Strom HID pics

[steviemac]

I hate to link to another site, but I thought there would be people here interested in the following post. For about $100 you can convert the OEM lights to HID (see post 10 in the link to see where to get these). I think would leave the existing low beam alone because of brightness issues, but convert just the high beams. I just need to figure out the logistics...


http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=318768

[BadTrainDriver]

That's on my "to do list" for sure!!!

[Fourvalve]

Hmmm... Check this out;

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/Hid/HID.html

[BadTrainDriver]

Interesting read indeed.

I'm not a "lighting expert" by any means, nor are most riders over on Advrider, but the consensus is it CAN be a nice improvement.

At $130, I'm still going to try them.


Mike,

I thought you of all people would like HID...with all the farkles you have.

BTD.

[steviemac]

I'm still game to try it on the high beams only. I only use them at night when there are not other motorists around. In that scenario brighter is always better...

[choccoloco]

I saw that thread as well with the pic's, I'm very interested too, however at least here we have certain legal requirements around HIDs. I'd be interested in high beams only too to conform with our legal side, don't want the hassle of defects from the boys in blue...

[Dwayne]

I don't think they work well for a high beams only application. HIDs take a few seconds to come to full brightness when you turn them on, and they also don't like to be shut on and off repeatedly. If you can run your high beams for 5 minutes or more at a time, knock yourself out. If you're constantly switching between high and low because of traffic, I wouldn't recommend HIDs for just high beams, they won't live long.

[BadTrainDriver]

I don't think they work well for a high beams only application. HIDs take a few seconds to come to full brightness when you turn them on, and they also don't like to be shut on and off repeatedly. If you can run your high beams for 5 minutes or more at a time, knock yourself out. If you're constantly switching between high and low because of traffic, I wouldn't recommend HIDs for just high beams, they won't live long.


Which you obviously can't do with the Strom. H4 bulb is both Hi and Low in the same bulb.

I know you know this Dwayne, I was just simply stating it.

[Dwayne]

Which you obviously can't do with the Strom. H4 bulb is both Hi and Low in the same bulb.

I know you know this Dwayne, I was just simply stating it.
Absolutely correct, I should have mentioned this, too. Pretty much makes the whole topic moot since they're tied together. :)

[choccoloco]

I don't think they work well for a high beams only application. HIDs take a few seconds to come to full brightness when you turn them on, and they also don't like to be shut on and off repeatedly. If you can run your high beams for 5 minutes or more at a time, knock yourself out. If you're constantly switching between high and low because of traffic, I wouldn't recommend HIDs for just high beams, they won't live long.
yeah, I obviously didn't think about this too much, I should have known with my Forester, I have the XT model and low beams are configured for HID and Highs are Halogen, however there is 2 bulbs :rolleyes: we leave the lights on always.... it's a black car, it has the same problems as my bike in terms of being seen, start up times is obviously not a problem but you do notice the first 5 seconds.
Thanks for the clip over the head, I needed it.....

[choccoloco]

I also should have noted, in AUS for a car to have factory HID low beams, the car needs to be self-leveling with the suspension and have headlight washers. Bikes presumably would require similar setup as it is for oncoming vechiles plus the clarity of light infront of you....
This at least is in AUS

[Finder]

There are convesion kits that have servo actuators to move the HID bulb to the proper high beam location. Having said that, I think most people would be much better off with aux lighting. The stock lighting on the Stroms and SV's are some of the best out there. My HID aux system really doesn't get me much more distance. What it does give me however is a very wide pattern with no cutoff for side lighting through corners.

Cheers!

[riff42]

I don't think they work well for a high beams only application. HIDs take a few seconds to come to full brightness when you turn them on, and they also don't like to be shut on and off repeatedly. If you can run your high beams for 5 minutes or more at a time, knock yourself out. If you're constantly switching between high and low because of traffic, I wouldn't recommend HIDs for just high beams, they won't live long.

not quite.
They have electromagnets inside that change the position of the bulb, acting as a low beam filament, and then a high beam filament.
Switching from low to high doesn't change the actual discharge in the bulb, just the position in the holder.

[steviemac]

So I guess from the reading above that it would have to both hi and low beams... I think I might hold off on this until I here in more detail from someone who has done this already. I'd be too worried about the brightness of the low beam. I believe that on the low beam there can be too much light.

Thanks for the responses!

[riff42]

So I guess from the reading above that it would have to both hi and low beams... I think I might hold off on this until I here in more detail from someone who has done this already. I'd be too worried about the brightness of the low beam. I believe that on the low beam there can be too much light.

Thanks for the responses!

I saw the same HID company on ebay through another form, and was thinking about it. But I was also thinking that I would replace only ONE headlight, since really, the stock is good enough, plus with Silverstars in, they are awesome. Figured only one lamp would be ok!

might help with the blinding issues?

[Dwayne]

not quite.
They have electromagnets inside that change the position of the bulb, acting as a low beam filament, and then a high beam filament.
Switching from low to high doesn't change the actual discharge in the bulb, just the position in the holder.

My comment was in regard to someone trying to use HIDs as high beams only.

[Ducman69]

What about using HIDs in auxiliary driving light housing?

[Corkus]

What about using HIDs in auxiliary driving light housing?

I bought my bike with an auxillary light bar and Aux HID's that have ballasts built into the light assembly. They are nice lights and they work great but suffer from the same problem as has been said about using HID's for High Beams earlier in this thread.

If I can turn them on and leave them on, they are fantastic. But having to switch them on/off for oncoming cars defeats the purpose. HID's don't like that.