hid lights
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
From: california
Thanks for a wasted post!
HID's in a halogen reflector are not only illegal, they blind all oncoming drivers.
I'm sure everyone will tell you that its fine, but its really not. You absolutely need a projector lens to run HIDs properly, ideally one that was designed for HIDs (some halogen projectors do
just fine with HIDs, some do not).
Do this search in the CAR world, and you will find expert after expert after expert saying
the exact same thing: Illegal and bad for oncoming drivers.
I'm sure everyone will tell you that its fine, but its really not. You absolutely need a projector lens to run HIDs properly, ideally one that was designed for HIDs (some halogen projectors do
just fine with HIDs, some do not).
Do this search in the CAR world, and you will find expert after expert after expert saying
the exact same thing: Illegal and bad for oncoming drivers.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 417
Likes: 3
From: Watauga, TX
Howards HID kit from motorcyclemetal
I also put Howards HID kit from motorcyclemetal in my 08 FLHTCU. Adjsted the headlight properly and don't get flashed by oncoming traffic intown, rural or superslab. Still the best mod I've done on the bike. Nightime visibility is unbeleivably better than stock. The only downside is that the headlight is less visible during the daytime to oncoming traffic because the headlight color is a lot whiter light. About the same color as real daylight so it doesn't standout as much as the yellow color of the stock light. The improved nightime visibility makes this an easy trade off for me.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,348
Likes: 52
From: Central Illinois
LOL. I didn't even own a computer in 1990. Had Al Gore even invented the internet yet?
Former Sponsor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,360
Likes: 453
From: Davie, FL
There is as large of gap in HID's as there is with anything else comparing one to another. The statement made about comparing car HID left the one bit of information out: The headlight lamp (the silver & glass thing) is much different than the shape of your round H-4. Throw any HID bulb without the mirrored adapter into a square lamp, what would you expect. Put a H-4 bulb into a HD lamp with the adapter to focus the light onto a pre-designed DOT lamp, they will work as per designed parameters.
The people who make those internet comparisons know this and that is why they they do it, to sell their product and slam the competition through mis-information. If the unit is not designed to work with the lamp than it is not acceptable to be installed in a street vehicle.
It is important to think for yourself no matter what you are doing. There are many pictures on this forum showing the light patterns. I remember one member who positioned two identical bikes in front of 2 double wide garage doors which showed the light pattern. Do your own research, trust your own eyes and you will find them identical. Do not quote others if you do not know what is the truth. Just in case everyone does not know, you can not believe everything you read on the internet.
The people who make those internet comparisons know this and that is why they they do it, to sell their product and slam the competition through mis-information. If the unit is not designed to work with the lamp than it is not acceptable to be installed in a street vehicle.
It is important to think for yourself no matter what you are doing. There are many pictures on this forum showing the light patterns. I remember one member who positioned two identical bikes in front of 2 double wide garage doors which showed the light pattern. Do your own research, trust your own eyes and you will find them identical. Do not quote others if you do not know what is the truth. Just in case everyone does not know, you can not believe everything you read on the internet.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 0
From: Rescue, VA
Now that I'm on a Road Glide, I found out there used to be an E code housing, but the mothership discontinued them. You can get the Great Britain version, but since they drive on the left, the cutoff is on the wrong side. Would love to find a set for the Road Glide.....
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,652
Likes: 5
From: The sticks in SC
I have the E-code headlight on my 2005 Road Glide and a few people who've did the hid swap said the HID's work well with the e-code lens...I have a set of 50 watt 6000k HID's I'm gonna to install soon, I got them from DDM about $50 now that I have installed the newer piece that allows you to replace the bulbs without removing the fairing on my Road Glide. 
Anyone with a older Road Glide this is a easy and IMHO a necessary addition to a Road Glide!
Anyone with a older Road Glide this is a easy and IMHO a necessary addition to a Road Glide!
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,909
Likes: 6
From: Livingston, Texas
I did a bunch of research on this and the Hella E-code reflectors are a drop in replacement for ours, but seem to have a MUCH better reflection pattern and light dispersal pattern onto the road.
Running an e-code reflector with a standard 55/60 bulb is the best upgrade that is legal and doesn't blind others that I could find.
This is the kit for the 5 3/4 lights (sportster):
http://www.amazon.com/Hella-Round-Ha...8358505&sr=1-6
Kit for the touring models with 7" lights:
http://www.amazon.com/Hella-Halogen-...8358641&sr=8-1
Running an e-code reflector with a standard 55/60 bulb is the best upgrade that is legal and doesn't blind others that I could find.
This is the kit for the 5 3/4 lights (sportster):
http://www.amazon.com/Hella-Round-Ha...8358505&sr=1-6
Kit for the touring models with 7" lights:
http://www.amazon.com/Hella-Halogen-...8358641&sr=8-1
The kit I posted draws 35 watt. Much better and don't put the drain on the battery.
And you order it in the K that you want. I also went with the H9 bulb not the H4 buld.
Its brighter.
