Xexon (HID) light for your ride? under $100??

[03K12RS]

Just passing along to let you know there is an option to light up the roadway for a good price, under $100 (motorcycle kit) and replacement bulbs are $40. You can read up on it from a BMW sitehttp://www.k-bikes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7985&page=1&pp=10, but the product is not BMW specific. The company is CQLight.CA and can be found here http://www.cqlight.ca/product_info.php?cPath=32_45&products_id=69 and shipping is free!

[BubbaDenkins]

Thanks for the link.  I do a lot of commuting in the dark and have thought about getting this type of upgrade.  This is the right price and looks like something that I could handle even.

[HipGnosis]

Umm..  I kinda...  sorta.. think this should be moved to the Mods forum, no?

[xsPain]

Umm..  I kinda...  sorta.. think this should be moved to the Mods forum, no?

No. We don't want those other regions cutting in on our action. They can get their own deals.  

[mygala]

I'm not sure the advantages outweigh the disadvantages for HID lights on a bike.

Admittedly, you get more light from less energy. Thats a good thing when you are adding GPS, MP3, heated gear, etc.

But, because they are a "bluer" light, it would seem that they would reflect more light back at you in foggy, misty conditions. ...just when you need them the most.

Under most conditions, the standard issue bulbs would do just as well, if not better. Personally, I think the money would be better spent adding a good pair of Hella fog lights to your ride. You're getting additional lights for daytime conspicuity, and a wider view at night (to avoid deer and such). JMO

bob

[03K12RS]

If it's too foggy, then by doggie don't ride in it. Let's face it, they are brighter than stock lights and if you have decent reflector behind bulb then projected light will go where it's aimed.  

Most riding is done during the daytime in good weather and for some riding in good weather and at night. More often than not we will try to not ride in rain and crappy weather because it just sucks and is not too much fun.  

In both these cases you need to see and be seen. These lights will help! 5000K for nearly pure white light. If you stare at the light you will see some blueish hue around the perimeter of the light.

[03K12RS]

Posted original message to The Tech Zone>Mods & Maintenance
  Received my HID kit today, should get it installed early next year (Jan 2007), still waiting on my steering damper.

[HankB]

I'm not sure the advantages outweigh the disadvantages for HID lights on a bike.

Bob,
This is on a BMW K1200RS. I told my dealer that I burned out my low beam and he looked at me with a straight face and asked "How could you tell?" Truth is, I do a light check before I leave and found it then. If it failed during the previous ride, I did not notice it.

The low beams on this bike are like night lights. I would like to see the results when you get this working.

-hank

[03K12RS]

Bike has HID light installed, sorry no pictures until plastic is back on and wheels back from powdercoating.  

Will post when all work is done. CP quick disconnects on, still waiting on CF Pyramid hugger for rear wheel.  

Group buy for HID light puts cost closer to $90 from www.k-bikes.com website.  
http://cqlight.ca/product_info.php?cPath=32_45&products_id=69

[03K12RS]

Sorry for the delay in posting.

I went to get pictures of upgrades to bike yesterday but batteries froze and no power to camera means no pictures yet (damhik). Guess I need to make up for that soon. Winter project for upgrade done and will post pictures this week.  

[HMan]

I installed HID quite awhile back and have been fairly happy with it except that the beam goes weird places.  Thankfully, due to the fact that the reflector is designed the way it is, there is a "hole" in the light where oncoming traffic is coming from and they get none blasted into their eyes until right at the point they pass me.  I notice a lot less "left turns" during the day which more than makes up for the wierd lighting at night.  I think if I were to find a way to recess the bulb back into the housing a bit, the light projection would be better.  I did a write up on it on my old blog way back when.  Havn't updated that thing in ages.  Life seems to have gotten in the way.  Perhaps I'll get it going again soon.

You can find the review posted here. http://hmanphotos.blogspot.com/

[03K12RS]

HMan, nice write up on the HID conversion, and pictures really do a nice job of showing brightness levels. Thanks for posting!

[HMan]

HMan, nice write up on the HID conversion, and pictures really do a nice job of showing brightness levels. Thanks for posting!

No problem.  Glad you liked.  I have this thread to thank for getting my azz in gear and start updating the site.

[03K12RS]

Long delay since I posted about install of HID Xenon light
Pictures are under similar conditions, though I was more straight on for the HID light (blue tint)
First picture is stock H7 lamp with Piaa 1100 lights, second picture is with HID Xenon 6500K light and Piaa lights.

[FJRick]

Very nice!!! Is the conversion kit that you got for 2 bulbs? It looks like your bike has 2 headlights like my FJR. Did you get the 5000K kit? I noticed when I went to the manufacturers link that you provided they had different spectrum levels and I thought that maybe the 6500K (Bright White) may be better? Thanks for posting and letting us in on this upgrade!!!

[03K12RS]

The BMW look like 2 bulbs (reflectors do a good job). Just one H7 bulb for the low lamp, I put in the 6500K which is definitely bluer in color (just wanted a little more noticeable change). Looking forward to seeing how well it works at night.

[HMan]

I thought that maybe the 6500K (Bright White) may be better?

No.  Don't do it.  6500K is more blue and has less visible light than 5000 which is a warmer color more akin to the color of sunlight.  Even at what is considered "yellow" for HID it is pure white compared to even the whitest of halogen bulbs.