headlight upgrade questions

[mr_magicfingers]

I have recently bought an r1150gs (year 2000 model). It came with the dip headlight converted to 35w HID, which is certainly more impressive than any motorcycle headlight I've ever seen/owned. However, I'm considering adding some lighting for those dark nights on roads without street lighting to see a bit further ahead.

I am considering upgrading either the main or both the dip and the main to 50w hid's or keeping the current 35w hid and adding a pair of HID driving lights which would come on, via relay, with the standard main beam.

I've sent an enquiry email to HID50 who seem to be the state of the art from what I've read here, but thought I'd ask amongst this parish to see what people think would be either the best and/or most cost effective way to add some additional light to see further into the distance.

Many thanks,

Justin.

 

[Packer]

I stuck HID 35' s into head and dip. I've never felt the need to add anything!

Head beam works best if you remember to take every opportunity to fire it up so that it's ready to strike at full power. If it's cold you get about standard halogn power until it warms up. It looks like single candle power

 

[mr_magicfingers]

I just have the dip beam as a hid35 at the moment, would like something extra for the dark roads in the winter. Looks like adding a hid to the main beam would be worthwhile, pondering whether to keep the 35 on the dip and add a 50 on main or put the 35 on the main and add a 50 dip.

Had a reply from Les already with some prices and options and have asked a couple more questions on the back of that. Sunday night and he's answering work emails, that's some serious service there.

Looking at prices, it seems that it's much cheaper to do this than add driving lights at present, though I may go that route in the future. I spent several months in africa with an old landrover and dirt roads and off road trails at night convinced me there's no such thing as too much light at night.

Cheers,

J.

 

[Dean]

just put 35w in head and dip on f650gs

if it helps both from Les at HID50

both 35w but high beam is brighter must be the lens

hope it helps,

he also does the micra DE's i went for standard fog/drive but they will convert to Hid if you want!

just waiting for my bracket to be finnished for fitting,

Dean

 

[Packer]

The dip beam on the 1150 has an awesome spread of light, clearly designed for unlit trails as it is very wide and even with a laser sharp cutoff. It gives a great spread of light and highlights the road signs in such a way that it will make best use of the immense output from a good HID50.

In your position I would put the 35 onto the head beam and fit the 50 to the dip.

That will give a stunning dip beam that is good for almost all situations and when the head comes up it will be like a searchlight. Mine is anyway.

 

[mr_magicfingers]

Thanks Packer, that ties with my own thinking and seems like the most cost effective way to go for now.

Cheers.

J.

 

[Paul Young]

Has anyone who has put an HID on main beam ever had a problem with wanting to give a headlight "flash" or short time use?

I usually have to go from dipped to main to dipped fairly frequently, due to oncoming traffic & it usually takes a little while for the light to warm up on my HID dipped beam. I would expect that to be an issue with putting one on the main beam, so I've stuck with the std main & have a pair of FF50's wired in sync. Immediate effect both on & off, & I angled the FF50 beams to cross about 100ft away, so they provide a fantastic spread & help to see around bends instead of alternating between lighting the hillside across the valley & the road 10ft ahead as I turn/accelerate.

Just my thoughts...

 

[blues_bleu]

dipped headlight

hello, wanna check will there be of any problem when switching from bipped to main so often. as i have came across times when i am goin thru some rough patches with lotz of vibration and the whole thing go off. izzit due to the vibration??

 

[mr_magicfingers]

hello, wanna check will there be of any problem when switching from bipped to main so often. as i have came across times when i am goin thru some rough patches with lotz of vibration and the whole thing go off. izzit due to the vibration??

Never seen that problem with mine, even when changing every 30 seconds or so for oncoming traffic.

 

[Packer]

hello, wanna check will there be of any problem when switching from bipped to main so often. as i have came across times when i am goin thru some rough patches with lotz of vibration and the whole thing go off. izzit due to the vibration??

Sounds like you may have a wiring fault. I've never had a problem , even when the bike is bucking and jumping around on some truly diabolical road surfaces.

Additionally, on the 1150GS the dip stays on when you switch in the headbeam so you shouldn't ever be without light.