HIDs? Anyone?

[Tremor38]

Many cars have HIDs and LEDs, the ones that come from the factory with them are ok, but many of the others that are installed by their owners always blind me.
A guy I know install HIDs on his Suzuki 650DR, he told me that the reflector on his bike wasn't designed for HIDs, he has adjusted them a few times and feels that he's still blinding other drivers on low beams at night.

Our lights are different, I'm wondering how do HIDs perform on low beams (and high beams) compared to stock.

I you're taking about dazzling on-coming drivers, I think our lights keep that under control because of the soledoid operated low beam shutter. At least that's what I gather from the few people in this forum who've done the conversion. Maybe Tabasco and a few others can comment specifically in that regard. As far as dead spots go, I hear good reviews from those with DDM, but that's really the only bulbs I remember being reviewed in this forum ::001::

 

[Mikef5000]

Many cars have HIDs and LEDs, the ones that come from the factory with them are ok, but many of the others that are installed by their owners always blind me.
A guy I know install HIDs on his Suzuki 650DR, he told me that the reflector on his bike wasn't designed for HIDs, he has adjusted them a few times and feels that he's still blinding other drivers on low beams at night.

Our lights are different, I'm wondering how do HIDs perform on low beams (and high beams) compared to stock.

Our bikes work fantastic with HID's, thanks to both the projector headlight housings and the mechanical low beam cutoff. It truly looks like they came from the factory.

Fear not.

 

[~TABASCO~]

They work very well on our bike. I've run mine now for 7-8 months with no issue. The 30-40 bucks was well worth it ! The install is pretty easy too. Grab a set and give it a go, well worth the extra light for so cheep.

 

[oif03vet]

I put my order in with DDM on Monday, looking forward to hopefully getting them sometime next week! I am a sucker for lights.

 

[Karson]

the 35w are what i'm running and think they're perfect...you going to do your marker lights with LED's, too?

 

[Karson]

Just to add to the discussion for whatever benefit it might have. Lots of folks who do HID conversions on there 4 wheeled vehicles do not have projector housings, which is why you get the blinding effect when looking at them. It's a cheap "mod" to them doing just the HID bulbs and ballasts, but gets rather $$ when you introduce HID housings (how it should be done) The light reflected back isn't focused at all in a halogen headlight housing, which is why the light scatter is dangerous to oncoming traffic...

Our bikes are setup well for HID's. Needless to say, I haven't heard of any ill-effects with the 55W setup in our bikes yet, but time will tell I suppose. I know the 55W has greater light output, but going from halogen to 35W HID's is more than impressive enough for me not to risk it...

 

[oif03vet]

the 35w are what i'm running and think they're perfect...you going to do your marker lights with LED's, too?

I too went with the 35W. I did order two of the LED bulbs but when I checked my order it only showed one
Hopefully the parts will arrive this week, early Christmas present to myself!

 

[Tallgears]

I should probably do this mod.. I didn't know they were only 40$...

How many of you have the Baja LED's Jaxon sells AND the HIDs??

 

[oif03vet]

My kit from DDM was waiting for me when I got home! Time to get out in the driveway and put them in! ::012::

 

[John D]

Cool :exclaim: I ordered mine last Thursday. Hope they come in next week. . . Its been 2 weeks since I put anything on mine. Getting withdrawals ???

 

[oif03vet]

Ok so the install went well, I mounted both ballasts (which are tiny!) behind the fairing on the right side. The wiring was simple. + on the stock wiring is blue and - is black. The parts seem well made and decent quality, well worth the price of 30 bucks.
Now for the performance...
I got the 5000k color and am wishing I had gone lower these seem too blue.
I am not new to HIDS as I had them on my 2004 GSXR 750 years ago. Back then I had McCulloch HIDS in 6000k (not as blue as the DDM 5000k) which cost me $300! At the time McCulloch was supplying HIDS to Mercedes Benz and I believe Toyota or Nissan. This was back in the early days of HID.
Upon my test drive I noticed that on low beam I had a dark spot over on the left side and the lights seemed to not go out to far, the cut off seems to low. I made sure that the bulbs were seated properly and they are.
The also done go out very far, is there a way to aim them up as I think this might help?
On high beam I have a few hot spots but thats fine, they really gleam and I am totally happy with the high beam!
Too bad I wont always be on high beam.
I don't regret spending $30 but am not convinced that there is any improvement over stock while on low beam. Also the 5000k is too blue.

 

[~TABASCO~]

You can a washer or two under the two bottom bolts to raise up the direction of the beam. Works pretty well.

 

[oif03vet]

You can a washer or two under the two bottom bolts to raise up the direction of the beam. Works pretty well.

I will try that when I get home tonight!

 

[WRW9751]

I to have noticed a dark spot on low beam, but mine is on the stock lights. Wonder if it has anything to do with the lenses? I ordered the HID's yesterday.

 

[htuter]

I am considering to go for ddm tunning 55w HID kit solution. the thing is Turkey / istanbul the drivers are really driving like mad they dont care about bikers caged drivers have same execuse when there is an accident opps I havent seen the bikes sorry to hurt you. I really dont care if they get blind.
I really appreciate if you could help me to get your idea about the following.
1-I think the 55w kit have significiantly stronger than 35 w kit. am I right?
2-Now I have 35w HID kit but i am expereincing problems. my bike runs without lights and after 2 minutes I stop and start again and I get the hıd lights working again. I think my balasts are poor and killing the battery during start up.
3- 35 w kits draw apprx 6 amp during start up and after that they consume 3 amp do you know how much 55w kit overload the battery?
4- 55W HID kits requries relay right ?
5- does 55w kits harms any cables or creates any access heating that could create problem in long run?
6- I am also considering to have a heated vest or jacket how much I have in my reserve to use some heated equipment like girps, jacket and seat?

I really appreciate if you could guide me.

br
huso

 

[Checkswrecks]

I am considering to go for ddm tunning 55w HID kit solution.
...
5- does 55w kits harms any cables or creates any access heating that could create problem in long run?
6- I am also considering to have a heated vest or jacket how much I have in my reserve to use some heated equipment like girps, jacket and seat?

The frequencies involved with some HIDs will interfere with the electrical controls of other devices. The pulse width modulation controls (PWM) can be interrupted through the charging circuit by EMI that the HID draw creates.


It' going to be very specific to the model of lights you use and the PWM for the jacket heater or other PWM controller.

 

[htuter]

The frequencies involved with some HIDs will interfere with the electrical controls of other devices. The pulse width modulation controls (PWM) can be interrupted through the charging circuit by EMI that the HID draw creates.


It' going to be very specific to the model of lights you use and the PWM for the jacket heater or other PWM controller.

do you think the relay might help to prevent the interminent problems during the start up? as far as I know the PWM' controller's are not stable when they first powered on, however when they get in nominal state operation ( after start up ) I think they do not create that much interference and the battery could handle the initial current needed that the HID balast needs

 

[Mikef5000]

1-I think the 55w kit have significiantly stronger than 35 w kit. am I right? Yes, much brighter, and less 'blue'.
2-Now I have 35w HID kit but i am expereincing problems. my bike runs without lights and after 2 minutes I stop and start again and I get the hıd lights working again. I think my balasts are poor and killing the battery during start up. Sounds like cheap Ballasts.
3- 35 w kits draw apprx 6 amp during start up and after that they consume 3 amp do you know how much 55w kit overload the battery? upon startup, we can only guess, but it's most likely around 9 amp (each). Running amps should be about 4-4.5 amp.
4- 55W HID kits requries relay right ? Highly highly recommended... but technically they work without it.
5- does 55w kits harms any cables or creates any access heating that could create problem in long run? Don't know anyone that has been using them for the long run yet, but if you run a relay, you can't hurt any existing wiring/switches. Chances are, eventually they will wash out the OEM reflector, but that could be years (or decades) down the road... no one knows yet.
6- I am also considering to have a heated vest or jacket how much I have in my reserve to use some heated equipment like girps, jacket and seat? The S10 has something like 350 watts of output... I've always assumed the bike takes about 100 of those simply to run with FI... Heated jackets are often about 70 watts... heated gloves or grips... 30 watts.... you're using about 200 watts there. The headlights are about 110watts total... now you're at 310 watts, with 40 in reserve for a seat heater or auxillary lights etc. It does entirely depend on how much the bike uses simply to run, which I just guessed on.

 

[twinrider]

I have a pair of 35W DDM just waiting for winter mod's. Think I'll order an extra set of access covers so I can drill holes in those for the wires. That way it will be easier to go back to stock for inspections... and if a ballast craps out.

Have you done the install yet? Am interested in hearing the results and what parts you ordered from DDM.

Btw, I've been through many inspections with HID and have had no issues. The inspectors don't care if it's HID or halogen as long as the high beam is aimed correctly.

 

[hojo in sc]

Have you done the install yet? Am interested in hearing the results and what parts you ordered from DDM.

Btw, I've been through many inspections with HID and have had no issues. The inspectors don't care if it's HID or halogen as long as the high beam is aimed correctly.

I put the 35 w DDM HID's in not long after I bought the bike, I now have 7,000 miles on the moto. No problems with the lights, I am very happy. This is what I was told on the color: Our 5k bulbs are white with a hint of yellow (warm white). Our 6k bulbs are white with a hint of blue (cool white). I went with the 5k as I hate blue lights on non-police vehicles.