Dear Bikerdoc,

Curious whether you've gone ahead with and swapped out the HID for a new halogen bulb, and whether you are happy with the outcome. For me it's a matter of policy not to ride at night, but for those times when there's no other option, I'd like to beef up my JH600 lighting.

So what is the RMB 270 kit you used?
And is the halogen an improvement?

thanks!
jkp

Quote Originally Posted by bikerdoc View Post
...I have fitted two systems, one each for two of my three of my bikes here in China. One system has been fitted to my Dragstar 1100cc cruiser while the other was fitted to my CFMoto 250cc large scooter (aka Honda Helix). The HID systems are Chinese brands, and are the top end units, with HID xenon high and low beams (25W), as opposed to many of the units which are 25W high beam xenon with a standard 50W halogen low beam (sometimes the halogen wattage is even lower).

<snip>

I've had the HID's fitted now for about 5 months (cost CNY270 per set), and they have proved to be hassle free. The issue with the HID units for me has been that the intensity of the white light tends to be too focused with not enough spread effect on either high or low beam, and this is true for both bikes that I've fitted the HID system. The other issue for me, is that the HID hasn't a wiring loom that allows integration of the standard "passing" switch which is separate to the head-light on/off switch, and when pressed would momentarily activate the head-light high beam. Though I tend to ride with my head-lights on no matter the time of day.

While I like the white intensity and penetration of the HID overall, the majority of the beam is too focused to an area in the front of the bikes with much less spread of the light beam as I'd like and is normal on the halogen bulbs. For that reason I'm likely to remove the HID from the Dragstar and fit a 130/100W halogen, which is what I run in my car. They're damn good. I also miss not having the ability to use the passing switch with the HID light....