HID Question what colour are you running

[comberjohn]

Where did you get your led bulbs from?
I've a pair of 55w mini spots from Wunderlich(?) and they could do with help.
I had been using high output bulbs but got tired of having to replace them so often. At £20+ a pop it was no joke either.

 

[Deleted account 240118001]

I have the 5000k kit (also from Les) on dipped and main beam with the LED sidelight. Had them fitted last Saturday and really pleased with the results. Matches the colour of my upgraded LED spots.

 

[Bendy toy]

The latest spec LED bulbs are very bright and work in lamps intended for H7 halogen bulbs.

I have some 6000K LED spots which back up main beam. 5000K would have been better because 6000K is closer to UV so the light is less useful to the eye.

LED H7 bulbs are evolving fast so get the latest mark and ignore pretty much all online reviews as they are looking at over versions.

 

[Packer]

I have a pair of 4,300K 35 watt LED's from Les in my Super Tenere. I wanted them to look as unlike LED's as possible whilst still enjoying the vastly improved light output over the standard 50w halogens. It works and the Super Ten has both lights on all the time with dip created by a shutter masking part of the beam so high beam is instantaneous. Plenty of light for me even on unlit wet roads.

 

[PokenH00D]

I've just installed today Dip and main beam LED's 6000k -3000 lumens.
Specific BMW kit, and was a doddle to install.
Before

After

Full Beam

 

[X21ekx]

Impressive,where did you get them from?

 

[PokenH00D]

Impressive,where did you get them from?

Here
http://www.sol2.be/Visibility/LED_ENG/Headlight/page.html

 

[jogo]

That is very interesting indeed as I am looking for a LED for main beam (having HID in dip). I have a few questions if I may :

Do the LED's interfere with the CAN bus (do you get error messages)?
I see on the web page you linked to that they say they have special caps or so for some BMW models. Did you have trouble fitting the LED's (especially main beam)?
Any need to cut anything (be it cables or something in the head lamp assembly)?
Did you have a chance to test the lamps when riding in the dark (I am especially interested in your judgement about the main beam)?

Thanks in advance!

 

[PokenH00D]

That is very interesting indeed as I am looking for a LED for main beam (having HID in dip). I have a few questions if I may :

Do the LED's interfere with the CAN bus (do you get error messages)?
I see on the web page you linked to that they say they have special caps or so for some BMW models. Did you have trouble fitting the LED's (especially main beam)?
Any need to cut anything (be it cables or something in the head lamp assembly)?
Did you have a chance to test the lamps when riding in the dark (I am especially interested in your judgement about the main beam)?

Thanks in advance!

1. No error message on my 2009 unless I switch off dip during day to just run with the DRL.

2. No problems fitting, marginally more difficult than fitting a new bulb. But, I had the whole headlamp/instrument assembly off to make it easier as I was fitting the DRL ring.

3. Absolutely nothing to cut or break in to, just reverse the installation steps to return to factory.

4. Not had the opportunity to ride in the dark yet as I work away. I will be out this weekend though. I'll report back ��

 

[jogo]

Hi PokenH00D,
thank you very much for taking the time to answer my questions so far Sounds all very good.

I'm looking forward to read what you think about the perfomance of the LED in main beam (range, light pattern)

Cheers

 

[Whele]

I have just moved to a 8000K dip beam. Previously I was using a 6000k but for winter commuting I wanted something that stood out a little in a sea of headlights, especially when filtering.

The overall light output is noticeably lower, however in wet weather I have noticed that white lines and signs show up more clearly due to the greater UV output. Time will tell if I stick with it or return to the 6000K bulb. Whatever temperature is used, the most important is to check the adjustment, especially when taking a pillion on board.

 

[Bendy toy]

Set the beam angle with the headlamp set high. When you take a pillion it's easy to flip the tab and dip the lamp.
Good idea having a different colour for traffic.
I find I'm a lot less visible with the spots turned off. The light triangle really stands out.
The other night in rain, a sports biker turning right nearly nipped across in front of me. I'd have happily let him turn but had not seen him until he moved and stopped. The bike was invisible in a sea of headlights.

 

[PokenH00D]

Hi PokenH00D,
thank you very much for taking the time to answer my questions so far Sounds all very good.

I'm looking forward to read what you think about the perfomance of the LED in main beam (range, light pattern)

Cheers

Range is good, though I haven't set height for my weight yet, not a massive need for full beam and a very good reflection from the newer cats eyes and white line paint. Pattern on dip is below, with high beam second.
On dip beam it's comfortable for me to ride at the legal limit on unlit country roads. Which makes this the first bike I have owned that has been.

 

[jogo]

Hi PokenH00D,
thanks a lot for taking the time to get back and describe your impressions as well as taking and sharing the pics!
This gives a good idea of the light pattern and reach! I think I'll put an LED into my high beam as well. It's not of much right now, even I have a "high output" H7 bulb installed, I see hardly a change when switching it on compared to only dip beam.

 

[sagalout]

I know it's very hard to tell from photos, but the pics above don't appear to be as well lit as HiD?

 

[PokenH00D]

I know it's very hard to tell from photos, but the pics above don't appear to be as well lit as HiD?

I've not seen a HID on a bike, so can't make any comparison. However, my car has factory xenon lights and the depth of viewable road is equal to those.
What will benefit is me actually taking the time to adjust the beam with me sat on it, as I'm currently using whatever they were adjusted to before.
The big plus about these is not having to find a place to mount ballasts as everything is contained in the bulb.

 

[Bendy toy]

Most high power LEDs I've seen had a small ballast block. I don't know if it can just hang on the wire but looked a bit big for that.

 

[Andy B]

Do the black weatherproof screw-on covers on the back of each bulb on a GS still fit over these bulbs?

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

Quite a lot of the LED bulbs have external drivers. They are pretty small and light, nothing like HID ballasts. You can get the drivers all built but it might not be so wise. Generally if anything fails it is the driver but if it is external it can be replaced. Another problem you might face is a lot of the kits have resistors so as not to trip lamp failure warnings.

 

[PokenH00D]

Do the black weatherproof screw-on covers on the back of each bulb on a GS still fit over these bulbs?

The ones I bought are offered with a watertight rubber cover that replaces the screw on cap and allows the heatsink to protrude and keep cool.
I'll post some pics in a minute.