LED / HID lighting

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POB
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Joined: Sun Oct 15, 2006 5:25 pm

LED / HID lighting

Post by POB »

Hi guys. I have just bought an HID50 main + dip kit, and I have to say that it arrived quickly and seems very good quality. All plugs and cabling look good. Box says one thing, contents are another. Good news is that contents are correct, box is not ! :wink: Hoping to get someone else in the Cambs / Beds / Bucks area to fit it with me - anyone else on here bought one?

Have also been on Nippy Normans, where I got the (price = ouch!!) LED rear light panel and the "lite buddies". Have to say that I've wired the lite buddies to my brake light - what a result. Even through the amber lenses they shine bright and red. The instant-on effect of the LEDs is welcome too. I reckon they are a good safety thing because of the surprise factor for following drivers. Only prob is that they are a pretty tight fit in the blinker pods.

This is a snap of the old tail light vs. the new LED one. If you have been pondering over whether LEDs are worth it, hope this convinces you. My advice would be to go for a panel rather than one of those LED cluster bulbs.

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horse27
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Post by horse27 »

Hi POB

I installed my HID50 kit about 3 weeks ago ...

Pretty easy really (just time consuming) - main challenge was finding location for the ballasts (have you got the ultraslim ones from hid50.com?)

Also, I had to use a small file (magneto dressing file) to cut done a bit of metal on the dipped beam side as the H1 (?) burner would not fit in without doing this ... which was fiddly.

Cutting holes in the back of the headlight rubbers is the other fiddly bit - I used a hot glue gun afterwards to get a watertight seal.

I can send pics of my ballast location if you like and help out via email ...

Cheers, Lee.
2007 Suzuki Bandit 1250 Street Fighter
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madman
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Post by madman »

I also have LED light panels (home made) and lite buddies on both of our bikes. Judes has amber indicators and mine white, both are wired as brake lights and work really well.
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Vince
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Post by Vince »

I fitted some light buddies to the clear ST indicators, and a brighter?/quicker tail n stop bulb.
I had to fettle the light buddies a bit and use Clear silicon to mount them but they seem to work well.
I also have one of these flashing LED brake lights that comes on under high G's I.e when you are really using the brakes fairly hard.
I mounted that under the rear light assy.
Not that I'm paranoid about any one ramming me up the back (I am), but the brakes are so good on the ST I want a chance for them to see I'm stopping if I'm in that kind of situation.

TBH I'm not sure when the flashing LED activates as it's a bit hard trying to see while you are on the brakes, need to get a mate to check, of course with good brakes as well :wink:
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oyster
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Post by oyster »

I fitted my 50W HID's the other week. Hardest bit is to cut the 25mm hole in the rubber headlamp rear cover. Used industrial self adhesive velcro (B&Q) to stick the slim ballasts to the rear end, inside face of the fuse/relay box either side. Main beam - used to be a Philips 100% brighter bulb - is now SUPERB!!
Oyster. 1999 R1100S. Almost original.
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horse27
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Location: Teddington, Leatherhead, Bishops Waltham ... repeat!

Post by horse27 »

Is it just me but with HID do you find :

a) The main light area is now sooooo bright that the area outside is comparatively very dark and can lead to poor night vision in the dark areas

b) The main beam is so bright that it cancels out the telltale headlight reflections from other vehicles coming the other way on back roads - so they are sometimes more of a surprise

Still love them and never going back - just observations :P
2007 Suzuki Bandit 1250 Street Fighter
2001 Triumph Bonneville
1976 BMW Ex-Police R75/6
1953 Ariel NH350

2002 BMW R1100S BCR ... Gone!
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