HID or CREE LED?

[kappy5003]

While AnaSTasia is in bits I'm thinking about light upgrades. I'm running H4 (adapter ring) fake xenons that are bad bud when she's back on the road I'll be doing a bit highway commuting maybe into the evening so I want good lights.

I see HID's are a less expensive than they used be, so I was thinking maybe doing one globes with below and see how it goes.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/AU-Ship-35W-Motorcycle-Bike-HID-Hi-Low-Beam-Bi-xenon-Kit-Slim-Ballast-H4-6000K-/281110623972?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item41737fb6e4
anyone have any experience with this type or have a preference.

Also stubbled across these LED's (below), even LED's seems to have changed, I brought a little new age led torch from Supercheap for $6.00 its  only maybe 5 inches long takes 3 AAA's and is brighter than my Police style Mag light with a halogen globe, that's about 14 inches long. So go figure.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2X-H4-50W-LED-Cree-Headlight-Head-Light-Lamp-Drivers-Car-Auto-Vehicle-White-/151077621507?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item232ced8f03

Does anyone have any experience with these Cree style lights.

Cheers
Kappy

[ST2UP]

I have played with HID for ages (not on bikes though) found the cheap ballasts.....well CHEAP !!!......globes globes that throw uneven light patterns have shadows in middle of beam and just not worth the effort if you persist with the cheapies.

Different story entirely if you spend the money on Phillips HID or even a supplier like HIDlightsdownunder.com

Buy quality and feel the pain once.......then move on satisfied with your choice.


LED still not up with HID......YET !! But won't be long....



 

[Rodd]

I've been interested in the LED bar lights that are (mostly) aimed at 4WDrivers. I'm not sure about their long range application but more for lighting up the road surface.

[tj189]

Really have to agree here.  Went down the track of the cheaper ones and that's what they are, failed globe in the middle of no where is not good.  I now have the Philips HID set up and very happy with it.

I have played with HID for ages (not on bikes though) found the cheap ballasts.....well CHEAP !!!......globes globes that throw uneven light patterns have shadows in middle of beam and just not worth the effort if you persist with the cheapies.

Different story entirely if you spend the money on Phillips HID or even a supplier like HIDlightsdownunder.com

Buy quality and feel the pain once.......then move on satisfied with your choice.


LED still not up with HID......YET !! But won't be long....



 

[saaz]

I have had cheaper ballasts fail, so went with HIDlightsdownunder.com H4 set.  No problems at all. The bulbs are pretty robust as well. One came loose on a rough gravel road (I may not have clipped it in properly) and it chipped the glass. I ordered a replacement, but the chipped bulb is still working fine.

[kappy5003]

So if fitting HID regards of the quality, it seems that there may be a need to activate a switch that turns the the headlights off when starting as ex Police bike have the lights on auto, is the because of surge or drain?

I also picked a reference to a relay, on one set available through Aussie supplier there seems to be a relay and a separate  + and -  wiring, is that normal. I thought most of these kits were plug and play so to speak.

I may just get the $25 single and see if I like the HID ,seems the jury is out whether there any good on ST1100, because of the lens.

If its no good or it fails it only 25 bucks.

When I 1st got my AnaSTasia I brought the H4 adapter ring, and some high Phillips globes $65 and one of them failed within the 1st month, I now have some non de-script globes I got off eBay for about $12 I think, some 4 years ago and  are still going strong.

I see some kits have a built in reflector and some don't , those that have converted what's the difference.

On another forum,  in the USA they seem to favour  vvme 50/55w Bi-Xenon HID, that are by price wise Cheap and don't seems to have much failure, the only down side is postage which then make them dearer, and probably made in China anyway.

Thanks   

[Brock]

The start bypass mod for HIDs, is due to the sudden on/off/on tends to blow the ballasts. Most of the STs (11 and 13) have the headlights on when the key is turned on, and drop out when the start button is pressed.

[pault]

i found the vvme tended to wash out after some meters not all that good in a 1100, also one of the hi/low coils failed rendering it useless, no good making warranty claim as the post is more than getting a new unit from elsewhere

[kappy5003]

Brock, is it a big job to utilise one of the police switches to create a by pass,I  have seen some wiring semantics, but they don't mean a lot to me Pics and instructions would be useful.

Pault, the US was just an example, they is an Aussie seller with high feedback, with an Aussie 12 mths warranty, that I may try, still only $50 for 2 H4.

In any event have some other chores to do before I get real serious about lights. Still seems as though some swear by them and others them.

When I get the girl running I'll need to get off my bum and join you guys on a ride.

Cheers

[Brock]

It can be done, but I made up an adapter plug that goes in to the side stand switch wiring, that controls a relay that removes power from the HID system when the stand is down. put the stand up and the light goes on. You cant forget to turn it on or off.

[kappy5003]

Brock,

I'd be very interested how you did that, the yanks apparently hold down the start button then turn on the key, this eliminates the surge.

However yours is a set and forget solution.

[Yorkie]

I purchased my HID conversion from http://www.delonixradar.com.au/hid-xenon/motorcycle-hid-lights/h4-hi-lo/, Perth company and supply spare lamps also.

I was very happy with them on the border run.

[Brock]

I'd be very interested how you did that

pretty simple really, ther side stand down provides an earth for an HID power cut out relay. So with side stand down, relay is pulled in and no HID. Start engine, get ready to go, raise the side stand, lights on and ride away

Here for more info

http://ozstoc.com/index.php?topic=3034.0