HID lights for '98 Magna

[Chokse]

I've been running an HID setup with on my Magna (with VTX headlight) for over a year and have had no issues whatsoever.  The only thing I changed was that I removed the little half cover that fits over the HID bulb (that comes stock with the bulb).  I removed it because in the VTX housing, it only used the top half of the reflector with that thing over the bulb.  Once gone, the bulb now uses all of the reflector and it is very, very bright.  When driving, it almost seems like daylight on the road ahead.  It is amazing how different it is over standard bulbs. 

[hootmon]

Where did you get your HID from ?

[Chokse]

I got it off of Ebay.  It is a "Hi-Low" beam HID light.  It doesn't actually have two filaments like a traditional bulb, but it uses a magnet in the bulb housing to raise or lower the bulb for the Hi-Low beam effect.  I must say that it actually works very well.  I can't find the exact one I bought, but this one is pretty similar: 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Slim-Ballast-H4-Bi-Xenon-HID-Kit-Bike-Motorcycle-6000K_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1205Q7c66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318Q7c301Q3a0Q7c293Q3a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem170300052867QQitemZ170300052867QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_5042wt_1369

[hootmon]

I got it off of Ebay.  It is a "Hi-Low" beam HID light.  It doesn't actually have two filaments like a traditional bulb, but it uses a magnet in the bulb housing to raise or lower the bulb for the Hi-Low beam effect.  I must say that it actually works very well.  I can't find the exact one I bought, but this one is pretty similar: 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Slim-Ballast-H4-Bi-Xenon-HID-Kit-Bike-Motorcycle-6000K_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1205Q7c66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318Q7c301Q3a0Q7c293Q3a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem170300052867QQitemZ170300052867QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_5042wt_1369

How much more HEAT would you say the bulb produces over stock??
This always seems to be a concern, so I would like to know what your experience is with an actual unit

[Sledge Hammer]

Since the HID lamps are more energy efficient, they should not run any hotter. In fact, they should run cooler. I think glare for oncoming traffic is the primary issue with putting them in reflectors meant for incandescent lighting.

I should add that a friend of mine who has them on his car says that the manufacturers have got the technology to the point where they provide useful light immediately on start-up, which takes care of one of my concerns.

There's still the issue of whether the electrical noise they present from the arc can damage the ignition controller. That's probably going to vary from one model to the next and from one installation to the next.

[ed5757]

Good, now we're getting somewhere.
Thanks Chokse for the input. is this the same VTX housing mentioned earlier in this post? and you say you are still able to get high and low beam?
According to the website you linked, you are using the "diamond White" bulb (6000k). is this correct? I see (according to the chart)
that if I wanted the blue output, I would have to choose the next available. (8000k) although the one that I really am looking for is the 10,000k, which is probably the bulb notable (and I say this unofficially, as I've only come across this statement twice while reading up on it) for causing the chrome to flake off of the housing and melting wires. hell, the 8,000k might do this as well.
   Once again, thanks. glad to find someone who has had experience with the HID in their Magna. feeling that I'm getting closer to what I want.
OK guys, I challenge you to help me research this more. lets get the ball rolling and find a tried and true method of combining the sweet look of the VTX headlight with better and  brighter lights for our Magnas!
  Lets start a movement! yeah!

(ok Eddie............should have stopped after that fifth cup of coffee......... )
alrighty then, time to have a look at that VTX headlight..............

[Chokse]

As far as I know, all VTX 1300 headlights are the same.  But to answer your question, yes, it is the same VTX housing that everyone uses on his or her Magna.  I don't think the bulb is any hotter than an normal H4.  It is certainly not hot enough to cause any damage (melting).  There is a bit of a whining noise when you turn on the ignition (ballast turning on), but once the light is on, that noise disappears and I have seen no issues with the coils or ignition module due to this.  Finally, as I said in that previous post, that Ebay link is for a unit similar to mine, not the actual one that I have.  I could not find the unit I bought because it is almost 2 years old.  I provided that link to show the "Bi-Xenon" unit ("Hi-Low" beam version, which is what I have) versus the standard (non Hi-Low) Xenon unit.  I think each person selling these on Ebay offers different versions (6000k, 8000k, 10,000k, etc).  You would just need to order the appropriate one.  However, when I bought mine, the guy I bought it from told me that the 8000k and 10,000k are make it much harder for cars to see you during the daytime.  He suggested that for best daytime visibility I should stick with 6000k or under, and daytime visibility is important to me.  Sometimes you have to make sacrifices for safety.

[Sledge Hammer]

Thanks for all the good information that you gave us, Chokse. I hadn't even considered that a bluer light source could be harder to see during the day, but it makes sense. Have you had any comment from people you know to the effect of any glare issue when they are coming towards your bike at night?

[Chokse]

I live in Seoul, South Korea (population 20 million plus) so all the streets are very well lit (combination of street lights and the fact that every building is covered in neon lights) so glare to oncoming drivers has never been an issue with all the other lights hitting them as well.  When I ride in the Korean country side, the HID really lights up the road ahead, so I imagine that in most locations in the US, it would be a great benefit.  Also, I think you can adjust the VTX light (with the adjustment screws) so that it is focused a little lower, therefore avoiding any possible glare issues.  And, like I said, I removed the little half cover over the bulb so I could use 100 percent of the reflector (with it on, it only seemed to reflect off of the top half of the reflector).  I think if you leave that little half cover on (mine came with a half cover, but I'm not sure all of them do) it might also help reduce glare.  My advice is to get one (though I think I would get 6000K for better daytime visibility) and if it does cast a bit of glare at other drivers I don't think it will be too serious, and I'm sure they will get over it once you vroom vroom past them.

[ed5757]

Ok, was looking at (one) website. looks like a similiar unit. why the huge price difference?
http://www.motorcyclehidlights.com/
compared to   http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Slim-Ballast-H4-Bi-Xenon-HID-Kit-Bike-Motorcycle-6000K_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1205Q7c66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318Q7c301Q3a0Q7c293Q3a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem170300052867QQitemZ170300052867QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_5042wt_1369
did I miss something?

[Chokse]

There are some on Ebay that sell for $130 or more as well.  I don't know what the difference is either.  I would guess that the ones for sale on the Motorcyclehidlights.com web page are probably supplied with wiring specific to that bike (plug and play so-to-speak).  The Ebay ones are not bike specific, so you might need to shorten the wires, but bullet ends on them to splice into the Magna's wiring harness, etc.  Basically, with the cheaper ones, I think there is more work for the installer to do.  I'm not sure that double the price is worth it to avoid a little extra work.  I think that as long as you buy from someone with a good (and large number) feedback rating on Ebay and that the unit comes with a warranty (I saw some on Ebay that had 18 month warranties), I think you will be fine.  No matter who sells this stuff, I think it is all made in China or Taiwan anyway, probably at the same factories.

[magnagregcan]

Does a headlight modulator work with the HID system?

[Sledge Hammer]

Does a headlight modulator work with the HID system?

Good question. Here's a link to a discussion you might find interesting:

http://hdforums.com/forum/touring-models/18898-hid-headlamp-and-modulation-input-requested.html.

Maybe Chokse's set-up would work with a modulator...

[Chokse]

I really don't think it would work with a modulator.  The Bi-Xenon uses a magnet to move the bulb higher or lower.  This process takes a bit longer than a second filament turning on, so I don't think it could keep up with a modulator.  And, it would probably wear out the magnet mechanism since it is a mechanical process versus an electrical process.  I guess there is no perfect solution, so you just have to go with what works best for your particular situation/application. 

[Jumbobret]

Guys HiIDs run cooler than halogen bulbs. I have done extensive reseach on this matter. They use less electricity, once running they only use 35 watts. Kits sell on Ebay for $79.99 for single Bi-Xenon bulb kit and 99.00 for dual bulb kit. These kit are high quality. The only problem you may have is the reflector in headlamp bucket, which can easily modified. I have even built a whole HID system for My v65 from a Nissan Alitima works great. Ask "smoked you" he has seen it. The down fall to my homemade kit, it didn't have high beam. Now under construction is a HI/LO kit almost done with it. Right now I have spent ........... Wait for it. .............$00.00 on building both kits. ( I work for a body shop)