HID Conversion on a 12GS (pictorial) - Page 6

rsimpson · 12-31-2007, 04:49 PM

Happy New Year's Eve all,

Got a LAMPF! warning and noticed my low beam wasn't working. I pulled over, turned the bike off, checked wiring, started the bike back up, low beam came on, and warning was gone. Road about 20 feet and the warning came back on and the low beam turned off and stayed off. Have not had an issue with the high beam and I run it all day.

HELP! That low beam is important!

Ryan

JimVonBaden · 12-31-2007, 09:15 PM

I wish I could help, but the only difference between the two is that one goes on when starting, and one doesn't. Can you swap the wiring between ballasts? Might work if they are close enough.

Mine has not done this at all, though I rarely run the high beam during the day!

Jim

leafman60 · 01-01-2008, 04:36 AM

Hey guys, do these HID ballasts generate much heat ??? I am wondering if there is any problem attaching them with or onto plastic.

cpallen · 01-01-2008, 10:19 AM

I have read everything I can on the subject and still can't decide on which way to go. I think I am mostly concerned with conspicuity - the GS has as good or better headlights than any other bike I've owned and I have never had a problem seeing what I need to see (using UK Vision Plus lamps). It would seem that it would also be pretty hard to miss a GS w/ a HID low beam.

Seems like the HID conversion could be cheaper (even assuming both High and Low beam) than say a set of Micro DE's and a Best Rest Light Bar and easier on the GS's electrical budget, and more integrated - so it should be a no brainer. But I'm concerned about the lamp faults, and I have also read of bulbs "off gassing" and damaging the lens and reflectors, and concerned about brief intermittent use of the high beam. Some body push me over the edge one way or the other!

NBeener · 01-01-2008, 10:38 AM

This might be another case of a small, rare problem gets magnified over the 'net.

For me, I have about 3,000 miles on my HID's (cqlights.com), hi and lo. Absolutely zero problems.

Absolutely wonderful upgrade.

I mounted the ballasts and igniters in the mess between the tank and the beak. Could probably get pics, if wanted, but ... pretty comparable to how many others have done it. Big zip ties. Survived lots of fairly punishing off road (it wasn't the terrain so much as how poorly I ride off-road

)

The only downside I've found? It's made me incredibly lazy about mounting my FF200 fogs on my Terra Nova light bar ... which just sits naked on my GS ... looking, for all the world, like a fixed-wing.

Jump, man, jump.

GB · 01-01-2008, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsimpson

Got a LAMPF! warning and noticed my low beam wasn't working. I pulled over, turned the bike off, checked wiring, started the bike back up, low beam came on, and warning was gone. Road about 20 feet and the warning came back on and the low beam turned off and stayed off. Have not had an issue with the high beam and I run it all day.

HELP! That low beam is important!

Ryan

I had the same problem when I installed my older HID H7 kit. Mine has a wiring harness that had a relay and was powered off the battery but also had 2 leads to the headlight socket. When I removed the harness to the battery and powered the ballast off the bike's harness, it would do exactly what you describe. So, I went back to wiring it off the battery with a relay and it's been good for the last couple of years. Mine is first gen (??) HID that I've had on a previous bike and is about 5 years old. I'll be replacing it soon with a new gen utlra slim ballast HID kit.

johnlt · 01-01-2008, 01:47 PM

I run HID H7s on both high and low beam in addition to two Hella Mico HID aux lights triggered on high beam. I can start the bike with the high beam (and Hella aux lights) on and get no faults. The system really adds a lot of light. When all are on inside my garage with the white garage door down, it swamps my V1 laser detector which alarms. That's a lot of light!!

JimVonBaden · 01-01-2008, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leafman60

Hey guys, do these HID ballasts generate much heat ??? I am wondering if there is any problem attaching them with or onto plastic.

No issues at all, and no appreciable heat.

My left one is now mounted to my plastic cover on the fuel pump.

Jim

Gros Buck · 01-01-2008, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gadget Boy

I'll be replacing it soon with a new gen utlra slim ballast HID kit.

You tell us where you will get your slim ballast ...

Paul Jr
R1200GSA oO

RoundTrip · 01-01-2008, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnlt

I run HID H7s on both high and low beam in addition to two Hella Mico HID aux lights triggered on high beam. I can start the bike with the high beam (and Hella aux lights) on and get no faults. The system really adds a lot of light. When all are on inside my garage with the white garage door down, it swamps my V1 laser detector which alarms. That's a lot of light!!

Hey John,

I'd sure like to get a looksee at those lights and how you mounted them. Any chance I can meet you somewhere and buy you a cup of (insert favorite beverage here)?

-jeff

Paul Mihalka · 01-02-2008, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsimpson

Happy New Year's Eve all,

Got a LAMPF! warning and noticed my low beam wasn't working. I pulled over, turned the bike off, checked wiring, started the bike back up, low beam came on, and warning was gone. Road about 20 feet and the warning came back on and the low beam turned off and stayed off. Have not had an issue with the high beam and I run it all day.

HELP! That low beam is important!

Ryan

Some times it can be a stupid little thing. On my whole trip to Utah in September I had a intermittent low beam, but reliable high beam. I push/pulled on the wiring inside the headlight, changed bulbs, cleaned connections, nothing. Finally at home I found that at the main plug-in where the harness connects to the headlight the springclip was lost, and the connection to the low beam was intermittent but high beam was OK.

johnlt · 01-02-2008, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoundTrip

Hey John,

I'd sure like to get a looksee at those lights and how you mounted them. Any chance I can meet you somewhere and buy you a cup of (insert favorite beverage here)?

-jeff

Sure, I PMed you my phone#,

john

rsimpson · 01-02-2008, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Mihalka

Some times it can be a stupid little thing. On my whole trip to Utah in September I had a intermittent low beam, but reliable high beam. I push/pulled on the wiring inside the headlight, changed bulbs, cleaned connections, nothing. Finally at home I found that at the main plug-in where the harness connects to the headlight the springclip was lost, and the connection to the low beam was intermittent but high beam was OK.

Thanks Paul, it may be the connection, because the light was flickering this morning before it shut off. It comes on everytime I start the bike though.. weird. What a bummer...

NWBoarder · 01-02-2008, 04:17 PM

I too have been reading up on HID conversions, and I am ready to order.

I am currently running some cheapo amber fog lights (so I can be seen) during my 46 mi commute, but they do nothing for illuminating the road. I will likely convert the low beam first and decide later if I want to do the high beam too. I don't want to be blinding and pissing off drivers. According to what I have read the the reflector on the R12GS works well with HID bulbs.

Now I need to decide between the 35W kit or a 50W kit. The 50W kits are claimed to be about 40% brighter than the 35W kits and in most cases twice as much money.

To those of you with first hand expirence, is it worth it to go for the 50W HID kits? Who did you order from? And are you happy with the kit?

NWBoarder · 01-02-2008, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnlt

I run HID H7s on both high and low beam in addition to two Hella Mico HID aux lights triggered on high beam. I can start the bike with the high beam (and Hella aux lights) on and get no faults. The system really adds a lot of light. When all are on inside my garage with the white garage door down, it swamps my V1 laser detector which alarms. That's a lot of light!!

Johnlt,
That is one nice looking setup!
I like the red grill too.

Question: what is the "pod" attached to your upper crashbars, that says Touratech on it?

12-31-2007, 09:15 PM	#77
JimVonBaden ^OP "Cool" Aid! Joined: Feb 2005 Location: Alexandria, VA Oddometer: 41,494	I wish I could help, but the only difference between the two is that one goes on when starting, and one doesn't. Can you swap the wiring between ballasts? Might work if they are close enough. Mine has not done this at all, though I rarely run the high beam during the day! Jim __________________ Click here for BMW Maintenance and Repair DVDs and Corrections. "Combo-Order Discounts!"

01-01-2008, 10:19 AM	#79
cpallen Nearly Adventurer Joined: May 2003 Location: Seattle, WA Oddometer: 625	Conversion vs Auxillary Lights I have read everything I can on the subject and still can't decide on which way to go. I think I am mostly concerned with conspicuity - the GS has as good or better headlights than any other bike I've owned and I have never had a problem seeing what I need to see (using UK Vision Plus lamps). It would seem that it would also be pretty hard to miss a GS w/ a HID low beam. Seems like the HID conversion could be cheaper (even assuming both High and Low beam) than say a set of Micro DE's and a Best Rest Light Bar and easier on the GS's electrical budget, and more integrated - so it should be a no brainer. But I'm concerned about the lamp faults, and I have also read of bulbs "off gassing" and damaging the lens and reflectors, and concerned about brief intermittent use of the high beam. Some body push me over the edge one way or the other! __________________ Courtney in Seattle '04 Moto Guzzi California EV Touring '04 Moto Guzzi V11 Sport Ballabio

01-01-2008, 01:47 PM	#82
johnlt Studly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2003 Location: Tucson Oddometer: 569	I run HID H7s on both high and low beam in addition to two Hella Mico HID aux lights triggered on high beam. I can start the bike with the high beam (and Hella aux lights) on and get no faults. The system really adds a lot of light. When all are on inside my garage with the white garage door down, it swamps my V1 laser detector which alarms. That's a lot of light!! __________________ Johnlt 2007 BMW R1200 RT, 2002 Suzuki DRZ400S, 2000 Suzuki DR200 1985 BMW R80RT, 1975 BMW R75/6 Yamaha WR250R

01-02-2008, 04:17 PM	#89
NWBoarder Whitmeister Joined: Jan 2007 Location: Pacific NW Oddometer: 1,785	I too have been reading up on HID conversions, and I am ready to order. I am currently running some cheapo amber fog lights (so I can be seen) during my 46 mi commute, but they do nothing for illuminating the road. I will likely convert the low beam first and decide later if I want to do the high beam too. I don't want to be blinding and pissing off drivers. According to what I have read the the reflector on the R12GS works well with HID bulbs. Now I need to decide between the 35W kit or a 50W kit. The 50W kits are claimed to be about 40% brighter than the 35W kits and in most cases twice as much money. To those of you with first hand expirence, is it worth it to go for the 50W HID kits? Who did you order from? And are you happy with the kit? __________________ Turns out I like the rain, easier to Spin, Skid and Slide. Log Riding 101 Thanks to: Konflict Motorsports Gaerne USA GiantLoop Moto CurbSyde Productions

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12-31-2007, 04:49 PM	#76
rsimpson Long Way OK? Joined: Oct 2007 Location: Southern California, USA Oddometer: 646	Happy New Year's Eve all, Got a LAMPF! warning and noticed my low beam wasn't working. I pulled over, turned the bike off, checked wiring, started the bike back up, low beam came on, and warning was gone. Road about 20 feet and the warning came back on and the low beam turned off and stayed off. Have not had an issue with the high beam and I run it all day. HELP! That low beam is important! Ryan

01-01-2008, 04:36 AM	#78
leafman60 Beastly Adventurer Joined: Aug 2005 Oddometer: 1,015	Hey guys, do these HID ballasts generate much heat ??? I am wondering if there is any problem attaching them with or onto plastic.

01-01-2008, 10:38 AM	#80
NBeener Beastly Adventurer Joined: Aug 2007 Location: Fort Collins, Colorado Oddometer: 1,521	This might be another case of a small, rare problem gets magnified over the 'net. For me, I have about 3,000 miles on my HID's (cqlights.com), hi and lo. Absolutely zero problems. Absolutely wonderful upgrade. I mounted the ballasts and igniters in the mess between the tank and the beak. Could probably get pics, if wanted, but ... pretty comparable to how many others have done it. Big zip ties. Survived lots of fairly punishing off road (it wasn't the terrain so much as how poorly I ride off-road ) The only downside I've found? It's made me incredibly lazy about mounting my FF200 fogs on my Terra Nova light bar ... which just sits naked on my GS ... looking, for all the world, like a fixed-wing. Jump, man, jump.