In your message dated: Tue, 08 Jan 2002 23:19:49 PST,
The pithy ruminations from Dave Biasotti on
<HID Lights> were:
=> A couple of clarifying points on the HID thread.
I wish that people would look through the list archives sometimes...
The details on HID conversions have been posted many, many times.
=> First the cost - this was a one time group by that the LDrider list put
=> together for $280 that Mike decided to join in on with me. Normal list
=> price is $350. It is a complete kit and very straightforward to install.
That's a good price.
=>
=> Second reliability - Baja design has been involved in off road and
=> desert racing for years, making systems to withstand the rigors of that
=> sport - more than any of us would ever experience on our GTS's on the
=> street. Secondly I had references from several hard core riders on the
=> LD list that have had no problems and love them.
I've heard good things about the Baja Desgins product.
=>
=> Thirdly blinding on coming traffic - as Mike mentioned there are two
=> types of bulbs - "shielded" which cuts off the top of the beam is
=> intended to be used in place of low beam. The kit comes with an H4 bulb
=> adapter plate that puts the HID bulb in the correct focal length with
Is the "adapter plate" permanently attached to the HID lamp?
=> the lens housing. Like any lights it is important to correctly adjust
=> your headlight, more so because these bulbs are so much brighter. With
=> motorcycles you have to adjust often if you add a passenger, luggage or
=> even adjusting your suspension settings as they will all alter the ride
=> height and therefore the height of the headlight beam. There is also
=> available an "Unshielded" bulb intended to be used in place of the high
=> beam.
Yep. I found the GTS to have a particularly bad headlight lens/reflector, in
that there's not much overlap between high beam and low beam. This means that
when one is aimed correctly, the other is way off. With the HID, I can have a
correct low-beam, that doesn't blind drivers, that's on all the time.
=>
=> Lastly. I bought this set up because of the LD rally's I do for 24 hr
=> stretches which means lots of night riding. While I was satisfied with
=> my highbeam (PIAA extreme white halogen bulb) augmented by a pair of
=> auxiliary PIAA 1000x's - they do turn night into day - you can't drive
=> all the time with high beam and aux lights on. I always felt exposed
=> when going down to low beam and could barely see anything, especially
=> off to the sides, as I'm always wary of the 4 legged critters out there.
The need for more light, especially in low beam, to see the animals, is exactly
why I put in an HID about 2 years ago. I also put in PIAA driving lights
(2x40W) as auxiliaries (switched off the high-beam switch). Take a look at:
http://www.panix.com/~bergman/gtsmods.shtml
for details.
=> I am looking forward to having good light all the time now and keeping
=> my aux PIAA's which re activated by my high beam switch still. Now most
=> of you don't drive for hours on end at night, so if you do just
=> occasional trips and/or occasional night driving, I don't recommend the
=> HID's. The super white or extreme white halogen bulbs are good, as long
=> as your headlight is aimed correctly.
=> I have a couple of extreme white PIAA bulbs, one used and one new if
=> anyone is interested.
=> Now where is the guy from Europe that can source the dual headlight for
=> me?
=>
I'm in Europe. I'm interested in getting a dual headlight assembly for myself.
I can't promise just when, but I plan to check on parts with a local Yamaha
dealer. I will let the list know before I do any purchase.
Mark
=> --
=> Dave Biasotti // Fremont, CA
=>
--
-----
Mark Bergman Biker, Rock Climber, Unix mechanic, IATSE #1 Stagehand
'94 Yamaha GTS1000A
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