HID / Xenon headlights on my bike (WHOA!)

[cardinal03]

I'm doing it for the same reason you're so against my 'kit' - internet discussion.

Either way, I like my purchase, and i'm not here to defend or justify spending $150. I'm not like that, I spend my money pretty foolishly (perks of living and working in Silicon Valley) , and when I find something that comes along that I like - be it an HID kit, my new toaster oven, or even a steering damper, i'm going to post my view and opinion on it.

And if someone knocks it by comparing apples to oranges, I feel the need to stand my ground, and tell it like *I* see it.

Did I already mention how much I love my Mille?

Stan, my toaster oven recently stopped working. I miss toast. Please report on your new acquisition.

 

[SPORTcoupe]

Anyways, I was up at Alice's yesterday, I found myself a nice LEO at STP - Approached him while on the bike, asked him what he thought of my headlights, and he had a dumbfounded look on his face - like WTF is wrong.

No one complained, not even a LEO I asked.

comparing apples to oranges

Speaking of comparing apples to oranges, didn't you say you approached the LEO yesterday?
HIDs look absolutely harmless during the day. Shit, even me getting photo-flashed by a cop during the day wouldn't pose any risk.
To compare apples to apples, you have to approach the LEO at night.

Cheers,
~Alan

 

[stan23]

Speaking of comparing apples to oranges, didn't you say you approached the LEO yesterday[/]?
HIDs look absolutely harmless during the day. Shit, even me getting photo-flashed by a cop during the day wouldn't pose any risk.
To compare apples to apples, you have to approach the LEO at night.

Cheers,
~Alan

Hmm.. I will do that, next time I see a 'friendly' looking LEO at night lol...

Again, let's keep this discussion open and factual - Posting pics of ricer cars with redicolously pointed headlights is not the same as what i've been posting.

I welcome any open discussion that is kept in a professional and non-rude manner.

So far, I like what i've read. Rarely does a thread like this *not* turn into a huge flamefest on barf. I attribute it to the smart adults that have wandered into this post and testified to the 'different' and 'dark' side of HID kits.

 

[SPORTcoupe]

next time I see a 'friendly' looking LEO at night lol...

BINGO!

I look forward to your review of the toaster oven.

Thanks for the tip

Anytime.

Cheers,
~Alan

 

[notfromcali]

I had a guy on a bike behind me last week that had some aftermarket lights. Don't know what kind they were, but they were waaaaaaaaaaay too bright. It's great to be seen when you are on your bike but not at the expense of other people's ability to see and drive safely.

 

[slowpoke]

Hmm.. I will do that, next time I see a 'friendly' looking LEO at night lol...

Again, let's keep this discussion open and factual - Posting pics of ricer cars with redicolously pointed headlights is not the same as what i've been posting.

I welcome any open discussion that is kept in a professional and non-rude manner.

So far, I like what i've read. Rarely does a thread like this *not* turn into a huge flamefest on barf. I attribute it to the smart adults that have wandered into this post and testified to the 'different' and 'dark' side of HID kits.

Wait, are HID's illegal?

My car came factory with HID's. Why would it be any different for a bike?

 

[Rob]

seems as though HID's w/out the projector lenses are illegal

 

[stan23]

Wait, are HID's illegal?

My car came factory with HID's. Why would it be any different for a bike?

Henry, here's the deal:

Factory HID bulbs come in a housing specifically made for the HID bulb. They limit the amount of light that is projected and there is a strong cutoff, to reduce glare.

Now, if you stuck an HID bulb into a non-factory housing, this is where most folks have problems. The HID bulb can emit a ton more light and the factory housing is not designed for such a bulb and can have stray light going every which way and causing glare for oncoming drivers.

There is not much way of knowing the good from the bad, since non-factory housings can or cannot tolerate HID bulbs. Plus, I noticed a lot of folks tend to 'point' or adjust their headlight up with their newfound HID kit. - That is clearly wrong, and I do not condone that.

On my particular scenario, I have found that *my* setup doesn't cause glare for anyone, and most of the 'new' found light emitted is to the wheel directly in front of me.

I understand Yody and Sportcoupe's confusion, as there are lots of ricers, who pick up HID kits and start pointing their headlights up for more 'bling' - That was never the case with me. If I found that my headlights would cause danger or peeps would have problem with them, I would have taken them out immediately. Like I said before, i've been riding years with standard headlights and I could technically continue riding many more.

 

[Yody]

yes, but u already posted pics of what obviously shows significant glare on your setup, so the proof is already there, one encounter during the day with a chp who probably care less about your moto headlight, i don' think proves anything? and what about those ricer headlights makes them "pointed"?

That was a good review of the discussion, I am glad it has not turned innto a typical barf post, however most people probably care less about a headlight system lol

 

[creamygoodness]

uhh...didn't want to read five pages because i'm surfing on a study break, but your lights look GREAT!

eh, so a few people here and there may (or may not, if they're just smart enough to look away) get blinded for a second or two, but it's not the end of the world.

damn, makes me want an HID kit now. thanks stan!

Henry, here's the deal:

Factory HID bulbs come in a housing specifically made for the HID bulb. They limit the amount of light that is projected and there is a strong cutoff, to reduce glare.

Now, if you stuck an HID bulb into a non-factory housing, this is where most folks have problems. The HID bulb can emit a ton more light and the factory housing is not designed for such a bulb and can have stray light going every which way and causing glare for oncoming drivers.

There is not much way of knowing the good from the bad, since non-factory housings can or cannot tolerate HID bulbs. Plus, I noticed a lot of folks tend to 'point' or adjust their headlight up with their newfound HID kit. - That is clearly wrong, and I do not condone that.

On my particular scenario, I have found that *my* setup doesn't cause glare for anyone, and most of the 'new' found light emitted is to the wheel directly in front of me.

I understand Yody and Sportcoupe's confusion, as there are lots of ricers, who pick up HID kits and start pointing their headlights up for more 'bling' - That was never the case with me. If I found that my headlights would cause danger or peeps would have problem with them, I would have taken them out immediately. Like I said before, i've been riding years with standard headlights and I could technically continue riding many more.

 

[stan23]

yes, but u already posted pics of what obviously shows significant glare on your setup, so the proof is already there, one encounter during the day with a chp who probably care less about your moto headlight, i don' think proves anything? and what about those ricer headlights makes them "pointed"?

That was a good review of the discussion, I am glad it has not turned innto a typical barf post, however most people probably care less about a headlight system lol

Hi Yody,

I don't think a good judgement call can be made by a picture of my bike pointing into a garage wall. A better assesment would be if you or someone else who has doubts come see the bike. Drive behind me, in front of me or whatever, and you can see for yourself. Of course, that avenue would be taking it a little far, but I offer it only because, I *fail* to see the glare that you're talking about. It would be one thing, if you saw it with your own eyes...

Another great thing about HID's in your halogen casing, is that you can adjust the angle. Think they are too high? Why not point them down a few degrees. I think there is a happy medium for both the HID owner and the rest of the world.

Stan

 

[stan23]

uhh...didn't want to read five pages because i'm surfing on a study break, but your lights look GREAT!

eh, so a few people here and there may (or may not, if they're just smart enough to look away) get blinded for a second or two, but it's not the end of the world.

damn, makes me want an HID kit now. thanks stan!

You know what? I've had 2 x F4is, and I always applauded them for their EXCELLENT headlight..

I can only imagine an HID setup in there... Would be nice.

 

[creamygoodness]

yeah would be nice to have some kickass HID's in my f4i. I wonder if there's a kit to do a dual HID setup with both lights on at the same time. I'm tired of people telling me "hey, do you know that you have a light out?". hahaha

i'm sure you got the same thing when you had your F4i's.

You know what? I've had 2 x F4is, and I always applauded them for their EXCELLENT headlight..

I can only imagine an HID setup in there... Would be nice.

 

[stan23]

yeah would be nice to have some kickass HID's in my f4i. I wonder if there's a kit to do a dual HID setup with both lights on at the same time. I'm tired of people telling me "hey, do you know that you have a light out?". hahaha

i'm sure you got the same thing when you had your F4i's.

I got the same thing on my F4i as well as my RC51. Peeps be thinking they are so damn smart and smug when they tell me; "you have a light out!"

I stopped explaining, and just nod and be on my merry way.

 

[trekuk]

I'm looking forward to seeing the comparission shots in the line of light between a approved/stock HID setup and Stan's after-market install.

Stupid topic for 5 pages? Not at all. Like everyone else I hate being blinded by mis-aligned or supernova aftermarket lights. Some bikers should also learn to turn off their hi-beams when riding tight but fast trails shadowed by trees or in the afternoon, save it for bright situations with actual traffic where it actually makes some sense and does no/little harm.

HID installs illegal? - No one cares.
HID installs that blind/glare - bad
Should HID installers ensure 100% no glare? - hell yes!
Does Stan's HID blind/glare? - jury currently hung, with Stan vs. Yody&Sport. Need more evidence.

 

[Kestrel]

Dear Stan,

What you are doing is illegal. I don't care how "happy" you are or how "happy" you think the other drivers are. As far as I know - you can't read their minds to know whether they are pissed off or not due to the glare. Your headlight housing was not designed for HID lights. Stop being a squid and replace it with a legitimate light source. I don't care how much money you spent or how great you think it is.

There is a tool for every job. Do it right and stop trying to justify your illegal and potentially dangerous actions.

 

[SPORTcoupe]

I wouldn't go as far as incompetence. Stan did put the HID kit in himself, so that makes him at least somewhat competent.
How about ignorance? Or selfishness? I think slightly more suiting.

Cheers,
~Alan

 

[evolution247]

Interesting thread. I'd say going from the images that were posted that your beam pattern is goin to blind oncoming traffic big time. IF you really want to keep that set up which I'm sure you do, I'd lower your beam pattern and if at all possible try not to have the beam so far to the left (on coming traffic side).

I have done a lot of kits before and have added a kit to my '04 R6. The good thing is it has a good cut off pattern so it doesn't blind folks. The bad part is I do get the "flicker" from the bumps in the roads which I'm sure folks don't like too much.

Good luck with your project. I'm sure you'll do what it takes to make it "street friendly"

 

[stan23]

Guys, if you have a 'negative' experience from a cage or otherwise HID setup, don't come in here, and think that you're gonna see the same thing from my setup.

If you REALLY care so much, come out, and we'll adjust the lights TOGETHER to your hearts content and find a happy medium. I implore you to do this, seeing how much you guys CARE about GLARE.

Illegal? haha, I speed everytime I drive, and that's illegal too. Take me to jail please.

Stop singing the song like you're some sort of angel. I put a single HID headlight on my *bike* and you guys are talking like I just slept with your mother.

 

[Feanor]

I'll trade my ability to see more clearly at night, increasing my safety margin, for on coming traffic's "irritation" 24/7...

If Stan's setup clearly does not impose any other effect than to mildly irritate other drivers momentarily, and even then, not to the level of them flashing highbeams back at him when oncoming, I not only see his installation as justified, but almost to the point of being necessary.

It's dangerous enough at night on two wheels without having that grey armchair suddenly appear right in front of you in the fast lane at night... And yes, I have see this...

If it puts no one else in "danger" and aides in motorcycling night visibility, he has my resounding vote...

Feanor