H.I.D. Conversion

Hey guys,

Has anyone out there tried running H.I.D headlights on their KZ/Z1?

I ride my bike through all sorts of conditions, I'd really like to throw more light out in front of me (I'm running your typical 7" Sylvania Silverstar sealed beam now). I know this would be somewhat pricey and I'd have to mount different ballasts and such.

Have not tried HID. You will have to deal with the extra heat and also extra draw on the alternator windings. You can "buy" a little juice by changing over to LEDs for the brake light/turn signals and running lights. I think you can save maybe 50 - 60 Watts doing that.

I just use a halogen drop in replacement headlight that is same power as stock,but about 3X brighter. Mine's a GE H6024.

pm otakar, he knows all about HID and LED stuff...you can search for his thread too using the search function.

I don't know much about replacement motorcycle headlamps.

If you're using a standard automotive headlamp, the beam pattern may be different than a motorcycle unit. Candlepower.com is one place that has been mentioned over the years from time to time.

Candlepower.com - Motorcycle headlamps

bountyhunter wrote:

Have not tried HID. You will have to deal with the extra heat and also extra draw on the alternator windings. You can "buy" a little juice by changing over to LEDs for the brake light/turn signals and running lights. I think you can save maybe 50 - 60 Watts doing that.

I just use a halogen drop in replacement headlight that is same power as stock,but about 3X brighter. Mine's a GE H6024.

Complete opposite, the HID only draws 30W and is cooler than a standard quartz bulb by a lot. I have now been running it for about two years and I have a whole tread about it on this web sight. just put HID in the search box. I have kits available for both the round and rectangular headlights. You must change the reflector. You can't use the stock one on the bike. You can also look at my project bike where I installed the HID.
kzrider.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&...2668&catid=11#412668
And here is the link to the HID thread.
kzrider.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&...ew&catid=4&id=348657

I'm sure the beam patters are different for auto vs motorcycle sealed beams... but I purchased the bike without a functioning headlight, so I was more than eager to get a working light in as soon as humanly possible. Granted, what was awhile ago, I don't really think about how sucky the light is during the daytime haha.

Otakar, side note, I never heard about MSD coils either. I'll be sure to make a note of that for future reference. Would you say there's the same amount of adjustability as offered with a Dyna 2000?

I've heard about Candlepower before. You'd recommend them?

The Candlepower reflectors are only for incandescent bulbs and can not be used with HID. They will create a blinding light for oncoming traffic. As far as MSD goes, you are speaking of two different things. The Dina 2000 can be compared to the MSD MC-4 ignition, but even than they are quite a bit different. The Dyna 2000 is a regular ignition with a lot of adjustability while the MC-4 is a high performance high output ignition. You must match the right coils with the proper ignition.

otakar wrote:

The Candlepower reflectors are only for incandescent bulbs and can not be used with HID. They will create a blinding light for oncoming traffic. As far as MSD goes, you are speaking of two different things. The Dina 2000 can be compared to the MSD MC-4 ignition, but even than they are quite a bit different. The Dyna 2000 is a regular ignition with a lot of adjustability while the MC-4 is a high performance high output ignition. You must match the right coils with the proper ignition.

I meant the same as far as rev limiters and ignition programming with a laptop. I should have Googled it instead of being helpless

Dyna2000: www.dynaonline.com/skins/products/sportbikes/dyna_2000/

MSD MC-4: www.msdpowersports.com/mc-4.html

The MC-4 is only double the price of the Dyna2000. :laugh: The MC-3 seems a bit more comparable.