H.I.D. Anyone?

[softail898]

Has anyone got one of these? Looks very cheap for an H.I.D. setup?







Here is the Link:
HARLEY SOFTAIL DEUCE 00-06 XENON HID CONVERSION KIT on eBay, also Harley Davidson, Motorcycle Parts, Motorcycle Parts Accessories, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 03-Aug-08 2000 BST)

Could be the answer for all those that complain about the Candles H-D use for headlights.

[softail898]

Sorry people, I now realise this is for a single element bulb, not Hi/Lo.
This was tacked onto the end of their ad: "This kit will fit 99% of bikes. The kit comes complete with 1x Xenon HID bulb and so is suitable for bikes that use a single headlight as a dipped beam or main beam. Please check your user manual to ensure this kit is compatible. For further advice please contact us"
Thought it was a bit cheap. Sorry, I got too excited thinking I found a good H.I.D. system.

[grbrown]

I have a genuine Harley HID kit on my bike, although I would not recommend it. HID only relates to the dip beam, not main. My car also has HID, a system which only works satisfactorily when on continuously, so doesn't suit main beam.

HID converts 12v d/c supply to 84 v a/c, which is what those 'ballasts' in the picture do. My HD unit has two reflectors each with its own bulb in the one unit, so I suspect converting an existing headlamp would only be possible where main and dips are separate, such as a Tour/Road Glide with twin headlamps.

[boxer_ian]

I've just come across this thread, but curious as to why the Harley HID conversion is not to be recommended. I was thinking of fitting one to my 09 RKC.

[Urrell]

There is a kit out there that uses a relay and solenoid to give dip and main beam from a single source by moving it in relation to the reflector.

[Roger]

I fitted one to my Road King and was quite disappointed. It doesn't work properly with a standard reflector.

[Urrell]

I think that's the same with all the aftermarket kits due to focusing the beam from the source. Never heard about the genuine Harley kit mentioned earlier, Could be interesting!!!

[Urrell]

Originally Posted by boxer_ian

I've just come across this thread, but curious as to why the Harley HID conversion is not to be recommended. I was thinking of fitting one to my 09 RKC.

I think a good "upgrade" bulb for about £20 would be better value than the pukka Harley HID upgrade part number 68043-06B for the Road King at about £488!!!!

The "upgrade" bulb will give improved dip and main beam as opposed to the HID upgraded dip beam only.

[grbrown]

Originally Posted by boxer_ian

I've just come across this thread, but curious as to why the Harley HID conversion is not to be recommended. I was thinking of fitting one to my 09 RKC.

Hi Ian,

The kit is extremely expensive, which itself is an incentive to find a cheaper way. I imported mine from the USA, made a great saving by doing so, but it still cost over £300! The UK price at the time was over £500.

However my main reason for advising against it is two-fold. One is the main beam is blooming useless, adding little in addition to the dip beam. I have tried various alternative bulbs and just recently bought a 100watt one, although have yet to fit it, in my efforts to improve my lot.

Secondly the dip beam is very odd. I gives a very wide but shallow beam of extremely intense light. There is no light on the road immediately in front of you, so you cannot see the road close up, also the upper edge is rather like a peering under a black velvet curtain - it is very difficult to see beyond it.

So riding in complete darkness is like looking out through a shallow slit. The only merit it has, in my opinion, is as a remarkably good daytime notice light, due to the very wide angle of the dip beam.

I would strongly recommend using a known good traditional headlight unit, if this is possible, with a conversion unit to provide increased light output.

http://www.harley-davidson-hangout.c...o=1942&cat=500

Link shows Harley HID unit, with main beam in the small lower circular part and dip beam in the upper crescent.

[boxer_ian]

Many thanks for the reply. I will heed your advice and give the Harley unit a miss. I was trying to avoid a high current upgrade so I will investigate the possibility of fitting HID to the passing lamp enclosures. The ballast units would have to be remotely mounted, but I think this might be the way to go.