HID Headlights

[DarkHorseCoatings]

I don't post much, but I do browse a lot. However, I wanted to say that a few weeks ago I had a high beam headlight go out. After some research on here, I figured i'd swap over and try the DDM Tuning HID lights. They got here after about a week from hong kong, and this evening was the first bit of riding I have done at night. The difference in like night and day (no pun intended). For the price of the kits, and how relatively simple it was to install, I wish I would have done this years ago. So for those of you that might be thinking about it, or want to see better at night, don't wait. Goes without saying seeing better at night is much safer, and we all want that. Just wanted to share.

Thanks
-Matt

 

[thrstrmech]

:up: info like this is always great to pass on to others that are unsure about doing the switch.

 

[rchuff]

Agree HIDS are much better then stock and light up the street further and brighter. Best money I spent on seeing at night. :up:

 

[BambamXB12r]

What kit did you get? I have been contemplating HIDs for a while and am finally thinking about making the jump.

 

[Cooter]

I like the 55W lights in 4K color. Anything higher is too blue and 'glare-y' for me.

People say they don't like to be turned off and on, but thats only true for the cheap ones. Non-OEM (Chinese kits) don't like to be re-started when they are hot because the hot-restrike circuit needs a quality ($$) capacitor and transformer, but even that shouldn't necessitate extra switches, building circuits, or re-wiring stuff to get all tricky. The HID's aren't typically hot (30-60 seconds off is cold again) when you start your bike and the extra cold-strike is just using the same cold circuit again. If you are still worried about it... just hold the start button first, then turn the key on. That way the lights won't even turn on until the bike starts.

{opinion}
For the $30-40 you spend on the kit, you didn't actually 'wear them out', they failed. So just buy another kit.
Or get a legit OEM style ballast kit from Sylvania for $450
{/opinion}

 

[rchuff]

I went with the 35w kit 6k but witch ever kit you get will be better than what you have now. The higher you go up with the bulbs the brighter it is but the less further the light travels so stay under 6k. Like Cooter said 4k is probable the best bet.

 

[DarkHorseCoatings]

Apologize for not replying sooner. I went with the DDM Motorcycle HID Kit, 35W, H7, 6000K, one for the low beam and one for the high beam. In regards to the hot restrike, I decided to go with a time delay relay. I figured that it was a safer bet, and would last longer, and I hate to have to redo things more than once and cost me more money. I have it set to fire about 20 seconds after the key is turned on. I also threw around the idea of running the hot wire straight from the battery and wiring in fuses/relays etc. However, I decided to run them using the existing harness and have not had any issue. The only thing that I have noticed, is that every once in a while, if i'm riding at low rpm's and I go to switch on the high beam (meaning both lights are on) at the moment the HID fires I can feel a little change in the rpm's for a split second. It does not do that every time, but on occasion.

 

[mrlogix]

at the moment the HID fires I can feel a little change in the rpm's for a split second. It does not do that every time, but on occasion.

the inrush to the amplifier for the HID lights is taking power (we are talking milliseconds) and the coils have a slight power drop (again we are talking milliseconds).

 

[Macbuell]

I had HID's. Burned them out quickly because I did not put in a timing delay. They would turn on with my key, then stutter/lose power during the engine starting, then turn back on. Absolutely horrible for HID's and burned my bulb out in a season. Went back to stock after that experience since I did not know how to put in either a switch to turn them on after I get the engine started, or a timer.

Just my experience.

 

[Sirius815]

Mine have been fine without a timer for 2+ years. If you prefer the switch or timer route, you can put in one the these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/DEI-611T-12...MABLE-TIMER-/140333447156?hash=item20ac8677f4

 

[BuellBobb]

Hey DHC, have you or any one else ever tried DDM Tuning's H7 LED light bulbs? Was wondering if they are worth trying...

 

[Retrax]

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My time delay relay will be here Friday and my DDM 35 watt 6000K Kit should be here Monday so I will let you know.

Edit: I just noticed you were referring to LED bulbs, not HID.

 

[oh9bolt]

DDM 55W 5K in my 2009 Firebolt.

5 years almost 18k miles no timer no anything no problems, and the inside chrome still looks brand new.

 

[rchuff]

I have a DEI 528t pulse timer relay on my HIDS and it comes on about 15 sec after bike starts. Would recommend putting it on HIDS but that's me. Bine on for 3 years now.

 

[DarkHorseCoatings]

Hey DHC, have you or any one else ever tried DDM Tuning's H7 LED light bulbs? Was wondering if they are worth trying...

I have not tried any of the LED bulbs yet, so I can not comment.

 

[DarkHorseCoatings]

And for the record, i'm using a Wolsten Tech TDR with a negative switch relay. I am only using the relay on the low beam side. For the high beam its just wired up directly to the harness.

 

[Retrax]

That's the same relay and wiring plan I am going to follow.

 

[DarkHorseCoatings]

That's the same relay and wiring plan I am going to follow.

If you have any questions I'll be glad to help if I can.

 

[Retrax]

Thanks for the friendly offer DarkHorse. The HID kit actually came in the mail this morning (a day early �&#56832. It was kind of a tight fit but I got it all neatly packed in there. I put an extra LED bulb in the empty city light gray center socket while I was at it so that bulb is always on to throw a little light at night before the HIDs kick on. I set my delay to 15 seconds. I am pretty impressed with the amount of light the 35 watt 6K kit throws out especially on high beam. I just tested it in my closed garage. Looking forward to seeing how it looks at night. It is unseasonably warm here today in the low 70's.

 

[DarkHorseCoatings]

Thanks for the friendly offer DarkHorse. The HID kit actually came in the mail this morning (a day early ��). It was kind of a tight fit but I got it all neatly packed in there. I put an extra LED bulb in the empty city light gray center socket while I was at it so that bulb is always on to throw a little light at night before the HIDs kick on. I set my delay to 15 seconds. I am pretty impressed with the amount of light the 35 watt 6K kit throws out especially on high beam. I just tested it in my closed garage. Looking forward to seeing how it looks at night. It is unseasonably warm here today in the low 70's.

Glad your up and running. Once you get out on the road your going to be amazed at the difference. 70's is unseasonably warm? I'm in Texas, and would kill for a couple 70 degree days, haha.