Upgrading Lights

gsbiker

gsbiker

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Much debate about HID. I'm seriously considering buying this year, removed bulbs and had a look around on my GSA to see what's involved - seems straight forward. However, I'm currently doing an advanced motorcycle course through the IAM and have been advised to wait until test is over (whenever take is?) just incase it causes a problem. As I have some of my lights in pieces was wondering what the best bulbs to buy instead?

I've just fitted some of halfords 90% brighter bulbs in the car and they look much whiter but not much brighter? There is also the Philips Diamond Vision which are probably the next best thing to HID. I really don't know?

Thoughts anyone?
 
Get your low beam HiDed now:thumb2
Very easy to fit and far better results than any Halogen bulb:clap

Then get your aux lights HiDed bit expensive, but a great enhancement.:thumb

Why would fitting HiDs be a problem with IAM test. :confused:

See Les Wassel for HiDs

:D
 
There's no comparison between HID's and high brightness Halogens. HID's are in a league of their own!

I did all four lights on my GSA. By far the best improvement was dipped beam. Main is good but not a massive improvement on dipped.

If I were doing the aux lights again I'd change the standard lights for something better. The lens severly hampers the improvement by the HID's. They're great for daytime riding and being seen but they don't do much for night-time riding apart from closeby and kerbside.

Fitting of (Les Wassel's) HID's was a sinch. Well designed kit which effectively offered 'plug 'n play'. No cutting or adapting needed. The hardest part was deciding where to cable-tie the new bigger cables that come with the lights.
 
Worthwhile fitting a HID even if you only do the dipped beam. Very straight forward job.

Not sure why it would be a problem with you test, if it is alligned properly so a not to dazzle and passes a MOT whats the problem.

Go for it
 
I'm a bike observer for the IAM and am unaware of anything related to HID's that could be an issue. I have both lights on my own machine converted.

The IAM is a road safety organisation and HID lights are just about the best safety improvement you can make to a GS. (This is due to the benefit of being able to see where you are going on a dark wet night.)
 
Packer said:
I'm a bike observer for the IAM and am unaware of anything related to HID's that could be an issue. I have both lights on my own machine converted.

The IAM is a road safety organisation and HID lights are just about the best safety improvement you can make to a GS. (This is due to the benefit of being able to see where you are going on a dark wet night.)
Click to expand...

Thanks for your reply :thumb2
 
I passed the IAM test 2 weeks ago and there was absolutely no problem with my HIDs. The others are absolutely right, HIDs are in a different league to anything else and you won't regret fitting them! :thumb2
 
OK, Hope this is last question I need to ask.

I'm considering HID50 dip and hi + HID50 BMW fogs. Is it worth the extra £40 compared to 35w for Fogs?? Is it OTT or about right?
 
ph4824 said:
OK, Hope this is last question I need to ask.

I'm considering HID50 dip and hi + HID50 BMW fogs. Is it worth the extra £40 compared to 35w for Fogs?? Is it OTT or about right?
Click to expand...

I would go with 35w 6k Aux/fogs as running lights, because the 50w might be too bright for on comming traffic.
:thumb
 
Yonkyo said:
I would go with 35w 6k Aux/fogs as running lights, because the 50w might be too bright for on comming traffic.
:thumb
Click to expand...

5000K is pure white light and 6000K is a bluey white right?

I'm def going for HID50 in dip and hi, so you think 50w in fogs is too much? My thinking is this.... My bike has 55w halogens all round. If I now mix HID50 with HID35 won't it show in the blend of light as they mix? I basically want a good even spread of light with all lights on and to my mind having all HID50 would achieve that surely? As regards to blinding other drivers, it's just a matter of angle I would have thought?
 
IMHO, i think 50w aux/running lights would be OTT, as i am more than happy with my 50w 6k dip beam and 35w 6w aux lights. But its your choice.

IMG_0981.jpg
 
Cool bike :thumb

Plant pot is wonky though!

My choice indeed, I better get it right then! What's you lights like in pitch black with fogs on? Does the light fill and blend "as one" or can you tell you have less light coming from the fogs?
 
ph4824 said:
Cool bike :thumb

Plant pot is wonky though!

My choice indeed, I better get it right then! What's you lights like in pitch black with fogs on? Does the light fill and blend "as one" or can you tell you have less light coming from the fogs?
Click to expand...

The light from the dip and aux lights is so good, I rarely need to use the main beam and spots on pitch black, country roads. And as they are all 6000k colour the lights are blended.

Plant pot is not my department:augie

As i was admiring your collection of fine machines. Here are my two pride and joys (though I would like more if SWMBO would let me)

My HP2S also has a HID
PB050005.jpg
 
Personally I would go for the HID50 over the HID35. If the dip is HID50 and adjusted not to annoy oncoming traffic the same will apply for the fogs.
 
In the end I finally made my mind up and have plumped for the 35 watt HID's on the Aux lights and standard halogen Hella FF50's as the spots. I already have 50 watt HID's on the Dip and Main beam. I thought the 35 watt HID's on the Aux lights would be ample as I use them mostly during the day to be seen. Any slight variation in colour just makes you a little bit more noticeable in my opinion.

If the Hella's are good enough I will take off the HID on main beam and revert to halogen so that way I get instant light both for the flasher and when switching to high beam. I know that will be a colour mismatch on full beam at night but my main aim is to get better long distance vision. I can always upgrade the Hella's later if I want. The 2 x 50watt and 2 x 35 watt ballasts are going on one of Les's brackets which hopefully will fit in unison with the Migsel light bar I already have.

Lots of wiring to do over the Christmas break and I have ordered a PC8 fuse box from Eastern Beaver to keep everything away from the Canbus.
 
Beemerman59 said:
In the end I finally made my mind up and have plumped for the 35 watt HID's on the Aux lights and standard halogen Hella FF50's as the spots. I already have 50 watt HID's on the Dip and Main beam. I thought the 35 watt HID's on the Aux lights would be ample as I use them mostly during the day to be seen. Any slight variation in colour just makes you a little bit more noticeable in my opinion.

If the Hella's are good enough I will take off the HID on main beam and revert to halogen so that way I get instant light both for the flasher and when switching to high beam. I know that will be a colour mismatch on full beam at night but my main aim is to get better long distance vision. I can always upgrade the Hella's later if I want. The 2 x 50watt and 2 x 35 watt ballasts are going on one of Les's brackets which hopefully will fit in unison with the Migsel light bar I already have.

Lots of wiring to do over the Christmas break and I have ordered a PC8 fuse box from Eastern Beaver to keep everything away from the Canbus.
Click to expand...

Thanks Beemerman59

Having got funds together and just about to pay les I am stuck on which colour to order 5000K or 6000K :blast

Regarding Canbus, I was under the impression that these HID kits will work without any Canbus trouble - am I wrong?
 
ph4824 said:
Thanks Beemerman59

Having got funds together and just about to pay les I am stuck on which colour to order 5000K or 6000K :blast

Regarding Canbus, I was under the impression that these HID kits will work without any Canbus trouble - am I wrong?
Click to expand...


I'm going for 5K which match the 50 watters on the dip & main. There shouldn't be any canbus issues, certainly not for the OEM lights, it's just that I'm adding some other stuff into the loom i.e horns, heated gear, Hella spots, accessory sockets etc, so I'm adding the additional fuse box to make the upgrades easier. I had no problems putting the HID's onto the dip&main. The only concern I had is mounting the ballasts. The 4 I will have can fit under the beak, if I do the Hella's as well, I will need to find somewhere else.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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