XRR HID headlight

Is anyone running an HID headlight?

If so, please tell us what you have and pros and cons of the HID system.

I have just completed the installation of a cheapo Chinese HID kit (A$49) with magnetically tilting bulb for dimming. I appears to work well, but I'll have to test it in 'real world' conditions for a while before passing ultimate judgement. It is AMAZINGLY bright, that I can say. I used the stock alternator setup with some minor wiring changes, complete replacement of all bulbs to LED to conserve power. All lights including the HID now runs of the DC circuit, which leaves the AC for heated grips and the horn. There is no need to install a high wattage alternator, but the HID requires a good current to start and that needs to be augmented. I installed a set of 3 LiIon cells which are separated by a Schottky diode from the lighting circuit so that the battery doesn't drain back into the system - it is only required to start the light and gets charged once the motor is running. I shall document this sometime and post here with diagrams & pictures (perhaps).

How much $$$$ do you want to spend?

Look here. http://www.bajadesigns.com/NET/C-166/SINGLE+8-INCH+RACELIGHTS

They offer the above light with a battery (when you look at the link the bike they have pictured of a black sack on top of the light with all the electric stuff in it.), if you don't want to add one to the bike. K.I.S.S.

On my 650 I have the same light but with a 100 typical bulb in it. I want to upgrade when $$$ is avable.

Regards, Jim

This is my experimental setup. The HID bulb fits into OEM reflector perfectly. In fact it focuses much better than the incandescent one. The inverter/starter (the so called ballast) is attached to the rubber mounted speedo. You can see the small battery required to start it when the motor is idling (and only then). I eventually replaced it with 3 flat LiIon cells out of a laptop battery pack. There is room for all the required parts to go behind the lamp shroud. Total cost was below $100, but you need to do the thinking and fiddling yourself, I guess most people will shy away from that and just buy the overpriced commercial kits.