HID's?

[05Bueller]

I'm thinking about buying HID's for my bike. I rode for the first time in the dark tonight and I really didn't like the fact that I couldn't really see that great even with the high-beam on. What does everyone recommend and does everything needed to install them come with in the kits that companies sell? I really don't know that much about them. Also, I really don't like the blue HID's, am looking for a more clearer, almost whitish color. Thanks for the help guys.

[Headbarcode]

Check out the ddm tuning site. The 6000 and 8000 series kits seem to be the brightest white before getting blueish. Their about $30, but it's recommended to install a time delay unit because hid's don't like being turned off before they fully warm up, like when the key gets turned on and the lights go out when the engine is cranked. Search this forum for a whole lot more detail. This topic has been covered pretty extensively. I'd put some links up but have'nt figured how yet.

[05Bueller]

Alright man, thanks a bunch. Yeah I know they have to warm up and stuff because I've seem them on some of my friends cars. I wasn't sure about the whole wattage and stuff. I'll take a look around and if anyone has links or if you find out how, much appreciated :D

[CowboyKS]

I've got 35W HID's in both Low and High. Recommend 70W bulbs in high beam and MAYBE HID the low beam.
Frankly, I'm very disappointed in the performance. Do not do your High as the HID bulb is too tall in the reflector creating a really crappy splatter beam.

[Headbarcode]

They come in 35w(3400 lumin) and 55w(5000 lumin) versus 920 lumin for 55w halogens. I was just reading a how to thread on here with pics about installing a time delay. Hopefully someone more computer literate will chime in with some links. Good luck!

[05Bueller]

Yeah, I just read 2 write ups on how to do a relay switch and I think an automatic relay where the lights come on about 45 seconds after bike startup. It helped but I'm not too great with electronics and that stuff so hopefully I can get it haha. Might get a guy I know to help since he's a Harley Mechanic.

And Headbarcode, when on the page you want to link, up at the top in the address bar, click it so it's highlighted, pres "Ctrl C" then, when typing message on thread, press "Ctrl V" and the link will pop up.

[iman501]

http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/6022_20110304001141_L.jpg
^low bean 55w 6k from DDM

http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/6022_20110304001206_L.jpg
^high beam 55w 6k from DDM

here are a couple more pics of my DDM lights in this thread below

http://www.buellxb.com/Buell-XB-Forum/Buell-Firebolt-XB12-XB9/firebolt-headlight-questions

[05Bueller]

Those are the perfect color I'm looking for. I just think it's so clean. I'm not a fan of the blue ones, they just don't look that great in my opinion. Thanks!

[iman501]

glad i could help!!![up]

[Headbarcode]

Thanks 05Bueller, but sadly i don't have a computer just an ipod. Still, much appreciated!

Iman, your bike brings new meaning to firebolt with a lightning front end. Nice!

[05Bueller]

Yeah, I'm lost on the iPod man. I'm gonna take a look around and I'm not sure if someone answered this or not or if I read it and don't remember. If I buy a kit does it come with all the hardware, ballasts, bulbs, wiring, all that jazz?

I actually have 2 HID bulbs, or what I believe are HID bulbs that came in a bag with what the guy gave me I bought the bike from. And there are 2 black boxes in the box they're in, not sure what they are. I'll try to get pics up in tomorrow and maybe somebody can help me out.

[clarson_75]

any kit you buy should have everything. 4300 is the brightest bulb output you can get and 10,000 and higher are for show cars only!

[iman501]

My kit from ddm came with everything (bulbs, ballast, wires, etc.) but I did but my time delayed relay separately

[Kid1620]

I have DDM tuning HID's for high and low 35w 4000 bight as hell. I didn't do the delay relay or anything just wired them in and turn the key. Just make sure you let them warm up a little before you start your bike. It takes the same time for them to warm up that it does to put my helmet and gloves on.

Low

http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z346/kid_ip_162069/0bfa091d.jpg

High

http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z346/kid_ip_162069/1af06916.jpg

[SWATcltch]

Theretrofitsource.com should have everything you're looking for. They're a little expensive but then again just an HID upgrade into a stock halogen housing is illegal on the national level. I'd do a projector retrofit to the housing.

[netty2424]

I know everyone's experience with various companies are different, but mine was subpar with DDM Tuning. I know many here have had good experiences, but I didn't. Lights and ballasts come from China so if they don't have any in stock, expect to wait a month. And then hope you don't get shipped a bad ballast like it did. After having to continually call just to get someone on the phone, after finally getting someone live, I had to repeat the process.........

But again, many here have had good experiences. [up]

[Radiati0n]

I've been talking with a guy from theretrofitsource by email back and forth and he's setting me up with an HID kit. Seems like good customer service so far.

[05Bueller]

Thanks for the pics and info everyone. I'll do some shopping around and see what else is out there but from what I've been hearing I'll most likely go with DDM. I just hope I don't have the same problems as netty2424.

[gobi42]

I was also looking at getting the 35 watt 6k hid from ddm tuning about how long does it take for them to arrive once they have shipped

[GAXB9R]

2 weeks for me.

[gobi42]

Damn I was going to switch to hid because my low beam quit working but I guess I'll just have to get a bulb and hold off on the hids for now

[DustyXB]

If you're having trouble seeing at night because you lights seem too dim to see. Chances are its the housing and not the bulb. Pull yours out and take it apart and have a look at the reflective coating behind the lens.

[05Bueller]

Yeah I need to do that. I seem to remember seeing something about someone painting a new coating on it? And I'll probably go ahead and put some new bulbs on for now.

[05Bueller]

http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/14162_20120717154632_L.jpg

This was what I was taking about in a past post. It was in a bag of stuff I got from the guy when I bought the bike. The box it came in says "H7 8K BULB X2" The return address is XENTECH in CA. I'm assuming it's an 8K kit? The little box says AMP on it so I'm assuming it's for the fuses? It has wires coming out a little that appear to have been cut. I really have no clue what I have here.

[DustyXB]

Well those are for a lightening not a firebolt. And those are just regular old bulbs. Atleast they look to be regular. I doubt they're anything fancy.

[05Bueller]

Damn, figures they wouldn't fit my bike! Haha, oh well, that's why I put a picture up, I knew somebody could help me.

[DustyXB]

Well the box they came in said H7. That should've been your first give away that they wouldn't work lol

[05Bueller]

I didn't know what that meant lol. I'm a Buell newb.

[GAXB9R]

DDM kit 55W 6K for me and I'm satisfied. Have to adjust the range a bit still, but other than the shipping time from china I had no issues with DDM.

[captain chaos]

I did a LOT of research before I bought the HID's for my Busa. I've read a LOT of stories just like netty's about DDM and that's why I didn't go with them.

I bought mine here: http://www.sonicelectronix.com/search_new.php?action=search&keyword=hid+kit
I've ordered audio stuff from them before and they were good to deal with so I paid the little bit extra for their HID's vs DDM. They had them in stock and they shipped FAST. So far I've had no problems with my 6000K kit and they are BRIGHT, like staring at the sun kind of bright! [cool]
The only thing is, be sure to route the ignitor (the small box inline with the cable from the bigger box- the ballast) as far away from the gauge cluster or sensitive elctronics as possible (6-8" is good). That thing fires off at like 24k volts (as much as an old ignition coil for a car) and it does briefly cause some interference when it fires up that will mess with your gauges. I had to move mine a little farther from the gauges on my Busa because it would cause them to reset when it fired up. I moved it another 3-4" or so and it hasn't done it again.

Also, with HID's it sounds like you're wanting something in the 4-6K range. the "K" number refers to their color, not their brightness. 3000K is very yellow-ish 4-5000K is White, 6000K has a slight blue tint, 8000K is VERY blue and higher than that tends to get purple-ish. Anything higher than 6000K is pretty much for show and you start losing a lot of light output. 4000-5000K will be as bright, and white, as you can get.[up]

[Justaerin]

Man I have scoured the search function for a thread with a writeup on installing the HIDs and the time delay, but can't find one. Any links you guys might have?

[oh9bolt]

I havent done this in a while let me see if I still have it...

Google is your friend.

google.com > in search field > buellxb.com and what you are searching for.

Results (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=safari&q=+site:buellxb.com+buellxb.com+hid+timer+delay&sa=X&ei=MkMHUNScMOr10gGtzc3oAw&ved=0CFcQrQIwAQ&biw=480&bih=268)

[Justaerin]

Ah thanks!! I tried using it but had the "domain:" switch in there instead of "site:". You, sir/madam, are a gentleman/lady and a scholar.

[oh9bolt]

Lol dont take me seriously I do everything selfishly for my own enjoyment.

It is sir BTW.

:)

[iman501]

Haha u kind of got called a girl^^^

[Justaerin]

But also kind of called a guy. They cancel, right?

[netty2424]

Haha u kind of got called a girl^^^


More like a shim! Or a she-male! Bwahahahahahaha! :D

[GAXB9R]

http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/o576/GAXB9R/255376c5.jpg

[Justaerin]

Man, I wasn't really looking to have dry heaves so early.

[oh9bolt]

How did you find a pic of me, we arent even facespace friends.

[Justaerin]

Damn gurl, I sho like the way yo mustache points up. Hit me up shawty.

[DustyXB]

Picture doesn't work for me. But I think I'm ok with that.

[05Bueller]

I think this thread has changed gears for the better! :D