Which HIDs to get?

[Ragnar]

OK, so I want to get a HID kit from the venerable Les Wassal, as I don't feel confident riding my '57 1200 GSA down dark country lanes that I know, let alone the ones that I don't!

Even with my BMW fogs switched on I can't see bends coming up 30 odd metres ahead that I KNOW are there

However, I've been involved in one or two nasty road rage incidents in the past where my bright, albeit standard, headlights on my R1 dazzled other drivers, who consequently sought some kind of retribution, so I'm wary of going overboard with the upgrade.

Anybody have any opinions as to which wattage (35 or 50) and which colour (5K or 6K) I should go for given the above?

Thanks,
David.

 

[Les Wassall]

Have the 35 watt and the 50 watt in stock for the 1200, but the best advise I can give is just to adjust the lights down

 

[Flipfly]

Les, you adjust them all anyway don't ya when you fit them?

Personally I prefer the 5000k over the over blue tinge of the 6000k but it's all personal preference.

I've had em for 18 months roughly and have never had a problem. MOT man said the lights needed lifting on mine, I can't say I'd noticed they were low as the light from them was fine. Now lifted but never get flashed unless I'm hard on the gas and then even normal lights blind.

They'll never catch ya once ya can see where ya going.

 

[PJ1200]

OK, so I want to get a HID kit from the venerable Les Wassal, as I don't feel confident riding my '57 1200 GSA down dark country lanes that I know, let alone the ones that I don't!

Even with my BMW fogs switched on I can't see bends coming up 30 odd metres ahead that I KNOW are there

However, I've been involved in one or two nasty road rage incidents in the past where my bright, albeit standard, headlights on my R1 dazzled other drivers, who consequently sought some kind of retribution, so I'm wary of going overboard with the upgrade.

Anybody have any opinions as to which wattage (35 or 50) and which colour (5K or 6K) I should go for given the above?

Thanks,
David.

Hi David

I have HID 50's in dip and main as fitted by les and its the best mod you can ever do to the bike imho. Yes they are bright and some drivers do get annoyed. Its only a few and normally ones im following and not oncoming traffic. Its not always down to how bright the lights are or set, its also down to the design of the cars. I find its normally low sports cars with me.
You also get the idiots who stare at the lights in there mirrors (had one woman put her right arm up across her face to block the mirror , i wasn't even that close).
Just get it done, you wont regret it and riding at night will be a joy. You'll see the bends coming well in advance then.

By the way, i see you may be going to box hill on sunday with little beemer and NandH. Should see you there.

Paul

 

[Ragnar]

To shed more light (haha) on why I'm nervous about bright lights...

I know it's unlikely to happen again, but late one night I annoyed a driver of a red Ford Galaxy with my lights (on dipped beam, standard, as I said) on the M25. I passed him and later pulled into the slow lane to turn off. Suddenly he came past me and swerved into my lane, slammed the brakes on and came to a stop. I nearly hit him and the artic lorry behind nearly hit me! Scariest thing that's ever happened in my life except for when I had a bike hijacked and one of the reasons I got away from sports bikes and got a GS. Still remember the license plate and if I ever see it again!!!

 

[King Rat]

So what did he do when he had stopped? - In South Africa he would probably have shot you........scary, I can understand. BUT, dying to find out what you did, and what he did.

I still think having lights which mean you can see where you are going, and others can see you is safer than worrying about the odd road rager who would probably have been upset by you passing him anyway.......

 

[mike wright]

Wait till your fully loaded and abroad but forgot to set the lights before going. Thats when you get flashed etc

 

[ironandsteel]

50 watt 6k '07 GS1200

Les very kindly fitted me up today - dip & main - 100 miles back home in the dark and raining and the lights were excellent. To be honest, the people who were affected by the brightness of the lights were the ones who were before with standard lights - low cars, people approaching when you come over the brow of a hill, etc.. The front light on a GS is much higher than most vehicles so it is bound to affect some drivers and I've noticed that I tend to light up cars interiors when I overtake - it's just a bit more pronounced now. As Les pointed out, it is more important to keep the light glasses clean with HID as the light diffuses and dazzles more with a film of grime on the lense.

Went out again tonight to test them clean - beam pattern has a much greater throw and you can see the road as you do in daylight - faster, smoother, safer riding.

An extremely professional (and quick) job.
Many thanks Les.

 

[Ragnar]

So what did he do when he had stopped? - In South Africa he would probably have shot you........scary, I can understand. BUT, dying to find out what you did, and what he did.

I still think having lights which mean you can see where you are going, and others can see you is safer than worrying about the odd road rager who would probably have been upset by you passing him anyway.......

He didn't get out, just kept starting forward and slamming his brakes back on while cars were swerving out of our way. I didn't want to pass him as I figured he might try and side-swipe me. This went on for about 5 minutes until eventually we got around to the slip road I was going to take and I dived onto it at the last minute and sped away.

I memorised the reg. no. and went straight to the local police station, who acted very promptly and gave me a form to fill in

 

[Ragnar]

Les very kindly fitted me up today - dip & main - 100 miles back home in the dark and raining and the lights were excellent. To be honest, the people who were affected by the brightness of the lights were the ones who were before with standard lights - low cars, people approaching when you come over the brow of a hill, etc.. The front light on a GS is much higher than most vehicles so it is bound to affect some drivers and I've noticed that I tend to light up cars interiors when I overtake - it's just a bit more pronounced now. As Les pointed out, it is more important to keep the light glasses clean with HID as the light diffuses and dazzles more with a film of grime on the lense.

Went out again tonight to test them clean - beam pattern has a much greater throw and you can see the road as you do in daylight - faster, smoother, safer riding.

An extremely professional (and quick) job.
Many thanks Les.

Many thanks for the info ironandsteel

 

[Packer]

He didn't get out, just kept starting forward and slamming his brakes back on while cars were swerving out of our way. I didn't want to pass him as I figured he might try and side-swipe me. This went on for about 5 minutes until eventually we got around to the slip road I was going to take and I dived onto it at the last minute and sped away.

I memorised the reg. no. and went straight to the local police station, who acted very promptly and gave me a form to fill in

You could have quietly got off the bike and knifed all four of his tyres before quickly zipping around him and powering away. Screwdriver from the tool kit would work as well. Make sure it's the sidewall, irrepairable.