Xenon HID

[Graf]

....anybody tried these?.....I am looking for anything I should watch out for during the install or any CAN-Bus fauls that result because of HID's.....
I am planning to purchase from these guys http://www.xenonrider.com/products/h11_ ... kits.shtml price seems to be tolerable
I beleive R12R uses H11 bulbs....right?

[Graf]

.....no opinions?

[IBN]

Ummm.....

Don't waste your money. All explained very well at: http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech ... sions.html

The problem is getting higher spec H11 bulbs. The only option I was able to find were Osram Night Breakers from http://www.powerbulbs.com . Service from them was very prompt. It'll be interesting to see how the bulbs perform on the next night run in the country.

Cheers,
Ivars

[sandycruz]

There are a whole bunch of R1100S riders over at the Pelican Parts R1200S - R1100S forums that really like the lighting afforded by a Xenon upgrade. Granted its a different lighting system from the R1200R, with different bulbs and reflectors (the R1200R is so much better). And I have heard and respect the many arguements like those put forth by Mr. Stern against a HID upgrade to reflectors designed for Halogen lamps. So for a poor lighting system like that on the R1100S, the upgrade is in fact an upgrade. Or at least the majority of folks on the PP forum think so.

I wonder what kind of result one would get with a Xenon HID kit in our R1200R? Perhaps aux lighting is the best as Don suggests. I don't know, but I'm dying to know. I like the idea of more light without having to go to aux lights. So whats the best source of improved illumination? Anyone willing to install a Xenon HID kit and share their results?

[RideandDrive]

I put some Xenons in my 2004 1150R which I purchased from xeonrider. I love the bulbs, but I did have to dill a hole in the housing because the HID bulb is too deep. I wonder if the 1200R is the sa me way.

[Graf]

......on the other thought.......after reading a little further on thir website....i realized that ALL aftermarket HID systems are illegal fo on-road use . The only ones that are approved by DOT are the ones installed at the factory . You can use them off-road or for show....and there is a leghty disclaimer about that.
Since I would like to keep my bike legal in all aspects.....the HID option is no longer viable .

R12R lights are very good.....i just liked the bluish/white light that HID's give out......oh well........

thank you for all your comments....

[Dan-A]

Xenon HID lights that are factory installed auto level so as not to blind the oncoming cars. This is impossible on a retrofit where the mount is fixed. That is why they are not legal.

I know several guys with HID in their bikes that have not been bothered, but there is always the chance you can be ticketed.

A quiet bike like an R usually does not attract much attention, especially if you have bags on it. It seems like saddle bags tell the cops you are not a maniac rider.

The Motolights I have on my R are much more visible to cars, and give much more illumination at night than the headlight alone, and they can be turned off without turning off the headlight so perhaps that is a alternative to the HID's.

[deilenberger]

I'd have to agree with Dan..

Supplementary lights are IMHO - more effective than just making the headlight brighter. With the supplementary lights (Hella FF50's in my case) - you can fill in dark spots for night riding - and you have a triangulated light pattern - much more noticeable in the day.

And they are legal..

[celticus]

Don, Can you give me directions to your site ( with pictures of your lights ) again.
Mark

[deilenberger]

Don, Can you give me directions to your site ( with pictures of your lights ) again.
Mark

Mark,

Sure: http://www.eilenberger.net/R1200R_Roads ... Rindex.htm

[nixdsg]

So has anyone tried the XenonRider (or other) H11 high beam replacement? I'm very curious if there is an improvement.

The objection about the HID not being legal seems a bit moot for two reasons:
1. I don't think any additional lights are "legal". Not that they seem to pull anyone over for adding driving lights to a motorcycle.
2. this HID replacement is only the high beam, not the low, meaning it will not effect on coming drivers.

If I could get improved lighting for only $110 by changing the bulb it would be much cheaper then say, Moto lights at $350+

Nic

[vodka]

Hi ,as I have just ordered my R1200R and have had only 2 test rides..I feel like an expert. In fact I feel GREAT!!
I too have spent some time looking at lights. Fortunately HID arent illegal in good old Oz. Daylights tend not to blind the already blind motorist,so the cops wouldnt worry.
I swear by a modulator ++. The HID dont modulate. So options are HID high beam, modulate low. best so high beam at night in country with HID, or modulate High which defaults to steady on HB and HID low,missing out on High beam HID for night country, (does it make a difference L or H converted to HID?.) same output low or high if HID....... ..or Modulate HB and go aux HID on sides with dedicated switch as per this site. Hopefully no damage to warranty will occur!
Anyway ,I watch the solutions with extreme interest. Good Q.

[deilenberger]

So has anyone tried the XenonRider (or other) H11 high beam replacement? I'm very curious if there is an improvement.

The objection about the HID not being legal seems a bit moot for two reasons:
1. I don't think any additional lights are "legal". Not that they seem to pull anyone over for adding driving lights to a motorcycle.

Dunno where you heard that. Additional lighting is legal in the US, as long as not more than 4 lights are on at any one time.

2. this HID replacement is only the high beam, not the low, meaning it will not effect on coming drivers.

This has the downside of slow "on" when turned on. HID's take a few seconds at least to get up to full brightness when switched on.

If I could get improved lighting for only $110 by changing the bulb it would be much cheaper then say, Moto lights at $350+

Nic

Motolights are an expensive, but fully realized (nice wiring done for a motorcycle, good mounting, good service) solution. Most anything else and you're into doing some engineering on your own. I'm a big fan of Hella lights, but some engineering is always involved with using them.

[vodka]

Thanks Don. Rapid learning curve. With all thats been said ,I think your solution w aux lights is the best. Even though costs for adding this and that add up rather quickly.,I promised my self every safety and relative comfort biased option available and dam the cost. After all ,keep the bike for years and the cost fade to a small cup of coke a day.
Only safest alternative is to not ride.........any takers??? I am really glad I found this site .

[AmostThere]

I have the FutureVisionHID.com conversion on my high beam. The problem is that the TrailTech SC4 HID driving lights that I mounted make the high beam look pretty weak. It does project out further due to the relatively low aim point that I'm using for my SC4s since I want to use them all the time (on the freeway) and don't want to blind everybody else. As for the stuff I have read that says a HID conversion is all you need and extra driving lights are unnecessary: not true for me. Just my 2 cents.

[Phillo]

Ive fitted HID to my bike and the South African supplier recommends that for purposes of day riding only to make the bike more visible that you fit it to the low beam which is normallly on as opposed to the high beam and it definitely makes the bike a lot more visible. At night it gives a much better low beam light than the original and Im thinking of getting another ballast and H11 globe for the high beam. Here in South Africa the kit for one works out to around R:1060.20 or $:106.00 US. Fitting is very simple apart from making a hole in the rear of the main headlight casing to take the 25mm rubber grommet that the wires have to go through.