HID vs Brighter/white bulbs

[09SV650S]

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I've been reading people's complaints on the "glare" of the cheap HID kits. But I want to upgrade my lights but is HID the way to go or just a better bulb replacement to a "whiter" bulb?

Which way is best if so why and what brand/system is the best?

Thx

 

[Bigevildoer]

I don't do a ton of riding at night, but my dual 55w HID's really make a huge difference at night time.
In the daytime, PEOPLE SEE ME. Sure, it's not going to guarantee people with their heads up their as**es (driving while texting, or just generally oblivious) will see me, but every little bit helps.

Really don't dig those orange or yellow "Hey See Me" vests at all, I'd rather do it with the lights.

 

[toysareforboys]

I've been reading people's complaints on the "glare" of the cheap HID kits. But I want to upgrade my lights but is HID the way to go or just a better bulb replacement to a "whiter" bulb?

It's not the HID kit that determines the "glare", it's your headlight housing/reflector.

Get this kit in 55 watt (your colour choice, I recommend yellow 3,000k or 4,300k white http://eshop.ktautopart.com/home-list/kt-mt5-211.html)

True projectors, dual low beam and dual high beam, will rock your socks and not blind any oncoming drivers!

-Jamie M.

 

[silverbullet132]

It's not the HID kit that determines the "glare", it's your headlight housing/reflector.

Get this kit in 55 watt (your colour choice, I recommend yellow 3,000k or 4,300k white http://eshop.ktautopart.com/home-list/kt-mt5-211.html)

True projectors, dual low beam and dual high beam, will rock your socks and not blind any oncoming drivers!

-Jamie M.

I thought 3000k was basically useless for anything aside from looking different? As in you do not see the roads as well at night, etc?

 

[toysareforboys]

I thought 3000k was basically useless for anything aside from looking different? As in you do not see the roads as well at night, etc?

Not sure who told you that! With my tinted visor at night I can see WAY better with 3,000k than the 6,000k bulbs my kit originally came with! I love the 3,000k!!!

-Jamie M.

 

[silverbullet132]

Weird, lol. I am trying to find a picture of a 5th gen VFR with a similar kit to the one you linked, before I spend $223+shipping on it.

 

[toysareforboys]

Weird, lol. I am trying to find a picture of a 5th gen VFR with a similar kit to the one you linked, before I spend $223+shipping on it.

Lol, it'll be sexy, AND damn bright!!!

Installing it in my buddies CBR 929! TRIPLE LOW/HIGH BEAM BABY! Should be insane

-Jamie M.

 

[Scuba Steve]

I copied this from another site this is what is wrong with your SV to start.

SV650 headlight upgrade


The headlights on a stock SV650 are yellow and dim. They won't grab the attention of anyone on the road.
Unfortunately you can't just slap in a brighter bulb. The reason is that the bike (like 99% of bikes on the road) contains no relays. There is a 1-2 watt power drop because the power to your bulbs go through small wiring in your handlebars to the switches. A relay will bypass and give you a solid electrical connection without much power loss.
Thus upgrading your headlights is a two step process:

1. Install relays
2. Install brighter bulbs (optional)

Relay
You can make your own relay kit, or you can buy a premade one. Eastern Beaver makes a H4 kit that is plug and play. Visit the link and scroll down till you find "H4 Dual Headlight Relay Kit". At the time that I am writing this article, it runs $54.95.Once you install the relay, you should expect your stock bulbs to increase power output by a noticeable amount. A 40-70% increase in light is typical.

 

[09SV650S]

I copied this from another site this is what is wrong with your SV to start.

SV650 headlight upgrade


The headlights on a stock SV650 are yellow and dim. They won't grab the attention of anyone on the road.
Unfortunately you can't just slap in a brighter bulb. The reason is that the bike (like 99% of bikes on the road) contains no relays. There is a 1-2 watt power drop because the power to your bulbs go through small wiring in your handlebars to the switches. A relay will bypass and give you a solid electrical connection without much power loss.
Thus upgrading your headlights is a two step process:

1. Install relays
2. Install brighter bulbs (optional)

Relay
You can make your own relay kit, or you can buy a premade one. Eastern Beaver makes a H4 kit that is plug and play. Visit the link and scroll down till you find "H4 Dual Headlight Relay Kit". At the time that I am writing this article, it runs $54.95.Once you install the relay, you should expect your stock bulbs to increase power output by a noticeable amount. A 40-70% increase in light is typical.

Thats good info man! Sounds like if going to want more light might as well go HID for the hassle??

 

[redlinerush]

here's a silly question, bikes only come with high/low beam, 2 settings

how do some of these bikes manually switch on and off LED strip, angel eyes, demon eyes, and the projector themselves all separately

 

[jeffjones]

here's a silly question, bikes only come with high/low beam, 2 settings

how do some of these bikes manually switch on and off LED strip, angel eyes, demon eyes, and the projector themselves all separately

Toggle switches. Just put them inline with all your your different set-ups and you can turn which ever ones you want on and off.

 

[jeffjones]

Not sure who told you that! With my tinted visor at night I can see WAY better with 3,000k than the 6,000k bulbs my kit originally came with! I love the 3,000k!!!

-Jamie M.

4300k will put out the most lumens, then 5000k, then 3000k and 6000k put out about the same lumens, the difference is which colour light do you want in front of you.

 

[R1Style]

HIDs are far superior than a halogen bulb.

Read this:
http://www.vvme.com/page.html?chapter=1&id=30

 

[09SV650S]

Thanks everyone thats great info! So the conclusion pretty much is HID 4300K white?

Any brand preference for the HID system?

 

[silverbullet132]

Thanks everyone thats great info! So the conclusion pretty much is HID 4300K white?

Any brand preference for the HID system?

Get the kit TAFB linked earlier:

http://eshop.ktautopart.com/home-list/kt-mt5-211.html

Proper projectors, pretty good pricing too.

 

[09SV650S]

Nice! thx

Are the Angel eyes bright enough as the day time runners?

I'm such a newbie to lighting on motorcycles! lol

 

[redlinerush]

sickhids.com have way more options, their tube vids are pretty dope, hella sketchy though

 

[jeffjones]

Thanks everyone thats great info! So the conclusion pretty much is HID 4300K white?

Any brand preference for the HID system?

if your going with just a HID kit and no projectors, Go with www.ddmtuning.com also mention in the Kitchener thread because I think a couple guys there DC519 and Doozerdave are looking to pick some up and you could probably go in with them and save on shipping.

 

[toysareforboys]

if your going with just a HID kit and no projectors, Go with www.ddmtuning.com also mention in the Kitchener thread because I think a couple guys there DC519 and Doozerdave are looking to pick some up and you could probably go in with them and save on shipping.

+1... LOVE ddm kits! Work amazing! Remember that if you order the 55 watt kit is ships directly from China, so it's a 2-3 week wait and the tracking info doesn't work ever.

DDM 55 watt 3,000k's in stock 08 R6 housing, annoying all the oncoming drivers

-Jamie M.

 

[jeffjones]

+1... LOVE ddm kits! Work amazing! Remember that if you order the 55 watt kit is ships directly from China, so it's a 2-3 week wait and the tracking info doesn't work ever.

I think all their HID's ship directly from China. I have bought 8 kits on 3 occasions (all 35W) and they all shipped from China with about a 2-3 week ship time.

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