HID conversion or Motolights?

[BeemerArp]

I've been wanting to install additional lighting on my bike since the last one, I'm finally doing it to the R12RT. I'm considering adding Motolights ($400) or dual bulb HID conversion to both low bulbs ($200). I could also convert the high beam for $100. So, $300 for a full HID conversion or $4oo for Motolights. For you HID convertees what brand and temp are you using? What to do ... what to do ... any thoughts?

 

[gsinnc]

In my opinion it really depends on why you are adding the lighting. I run Moto-Lights on both my bikes and have done so since I bought my GS in '02. They mount up cleaner than any other lights and the wiriing is virtually invisible. They are warranteed for LIFE and I can tell you the folks at Moto-Lights stand behind the product. The primary reason I have them is to BE SEEN especially during the daytime. Mounted on the calipers they really make the bike stand out. BUT ... if you are looking to light up the road and make night look like day you may be better served with something like PIAA's or HID's as the can burn the paint off the vehicle in front of you. Hope this helps. Oh ... and by the way I highly recommend the black powder coated Moto-Lights.

 

[BeemerArp]

both ... would like to be more visable during the day and at night I want the deer to be medium rare by the time I hit them.

 

[The_Veg]

No complaints after six years of Motolight use, 2 sets on 3 bikes.

 

[marchyman]

both ... would like to be more visable during the day and at night I want the deer to be medium rare by the time I hit them.

Two different desires need two different lights, I think. For daytime visibility I use motolights with amber bulbs. I've had people come up to me when waiting at a stoplight to ask about the lights. The down side is that they don't add that much light for night time riding.

I didn't want to use the caliper mount on a GS.

// marc

 

[ArthurKnowles]

I'd suggest the HID conversion. I converted my '96 RT to HID and used auxillary HID lights from Trail Tech to light up the night. In my opinion, any light that is not a HID light is basically a waste fo money of your objective is to light up the night.

Motolights and PIAA lights often cost more than the TT SMCR16s I used (about $300 for both) and do a poor job of lighting. They do add visibility during daytime, but not much else.

I plan to put TT HID lights (maybe their 4" models if I can fit them) on my LT. It already has a HID low beam and I am going to convert the high beam soon. I buy my conversion kits from http://www.vvme.com/ , but their site appears to be down today. I usually pay less than $100 for two bulb conversions.

 

[ppaintguy]

I have a 4100K setup that I bought from Xenon Factory. It is a car kit so you get two setups for the price. It was a very easy conversion and wiring, everything was included. Careful light adjustment is needed to avoid blinding folks but you can see everything all around. Saved my bacon a few times crossing the country at night in heavy deer populated areas. I have had no regrets putting them on my GSA on low and high beams. As the HIDs run cooler they also do not affect the OEM headlight casings either. (35w versus 55/65w)

 

[swilson143]

I'm for the HIDs. And you can do both low beams for $166 from CQLight. Not affiliated, I've just purchased from them several times now.

Spend the money you save on a nice accessory fuse block or PIAAs.

I also added some PIAA 004XT lights under the oil cooler for around $115-130... don't remember exactly. I remember doing a Google search for them and found the lowest price from an off-road web site with free shipping. Didn't buy the fancy mounts either... they're bolted right through the oil cooler's splash guard. Plenty firm... the lights don't bounce at all.

More info here... LINK

 

[PAULBACH]

Saw some new PIAAs at Americade. They are HIDs and no larger than the present black PIAAs. The these lights do not have bulky exterior ballasts and draw very little current. They are even brighter than the older HIDs. Motolights are dim by comparison.

Did not write down the model numbers. Did I mention they were extraordinarily bright?

 

[visian]

Saw some new PIAAs at Americade. They are HIDs and no larger than the present black PIAAs. The these lights do not have bulky exterior ballasts and draw very little current. They are even brighter than the older HIDs. Motolights are dim by comparison.

paul - here are the ones PIAA has on their site:

but at over 9" wide, the size is way too big for a bike.

i had heard that PIAA was rebadging the Trailtechs for motorcycles and other smaller applications.

did they look like this:

i finally got to see and touch a set of trail techs a couple weeks ago, they have the required quality and will be what i am going to buy for my hp2. unfortunately, the shock-mounted black ones were on back-order... everyone with a GS must've gone out and bought them.

very reasonable price for such a quality item.

imo, motolights are more about daytime conspicuity than for night time visibility. their throw pattern is very wide and if you want to see deer in the dark far enough ahead to be able to stop, you need spot beams.

ian

 

[PAULBACH]

These lights come from a fresh piece of paper. They are about the size of a frozen orange juice can.

PIAA has always been the "Gold Standard" of halogen performance and value. Unfortunately their choices in HID (High Intensity Discharge) lamps has been limited, and the lamps that are available like the PIAA 600's are very sizeable and not practical to mount on many motorcycles.

PIAA has recognized their shortcomings in this arena, and with the introduction of the Cross Country HID lamp set PIAA has leap-frogged the competition in terms of size, performance, and ease of installation.

The Cross Country HID lamps is amazingly compact - a 2" lens in a small 2-9/16" diameter, 4" deep housing. The cases are constructed of machined aluminum with hardened glass lenses for durability, and they feature a 10mm swivel mounting bolt with 90-degrees of vertical adjustment.

Most impressive of all, though, is that the ballasts and ignitors (electronics required for any HID system) are housed inside the lamp cases - eliminating the need for external boxes! These HID lamps are just as simple to install as any halogen lamp - just run the leads from the included relay harness to the lamps, plug them in, and turn them on.

Have seen them in person - awesome. Cycle gadget was installing them at Americade. Call them ahead of time and have a set brought to Gillette.

Twisted Throttle also has them in stock.

 

[tommcgee]

HID or Motolights?

I'd be happy with HID and Motolights.

 

[deilenberger]

If you're looking for HID brightness at a reasonable price in an auxillary light - I might suggest looking at any of the Hella FF series lights (my favorites are the FF50's) These are a standard halogen auxiliary light - made by a company that's been around making lights about as long as BMW (and often the OE manufacturer for BMWs lights.) Excellent quality, great light output, and reasonable price (with a bit of Googling you can find a pair - with wiring harness for less than $100.. I paid $70 for the last pair I bought.)

http://www.autobarn.net/helauxlam.html?site=google_base

I would suggest the driving light pattern ones (they are also available in a fog light pattern..)

 

[The_Veg]

imo, motolights are more about daytime conspicuity than for night time visibility. their throw pattern is very wide and if you want to see deer in the dark far enough ahead to be able to stop, you need spot beams.

I disagree. When installed per the instructions, the Motos point striaght ahead, and because they are so close together, I found that they overlapped eough to just make one blob of light dead-ahead in the traffic-lane- not good. I angled them outward, and could then see SO much around the road at night.
Of course the difference they make depends on the bike- with my former K100 and the airhead, the stock headlamp is like a candle (high-beam is like TWO candles), so the Motos really punched a hole in the night. The new GS puts out so much light on its' own that I really question whether or not it's really a BMW! On the GS, the Motos just fill in around the edges a bit. But on the airhead, I found that the outward angle, coupled with mounting the lights as high on the sliders as possible (Way up right under the seals) cast enough light that after midnight on the Talimena Scenic Drive I could see anything crawling around or lurking in the trees. They light up road signs and other markings WAY out in the distance. All this with the stock 35W lamps in them. Having the lights turn with the front end is nice too.
Of course they do get lots of comments for conspicuity too, so I think that they are an excellent light for getting both results in one.

 

[Rinty]

HID conversion

For colour temperature, I like 4500 (4200?) Kelvin: nice bright white with just a touch of blue.

Rinty

 

[lkchris]

The only HID "conversions" that work and that are legal come from installing factory parts.

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/Hid/conversions/conversions.html

 

[swilson143]

Why does this keeping coming up? HID conversions work great. There are hundreds of people on this forum alone that can testify to the success of their conversions.

Are the light patterns as precise as a factory designed HID setup? I'm sure they are not.

Do they still produce a GREAT pattern using the stock reflector setup? Yes.

Do they put out considerably more light and at a much better color? Yes.

Do you have to be a responsible owner and keep your headlights aimed appropriately no matter what type of headlights you have on your vehicles? Of course!

When aimed correctly, like all headlights are required to be, are HIDs blinding oncoming traffic and making unsafe conditions on the roadway? No.

I've replaced both low beams on my R1200RT with HIDs and also added some PIAAs... all four lights are always on. I have yet to have an oncoming vehicle flash their high beams at me in protest... because I've made sure all four lights are aimed correctly.

 

[mainelytriumph]

I've had motolites for about 7 years on my r1100rs. I don't know how the new piaas work, but the moto's are way brighter and better than old piaas.

 

[BeemerArp]

Thanks for all the great replies!

I have decided to purchase two low and high beam HID conversions from Fashtek.com in 4300K for $194.00 shipped (bmwlt.com group price). I believe this is the best bang for my buck. Now I just hope the canbus doesn't freek out on me and show a fault from the initial HID startup. Thanks again all.

 

[RVB1019]

To see at night- HID- www.cqlights.com H7 bulbs
Install directions with pics on an LT here

To be seen at night- Motolights

My ride- BOTH!