not bad a shielded bulb as alluded to earlier.
Besides, you're a lot more noticeable with an HID in the bike. The light output is ridiculous compared to stock!
Besides, you're a lot more noticeable with an HID in the bike. The light output is ridiculous compared to stock!
yep, that'd be the ones with projectors. i agree with jasonh on this that if you're going to do it you should do it right and get projectors for your hid's. that's what they were designed for. will they work without the projector? yes. will they work better with the projector? yes. i have projectors for my fz6 and the light output is unreal.
Although I don't have one yet.
It is my impression that Some HID kits with shields are retrofit for stock base/housings.
this is what i got for my fz6.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/PROJ...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
you will still need to get a ballast for each light. ballasts do not come with this kit.
because the fz6 uses an h4 and an h7 many of us would pair up on the fz6 forum. one guy would buy both kits, split them up and mail the "fz6 kit" to the other party. i'm not sure how well these would fit in the standard light bowl for a cx500 but i think they would. you basically need someone to be a guinea pig and order a set. if it works, offer the other up for sale. i won't be to that point in my project for a least a year. if no one does it by that point i had planned on giving it a go.
here is a thread of someone doing it on a naked fz6 for an idea of what might be involved in the cx500.
http://www.fz6-forum.com/forum/fz6-mods/18162-hid-projector-my-fz6n-complete.html
my fz6 has a fairing so i tucked everything in it.
hope that helps.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/PROJ...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
you will still need to get a ballast for each light. ballasts do not come with this kit.
because the fz6 uses an h4 and an h7 many of us would pair up on the fz6 forum. one guy would buy both kits, split them up and mail the "fz6 kit" to the other party. i'm not sure how well these would fit in the standard light bowl for a cx500 but i think they would. you basically need someone to be a guinea pig and order a set. if it works, offer the other up for sale. i won't be to that point in my project for a least a year. if no one does it by that point i had planned on giving it a go.
here is a thread of someone doing it on a naked fz6 for an idea of what might be involved in the cx500.
http://www.fz6-forum.com/forum/fz6-mods/18162-hid-projector-my-fz6n-complete.html
my fz6 has a fairing so i tucked everything in it.
hope that helps.
If I had the money I would probably try this kit:
http://www.theretrofitsource.com/product_info.php?products_id=227
The projector is only 5.35" deep. I think that's deeper than the stock light, but I'm sure there is some MC light out there that would work. Or just make a custom fiberglass housing for the projector....
I've also been toying with the idea of LED headlights. That would require some trial and error though (and $$$)
http://www.theretrofitsource.com/product_info.php?products_id=227
The projector is only 5.35" deep. I think that's deeper than the stock light, but I'm sure there is some MC light out there that would work. Or just make a custom fiberglass housing for the projector....
I've also been toying with the idea of LED headlights. That would require some trial and error though (and $$$)
Well guys,If I had the money I would probably try this kit:
http://www.theretrofitsource.com/product_info.php?products_id=227
The projector is only 5.35" deep. I think that's deeper than the stock light, but I'm sure there is some MC light out there that would work. Or just make a custom fiberglass housing for the projector....
I've also been toying with the idea of LED headlights. That would require some trial and error though (and $$$)
The kit came in today. I spent an hour or so installing it. The kit in question has a motorized bulb that moves for the hi/low beam. I must say, it is extremely bright. Plus, my silverstar was 80/100 Watts. This is way brighter at 35/35 watts. I'm going to say it is a good investment.
The reflector gives a decent light pattern, with a pretty good cutoff. I am going to have to wait for a drive by to see how the glare is!
-Brendan
1 - 20 of 27 Posts
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