Better headlights, or HID lights

gerrowadat

Did a commute in (mostly) dark on the Deauville the other day -- the headlight was sadly lacking. This seems to be a thing with them.

Is there a drop-in bulb replacement that's going to be any use? Or are there places that'll provide decent instructions (or fit) a HID bulb with the electronics around? I'm reasonably handy with a set of socket wrenches but I'm leary of opening up something I don't fully understand.

goodlad

You can swap the bulbs to something like an Osram night breaker which are always a great improvement over a standard bulb.

But no matter what bulb you put into a bike it is largely down to the reflectors in the headlights. If they suck then no matter what bulb you put in then its still going to suck.

Bawnmore

Deauville here too, and lights not great. Is there a recommended HID kit that anyone's used?

MrPudding

I have used this guy twice on two different bikes: http://www.hid50.com

I reckon he is probably a bit far for you to travel to for the full service, but he supplies kits for self fitting and will provide plenty of support and information. His kit is really, really good.

Get in touch with him and have a chat.

MrP

kirving

Not a biker, but just saw this on the front page.

Get the best headlight you can, as much as I can't stand being blinded by other cars, I'd much rather be blinded by a bike than not see them when I'm at a junction.

Bawnmore

MrPudding wrote: »

I have used this guy twice on two different bikes: http://www.hid50.com

I reckon he is probably a bit far for you to travel to for the full service, but he supplies kits for self fitting and will provide plenty of support and information. His kit is really, really good.

Get in touch with him and have a chat.

MrP

Looks ideal - any recommendation for a specific product from this guy?

gerrowadat

Bawnmore wrote: »

Looks ideal - any recommendation for a specific product from this guy?

Or anyone that'd supply and/or fit in General leinster area? My general preference is for local lads.

MrPudding

Bawnmore wrote: »

Looks ideal - any recommendation for a specific product from this guy?

I would just get in touch with Les and have a chat with him. He is a really good guy and knows his stuff, very helpful.

MrP

Wonda-Boy

Id say there would be a couple of lads willing to get a set of HIDs on bikes, maybe we should see about a boards group deal. I for one would happily get a set if as Brucy would say "THE PRICE IS RIGHT!"

Rosahane

MrPudding wrote: »

I would just get in touch with Les and have a chat with him. He is a really good guy and knows his stuff, very helpful.

MrP

+1

I got a HID set from Les a few years ago. I've never had a problem with it and it makes a huge difference at night!

Rosahane

gerrowadat wrote: »

Or anyone that'd supply and/or fit in General leinster area? My general preference is for local lads.

Many of the kits from Les (HID50) are made to measure for specific bikes and simple to fit!

Bawnmore

Wonda-Boy wrote: »

Id say there would be a couple of lads willing to get a set of HIDs on bikes, maybe we should see about a boards group deal. I for one would happily get a set if as Brucy would say "THE PRICE IS RIGHT!"

I'd be up for this as well.

Wonda-Boy

Where is this guy based Ireland or USA or what?

goodlad

I was thinking the same. You would think the "About us" or "Contact us" on the website would mention it......

Wonda-Boy

goodlad wrote: »

I was thinking the same. You would think the "About us" or "Contact us" on the website would mention it......

Site looks very American, but he prolly in Finglas or something lol.

Rosahane

Wonda-Boy wrote: »

Where is this guy based Ireland or USA or what?

In the UK!

gerrowadat

He quoted me prices in GBP (99 for 35w and 120 for 50w kit with ballast and all wiring and widgets for a H4 kit for the deauville).

I reckon I'm still too much of a leper to install it myself, so if there's a HID wiring up party somewhere I'm in :-)

Wonda-Boy

gerrowadat wrote: »

He quoted me prices in GBP (99 for 35w and 120 for 50w kit with ballast and all wiring and widgets for a H4 kit for the deauville).

I reckon I'm still too much of a leper to install it myself, so if there's a HID wiring up party somewhere I'm in :-)

Give Leppla off here a PM lad is a whizz with electrics.....done many a HID kit on bikes and cars and is very reasonable with prices.

Mr Sheen!

gerrowadat wrote: »

He quoted me prices in GBP (99 for 35w and 120 for 50w kit with ballast and all wiring and widgets for a H4 kit for the deauville).

I reckon I'm still too much of a leper to install it myself, so if there's a HID wiring up party somewhere I'm in :-)

I just ordered a set from these guys http://stores.ebay.ie/ultra-hids for £25 I have not received them yet but communication from the seller has been good so far and I doubt there could be a £95 difference.

Have a look and see what they have for your bike before you shell out over the odds .

Bawnmore

leppla wrote: »

I just ordered a set from these guys http://stores.ebay.ie/ultra-hids for £25 I have not received them yet but communication from the seller has been good so far and I doubt there could be a £95 difference.

Have a look and see what they have for your bike before you shell out over the odds .

Great stuff - let us know how you get on once received.

MrPudding

leppla wrote: »

I just ordered a set from these guys http://stores.ebay.ie/ultra-hids for £25 I have not received them yet but communication from the seller has been good so far and I doubt there could be a £95 difference.

Have a look and see what they have for your bike before you shell out over the odds .

What exactly have you bought for £25?

MrP

goodlad

I'm wondering the same thing. There is no HID kit on that site for £25 that i can see.

Mr Sheen!

This is what I have ordered. It is to convert the low beam on my tiger 1050 to HID.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1x-Triumph-Tiger-1050-Slimline-Xenon-HID-Kit-H7-6000k-4300k-8000k-10k-white-/281317469821?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item417fd3ee7d

I got the 4300k

goodlad

Ah you just done the one light. Why not do both high and low and use a kit that leaves both high and low on but there is a cover over the high that instantly moves when you flick it on? As in a Bi-Xenon kit as this will eliminate the one side being low beam and one being high.

The Bi-Xenon kit on each side will give you dual headlights all the time.

Bawnmore

Anyone ever buy from HIDs Direct? They seem to have a great reputation on Ebay, and a Hi/Lo kit can be got for about 53 quid delivered (for a Deauville at least).

Mr Sheen!

goodlad wrote: »

Ah you just done the one light. Why not do both high and low and use a kit that leaves both high and low on but there is a cover over the high that instantly moves when you flick it on? As in a Bi-Xenon kit as this will eliminate the one side being low beam and one being high.

The Bi-Xenon kit on each side will give you dual headlights all the time.

I have done HID conversions on cars before and I never liked HID on full beam. I think a nightbreaker or similar is better for full beam.

With regards having each side on at the same time there are a couple of options I am researching at the moment for my bike. This is just a quick,cheap and easy fix for now as it is getting very dark now.

My plan eventually is to replace the headlight assembly and have both sides on together for low beam with HIDs fitted.

And Have a full beam on each side also with nightbreakers fitted.

Wonda-Boy

leppla wrote: »

I have done HID conversions on cars before and I never liked HID on full beam. I think a nightbreaker or similar is better for full beam.

With regards having each side on at the same time there are a couple of options I am researching at the moment for my bike. This is just a quick,cheap and easy fix for now as it is getting very dark now.

My plan eventually is to replace the headlight assembly and have both sides on together for low beam with HIDs fitted.

And Have a full beam on each side also with nightbreakers fitted.

Then once that is done, sell it and get an 1190

:pac::pac::pac:

Mr Sheen!

Wonda-Boy wrote: »

Then once that is done, sell it and get an 1190

:pac::pac::pac:

Shh don't let her hear ya

galwaytt

Can anyone recommend a good small driving light, preferably not round. Would like to beef up light on my h-d. LED would be good

gerrowadat

Bawnmore wrote: »

Anyone ever buy from HIDs Direct? They seem to have a great reputation on Ebay, and a Hi/Lo kit can be got for about 53 quid delivered (for a Deauville at least).

I picked up their HID kit, which looks like it has everything, but no instructions whatsoever, so it's off to youtube and guesswork for me :-)