HID lights

Whilst changing the pads on my bike in the garage, I got thinking 'I need a brighter headlight bulb'.

On the net there's various companies supplying HID kits. They look simple enough to fit, and seem to be quite a bit brighter. BUT.... there's some issues over legality according to some people. I phoned my local MOT place and they said that they didn't know

 

Skortchio knows a bit about this I think.

 

i think a search might reveal some dialogue regarding HID's

\edit

here you go

http://www.southeastcountiesbikers.co.uk/forum/threads/1135/#post-18348

 

Oops.. I seem to always forget the search function

I ordered a kit on Thursday, and it turned up this morning. '30 minutes to fit' it said in the instructions - took me about an hour and a half. Lots of options on the bulbs, but I went for a 6000K one as less likely to be pulled over by Mr Plod. Very white with a hint of blue, and VERY bright!!! Checked the headlamp alignment afterwards, and that was OK; as its a projector light, I shouldn't have any problems with glare or blinding cage drivers.




Looking forward to getting out on the bike at night to see the difference it should make.

Not going to HID the main beam; I think this should do the biz in the dark.

 

How much for the kit please? Not that I use mine enough at night to justify but if it's cheap enough...

 

Looks good dude!
You'll not be using your high beam any more that's for sure. Or if you do you'll not notice
Just be sure if you do switch the high beam to that you remember to warm it up each time you go out ask Josh about the perils of forgetting!

 

Thanks Scortchio I will bear that in mind. I don't fancy frying the wiring...


Les, I got it from a company in Wimbledon called Hawk Car Alarms; they sell on eBay. Cost me £34. There are cheaper ones on eBay, but this guy offers a 2 year warranty so I paid a bit more for the peace of mind.

 

Pleasant surprise as I assumed that they would be dearer. Mmmm

 

Got one on my CB1000R and it's the nuts! Mates reckon they're being followed by a lighthouse when I'm behind them!

 

Got a link mate, fancy some of that?

 

Found it, H7 fitment £28.99;
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Xenon-HID...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item53ead52b0b

H4 fitment £36.99;
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Xenon-HID...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item4cfd036efd

 

Nice one Barry.

 

Alan, you'll want to extend the cables to get the unit under the seat rather than under the tank. You can extend the low tension side of it yourself but the high tension side needs specific silicon-type cables. I have a spare set if you need them...

 

I might take you up on that thanks mate.

 

Got my ballast box and starter tucked in a cavity down the L/H side of the fairing. Tried taking a pic of where they are so everyone can see but all I can see is the top of the starter box and a red connector.

 

This is the problem with mounting kit like this onto naked bikes; where do you hide the bloody stuff!

 

Was gonna ask that Reese. How big is the ballast and where did you mount it? Does the lamp get hot in the housing? Mine is plastic?

 

Plastic should be fine dude, my truck lights are plastic and have no problems with HID's in them.

 

If you get a kit with slimline ballasts, they're as big as an old audio cassette case; maybe a little bit smaller.

 

As mentioned above, the ballast is the size of an old style cassette tape. I mounted mine under the seat after extending the cables. On the CB1000R there's a fair amount of space under there; should be OK with your 'Blade Alan.