...well sorta.
Since I have a little spare time at the moment I decided to do some 'preparation' on mu bike, in this case 'upgrading' the headlights.
I decided to go for HIDs - 4300k, 35w, AC with H4-3 bulbs (the ones where the burner moves back and forth for high/low beam). I found some on eBay (there are plenty on there) and after contacting the seller to make sure they where what I wanted, ordered them.
They arrived OK, but the guy sent me DC, not the AC ones I wanted. I can't be bothered to try to contact the seller and change them for AC, it won't be worth the hassle. I would've left appropriate feedback but eBay removed the listing so I can't leave anything!! (The seller is reginchan, if anyone is interested - but I suspect there are a number of accounts operated by the same people).
Anyway, I took the bike apart and installed the HIDs which wasn't too difficult really. I used 'switch 7' on the Police controls to allow me to switch off the headlights so they are not on when I start the bike - I've read reports that this can cause problems. So now they are in and working. Initially the bulbs were 2 different colours, but they seem to be getting closer now.
As for performance - well I can safely say that I am underwhelmed. Yes, to look at, they are pretty bright - I wouldn't want to stare at them for too long! They also seem to light up the reflective road signs quite far away. But in terms of lighting up the road, I would say that, at best, they are as good as the normal bulbs I had before. There is a lot of light, it just doesn't seem to get 'thrown' forward very well. I wonder if the ST's light isn't the best for HIDs, or the H4-3 bulbs are too much of a compromise or maybe both. The light is a lot 'paler' than normal bulbs, so part of me hopes that I am just not used to them - but my gut tells me that they are just not that good.
I'm gonna stick with them - might as well since they are in - but if I was to get another ST1100, I wouldn't bother again. A decent pair of bulbs would be better I reckon.
I also added a pair of Hella FF50 driving lights. Got them from eBay too, about $115 delivered I think. Wired in to use 'Switch 8' on the Police controls, and linked to high beam. I used the Police brackets to mount the lights.
They
should still work even if the HIDs fail (I have done some testing so I believe my wiring is correct!). I wanted this as a 'back-up' until I have confidence in the reliability of the HIDs.
These things are great. The Roos had better put their shades on when I fire these things up! They throw the light far forward and completely take over from the HIDs when they are on.
So, a partial success. In summary, I wouldn't bother with HIDs again - at least not on this bike - but my curiosity needed to be fulfilled and at least I have done that. I do recommend the FF50s though. I don't know if they are any better / worse than other lights, but I do know they work pretty well.
....as an added bonus - I found out how to work my hazard lights! I thought that they didn't work, because nothing happened when the button was pressed. I thought it was something to do with the decommissioning of the Police goodies.
After I had finished with my wiring, I set off on my bike. When I hit the indicator switch, I was shocked to see both green lights flashing! My initial reaction was'oh s**t, what wiring have I messed up'. A few arm signals later, when the initial rush had passed, I thought to myself 'Hmmm, these look like hazard lights - I wonder what happens if I push the hazard switch....' et voila! Back to indicators! I had a little play with my new-found flashing lights and carried on, happy as a sand boy!