HID headlights (Again....Sorry!)

[ScottyUK]

What year bike and I'll tell you which colours are which from the Haynes manual?

 

[andyBeaker]

I fitted dip HID only to my last Bird and it was ace. new Bird has both high and dip HIDS - absolutiely awesome!!

I take the point about main not lighting immediately but in practice I haven't found this a problem. Also, if you fire the main up as soon as the motor is started, if does come on straight away next time used.

I 100% recommend going down the 'both' route if you do any night riding at all.

 

[Wolfie]

I fitted dip HID only to my last Bird and it was ace. new Bird has both high and dip HIDS - absolutiely awesome!!

I take the point about main not lighting immediately but in practice I haven't found this a problem. Also, if you fire the main up as soon as the motor is started, if does come on straight away next time used.

I 100% recommend going down the 'both' route if you do any night riding at all.

agree, fit both for all time daylight, but do take the time afterwards to adjust the aim of the headlight.

 

[The Rogue Nobleman]

HID - main or dip beam?

Has to be dip beam. The ballast takes time to reach full luminosity, so you can't instantly switch between beams without losing light - and you really don't want that.

I've got a HID on the dip beam and an uprated main beam bulb (which I very rarely need now).

Just checked with my MOT tester (bike's booked in for next week) and he's not fussed about the legality of HIDs so long as the beam pattern is within the set limits, and as there's no change to the reflector it shouldn't be a problem.

You'll not regret the change.

 

[ScottyUK]

Has to be dip beam. The ballast takes time to reach full luminosity, so you can't instantly switch between beams without losing light - and you really don't want that.

How would you lose light? The main compliments the dipped.

So if the dip beam is at a level of 100 then flipping on the main beam might start at 150 and then within a couple of seconds get up to 200 but you never drop down below the 100 level.

I guess it all comes down to how often you use main beam. I also like the fact that should a ballast or "bulb" go I've effectively got a spare with me by sacrificing the main without loseing the much improved dipped.

 

[andyBeaker]

Has to be dip beam. The ballast takes time to reach full luminosity, so you can't instantly switch between beams without losing light - and you really don't want that.

Eh? Dip stays on when main used.

:dunno:

 

[The_Ormston]

What year bike and I'll tell you which colours are which from the Haynes manual?

2004

I've now received the kit and read the instructions. I'm sure it'll make a lot more sense when I can see what they are trying to describe.

Where do people recommend hiding the ballast unit. I can see what looks like a purpose built shelf just in-between the air intakes.

Chris

 

[Mr Bean]

Thanks for the tip!

[1] Make sure you enter this code when placing your order : STRATHY

 

[ScottyUK]

2004

I've now received the kit and read the instructions. I'm sure it'll make a lot more sense when I can see what they are trying to describe.

Where do people recommend hiding the ballast unit. I can see what looks like a purpose built shelf just in-between the air intakes.

Chris

Sorry I must have missed this from a month ago. I guess you're all done?