Need inputs on HID

[smilygo]

Ok, by now, so many of my fellow BMW R1100S riders have installed the HID conversin kit. Any advise of which one (brand and vendor) to purchase? My new job rquires the famouse Santa Cruz mountain ride in dark. My OEM low beam is really dark there. I know HID is the answer but I hear many bad stories about cheap Chinese kit. At the same time, almost everything around us is made in China nowadays. I also heard tha some of those kits with "Philips inside" tags are fake...

[jduke]

I upgraded both low and high beams with kits from HID Xenon A Conversion Kit WWW.CQLIGHT.CA a few years ago. Not the first problem and the installation was plug and play. If you use them, be sure and order the Motorcycle kits because the ballast is smaller.

[Guest24]

There are a gazillion threads on that subject. I do a search threads on the HID issue.

[LeftCoast Peter]

Hi, one thing to watch out for is that most suppliers have the wrong info on which bulbs you need. You need H1 and H7. I ordered from the following place and I am happy with it. But I had to specify H1 H7. One of the bulbs was a tiny bit bigger than the hole and I had to dremmel the housing a touch. Seems like a quality unit and inexpensive. Look for slim units.

Motorcycle HID Lights Bulbs & Motorcycle LED Tail Lights

[signit98]

I have used a "bad Chinese" kit for 1 1/2 years now... the only thing I had to replaces is one bulb... ladi-freakin-da!

I consider that a worthwhile investment. I do have high and low beam setup as HID right now, but have to say the the High beam is a bit of a questionable setup. When you switch to it, it takes a little bit until it get to full light output and around here, by that time you likely have to switch back again, because of oncoming traffic....

Thee bulbs also have a limited amount of "starting" life... every time you start the engine (and thus kick the ballast on TWICE), you kill the bulb a little more... in light of this (no pun intended) I will actually go to a switched headlight.

Overall, though... nothing else for me!

[RBMann]

Here is a link that Bikerfish sent me, for a company that uses re-based Philips bulbs. The idea of using re-based OEM vs a cheap Chinese made one, is appealing.

[2wheelmike]

No linky

[RBMann]

Oops! I believe this is it-

KBcarstuff - Your one stop auto accessory super shop. Proudly serving the automotive industry since 2001!

[R111S]

Yes there is lots of good info to search on the pelican blog...

From my logfile:

12SEP2009 – I ordered an H1 35W 5000°K and H7 35W 5000°K Slim Balast HID Headlight Conversion Kits from HID Kits, DEPO Lights, BMW Bumpers & Lighting - DDM Tuning for $98.54 including Shipping. They arrived on 18SEP2009.

22SEP2009 – I began installing the HID Bulbs into the Headlight. The H1 and H7 Bulbs fit exactly into the holes in my Headlight...no filing or juggling needed. These HID units are "Plug-n-Play" for BMWs so the wiring is rather easy if one prefers. Alternatively, I added two 40Amp 12V Relays to my set-up since the Inrush Current during initial turn-on may approach ~50 Amps and my wiring and headlight switch are >10 years old now. The stock headlight circuits (Low/High Beam) now individually control each of the two Relays. I used 14AWG Wire direct from the Battery Posts to the Relay Contacts with a 20AMP Fuse on the +B wire close to the Battery Plus Terminal.

30SEP2009 - @60,629 Miles I finished installing the HID Headlight Conversion Kit. I mounted the Ballast and Igniter Units to the Relay Modules under the front Fairing. The results are even better than I expected…this is what should have been in place from the Factory. Now even the Low Beam is very usable at night. A subsequent ~1800 Mile trip through Missouri and Arkansas that included some night riding proved the HID lights an excellent lighting upgrade!

Positives:
1) Lower Power Consumption: ~43 Watts per Bulb/Ballast/Igniter Set.
2) Higher Lumens: 35W HID at 3200 Lumens.
3) Very conspicuous in daylight traffic: 5000°K has a slight bluish color. Other colors are available but as you get closer to purple (10000°K) you begin to lose some Lumens.
4) The H1 Low Beam horizontal cut-off is still intact so I don't blind on-coming drivers.
5) HID Bulbs last 6 to 9 times longer than Halogen Bulbs.

Negatives:
1) They don't turn on very fast: start out ~half brightness and then take ~30 seconds to reach full brightness...keep your Aux Halogen Lights if you need "instant-on" lighting.
2) Technically they are illegal if they’re not Factory OEM.

The old Sylvania Silver Star Halogen Bulbs:
1) H1ST (65W Low Beam 1410±210 Lumens) and H7ST (55W High Beam 1350±120 Lumens).
2) They have a whiter appearance (~4000°K) versus standard Halogen Bulbs (~3200°K). As a comparison, Sunlight at noon is ~4870°K.

[Paulaner]

Originally Posted by R111S

Yes there is lots of good info to search on the pelican blog...

From my logfile:

12SEP2009 – I ordered an H1 35W 5000°K and H7 35W 5000°K Slim Balast HID Headlight Conversion Kits from HID Kits, DEPO Lights, BMW Bumpers & Lighting - DDM Tuning for $98.54 including Shipping. They arrived on 18SEP2009.

Thanks for the tip, I just got mine from DDM, total with shipping came to $50.73 ??? it looks like the exact same kit, did they drop the price that much? I got one H1 and one H7, 2 ballasts and 2 controllers.... 35W, 5000K for both.

I like the relay idea, just need to get the skins off so I can wire it cleanly.
Just as a test I unplugged the low beam and plugged in the HID kit (not installed)- it works, and only took 30 secs to connect! Now for taking off the plastics..... yeah, I'll search the old threads- I seem to remember Sergio mentioning the secret screw behind the roundel, don't want to scratch everything up digging that off with a screwdriver....!

[Paulaner]

Originally Posted by smilygo

My new job rquires the famouse Santa Cruz mountain ride in dark.

Hey Smily, I live and work in the SC mountains as well- you are right about the stock lighting not being up to task! Even with the high beams on I feel like I'm outrunning the lights at about 40 in the hills. So I got my HID's today, will try to get them installed this weekend..... but I think the bigger issue is the fact that the lights don't turn with the forks. I'm looking for some nice, small, good looking lights that can mount to the calipers or forks. I know they are out there, just need to keep looking....

Hey- do you drive a yellow/black S ?? Or a red one? I see those 2 every once in a while in town (SC).

peace
Len

[asta2]

Originally Posted by Paulaner

I think the bigger issue is the fact that the lights don't turn with the forks. I'm looking for some nice, small, good looking lights that can mount to the calipers or forks. I know they are out there, just need to keep looking....

Len,

I don't own them, but intend to - check out Motolights. https://www.motolight.com/index.php?page=Home

Cheers, Asta

[Nitro]

Chinese kind for years now on all my bikes, just as good as new. God bless China I guess! It's the yellow plague again!

[AZ-J]

So which HID from DDM fits and works with an R1200S - I think I need 2 x H7, but 35 W/55 W, and what temp?

[Highlander179]

Originally Posted by Paulaner

I seem to remember Sergio mentioning the secret screw behind the roundel, don't want to scratch everything up digging that off with a screwdriver....!

Ouch! The secret is its on the backside of the roundel. No digging necessary.

[Paulaner]

Originally Posted by Highlander179

Ouch! The secret is its on the backside of the roundel. No digging necessary.

Ahhhh...... the power of the internet!

Thanks!

[Paulaner]

Originally Posted by asta2

Len,

I don't own them, but intend to - check out Motolights. https://www.motolight.com/index.php?page=Home

Cheers, Asta

Yeah, that's the right idea!....... kind of pricey, though.

Thanks Asta!

[R111S]

Originally Posted by AZ-J

So which HID from DDM fits and works with an R1200S - I think I need 2 x H7, but 35 W/55 W, and what temp?

Since I'm an R1100S owner I don't have an exact answer for you. On the other hand, doesn't your R1200S owners manual tell you what bulb type it has?

Wattage, 35W or 55W, is something you decide on your own - either may work but you must decide what you want. I decided 35W because it is fully adequate, in my opinion and experience, when you have two bulbs.

I am currently helping a friend upgrade his Kaw Concours 1000 to HID (DDM H4 Kit). He choose a 5000K 55W unit and in his case I agree since it's a single bulb system and therefore the extra lumens of a 55W bulb will help it to be more equal to a twin bulb setup like we have.

Color Temperature choice is more subjective. I choose 5000K because it has a slight blueish tint and I find this gives a conspicuousness that is an obvious plus for a Motorcyclist. Some like purple and others like white or yellow...you must decide for yourself. I have read that as you move away from white (~4500K) the lumens performance degrades.

On a side note - I have also upgraded the low beams on my '97 BMW 318ti and my '07 VW Passat with 35W, 5000k HID Kits from DDM Tuning...and yes I'm a satisfied customer.

[windy]

The Motolights are great for daytime conspicuity,and similar to fog lamps at night. I have them and use them in daylight,at night I turn on Piaa 1100 driving lights.

[AZ-J]

I have heard some of these HID add-ons may issue a CanBus Lamp warning. Are there any R1200S owners that installed the DDM lights?