HID headlight in K75?

[Gubro30]

Hi, anyone here running those?

I've always had them on my cars and am always disappointed by any other type of headlights no matter the bulb, plus they draw considerably less current (35w) than a reg. 60/55w bulb.

Anything I should know before I order a kit?

Thanks!

[Scott_]

I've heard that sometimes the plastic reflector area that the bulb mounts into can become deformed from the heat. The front glass is not a problem though.

[frankenduck]

It's illegal to do because regular headlight reflectors are not designed for HID which can cause light to be scattered into the eyes of oncoming drivers.

There's an Osram H4 that works well. I don't know the part number offhand but can post it when I get home.

[racinrich]

I run one in my klr 650.just pointed headlite way low on pavement .10k miles and no one flashes me and no mention from police when pulled over to chat about my speedo calibration or lack there of!!! :laugh :laugh :laugh

[Gubro30]

Racinrich: Where did you get your kit? Any problem whatsoever? Did you install a relay? Thanks!

[Motorandy123]

I tried all kinds of aux lighting on my other bike and ended up with HID. In my experience
it puts the light in the same place just puts more of it. The 35watt is equivalent to 90 watt
even better is the 50 watt (=150watt). Just be sure to get a 4300k color unit. Then it will
be similar to the stock color (for inconspicity and less harshness). It looks intense but doesn't
get as hot at the stock halogen (250C!). It does draw 9 -10 amps on start up so you might
want to add a headlight relay. Make sure you get the BiXenon which moves a shutter for
low/high beam. I like the VVME kits. They can be found here;

http://www.vvme.com/automotive/hid-headlights/bi-xenon-dual-beam-xenon

This is a kit for a car. You can do 2 bikes ($25 each) but need to make a harness for the second bike (and possibly the first for best fit)

Scatter can be a problem though some stock setups have it too. Ever drive in front of a Ford truck at night? The curve of the headlight
lens sends light upwards. DOT doesn't care where you send the light just how much wattage you use. The hella vision plus lenses focus
the light in usable areas. I put a 7" headlight shell from Emgo on my brick and will add the Hella lens and a HID later.

[wmax351]

You could get an HID assembly. Rather than using an incorrect reflector, you could use a correct one for HID.

[racinrich]

got it on ebay.$28.00 hong kong no issues fast ship spoke english in response,many rain storms nicely packaged guaranteed waterproof ,no special wiring, 2 wire from old bulb 1 for hi 1for lo,1 battery 12v,1 battery ground.The hardest part is mounting,no screws included.comes on with key ,goes out with key off.lamp does not feel any hotter than old bulb.I have it pointed down but the road is lit perfectly full width of lane.I did it because many people turned left in front of me thinking I was further away.clearly this is not an issue now .I drive in the city and suburbs,if it was blinding people I am sure I would be pulled over.I heard of one kid pulled over cop said lite was wrong and the kid said you saw me right ?let him go and told him to adjust lite down.this bulb has 2 filaments,I got the 4600k but when I do the k I will use 4300k.
35W HID Motorcycle Kit H4 Bi-xenon Hi/Lo Slim Ballast 4300K  tmh auto,I think h4 is what the k1100 uses right?

[Motorandy123]

People talk about special focus on HID but light is light it will land in the same spot
as the Halogen bulbs light. The big problem is blinding people as you go up and down
hills. The high end units that come from the factory tilt the bulb up and down as you
negotiate hills to avoid blinding people. The aftermarket ones don't do this.

  I always wondered why a bike's light wasn't on a gimbal as leaned over all you light
is thrown off the road or into the road and you cannot see very well. The new Goldwing
has turning head lights as a start. The DOT won't help us have great lighting from the
factory so we have to do it ourselves. If they really are about safety adopt some of the
euro standards for lighting.

[frankenduck]

Google "HID ticket warning"  Many states have their troopers on the lookout for illegal HID headlight conversions.  I know California and Texas do.  Since I ride a lot in CA I personally wouldn't do it.

One of the better 55/60 H4s is the Osram 64193. MY K1 had one installed when I bought it and it was noticeably better than stock at night.  That's one of the better ways to upgrade without having to add relays or install/mount an HID ballast.

[wmax351]

Google "HID ticket warning"  Many states have their troopers on the lookout for illegal HID headlight conversions.  I know California and Texas do.  Since I ride a lot in CA I personally wouldn't do it.

One of the better 55/60 H4s is the Osram 64193. MY K1 had one installed when I bought and it was noticeably better than stock at night.  That's one of the better ways to upgrade without having to add relays or install/mount an HID ballast.

Wish they'd do a better job. Too many goddamn HID lights, aimed really high.


I liked my 120/130 w H4. That thing was great. Burnt out part of the bulb running both low and high beams at the same time for extra light.  :dunno

[Motorandy123]

I've tried the PAIA's but they don't like the vibs on a bike, mine only lasted
2000 miles! Over wattage bulbs are illegal too!

[mystic red]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/380166370604?_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649&item=380166370604&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWAX:IT&vxp=mtr

These work for me. I gotta post up some pics with these and then with the acid orange catz. Just to lazy @ 3:am and I'm beddy bye before dark.

[Inge K.]

That's one of the better ways to upgrade without having to add relays or install/mount an HID ballast.

It will not be a bad idea to install relays anyway, have seen too many burnt dimmer switches during the years............also on bikes which have been running with standard bulbs.

Inge K.

[frankenduck]

Yup. Plus you get more volts to the headlight with beefier wiring - which equals more light.

[Duc750]

I was dropping from 12.8 at the battery to 10.9 at the headlight plug before fitting relays!

[lunchbox]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/380166370604?_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649&item=380166370604&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWAX:IT&vxp=mtr

These work for me. I gotta post up some pics with these and then with the acid orange catz. Just to lazy @ 3:am and I'm beddy bye before dark.

This is the same combo I use, the one Frankenduck noticed when I was in his neighborhood. I really like the quality of light the headlight puts out, especially in the grey gloomy weather of Seattle.

Last week a statie flagged me over to the shoulder as I was headed down the HOV on-ramp on I-405. He admonished me for my non-white headlight, as he put it, "Your headlight is clearly yellow. State DOT says headlights are required to be white." :nono

I feigned ignorance and said the package stated it was DOT compliant, my apologies, sir, I will put in one of my spares as soon as I get home, sir. He asked for my license, wrote down the details and my plate number sending me on my way saying get it changed out. Thankfully no comment on the non compliant XLO's blazing orange like a glass of electrified TANG.(I did turn off the ignition and coasted to a stop behind his car as soon as he stepped out of his car to flag me over. He was sitting on the shoulder of the on-ramp poaching off the HOV violators during the commute.)

I suspect if I'm in his baliwick again he'll pull me over and give me a ticket. Although it will probably get switched out seeing how I try to keep a clean driving record. Easier to ask for forgiveness on the rare speeding indiscretion. cool shades

 

[Motorandy123]

A lot of the headlight bulbs are rated for 12V now. They use to be 14V as that's what
the alternator puts out. My Honda CRV only liked the stock German bulbs. The Silverstar's
would only last a year or so. I suspect it was because of the voltage. I think the Paia's are
lower voltage too (and they are expensive). It is a way of controlling the lifespan and selling
more bulbs. So maybe the voltage drop is a good thing? I remember adding a big diode to
something in the past to drop the voltage 0.5V...

[frankenduck]

I run high watt cheapo Fleabay "xenon" bulbs. The one in my RS lasted about 25k.  The one in my LT has lasted 30k and is still kicking.

The 50A alternator maxes out at about 14.2V. The 32A is similar I believe.

[mystic red]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/380166370604?_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649&item=380166370604&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWAX:IT&vxp=mtr

These work for me. I gotta post up some pics with these and then with the acid orange catz. Just to lazy @ 3:am and I'm beddy bye before dark.

This is the same combo I use, the one Frankenduck noticed when I was in his neighborhood. I really like the quality of light the headlight puts out, especially in the grey gloomy weather of Seattle.

Last week a statie flagged me over to the shoulder as I was headed down the HOV on-ramp on I-405. He admonished me for my non-white headlight, as he put it, "Your headlight is clearly yellow. State DOT says headlights are required to be white." :nono

I feigned ignorance and said the package stated it was DOT compliant, my apologies, sir, I will put in one of my spares as soon as I get home, sir. He asked for my license, wrote down the details and my plate number sending me on my way saying get it changed out. Thankfully no comment on the non compliant XLO's blazing orange like a glass of electrified TANG.(I did turn off the ignition and coasted to a stop behind his car as soon as he stepped out of his car to flag me over. He was sitting on the shoulder of the on-ramp poaching off the HOV violators during the commute.)

I suspect if I'm in his baliwick again he'll pull me over and give me a ticket. Although it will probably get switched out seeing how I try to keep a clean driving record. Easier to ask for forgiveness on the rare speeding indiscretion. cool shades

I'd call his boss. He's gotta have something better to do. I did that with an over exuberant LEO who thought my fog lights should be classified as head lights giving me one too many in Idaho. :nono

[frankenduck]

I feigned ignorance and said the package stated it was DOT compliant,

Just an FYI but the white headlight requirement is a federal standard - therefore a non-white headlight is not DOT compliant.

And stay out of my neighborhood!  :neener:

[argent brick]

Mystic,

Did calling the LEO's  boss do any good?

[wmax351]

Yellow is specifically allowed in California, and ONLY for motorcycles.

[Motorandy123]

They use yellow in Europe but I didn't think it was allowed here. Interesting it is for motorcycles in Cali.
I wonder why? Conspicularity? It is supposed to help you see better in low light conditions but I never liked
it myself, too alien.

[frankenduck]

It's not specifically allowed in CA, it's just not specifically disallowed.  (Splitting hairs, I know, but what the CA vehicle code actually says.) And the CA vehicle code is somewhat contradictory as it specifies that federally DOT non-compliant vehicles cannot be sold in the state.