HID lighting problems

[fw2000]

I have a 2006 RSV and having some work done. While fairing is off I was going to upgrade the headlight to HID. Shop owner says older HID units in the 300-500 dollar range are ok but China has flooded market with cheap stuff that won't last. He said if I installed HID system from HID Country or the Canadian dealer that it would probably burn out and leave me lightless. Can anyone tell me about reliability issues(good & bad) of the HID systems? Any suggestions? I like plenty of light at night. What about HID passing lights?

Edited September 8, 2010 by fw2000
punctuation

[gunboat]

on may 22 '10 i installed the hid bulb from the canadian delear and have been well pleased with the light output. the only negitive is sometimes when starting up the bike the bulb shuts down. and i have to stop the engine and restart the bike. at freebirds mx this yeat i talked to brad t and he was having the same problem. i think that dave zipcode was having the same problem with the hid shuting down his t/d. but i belive he fixed his problen by instaling a seperate cutout switch to turn on the hid after the bike is started. i well be doing the same soon.

reguards

don c.

Edited September 8, 2010 by gunboat

[BradT]

I did have that problem, but after MD I have not had a problem with it.

 

Brad

[Flyinfool]

I have had my HID from HID country since February and I still think it is the best upgrade I have done to date.

[RedRider]

I have a 2006 RSV and having some work done. While fairing is off I was going to upgrade the headlight to HID. Shop owner says older HID units in the 300-500 dollar range are ok but China has flooded market with cheap stuff that won't last. He said if I installed HID system from HID Country or the Canadian dealer that it would probably burn out and leave me lightless. Can anyone tell me about reliability issues(good & bad) of the HID systems? Any suggestions? I like plenty of light at night. What about HID passing lights?

 

FW,

 

Take the halogen lightbulb with you. If the HID burns out, it is a simple swap out. No rewiring required. (You should always carry a spare anyway).

 

RR

[Flyinfool]

FW,

 

Take the halogen lightbulb with you. If the HID burns out, it is a simple swap out. No rewiring required. (You should always carry a spare anyway).

 

RR

 

I do have my old halogen packed on the bike for just in case.

I learned the hard way about not having a spare headlight bulb.

[BradT]

I too have the old bulb with me but where do you pack it and in what to protect it. ??

 

I pushed the glass end into a 2" cube of foam, wondering if there is anything better.

 

Brad

[Flyinfool]

I simply wrapped several layers of bubble wrap around mine and tie wrapped it to the frame inside of the faring.

To change the bulb I have to pull out the headlight assy anyhow and there is the spare waiting for me. This work great on a 1st gen, not sure where to store it on a 2nd gen.

[BigD]

I bought my HID light from HID Country a few months ago. Switching back to my Silverstar today. Got stuck again with the light not starting last night, my buddy rode beside me so I could get home. So far, not much help from Jason at HID Country. I love the light, I just can't trust it.