HID kits for ten?
 

Hey folks,

I was riding to work last night and home this morning in the fog and have discovered that the headlight really is about as good as a brass monkey without it's symbols.

I could see further up the road by using a match stick!

Anyhu question is has anyone installed a HID kit to their ten?
I'd like to get one one but don't have a clue what type I'D need etc.

Cheers

I've gone for HID's and fitted these:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SLIM-HID-C...item33611eb2e1

Mainbeam bulb holder needs a slight mod, but all working okay and a 20W power saving!!

it's pretty simple, but would need new bits to reverse it!
the mainbeam bulb holder is a twist in fitting that the original bulb sits it and the wire connectors are a moulded part of the fitting, so what you have to do is to cut the connector block off of the bulb holder. this creates a hole that the HID bulb and its wiring can fit through. the original wiring has to be cut and 2 spade connectors fitted to power the slimeline ballast.

the dipped beam is more or less a straight swap as it uses the sprung wire fitting, but again i cut the original connector block off and replaced with spade connectors to save space.

the slimline ballasts are stuck under the petrol tank on each side with velcro tape.

Just on a cautionary note, don't expect HIDs to help out in fog, in fact HIDs are (from bitter experience) worse than ordinary halogen bulbs in fog! Yes they are much brighter, but the colour temperature of HIDs (being more at the blue end of the spectrum) results in significantly more light reflecting back off the water droplets than with the yellowy light of halogen bulbs. For this reason I'd always go for the lower temperature HIDs like 4300K, rather than the "trick" looking bluer higher temperature units.

Just be aware Chris, they are not legal......


That means no insurance if you have an accident (and they find out)

I didny know that?? I was under the impression that they are legal and just classed as a modification??

Don't alot of new high end cars, such as audis and beemers etc come with them fitted as standard?

They are legal if fitted as original equipment on cars.

The status of aftermarket HIDs has been clarified for cars and light commercials since the January 2012 revision of the MOT test regulations (they are illegal and will fail an MOT), but it�s still a very grey area for motorcyclists.

Motorcycle HIDs are regarded as being illegal, but no law actually states they are. Provided they are correctly aimed and pass that part of the MOT test then the tester is obliged to pass you bike. Here�s the catch though; just because you have a valid and current MOT it does not mean you bike is legal - clear as mud? :icon_scratch:

Direct quote from VOSA�s �Matter of Testing� (publication for MOT nerds) in April 2012 regarding Motorcycle HIDs�

�Due to the adverse affect on the beam pattern, it is not considered legal to convert conventional halogen headlamps to HID xenon using the existing lens and reflector. Fitment of complete HID xenon headlamps is permitted, although the lamp may still be required to have some form of
self levelling system to be legal. In either case, there are currently no reasons for rejection in respect of motorcycle HID headlamps, providing, of course, that the headlamp aim requirements are met. If you are unsure whether a lamp meets the MOT test requirements, you can email VOSA at enquiries@vosa.gov.uk or, if the test is already underway, call 0300 123 9000.�

Current MOT inspection manuals download - here

Original article from page 6 of �Matters of Testing� - here

Make your own mind up!?:eusa_think:

Thanks for the info.

This is all abit of a head scratcher haha I thinks the best thing to do is to contact my insurence and pop the question.

If they agree that I will still be insured as long as the bike passes it's MOT then I guess im all good.

I suppose for now the Aux lighting ive popped on will help.

That sounds like a good plan.

By old fashioned letter.... and ask for an old fashioned reply too.


I fear the answer will be along the lines of ....

"We will provide cover insofar as the current obligations for Vehicle Construction and Use Regulations are adhered to"

Which means they won't care a hoot about MOT (although they would still require you to have a valid one before they made any payout), and would be looking to any other regulation that hints at non compliance - in other words unless it specifically says it is compliant, then it isn't. I might be wrong..... and that pig will have to stop circling the house.

We all know how insurance companies work...

They would have to prove it was a contributing factor to any accident. Which unless you've been hit by someone who's veered into your lane while screaming "aaargh, my eyes!!!" is pretty unlikely.

Of course you're then into a world of argument with them which could be avoided just by leaving the lights stock. Is it just me that thinks the standard lights are actually fine?

I have not had a problem with the standard lights.

Add fog lamps or daylight running lights to improve visibility instead of a potentially illegal modification to an unsuitable lens or deflector.

Several people I know who have fitted HID's seem to delight in the fact that they can dazzle other drivers!

I disagree. We are talking about insurance cover, not legal liability. A civil case only has to show a likelihood, whereas as criminal prosecution needs much stronger evidence. So if there is a grey area in the law, this can easily be exploited by an insurance company.

Nope, I think are fine. I have those rubbish X-Vision lamps, but more a case of 'being seen' rather than 'seeing' (

And fog lamps have the right pattern to deal with fog too.

You've got to wonder about the thought logic there...... "Aha I'm dazzling that oncoming car,,, so the fact he can't see anything but a bright light makes it safer for me"

I had HID's on my last car, and they were pretty terrible in adverse weather (snow, heavy rain, mist & fog).

Well I have to say that I'm delighted with the HID's I've fitted. Went for the 4300K ones, so they aren't stupidly bright, but have a nice spread.

On the MOT side of things, my brother has had HID's fitted to his GS for the last 3 years and its never had a single mention from the MOT Tester.

I tried an HID kit on the Tenere but went back to a Philips Xtreme bulb and a set of LED auxiliary lamps from adventure-spec.

If you wire the HID to the dipped beam then there are a couple of issues. The bike switches on the headlight when you crank the engine over. That means that the starter is hammering the battery at the same time as a large inrush current from your HID kit. The HID kit will probably fail to ignite the bulb and the already weak electrical system on the bike will not be happy.

Also, the dipped beam and the full beam are not on at the same time. If you are running on main beam for a while then change back to dipped then there will be a few seconds of darkness as the system gets back up to brightness (or could fail to ignite).

You can run separate wiring for the kit with a switch to get round the issues but that is more potential for points of failure.

Not to mention the fact that you are attaching some electronics that operate at high frequencies and produce thousands of volts at startup with the electronics being of unknown origin, I don't like the idea that they could cause electrical interference to my bikes ECU and instrumentation.

Al


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This effing fog is doing my head in, & looks like it'll be back for a 3rd straight day tomorrow!!
Anyway: forget the HID stuff - its expensive & questionable re legality.
I would do the following:
1. Only ride a motorcycle IF ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY in fog - it is AMAZINGLY DANGEROUS & we don't have fog lights as standard....
2. Upgrade standard halogen H4(??) bulb to an Osram/Phillips or similar EC stamped, legal, extra bright bulb
3. Fit day time running LEDs - I saw a self-adhesive set at Halfords for �20 that I may purchase, which should neatly stick onto my hand guards - watch this space...

Finally: fog is not to be messed with!

PS: what about something like this for visibility: http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=...ture=endscreen