::..anyone replaced the headlamps with HID's yet ??..::

[hANNAbONE]

www.VVME.com - I threw some of these in a 2005 GSA I owned for 6 weeks (*too big*) but it was a fantastic upgrade and so cheap to do. They ran cooler, would draw less current, and had easy choice of "colors". In fact, I put a very hot yellow bulb (*3000K*) on the high beam and what a difference it made in actual running. Has anyone done a HID mod yet - if so, what were your results??

 

[macca]

Just got me some short H7 Hid Bulbs to try out, will check out the space for bulb later once weather lets off (probably tommorrow) I suspect that the headlamp bulb access covers will have to be modified to cater for the extra rear depth of the HID bulbs (longer than stock halogen H7s) which may be the biggest issue in trying to keep the lamp sealed from the elements. It may be worth ordering some spare covers from yamaha for later if it needs to go back to stock (these are listed as a separate part in the parts manual) . There looks to be plenty of room under the side covers for small HID ballast so once the rear access cover is sorted it should be plain sailing.
Ps if the mods are limited to the access covers then there wont be any tell tales left via other holes drilled in the headlamp shell. I'd also avoid going over 35 Watts to avoid risk of melting the lamps with too much heat. No ideal on the impact on beam pattern yet but that is also driven by the quality of the HiD bulbs bought, ie plastic base ones usually have poor alignment.

 

[hANNAbONE]

full report Macca..! ;D

Would like to know how they work with the reflectors and ease of slappin' them in.
I look forward reading your post.

 

[3putt]

I bought HIDs from this http://www.hidnation.com/h7hidkits.html for my Tiger 1050, 35W and worked great.

 

[macca]

Just waiting for a break in the weather to get them on. I dry tested the H7 Hids I recieved and I could get the bulb fitted and the access cover back on ok. I now need to decide where to drill the cable access hole (cover is likely) and where to mount the ballast (lhs under the side panel by the clocks is my current guess) . I'm only planning to run one HID bulb as it affects both hi and lo beams. That way I'll have a standby halogen if it goes on the fritz.

 

[Chadx]

I really like that Yamaha designed the headlights with one-element bulbs and to simply use the 'eyelids' that drop down to cut off the beam when on low beam and flip up on high-beam. That will make the HID mod that much easier. Will be looking forward to a pictorial mod review from one of the first folks that do it and to see where all the pieces get tucked. I'm leaning towards keeping stock lights and adding two of the solstice 10w LED floodlights (even the flood lights are only a 35 degree spread), but would be open to spending the money on HID instead if that mod turns out well.

 

[Swagger]

....... Will be looking forward to a pictorial mod review from one of the first folks that do it and to see where all the pieces get tucked ....

There's a ton o space in the cockpit area for the ballast and cabling. I'm going to settle for my PIAA driving lights and add a couple of Xenon units. I like those Clearwater LED's they look real cool ... gonna put some on the FJR 8)

That'll give you an idea of the space available.

 

[hANNAbONE]

Actually...the Denali LED's look like the nuts - as they can be stacked one on top of another.

Think - 2 beam & 2 fogs stacked..?

Granted they are very expensive - but for almost indestructible construction and 50,000 hour life

what's not to like.?

http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/5224/790/

 

[Chadx]

Yep, Twisted Throttle did a really good job rebranding the Vision X Solstice lights and combining it with a wiring package to make the install look pretty easy.
More details on the Vision X Solstice LED lights. There are some pics floating around of someone (WASP?) hanging the 2" Solstice lights on the ST. They are small and out of the way and looked great.

Edit: found WASPs pic (WASP, excuse the link to your pic. I'll remove at your option):

 

[Swagger]

...... They are small and out of the way and looked great ....

There are four mounting point holes up under the chin for that very set up. I like that attention to detail.

 

[Chadx]

Yep, Yamy planned that out good.

 

[hayfarmer]

You wont need to touch the headlamps.They give a great spread beam and a pretty good long one.
If you need the extra light add the l.e.d.s and go for spread or spot to suite your needs.

 

[hANNAbONE]

that's actually what I've been reading - the new Denali spots & fogs have my attention, I gotta say.!

 

[motopan]

Sure wish I'd known about the "Danali" & "Vision X" cubes a few years ago when my buddy Dylan and I Rode from San Jose Costa Rica to the and of the Road in The Darien Gap, at Yavisa, Panama. We both fitted car type road lights to our bikes, and things were fine 'till it rained. We dropped both bikes so many times that both sets of lights got scrubbed off, the Jessy bags mounts on Dylan's GS 1150 were trashed and his frame broke at the swing arm. I fared a little better, once I took off the front fender of my Transalp, so the wheel would turn. Also, I had Aerostich Tank Panniers, Ortlieb Low Profile Dry Bag saddle bags and a medium sized Motofizz seat bag to take the hits.
As we take delivery on our new Silver S10 in a few weeks, I'll be ordering a lot of gizmo's soon.
Thanks for the great tips. GP

 

[macca]

Minor update I've swapped the short H7 HiD bulbs for a longer one and it has fixed the dark spots I was getting in the beam pattern . Now I would say that the 35Watt long Hid bulb gives the same beam pattern/spread as the stock halogen with the only real difference being the colour. Overall yes it can be done, yes it offers reduced current comsumption (35W vs 55W) but it doesnt offer a massive improvement in lighting just more personalisation to taste imho.
I would recommend swapping out the 501 sidelight bulbs for LEDs as that makes it look a lot brighter (and a nice blue/white colour compared to the tungsten yellow of the stockers)
it is a minor ball ache to do as the headlamp shell has to be removed from its mounts to get access and the cable lengths dont offer a lot of movement.

 

[hANNAbONE]

Thank you Macca..!