DDM Tuning HID kit.
DDM Tuning HID kit.
Hey gang,
I recently switched bulbs on my Dyna to a PIAA Extreme White H4 Halogen bulb. From what I've gathered in research, these bulbs are 4000k and produce about 1750+/- lumens. While I have noticed a pretty big difference in brightness and visibility, it's still not as bright and clear as I'd like for it to be. I know I have the option to go with LED lighting OR HID lighting also. I've been looking at the HD Daymaker since a buddy of mine recently put it on his Springer. It's nice, looks cool, and throws out a ton of light but I can't justify spending over $400 on a headlight. On the other hand I've got another friend who recently put in a 35w 5000k HID kit from DDM Tuning in his Fat Boy and it seems to throw out more light than the day maker (about 3200-3500 Lumens) and cost him about $35 tops. Now, with that being said, the HID kit only has a low beam (high beam doesn't do much with HID in stock headlamp bucket) and blinds oncoming traffic and is probably not "legal" but he's been riding with it for over a year and never had an issue or been pulled over for it. The HID kit also has a lifetime warranty. If something breaks, he sends it back to DDM and they send him another no questions asked.
Just looking at my options and wanted to know what you guys are running or could suggest? At this point, I'm leaning towards the HID kit from ddm tuning for the light it throws and the cost along with the warranty.
Here's the HID kit I'm looking at:
http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/DD...rcycle-HID-Kit
Thanks guys!
I recently switched bulbs on my Dyna to a PIAA Extreme White H4 Halogen bulb. From what I've gathered in research, these bulbs are 4000k and produce about 1750+/- lumens. While I have noticed a pretty big difference in brightness and visibility, it's still not as bright and clear as I'd like for it to be. I know I have the option to go with LED lighting OR HID lighting also. I've been looking at the HD Daymaker since a buddy of mine recently put it on his Springer. It's nice, looks cool, and throws out a ton of light but I can't justify spending over $400 on a headlight. On the other hand I've got another friend who recently put in a 35w 5000k HID kit from DDM Tuning in his Fat Boy and it seems to throw out more light than the day maker (about 3200-3500 Lumens) and cost him about $35 tops. Now, with that being said, the HID kit only has a low beam (high beam doesn't do much with HID in stock headlamp bucket) and blinds oncoming traffic and is probably not "legal" but he's been riding with it for over a year and never had an issue or been pulled over for it. The HID kit also has a lifetime warranty. If something breaks, he sends it back to DDM and they send him another no questions asked.
Just looking at my options and wanted to know what you guys are running or could suggest? At this point, I'm leaning towards the HID kit from ddm tuning for the light it throws and the cost along with the warranty.
Here's the HID kit I'm looking at:
http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/DD...rcycle-HID-Kit
Thanks guys!
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 5,477
Likes: 5
From: New Braunfels, Texas
Looks like a great deal to me. I really don't use my high beam anyways...doesn't seem to do much.
Go ahead and buy it and install it and report back. If it works out for you then I will get one.
Go ahead and buy it and install it and report back. If it works out for you then I will get one.
DDM makes very good products, I've used them on a sportbike before. The problem with putting it in a stock hd headlamp is glare, without retrofitting a projector all that hid is gonna do is create a crapload of unfocused light which is what blinds oncoming drivers.
Personally, I don't like the idea of blinding a cager coming towards me so I would look into bulb upgrades which are still cost effective way of increasing night visibility.
Personally, I don't like the idea of blinding a cager coming towards me so I would look into bulb upgrades which are still cost effective way of increasing night visibility.
The only other problem with projecting HID light is that when you take corners, you are almost left blind due to lean. You could almost need to purchase extra light to counter this. Without a projector, you cant focus the light and you give off massive glare, but you can still see down the road. And while you may be temporarily blinding someone, at least they know you're there and you can definitely see them coming. Kind of a bad way to look at it, but it's true.
What other suggestions for lights might I have? The Silverstar Ultra bulbs are about the same as what I have in now. Is there any other option as far as halogen is concerned? I just dont see anything better than HID for the money and time. I'm open to suggestions however.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 421
Likes: 4
From: Alabama
I have the DDM Tuning single 35w/6000K lamp in my stock '04 Dyna 5 3/4" bucket. I love it. Don't blind anyone, don't get flashed by anyone, don't need a hi-beam. I previously tried the PIAA Extreme White bulb. It was total crap compared to the DDM HID. I'd never go back to any halogen. I ride to work in the dark every day, and the DDM Tuning HID was a tremendous improvement in night visibility. No regrets. And while the OEM bucket & lens is certianly not as good as a purpose HID projector, it ain't bad! Throws a pretty good pattern. If your buddy is blinding other drivers, then he's not got the bucket aimed correctly. For the price, don't see how you could beat it. Only problem is, figgering out where to stow the ignitor/ballast. And I had to drill a 1" hole in the bucket for the HID wiring passthrough.
I have the DDM Tuning single 35w/6000K lamp in my stock '04 Dyna 5 3/4" bucket. I love it. Don't blind anyone, don't get flashed by anyone, don't need a hi-beam. I previously tried the PIAA Extreme White bulb. It was total crap compared to the DDM HID. I'd never go back to any halogen. I ride to work in the dark every day, and the DDM Tuning HID was a tremendous improvement in night visibility. No regrets. And while the OEM bucket & lens is certianly not as good as a purpose HID projector, it ain't bad! Throws a pretty good pattern. If your buddy is blinding other drivers, then he's not got the bucket aimed correctly. For the price, don't see how you could beat it. Only problem is, figgering out where to stow the ignitor/ballast. And I had to drill a 1" hole in the bucket for the HID wiring passthrough.
Brings up a valid point, if the bucket is adjustable you could aim it down a little more and still get better vision.
So where did you put your ballast?
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 421
Likes: 4
From: Alabama
Oh, one other reason the OP's buddy might be blinding oncoming traffic is if he removed the shield on the bottom of the single HID bulb. That'll really blind oncoming!!! I tried it on one daytime ride. Boy, did I get flashed, even in day time. I put it back immediately. Gotta use that shield in a reflector housing!!!!
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I have the DDM Tuning single 35w/6000K lamp in my stock '04 Dyna 5 3/4" bucket. I love it. Don't blind anyone, don't get flashed by anyone, don't need a hi-beam. I previously tried the PIAA Extreme White bulb. It was total crap compared to the DDM HID. I'd never go back to any halogen. I ride to work in the dark every day, and the DDM Tuning HID was a tremendous improvement in night visibility. No regrets. And while the OEM bucket & lens is certianly not as good as a purpose HID projector, it ain't bad! Throws a pretty good pattern. If your buddy is blinding other drivers, then he's not got the bucket aimed correctly. For the price, don't see how you could beat it. Only problem is, figgering out where to stow the ignitor/ballast. And I had to drill a 1" hole in the bucket for the HID wiring passthrough.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 421
Likes: 4
From: Alabama
If you cut/splice the wiring & just move the ballast, but keep the ignitor close to the lamp, should be fine. The critical length of wire is ignitor-to-lamp. If that run of wire is > 25"-30" (regardless of ga), may have probs striking the arc wi the DDM ignitor. It's the ignitor that puts out the high-voltage pulse that strikes the arc. That's why it's best to leave the HID turned off when starting the scoot. Particularly if your batt is weak! Ax me how I know!
You'll never fit both ballast & ignitor in a 5-3/4" Dyna bucket, but you might fit the ignitor alone. It'd be tight.
Check back & fill us in as to how you rigged it.
You'll never fit both ballast & ignitor in a 5-3/4" Dyna bucket, but you might fit the ignitor alone. It'd be tight.
Check back & fill us in as to how you rigged it.