LS6TT
Member
I have DDMs in my truck, and have considered in my bike, but i was advised to remove the day time running fuse on my truck to not shorten the life of the HID. Wouldnt it be an issue on the bike since the light is always on?
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Looking to upgrade headlight!
- Thread starter 2011FZ6R
- Start date
See red
New Member
blah blah blah..... hid xenon..... tastes great, less filling...
I have 2 sets of aux. lights and can scare the vampires away for a mile out front, and not care.
I have 2 sets of aux. lights and can scare the vampires away for a mile out front, and not care.
BoneJj
Well-Known Member
Regardless of your thoughts, an HID bulb in a reflector housing is not legal, you will get a ticket for it sooner or later. All it takes is for a cop to headed the other way or for you to get pulled over for something else.... You will end up with a ticket.
Just because you feel your not throwing a lot of light up doesn't mean anything, yes your reflector might be a little better than others but it is still tossing a percentage of that light up. All reflector bowls are designed to toss a percentage of the light up instead of down. And when you put a much more powerful light source in there you will get a lot more light tossed up and at on coming traffic. This is what will get you noticed and the cop to pull you over. Check your state law regarding the issue, I'm sure you'll find some very interesting stuff. I've gone through my states laws regarding it and it's a written statute that will get you a heavy priced ticket.
Also your video even proves my point. Just look at the difference between your light and the car that passes after you.... That's all that it takes for a cop to pull you over.
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applejax
New Member
Maybe in florida the cops have more knowledge of car/bike modifications but here in Jersey, He would have to practically rip my bike apart to even find my ballast.
Ive ridden behind cops, in front of cops, next to cops, etc. They would have to really prove that i even changed my headlight in the first place. Most wouldnt even know it wasnt "stock".
LS6TT
Member
the HID debate happens on EVERY forum out there. to each his own.
Spunky99
New Member
It's a fix it ticket where I live. I kept the original halogens so I can switch back with about an hour of work and a $20.00 administrative fee.
They are brighter but the beam does not rise up and blind cars. Just look at the car I follow later on in the video. YES...BoneJj....thanks for noticing how bright they are, that's the point. I saw a Huntington Beach Police motorcycle with the same bright headlights last Friday. I'm sure they were legal but they were bright and very noticeable.
Yes they are illegal and yes I can make up BS to justify them and make a million excuses and reasons for putting them on but the bottom line is they are illegal. Agreed..... They are also bright in the day when I do 99% of my riding. My muffler is illegal too but I don't want to get into the loud pipes save lives debate. From a personal experience, loud pipes and bright headlights make you more noticeable to those cagers that only look for cars before pulling out right in front of you. I've made the same mistake and looked for a car and then realized after I pulled out that there was a motorcycle coming and I had to make an emergency decision and hoped it worked with what the poor biker did so I didn't kill him. I ride bikes so I have a good idea of what I'd do in that situation so I made the right choice but I don't want that to happen to me too with a cager that has no clue.
If and when I get a ticket, I'll post a pic of the ticket and eat crow...OK?
They are brighter but the beam does not rise up and blind cars. Just look at the car I follow later on in the video. YES...BoneJj....thanks for noticing how bright they are, that's the point. I saw a Huntington Beach Police motorcycle with the same bright headlights last Friday. I'm sure they were legal but they were bright and very noticeable.
Yes they are illegal and yes I can make up BS to justify them and make a million excuses and reasons for putting them on but the bottom line is they are illegal. Agreed..... They are also bright in the day when I do 99% of my riding. My muffler is illegal too but I don't want to get into the loud pipes save lives debate. From a personal experience, loud pipes and bright headlights make you more noticeable to those cagers that only look for cars before pulling out right in front of you. I've made the same mistake and looked for a car and then realized after I pulled out that there was a motorcycle coming and I had to make an emergency decision and hoped it worked with what the poor biker did so I didn't kill him. I ride bikes so I have a good idea of what I'd do in that situation so I made the right choice but I don't want that to happen to me too with a cager that has no clue.
If and when I get a ticket, I'll post a pic of the ticket and eat crow...OK?
BoneJj
Well-Known Member
They might give you a fix it ticket the first time but after that it will become improper equipment which will raise the price. I know this because I've gotten those tickets... In my state the second time around for the same offense will cost you over 100. When I was in Virginia that ticket was near 140, my neighbor got that one. He didn't want to be bothered with doing a proper HID retrofit on his bike. the second time he got caught it cost me 140+ a mandatory court appearance.
Just because you might get a slap on the wrist doesn't mean you will... What if the cop had someone piss in his cheerios that morning? I've run into those cops plenty of times, lol. They are the ones that write the biggest tickets. I can understand wanting to be more visible and I have no problem with that at all, but there is a line that one crosses when choosing to do it in a manner that is not legal. You can't just go around blinding people with your headlight, you may not think it is blinding but whatever. It doesn't mean people on here shouldn't know the 2 sides of the issue. If you do things right an mod the headlight properly you will still be plenty visible and still be within the laws set forth.
As for the bright in the day time, there is is a simple mod that involves using your high beam at 60-70%, there are modules that you can get for that. I know a few guys over on HIDP have them and they work great, they work basically the same as a DTRL system with the high beam. It's for more effective than just riding with your low or high beam on and you piss off a lot less drivers. Just do some googleing on motorcycle DTRL and you'll get plenty of matches, it also keeps it all legal. I don't see why haven't started making them stock on bikes, hell they do it on every american car just about and most imports anymore. If my little shit s-10 extreme truck can have it with a built in sensor then my bike should have it as well..... I'll just leave it at that.
And yes, I do agree on the loud pipes but within reason. You don't need to give yourself hearing damage decibel ranges to make sure you are noticed. I see no need for most of the harley bikes in my area being completely straight piped, they are more of an annoyance at that point. Pipes do need to be heard though for a bike but I do also try to keep them within the limits of the law, simply because I don't want to deal with being harassed by the cops in my area. If you don't give them a reason to pull you over it makes it a lot harder for them. Just because I know and chill with a lot of cops doesn't mean that there are just as many out there that I don't know and don't hang out with at times.
It's a dance you must play and the more risks you take in that dance the hard you will fall when it comes to it.
And a lot of those risks that get taken are the ones that make the "cagers" and politicians alike hate bikers all the more and the more they will want to impose stronger restrictions on the things we enjoy.
Yes I'm quite opinionated today.... but I can be.... lol.
In the end you will do as you do but as I hinted earlier, you'll do as you do but others should still understand the risks that they are considering taking.
Dance the dance.............
BoneJj
Well-Known Member
This is from australia but it's some very interesting information!
http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/pdf/esv/esv19/05-0178-W.pdf
Look at page four, it lists the percentages of decreased accidents by the type of DRL/DTRL. It's pretty interesting that they mention that:
Yellow turn signals - There seems to major percentage differences there.
My current bike has really bright constant on yellow markers on the front. This may be something that I want to take note of when modding out my next bike. It makes sense as the bright amber light does stand out rather well.
Maybe we should all consider making our front turn signals much brighter at all times. I know several companies make some nice 6w LED amber side makers for bikes, might be something we all should check into.
BTW: the study was done by GM.
http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/pdf/esv/esv19/05-0178-W.pdf
Look at page four, it lists the percentages of decreased accidents by the type of DRL/DTRL. It's pretty interesting that they mention that:
Yellow turn signals - There seems to major percentage differences there.
My current bike has really bright constant on yellow markers on the front. This may be something that I want to take note of when modding out my next bike. It makes sense as the bright amber light does stand out rather well.
Maybe we should all consider making our front turn signals much brighter at all times. I know several companies make some nice 6w LED amber side makers for bikes, might be something we all should check into.
BTW: the study was done by GM.
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-12.4% is pretty significant on the face of it. If that's just the change in accident rates, you can imagine how that equates to just having to do a quick pass or stop because someone pulled out in front of a bike they just didn't see. I bought the yellow 6R because I felt it would be highly visible on the roadway. In a reduced visibility situation it's easy to see how brighter markers might be even better. I wonder why the rear signals don't act as marker lights as well, come to think of it?
Spunky99
New Member
I am currently looking into swapping my tail and turn lights for much brighter SMT LED bulb arrays that are plug n play. superbrightled.com has some that put out lots of lumens and are much brighter than the incandescent bulbs I have now.
One other nice thing about the HIDs on a Triumph is that even with dual 55 watt units installed, the current requirement has changed so dramatically that I can actually see my analog instruments at night now. They used to be very dim before the install. Using the 60-70% hi beam method will mean I am using the halogens and sucking all the juice again and have a dim cluster again and have to figure out how to get more current out of a 13 year old system where Triumph parts are as expensive as a Ducati.
PS: Take another look at the video and look for the beam placement on the street and how it is in relation to the other vehicle I am following. The beam does not blind anyone but the lights are bright as heck if you look at them.
BoneJj
Well-Known Member
That's what I'm saying, that's a major statistical difference right there. So much so that it's to the point that it really needs to be looked at as a regular mod for our bikes and maybe one that's done a little sooner than a headlight change.
You can't argue with that big of a number, lol. Granted they do mention that you need to increase the lumen of the ambers in order for them to be seen at a distance but... it seems to be worth it.
- Moderator
- #32
What do any of you think about this?
HID on Ebay
HID on Ebay
Spunky99
New Member
1. It's illegal.
2. It's a universal kit for various motorcycles and no specifications.
3. The ballast indicates a 35watt HID unit. (55 watt ballast is much larger)
4. It does not have the metal hood so without a projector lens, it will blind oncoming traffic as the halogen reflector disperses the light incorrectly.
5. Only a one year warranty.
6. The auction says platinum white 6000K...sorry but 5000K is platinum white and 6000K is blueish. (I've had both)
7. It's a low beam only....so you lose your high beam.
8. The mounting bracket is worthless.
If you really want to put a HID on your bike, go here. It's still illegal and they don't have projectors either but the bulb will have a metal shroud so you don't blind oncoming traffic.
DDM Tuning : Motorcycle HID Kits & Lighting
Order a 35 watt hi/lo H4 kit in 5000K.
Lifetime warranty..They also have 3 retail stores open in San Diego County and Orange County, CA. Not a fly by night operation.
- Moderator
- #34
Spunky99
New Member
1. It's illegal.
2. Warranty?
3. No metal shroud to keep it from blinding oncoming drivers and no projector to focus it.
4. 35 watt H4 Hi/lo is fine.
5. 8000K default temperature is blue as heck...6000K is slightly blue, not pure white and 5000K is not listed.
- Moderator
- #36
Hmmm.. what about this?! [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iwb4OjFFDs&feature=BFa&list=SP2E53181491625CEC&lf=list_related"]ZOMG[/ame]
I have hijacked this thread!!! HUG TIIIIME!
On a serious note DDM and Krypton are the best selections.. Roughly the same cost as krypton has free shipping and DDM charges like $10.
Lesson adjurned
BoneJj
Well-Known Member
Most people prefer the 4k-5k color range. Anything higher will start get into color shifts that will cause problems, legally. Also you should look up HID laws in your state, most states restrict various kelvins of light due to the fact that they represent emergency vehicles. So if it's blue (ish) or red (ish) you could be looking at a higher chance of getting pulled over, Green is okay and so are a lot of other colors but then you are basically telling the cops you have an HID headlight, do you really want to advertise that???.
Also it's proven that a slightly yellow temperature is easier to see with. If you go too white it gets harder to see beyond the headlight.
Also given the earlier talk of the GM study that states amber is very noticeable light I may very well be prone to going toward a stronger yellow color as it would more than likely stand out more than going with a whiter/blueish color.
I'm looking for more facts on the color wavelengths and notice-ability related to it. It's got my interest peaked and I want to learn more about it.
I found some info referring to a study by ford but I couldn't find any hard facts on it.
Also it's proven that a slightly yellow temperature is easier to see with. If you go too white it gets harder to see beyond the headlight.
Also given the earlier talk of the GM study that states amber is very noticeable light I may very well be prone to going toward a stronger yellow color as it would more than likely stand out more than going with a whiter/blueish color.
I'm looking for more facts on the color wavelengths and notice-ability related to it. It's got my interest peaked and I want to learn more about it.
I found some info referring to a study by ford but I couldn't find any hard facts on it.
- Moderator
- #38
It's interesting you mentioned that. I have been thinking of the 3000k yellowish color. There was a brightness diagram on here 1 to 10(brightest) and the 3000 was a 9.5 and the extreme white/diamond white was a 10. I may go with the 3000K as it would look amazing with my yellow fizzer.
BoneJj
Well-Known Member
It's interesting you mentioned that. I have been thinking of the 3000k yellowish color. There was a brightness diagram on here 1 to 10(brightest) and the 3000 was a 9.5 and the extreme white/diamond white was a 10. I may go with the 3000K as it would look amazing with my yellow fizzer.
Yeah it's definitely something to make you think. IDK about 3000k though, that might be a little too extreme, maybe if you can get some 3500k that might be better, also check your states laws. I remember there was a major debate on the issue some time ago concerning the kelvin on one of the forums that I run for my state and I could swear there was mention that here the strong yellow/amber colors are actually restricted, I forget the number though.
Also you have to consider that the cheaper bulbs will not be as close to the color that they claim as they are CHEAP, lol. DDM is a pretty good company and I know quite a few people that use them and they have had good success with them.
The cheaper you go the more heat they will produce as well, a lot of these fly by night "brands" often don't put out as much light but they produce a large amount of heat that can cause a lot of problems.
Spunky99
New Member
It's interesting you mentioned that. I have been thinking of the 3000k yellowish color. There was a brightness diagram on here 1 to 10(brightest) and the 3000 was a 9.5 and the extreme white/diamond white was a 10. I may go with the 3000K as it would look amazing with my yellow fizzer.
The cadmium yellow fizzer is the fastest one...BTW....
I drive 99% in daylight and I seriously doubt the headlight regulations would be enforceable during the day. From what I've been able to read and understand, all the regulations and tests are done at night. I am running a 5000K temperature so no yellow of blueish tint for me.
As a side note, I ran a 6000K 35 watt hi/lo DDM Tuning HID on my old yellow fizzer and never got pulled over or looked at by the Po Po and I did a lot of night driving when I had that bike.
