| Author | Message | ||
     Hogzilla |
I did a search and couldn't find any info on this. Anyone go from the stock 35w to a 55w on the 1125r? Would this create too much load for the electrical system? I want to go to a yellow bulb (better visibility) for my low beam and a Silver Star for my high beam. Only problem is I can't find any replacements as 35w. Thanks, and sorry if this has already been covered. | ||
| Froggy |
Power wise, you should be fine, my concern would be heat output, I don't know if the reflectors can handle it. I would recommend a HID kit instead, as you can get it in say 3500K for the yellow stuff and 4300K for the nice white like the silverstar. | ||
| Ccryder |
The circuit will not handle the 55w bulbs. It will keep popping the fuse. I I have HID on low and H11 on high and that seems to work.  H8 are 35 watt, H11 are 55w. Bargin priced quality HID kits can be found here: http://www.ddmtuning.com/index.php?p=product&id=101&parent=85 1125r bulbs are H8. (Message edited by ccryder on January 03, 2010) | ||
| Smoke4ndmears |
running dual HID's from xenon rider quite happily. nice improvement over stock in light output. | ||
| Hogzilla |
Thanks for the info! Ccryder, those prices are really good. Are you running those? | ||
| Sl33py |
I got the DDM tuning 55w HID's in 3k color temp. LOVE THEM! I may eventually run them off battery, but currently off original connector for power. Once only did just one power on. Next shutdown/start both came on fine. Keeping an eye, if it happens more frequently it's simple fix to run dedicated power to ea ballast. That and reverse polarity trick needed for mine to work. Look at Puzzled's writeup - great pics on how to tackle it. GL! | ||
| Blazin_buell |
I've been running 55w silver star's for six months now with no problems. The only time I'd worry about them is when you're in stop and go traffic for long periods of time in the summer months. I haven't had any warping of the reflectors. Unfortunately I can't ride to work so I'm not usually in heavy traffic, hustling down the back roads instead. Just my experience with them so far. | ||
| Ccryder |
Hogzila: I'm not running the DDM set up. I am running a Xenon Rider set up from almost two years ago. I am fixing to order a kit from DDM for my F-150 this week. THe one rider that had fuse issues was running 55w H11 in both hi and low beams and kept blowing fuses. | ||
| Blazin_buell |
CC , I'm running them in hi and low as well. Only time I had a fuse blow was because of one bar dampening BB getting into the left control and wedging in between the switch. | ||
| Hogzilla |
I'm thinking of getting the 35w 3000k HID for the low beam and 55w 6000k HID for the high. Then do LEDs for the markers. Any thoughts on it being a good or bad idea? My thinking is, since the low beams will be on all the time, the 55w may be a little hot for regular use. And having the 55w for the rare occasion I need hi beams will be ok for the small space. I saw Puzzled's post. Looks easy enough. May be a challenge to find space for the 4 ballasts though. If I do the whole thing, I'll post pics on how it works. | ||
| Ccryder |
Any HID has some warm up time. The ballasts and igniters also don't like being turned on and off a lot, especially for short periods. That is why I am not in favor of running HIDs in hi beam on a four headlight system. Personally I run H11 55w PIAA bulbs in the hi beam. That is my preference. That may change if the type II ballasts ever come to after market. They are supposed to have very minimal warm up and tolerate on/ off cycles much better than the current ballasts/ igniters. Later Neil S. | ||
| Marinus |
I love HIDs as much as the next guy -- maybe more* -- but I'm having trouble refuting this guy's arguments against putting HID capsules in headlights designed for halogen bulbs: http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/Hid/ conversions/conversions.html Does anyone have a response to his points about performance? In my book, performance includes "sharpness & focus & efficiency" -- the quality of the light -- it's not just about quantity (there's no doubt that HIDs pump out more light). * My HID love: I've had factory xenon low beams+halogen highs, factory bi-xenons, and aftermarket HID driving lights. So much light for so little energy... what's not to like? | ||
| Hogzilla |
Neil, that's good food for thought. I agree with the logic. | ||
| Froggy |
Without clicking the link, I can say for sure the guys points are valid. HID in a non-HID optimized housing will not give the same benefits of HID in a HID housing. It doesn't matter, the HID's put out so much more light that it makes up for it, and dwarfs the halogen output. | ||
| Family_buells |
+1 on the questionable benefits of putting in an HID kit. I worked for an OEM automotive lighting manufacturer for over 5 years. There is a heck of a lot of development work that goes into matching a reflector with a particular bulb. There's no way these guys doing aftermarket kits can do the photometric testing that it takes to certify that these HID kits are meet federal motor vehicle safety standards. The same goes for aftermarket turnsignals and brakelights, except that it could be worse if you get rear-ended by someone who has a really sharp lawyer. If they figure out that you are running tail lights that aren't DOT approved for your bike, you could wind up getting nada. | ||
| Ccryder |
Marinus: Look at the dates on the tests (2002) a lot has changed in regards to the after-market kits. I've had HIDs since 99' and the focus of the capsules has changed dramaticly. The SEMA organization asked DOT why the "Big 3" could take standard headlights and add HID kits and that was "legal" but, the after-market companies could not do it legaly? DOT responded that 1) It was a liability issue. 2) The connector was not approved by DOT (even though it was the same HV connectors the OEM's used). Feds at their best. Daniel S. does have some valid points even though most are dated. I am not expert but I do know the results of a good HID conversion and a bad one. I see both everyday, especially the ones on jacked up P/U trucks with a load glaring out with all those ill aimed lumens blinding all on coming traffic. Off my soapbox and back to work. | ||
| Hogzilla |
As far as headlights go, I agree that it's probably not a "proper" usage and optimized to the 1125r reflectors. However, I also know I have to use every trick available to get noticed. I'm willing to take the chances and bend legality to do that. As for the tail light, the 2010s have the clear LED. I'm on the fence if that will stay on or not. I'm not convinced it will be bright enough to get attention. | ||
| Marinus |
Hogz: yep, agree, I've been left-turned, and I take steps to keep that from happening again. There's no substitute for being seen, and front-end lighting is a dang good way to be seen. cc: I couldn't find a reference to the DOT-SEMA tussle -- I did find SEMA references that point to the NHTSA as the agency with enforcement responsibility for motor vehicle lighting standards. SEMA's Legislative Update from 2009 says they're waiting for two "letters of interpretation governing aftermarket lighting equipment" from NHTSA. But that's all legal stuff -- not performance stuff. I'm not taking a side on the lawful/unlawful part of the decision to install HID capsules in halogen lights. I just know, like cc, that poor-performing lights in oncoming (or following) vehicles are 1) annoying and 2) dangerous. So I don't want to be that guy. So... I'm still trying to decide if D. Stern's arguments can be ignored because they employ flawed reasoning or untrue assumptions. If his arguments are valid, there's a price that goes with all those lumens -- Stern describes an effect of poorly controlled lights that's harmful to the driver that's runnin' em. And he's aware (see the postscript) that HID stuff is improving -- but he stands by his analysis. Until the emission characteristics of the HID arc duplicate those of a halogen filament, they're not a "pure win" upgrade. If he's right. | ||
| Hogzilla |
Marinus, yeah, that is a HUGE motivation for me. A very good friend had that happen last year and I have the image of her in the hospital, quite cut up, burned in my memory. Don't want to end up like that. I don't want to end up being that guy either. I do try to be one of the good guys. I had a headlight modulator for a while when I had an Ultra. It pissed off a LOT of people. Had one guy pull up and ask if something was wrong with my light. The good thing though, he did notice. Many would flash their lights, scowl, etc. I don't do a lot of night riding so HID is more for day use for me. And they help in a huge way when it's gray out or getting dark, when using a 3000k HID. The yellow gives far less feedback then a bright white in rain or foggy weather. | ||
| Ccryder |
The DOT SEMA issue was not on Daniel S. site. I'll try and find that bookmark, although I think it's on my work computer. It won't be as good as a reflector designed for HID lighting. That said, they are heads and shoulders over a conventional system. All of my motorcycles will be lit with HID. If the light producing element is in the correct location for the reflector, you will have minimal glare to on coming traffic if you have them aimed properly. That has been my experience with the seven HID systems that I have installed over the past 10 years and 250,000+ s'miles. BTW: even BMW swaps out HID capsules on their bikes as an upgrade and meets "E" requirements (or so my BMW inside source has informed me.) I've always added extra lights on the rear of my M/Cs. High output LEDs with a Kisan Tailblazar is the way I go. They get your attention day or night and never lull the driver behind into confusion about your intentions (like some constant flashing brake light systems). Hey, I've even had a Goldwing rider pull me over and tell me my brake lights were obnoxious! His next comment was "Where can I get that for my bike???" Later Neil S. | ||
| Hogzilla |
Neil, I am definitely on board the more is better philosophy with light on a bike. When I had my Ultra I had every LED add on I could find on the thing. I'll probably get the Trailblazer for the 1125r. Every little bit helps. | ||
| Ccryder |
This is what I was talking about for a stop light modulator: https://www.kisantech.com/index.php?cat_id=3 .  (This picture does not do the effect justice. With an LED light, it almost has a strobe effect and THAT grabs your attention! | ||
| Kc10_fe |
With an LED is it just a module that you install? Is it plug and go or do you have to run wires? | ||
| Marinus |
That Kisan stuff is pretty cool. Which of their models would you suggest for an R? | ||
| Marinus |
Hey Froggy, I'm not worried about getting sub-maximal benefit of HID -- there's plenty of light output, a bit of waste isn't a problem. I'm worried about incurring the costs of a mismatched light source / headlamp design. These costs would be paid by both me and other drivers. Even if I'm willing to pay my costs, do I have the right to charge others? They don't benefit at all. My freedom to swing my filaments ends somewhere near your retinas... or something like that. This concern is what makes the truth or falsehood of the Stern analysis important. | ||
| Ccryder |
I've always used the 100HD. It is a wire in module. You need to ID the brake light wire and a ground. On the 1125r/cr it's fairly easy by unbolting the tail light assy. If that is too complicated, they have a plug in bulb that has the circuit built into the base. The 20W-D is a Halogen bulb in a dual contact base that works as a running light and a brake light. Marinus, your thoughts are nobel but you need to look out for yourself because we all know that the general public does not. The general public is not concerned about the "costs" to anyone but themselves, sad but true. I can't/ won't argue point for point with Daniel S.. I do know from a wealth of knowledge and real experience that HIDs do increase my ability to see and be seen. That is my bottom line and that's what keeps me safer than the average rider. Time2Work Neil S. | ||
| Zac4mac |
The filament orientation of the H8 is not that different from the arc in the HIDs. Mine focus fine, pattern is little/no different than the H8s but a LOT brighter. I have not had one left-turn-in-front or pull-out-too-close since I went to HIDs. Win-win-win IMO Z | ||
| Jeepinbueller |
I've got some pretty good experience in this area, and have formed my own conclusions about it: After doing a plug-n-play HID swap into my Wrangler with Cibié headlamps (E-code H4 7" round) about two years ago, you definitely KNOW that they're not exactly made to go together. I've since done swaps into my brother's Scion Tc and my GF's Xterra. Sure, the light output is amazing (35W 4300K), but it sure does throw out a bunch of glare. So what did I do? Went American on it: I welded a small piece of aluminum cut from an empty soda to the light shroud (it's a Bi-Xenon H4) can to control where the cutoff is. Simple as that. Now, it the cutoff wasn't as perfect as the stock incandescent setup, but it was pretty darn close and never EVER got flashed by oncoming traffic. On a motorcycle, it's a different story for me: Being a novice rider (about 4,000 miles now), I can say that I want all the attention I can get (the GOOD attention, not hooliganism) to avoid getting left turned, cutoff, etc. With plug-n-play HID kits kits getting better every month or so, they're getting the light source closer to where a stock incandescent bulb's would be. A little bit of glare that our bikes would output is really just a bother ... I'v never heard of a car accident occurring b/c of an HID kit. Sure it's inconvenient and annoying, especially if it's on a flippin' Civic running a 12,000K kit for crying out loud ... but a kit on a bike just doesn't seem as "immoral" as some people think. I mean, I've got into "conversations" with people taking flak likes it's the 8th deadly sin (or 9th ... some argue Sloth is actually two). I'm just saying, on a bike, it's not a big deal. We ride and if you notice us, perfect. On a cage, make sure they're aimed correctly and take corrective measures if the light output is not up to par ... it's your responsibility. ... the projector headlamps on my '03 Firebolt was awfully nice for the HID swap!! Not really enough room on the CR for a projector retrofit ... but it's an idea to get the Firebolt projectors and retro them in. | ||
| Hogzilla |
Cc, thanks for the part number. Will get the inline module. May wait till the yearly motorcycle show to see if there is anyone selling them cheap. I fully agree with the sentiment. It's not hard to see where others priorities are. Cell phone, eating, drinking, painting nails... They certainly aren't on me. As much as I'd like to be the nice guy, you gotta look out for yourself in a world that isn't looking out for you. Some may not like it, but at least they noticed. | ||
| Ccryder |
Kisan has reduced their pricing. They also used to offer a 10 or 15% discount if you were an AMA, HOG or other such member. |
