Added a Xenon/HID to replace stock H4 bulb

[barboo]

Added a 35W HID/Xenon. Makes a huge difference at night. The one that I got has a half cover over the light bulb which limits the dispersion of light when used without a projector. I've done the same setup on my Ducati Monster and it worked well. Projector setup would be better, but this doesn't seem to blind people (or at least no one flashed or shaked their fist at me and I had the Monster for a few years) in their cars and you get much more light than stock H4 bulb.

Couple of pix are below. I hid all the wiring behind the headlight so you can't really see it.

[Shinysideup]

I did the same conversion on mine. While I appreciate the increase in lumens for less wattage, I'm not thrilled with the dispersion pattern, since the HID bulb is not located in the same place in the stock reflector as the H4.

I'm now considering finding some sort of LED headlight for which I can make a bezel and fit in the stock housing without the reflector. LED seems to be more efficient than even HID and a factory unit should focus much better.

I've been browsing the Clearwater and JW Speaker offerings.

[barboo]

Interesting...other than having to Dremel the tabs a little on the light bulb clip fastener mine fit right in the same slot. I rode it a little around the neighbor last night and the beam pattern is pretty similar to stock with low scatter - just much brighter.

I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with the LED lighting. That was my first option, but it seemed more difficult to obtain info so I fell back on what I knew.

[Virtually Yours]

Barboo
So I'm fed up with the stock headlight and it seems that this is the best option for me. Is this the one you replaced with or would this one work?
http://www.xenonrider.com/products/h4_bixenon_hid_kits.shtml

[barboo]

This is the one that I got. What is specifically nice about this one (besides the price) is you'll note the bulb shield. This helps the light dispersion from the stock light without having to add a projector lense/mount for the bulb. I get great light at night without too much dispersion or blinding folks. I've tested it on my wife with her oncoming in her car and she confirmed I don't blind her - just bright usable light. 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/35W-12V-6000K-HID-Motorcycle-Kit-H4-3-9003-Bi-xenon-Hi-Lo-Bulb-AC-Slim-Ballast-/281420339446?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4185f598f6

A couple of other thoughts:
1) Get 6K. IMO...besides better lighting, that Kelvin looks the closest to an OEM Audi/M-B/BMW car Xenon...makes it look it came OEM on the bike.

2) Make sure you get the slim ballast (my link has that).

[Virtually Yours]

Thanks for the recommendation. That's a good price! I'm on the right track and going to shop little bit to see what's on the market, reviews, etc.

[barboo]

Thanks for the recommendation. That's a good price! I'm on the right track and going to shop little bit to see what's on the market, reviews, etc.

Sounds good. Good luck hunting!

[Shinysideup]

Not to hijack the thread topic, but, since you're researching, you may want to check out a whole other option;

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-CREE-LED-15W-High-Power-1500-Lm-Motorcycle-Front-Light-Headlight-D2-/400701161270?_trksid=p2054897.l4275

Certainly, the price is right. I paid 6X that price for an LED H4 bulb a year ago and have been very happy.

[7racer]

Not to hijack the thread topic, but, since you're researching, you may want to check out a whole other option;

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-CREE-LED-15W-High-Power-1500-Lm-Motorcycle-Front-Light-Headlight-D2-/400701161270?_trksid=p2054897.l4275

Certainly, the price is right. I paid 6X that price for an LED H4 bulb a year ago and have been very happy.

Good price!! Is that just plug and play??

[Virtually Yours]

Not to hijack the thread topic, but, since you're researching, you may want to check out a whole other option;

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-CREE-LED-15W-High-Power-1500-Lm-Motorcycle-Front-Light-Headlight-D2-/400701161270?_trksid=p2054897.l4275

Certainly, the price is right. I paid 6X that price for an LED H4 bulb a year ago and have been very happy.

I actually been eyeballing the VLEDS link that you included in another thread. What I noticed is the higher the Lumens the higher the price. After reading, price comparison, install instructions, etc. I actually like the VLEDS because they seem to be the brightest and easiest to install. However that link now reroutes you to a pair of h4 instead of the single for a motorcycle. I emailed them and asked for more info... They have a new brighter LED (V3) tail light I'm interested in too.

[Shinysideup]

It should just fit the H4 receptacle in the headlight shell. The leads plug into the headlight plug. The only challenge I had was moving the rat's nest of wiring out of the way and holding them there with tie wraps to make room for the finned fan on the back of the LED "bulb."

[Gavin]

High beam went out this morning...low beam still works, but time to replace the bulb....

I am a simpleton and need plug and play simplicity...but might go ahead and get that led....

Off to eBay...

I assume I get h4 style...is there a brighter one than 1500 lumens?

G

[Gavin]

What about this one?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00PFJXV9S/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?qid=1417572549&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70

G

[Shinysideup]

I just dunno, Gavin. Cree is good. But it's made in China and has dicy specs: no lumen output figures... just says the 14 LED's are as bright as an 80W bulb. How do you begin to focus 14 LED's?? And it appears there's no high/low beam focusing.  Besides, should we really trust a supplier named "Egodirect"?

This one is similar to the one I got from the same company, 3000 lumens, but $130 for two. ($75 vs $15)

http://www.vleds.com/headlights/h4-vx3.html

[Gavin]

Last question...do I just need a bulb (hence plug and play) or do I need the controller box too?

G