VVME Xenons

Kevin8 · 08-05-2009, 05:38 AM

Finally broke down and ordered up a H1 kit for the low beam. Chose VVME for price (under $75 shipped for a kit of 2 lights/ballasts). Went with the 4300k/55w version. I can say that their shipping is amazing...ordered on Friday, DHL attempted delivery on Monday @ noon (won't leave w/out signature - so they re-delivered on Tuesday). That's from Beijing to West Chester, PA in a few days.

I was a little taken aback at the size of the ballast for the 55w lights, it certainly limited where I could mount it, but I had read that the 55w version puts out more lumens than the 24w. Install was very straightforward. I had to file the bulb opening on the back of the light housing to get the bulb in and seated. That was just trial and error. I did it lying on my back so the filings wouldn't fall into the light housing! Finally, after examining my choices for locating the ballast, I chose to zip tie it to the underside of the aluminum sub-frame that lights/mirrors- pretty much just under where the factory has zip-tied all the wiring for the bike. This is also just behind the oil cooler - I tried to leave enough space for good airflow, but could only provide about an inch. Hopefully, the ballast will be cool enough there - I understand that can be a concern.

So, I test drove it last night, and the light is wonderful. Just like many others, I wish I had done this sooner! I'm not sure if I'd go back in and do the high beam, as I'd probably have to go with a slimmer (24w) set up. We'll see.

Mostly, I want to report to my fellow pelicans that VVME provides what appears to be a very well put together kit with solid components. I don't think many here have tried them, but on the GS forums, VVME seems to have a good reputation.

Best of all, I have 2nd light/kit to sell! So my cost should really run to just about $40 dollars or so.

AndrewA · 08-05-2009, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin8

I did it lying on my back so the filings wouldn't fall into the light housing!

Slacker.

Kevin8 · 08-05-2009, 08:17 PM

AndrewA, my brother,....I am nothing, if I am not a slacker. I wear the mantle with pride!

KnowMan · 08-07-2009, 08:58 AM

Kevinate --

Thanks for the post on the Xenons.

Question 1 : This mod / install was done on an R11S ?

Question 2 : Is it true that your town has a petition underway for a name change ?

I'll be sure to let you know when I head down to see my cousin in West Chester, so you can slap me.

Cheers.

-- JASAFMA (Just Another Smart-Ass from MA)

Kevin8 · 08-07-2009, 10:17 AM

Knowman,

Yes, I did the install on my 2002 R1100s.

If you hadn't noticed....we spell Cheyney with a 'y' in the middle to differentiate our fair hamlet from any untoward association with individuals with whom you'd least like to take wingshooting. Unless, or course, you like to be peppered about the face and neck with birdshot.

Kevin8 · 08-07-2009, 10:28 AM

I described the 55w Xenon conversion kit that I chose to install as having more lumens than a 24w kit. The 'standard' conversion kit is 35w, not 24w. My mistake. Here is a link comparing the spec's of various kits offered from VVME:

http://www.vvme.com/page.html?chapter=1&id=33

I hope this is helpful to those who have not made the xenon upgrade.

2wheelmike · 08-07-2009, 11:56 AM

Did you consider the digital ballast version? It's somewhat smaller, but not a lot. It does mention some warning needed on CanBus systems. I don't know what that means. Can you post pics? I admit, I'm confused about these light alternatives and which is the best setup to get, even though the stock headlight is definitely on the weak side.

Kevin8 · 08-07-2009, 01:44 PM

2wheelmike,

I considered all three setups; standard, slim, and 55w. I did some reading on other forums and also compared the lumens output by each system. Ultimately, it came down to the fact that if I was going to do the job, I was going to do it so that I got the brightest, most powerful light for my effort. No matter the size of the 'ballast' unit, whether it's slightly smaller than a pack of cards, or slightly bigger than a pack of cards - and the 55w unit is definitely bigger - I was still going to have to attach a ballast somewhere. I would have had one or two more placement options if the ballast had been slimmer (like directly under the light housing, but on top of the sub-frame that supports it). In the end, I hung it UNDER that very same sub-frame and now that everything is put together and ziptied into place, there is no difference to me. I think I chose the right option.

Again, I was also highly motivated by price. I think there are lot's of alternatives that have been discussed here: CQ Lights & Xenon Factory being two of the more popular....but I was very interested in the 'what's the worst I could lose' factor of an under $75 alternative. I'm very impressed with what I got. I thought that was newsworthy!

As for pix....everthing is buttoned up, I'm not sure I can get good photos of where the ballast is, but I'll try and post later.

Kevin8 · 08-07-2009, 02:43 PM

You can see the grommet with the red & black wires...coming through the rubber cover...You must poke a hole in the rubber cover and the grommet gets inserted to provide a waterproof orifice for the wiring to run through. The Ballast can be seen to the lower left.

Here you see the ballast looking up from under the front of the fairing. The dark border at the top is the oil cooler.

Looking down from the handlebars, you can see the ballast suspended by the zipties.

Hope this helps picture it all.

frozensun · 08-07-2009, 03:00 PM

thanks for the pix and heads-up
my order is placed

2wheelmike · 08-07-2009, 04:48 PM

Frozensun, Are you ordering for R12S or R11S?

Thanks to Kevin8 for the post and pics-

Kevin8 · 08-07-2009, 06:02 PM

the other set-up in my kit...$30 bucks plus shipping. Less than having to order and sell 1/2 of your own kit.

55w/4300k VVME HID Xenon Kit (the brightest). Includes bulb, ballast/ignitor...directions, bracket, and hardware. ( you will have to buy 5/6 large zipties ).

Plus, my online assistance - as needed.

Kevin8 · 08-07-2009, 06:11 PM

That's for the H1 low beam bulb - conversion on a R1100s....

pocomike · 08-08-2009, 02:19 PM

I have ordered two kits from vme and I am very happy with them. I have the H4 with the servo flip up for high beem, I use that bike every day for work and couldnt be happier with it, plug and play and quick warm up, have been using it for 4 months now and couldnt be happier. I also have the h1 kit with digital ballast 35w slim version and that ballast is very small, plug and play and I didnt have to file anything down to get the bulb to fit, once again happy with the purchase.

Rixster · 08-08-2009, 03:32 PM

VVME also sells tattoo equipment?
Diverse

http://www.vvme.com/tattoo-equipment-c-17.html