| Author | Message | ||
| warchild
Farkler Username: warchild Post Number: 133 Registered: 09-2003 |
All - I have been on a quest to find a replacement for the venerable PIAA 910s, which as many of you know, are no longer manufactured. When existing stock is depleted, that will be that as far as the 910 is concerned. My motivation stems from the fact that I find my PIAA's tightly-focused, narrow pencil-beam (normally considered the 910's huge advantage over its competition) now represents a disadvantage to me in my post-LASIK era. My night vision needs have changed. It's no longer enough to be well-lit at extreme ranges immediately in front of the bike. There is an equal need to have this same level of light everywhere in front of me, particularly so I can discern movement waaaaaay to the sides of the road as well. Ideally, the replacement lamp must not only perform as well or better than the PIAAs, but should make use of late-generation HID technology. I had thoughts of simply installing HID conversion bulbs on my existing 910s, but elected to go another route: purpose-built high-beam HID Driving Lamps from Philips! Presenting PHIDs "Eyes of God" HID Driving Lamps:   Full writeup: http://www.fjrtech.com/getdbitem.cfm?item=37 Note the FJRTech article is comprised of six different web pages, and 30 large, hi-res digital photos (sorry, dial-up dudes!) - Warchild | ||
| newmexicofjr
Trainee Pilot - Pro Farkler Username: newmexicofjr Post Number: 289 Registered: 09-2003 |
Nice SuperBrace. When's mine arriving?  | ||
| warchild
Farkler Username: warchild Post Number: 135 Registered: 09-2003 |
I'm guessing whenever the guys at SuperBrace told you it would be ready for shipping. BTW, I do now have several hundred miles on the FJR since the Superbrace was installed, so I'll go post a comment about it on the Superbrace thread (no thread hijacking here!  ) - Warchild | ||
| rdcyclist
I ordered it!! Username: rdcyclist Post Number: 10 Registered: 01-2004 |
Dale, Nice install of the lights. Do you notice a delay in the turn-on of the lights? The HIDs in my wife's Audi A4 take about a second to come up to full brightness. I'd really like to use these along with an HID H4 conversion for the headlights since we've got an issue with amperage and farkles. | ||
| warchild
Farkler Username: warchild Post Number: 146 Registered: 09-2003 |
While the lamps light up immediately when I throw the switch, yes, there is a delay of about a second or so before they hit full brightness. In any event, it hasn't presented any problems. I can absorb a slight delay as the light output is simply staggering! I'd really like to use these along with an HID H4 conversion for the headlights since we've got an issue with amperage and farkles. Funny you should mention this; I am about to start this conversion myself this weekend, time permitting. I've score a never-installed Baja Designs H4 HID Conversion kit. I've used this kit successfully in my old ST1100, and there is one in the low beam of my Blackbird as well. This HID system will go into the FJR's right (deer-side) headlamp housing. Sadly, I don't think Baja Designs market these lamps anymore. - Warchild | ||
| speedjunkie
I ordered it!! Username: speedjunkie Post Number: 5 Registered: 01-2004 |
Do the HID's really draw fewer amps? I'd be interested in something like this when my new '05 arrives. | ||
| warchild
Farkler Username: warchild Post Number: 150 Registered: 09-2003 |
Do the HID's really draw fewer amps? I'd be interested in something like this when my new '05 arrives. Yes, they do. Each PHID lamp (including ballast and ignitor) draws less than a H4 bulb on its low beam setting alone. Philips HID: 42-watts H4 (low-beam): 55-watts - Warchild | ||
| speedjunkie
I ordered it!! Username: speedjunkie Post Number: 6 Registered: 01-2004 |
Hmmm, my fizzy runs 100W on low and 130W on high(aftermarket of course). Do HID's have a kelvin rating? I know my high wattage bulbs are 4000K. Will you be putting some details over on the fjr1300 info site? I hope? Thanks Warchild. | ||
| speedjunkie
I ordered it!! Username: speedjunkie Post Number: 7 Registered: 01-2004 |
Boy I feel dumb. See where it says full right up and fjrtech? GOD!! | ||
| fjrandy
Farkler Username: fjrandy Post Number: 134 Registered: 09-2003 |
speedjunkie, a TRUE HID system runs between 6000K-8000K. Too blue. That's why all those Euro cars get heat for blinding (supposedly) other drivers. Your 4000K is right on the money. You'll get a little more performance installing relays directly from the battery. One thing I did notice with the bargain bulbs, and I've used plenty in my cages already...they tend to get more yellow with age, unlike the PIAA's. I was all set to install true HID's in my FJR until I found out HID doesn't come in a dual filament. I was getting the two light kit for around $340 with the Hella ballasts. The problem lies now, and you ALL better read this, there is a federal law either passed or on the books that will outlaw the sale of HID 'AFTERMARKET' lights in ANY motor vehicle. My distributor lost both of his suppliers because of this. All it's going to take is a savvy cop to pull you over and the fun begins. Personally, I'm switching to the PIAA bulbs that are 4150K which is about the whitest white you can get. After about 4200K they start to look blue until 8000K they look purple. But again like Warchild's going to do with his...using one side for HID LOW BEAM ONLY sounds like a cool idea, and I'd assume the other for low beam aux and High beam. The problem with that is the high beam pattern will only be half since the other side will only stay on low beam or turn off completely without being rewired. I was actually dissappointed to find this out because I was ready to blind everyone with a set of my own! If you have a four bulb system you can go with highs and lows, but not in a two bulb system. Take your pick, high or low. You see, each bulb has it's own ballast, and it would have to have TWO ballasts for each if it were high/low. I haven't seen anything like that in my travels. Another thing I learned from some cop friends is that they can see you coming (speeding?) from a VERY far distance because the headlights don't blend in with everyone elses. I'm currently running 3800K bulbs in mine and they are a nice bright white, MUCH better than the stock bulbs. I know, and have read all the hype about how coated bulbs actually reduce the output to the road. Yeah OK, install a set of 4100K bulbs and get back to me. You'll want to know who came up with that one! I was so inpressed, I took one bulb back out and put in the stock one. No comparison! Even the 3800k bulbe produced a clearer view at night. I'm sorry, people can say what they want, but I did my homework on this one and I'm sold. No more wasted (almost) money on real HID's unless they come out with a QUALITY 4000K high/low system. As auxillary lights, yes they're awesome. But not to replace the stock headlights. If you like what warchild has, go for the Philips setup, it's quality can't be beat. Remember, you get what you pay for. A $9.95 set of HID wannabe bulbs from eBay will give you a $9.95 eBay view of the road. Been there, done that.  Randy | ||
| speedjunkie
I ordered it!! Username: speedjunkie Post Number: 8 Registered: 01-2004 |
Do you need the relays to help with the loading on the alternator, or with the loading on the wiring? I'm no electrical genius, but can normally work things out with the proper diagrams and a little assistance. I also don't intend to add nearly as many electrical farkles as many have done. I just might be ok as is. I was really impressed with the 4000K bulbs. They have a blue tint to the bulb that looks cool as hell on my blue FZ1. They emit a bluish white light, so much so I had to adjust my headlights way down to keep people from brighting me. Thanks for the input. Mike | ||
| 20valves
Farkler Username: 20valves Post Number: 87 Registered: 09-2003 |
fjrandy: I went to the PIAA website. I see the Xtreme white H4 rated at 4150K. Is this the one you would recommend? http://www.piaa.com/Bulbs/Bulbs-H4.html | ||
| sanqhar
I ordered it!! Username: sanqhar Post Number: 6 Registered: 09-2003 |
How about: http://eurolamps.com/eurolamps/realhid.htm in Miami!!! | ||
| fjrandy
Farkler Username: fjrandy Post Number: 142 Registered: 09-2003 |
speedjunkie, you need relays to take the load off the wiring, not the alt. 20 valves, yes that's them. Real nice and good quality. sanghar, these are the H4 bulbs I used to get from my distributor, but for some reason his supplier couldn't get them anymore. These are also decent quality H4's but I used to buy from him for $20 a set. $45??? YIKES! For that kind of $$$ go for the PIAAs. Look elsewhere for the same brand. Eurolites always lasted longer than the other 'cheapies'. Randy |
