HID headlight ... ???
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 476
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From: Live the California Bay Area
HID headlight ... ???
anyone on here running a HID bulb and ballast with there street bob ? I found a slim ballast system and was wondering if ill be able to fit the ballast in my bullet headlight ....
anyone using one ?
anyone using one ?
Last edited by por2gezo; Oct 3, 2011 at 09:14 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 893
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From: Knob Noster, MO
Just fyi but you might get hassled by the police in your area. Unless you are running a projector style headlight that can focus the HID with a cutoff you will be ticketed. Because a standard reflector halogen housing can't focus the HID properly and sprays the light everywhere, which blinds on coming traffic. I ran slim ballasts on my old bike (08 ZX6r) and they weren't small enough to fit inside of a headlight housing, even the bullet. And they were pretty small for a ballast, so I doubt you will find one that will fit in the housing. On a side note though, ballasts get very hot and need air to cool them down so even if you found one that fit it wouldn't be a good idea imo because of the heat. Make sure if you install a HID setup to install it properly with an inline fuse so you don't fry your stock wiring harness if something happens.
Last edited by Gringoloco13; Oct 3, 2011 at 09:21 AM.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 632
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Silverstar Ultra bulbs available at most auto parts stores are very bright but their lifetime is only about a fourth of a normal bulb. Still, you may wanna try them.
HID is great. True, the stock reflector is not designed for HID but Ive never had problems getting tickets because of light scatter.
The problem with the H-D is not so much the size of the ballast since it can be stashed under the tank or somewhere. The problem with single bulb, H-4, headlights is that the HID bulb holder sticks out from the reflector so far that it wont fit in some of the buckets. The reason for this is that it contains an electromagnetic solenoid that shuttles the bulb in and out to create a high or low beam.
HID is great. True, the stock reflector is not designed for HID but Ive never had problems getting tickets because of light scatter.
The problem with the H-D is not so much the size of the ballast since it can be stashed under the tank or somewhere. The problem with single bulb, H-4, headlights is that the HID bulb holder sticks out from the reflector so far that it wont fit in some of the buckets. The reason for this is that it contains an electromagnetic solenoid that shuttles the bulb in and out to create a high or low beam.
Banned
Joined: Mar 2010
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Try not to run HID bulb in non-HID housing. It blinds incoming traffic and draws unnecessary attention. Have you considered HD LED headlight? Expensive but supposed to be brightest of it all...
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From: Illinois
Just bought my HD LED HEADLIGHT 
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Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Knoxville, Tn
Hid
I'm running a HID light from Kuryakyn..I got a little bit of a deal on it but it was still high dollar. I haven't had any trouble with the cops at all. I have it aimed at a spot out in front of the bike and it doesn't blind any on coming drivers...If you can't adjust where it points, probably better going with a blue bulb or a LED.
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 801
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From: SF Bay Area
Just fyi but you might get hassled by the police in your area. Unless you are running a projector style headlight that can focus the HID with a cutoff you will be ticketed. Because a standard reflector halogen housing can't focus the HID properly and sprays the light everywhere, which blinds on coming traffic. I ran slim ballasts on my old bike (08 ZX6r) and they weren't small enough to fit inside of a headlight housing, even the bullet. And they were pretty small for a ballast, so I doubt you will find one that will fit in the housing. On a side note though, ballasts get very hot and need air to cool them down so even if you found one that fit it wouldn't be a good idea imo because of the heat. Make sure if you install a HID setup to install it properly with an inline fuse so you don't fry your stock wiring harness if something happens.
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 476
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From: Live the California Bay Area
Been running one for 4 years now, have yet to be hassled by 5-0 for running an HID lamp. As for fitting it all insde a bullet housing, YES, it can be shoe-horned in there. As for blinding oncoming traffic, a properly aimed headlight WILL NOT blind oncoming traffic! The light doesen't care if it's being reflected or projected, as long as it's properly amied.http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/ho...ing/index.html Honestly, I never have to use my high beam any more. Find an inexpensive kit, install it, and if you get hasseled by 5-0, the worst you'll probably get is a fix-it ticket. I did it as well as many others and haven't looked back!