HID Headlights

[WVBartMan]

I have a 2009 Road King and was thinking about replacing the stock headlight bulb with HID units. Has anyone replaced their stock headlights with HID Lights? What was your opinion of the upgrade, cost, did you do it yourself, where did you purchase the HID unit, etc?

I appreciate your comments.

[HDUltrarider]

I purchased the HID from motorcycle Metals cost me $150 delivered and installed it my self in about 45min, it was pretty much plug and play but had to lift the tank to run the power line for the ballast. The only downside which i have not had time to resolve is that with the Starter and Ballast powered my HD Garage door opener no longer works using the bright switch.

That all being said if you do a lot of night riding it is a must, the difference from the stock is ineradicable, the beam is much much wider and lights up both sides of the road from shoulder to shoulder. Sight distance is more the triple the stock.

If it is a choice of getting off the bike to open the garage or the light it is the HID all the way.

[Pop's Cycle]

I put the Kuryakyn H.I.D. on my bike. It is the housing, sealed headlamp, and ballast. The housing is big enough that the ballast is mounted inside of it. The headlamp is made by Valeo-Sylvania and the ballast is Osram. It has a mechanical shroud which moves back and forth over the bulb to create a high and low beam. The cost was $600. The lamp and balast, which come together, is $429.

I had to order a replacement lamp after less than 2000 miles. The shroud came loose and covered the bulb so that it was less bright, and when I accelerated hard, there was no light. Additionally, the lamp let in rain water which dirtied the inside of the lens.

If the first headlamp was a quirk, I'll be happy with the change.

I don't know anything about the $150 unit mentioned above. The website doesn't list it's brand. The difference between $150 for the bulb and balast compared to $429 for the Sylvania lamp and ballast makes me wonder.

[THEStinger]

Im currious if the 150 dollar unit was a high AND low beam unit? All the ones I have seen at that price are all low beam only and would require a second bulb for the high beam. Hence why I think the HD housing has two seperate bulbs. Id love to put one on my electra glide, but havent heard or seen any comments on many affordable ones yet. Any chance you guys can post some pics and elaborate a little more? Thanks guys!
-S

[rentalman]

I have the Harley HID kit....
Very expensive and only effects the low beam.
Light quality was some what better but it projected no further down the road than stock. The color of the light was better and it was slightly wider.

Would I do it again....No way!!
Regular headlight with a high output bulb is a far better choice!


Brad

[05 Ultra]

I've gone all ways. Higher watt bulbs. Different lens and the HID.
The HID is without a doubt THE biggest improvement! Did a side by side test with a buddy that had the same lens but stock bulb. Its literally like the difference between nite and day! Whiter, clearer, crisper lite. You wont be disappointed....

[mori55]

I have this, works great. It moves the bulb up or down for high or low. I get complaints when i ride in the back that my light is to bright, and thats on low beam.
http://www.motorcyclemetal.com/gpage12.html

[FatBobRob]

www.jwspeaker.com

[XXXRacing]

I have this one too: http://www.motorcyclemetal.com/gpage12.html
It works great,. I had a few minor issues when I first installed the kit and the owner offered exceptional customer service and all is good now.

[WVBartMan]

I spoke with Howard at Motorcyclemetal just a few minutes ago and he has just put together an HID Light System for not only my main headlight on my 09 Road King but also for the two passing lamps. That would give me 3 HID Lights on the front of the bike for excellent night lighting operations. Howard was out on his bike and unable to recall what the price is but will contact me on Monday with a price. I will keep everyone informed as to the price, maybe the order if the price is right, the installation and finally the main issue, performance over stock. I appreciate everyone's response and look forward to anyone else who has a comment.

[Huck Finn]

Bartman, looking forward to your impressions, and before/after photos if you can do it!

[Mattman22033]

Here is the link to kit I just ordered for my RG.
http://www.xenonlink.com/product_inf...products_id=89

They do have single bulb kits as well.

[WVBartMan]

Mattman: Let me know how the installation went and the performance once installed. That's looks like an awesome price.

[Mattman22033]

WVBartman: My indy is doing it. I have 3 mods that require removeal of the fairing so I am doing them all at once. I found out about that link from one of the other forums and the guy that posted said it was pretty straight forward plug and play and the only extra things to do were run one hot wire(the igniters I think) and a couple ground wires. I just ordered the HIDs yesterday so I will probably get them Wed or Fri. I will keep tabs with my indy and let you know what he siad about the install.

[FatBobRob]

Most,if not all of these kits are not dot approved,don't be surprised if you get stopped/ticketed.