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Cruiser
Posts: 102
Orlando | Looking for others that have done a bi-xenon headlight conversion. Please let me know who you bought your kits from. So far I have found some nice slim ballast kits for about $135.00 that include both bulbs. Also need to know what bulb the Vision takes. Thanks!
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| Ebay has all kinds of xenon lights.
Your head lights are H4 bulbs all auto stores carry them Ask for the best ones. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 50
| How do you gain access to the head light? Easy mod? Remove top panel and pull out bulb and replace? Plug and play? |
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Tourer
Posts: 447
Cleveland, GA | Flyin Hawaiian - 2011-04-09 3:43 AM How do you gain access to the head light? Easy mod? Remove top panel and pull out bulb and replace? Plug and play? Bwahahahaha!!! |
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Tourer
Posts: 447
Cleveland, GA | Sorry - just had to laugh there. You are about to discover THE one problem with Visions that the engineers jacked up.
It is really difficult and time-consuming to replace headlight bulbs on a Vision and it is the subject of much grousing on this forum. I've tried it once and have determined that it is better for my sanity to let the dealership do it. My wrench at the Victory dealership cuts his hands every time he changes my bulbs.
There is room between the air filter and the bulbs for the hand of a five year old anorexic midget. You have to pull a rubber boot off the back of the bulb, then release a metal retaining clamp - and you can't see anything that you're doing. The first time the electrical plug comes off the bulb, it takes a lot of elbow grease to release it (and no leverage room to do it with, either). Then remove said bulb. Replace (WITHOUT touching the glass portion of the bulb or it won't last long enough to turn around twice). Then try to get everything back together - in the blind.
I wish you much luck and success! Seriously.
Oh, and the Vision takes H-4 bulbs. |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| They say you pull the air filter you have more room for your hand
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Cruiser
Posts: 50
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No need for apologies Lone Ranger. I'm sure I speak for others that we'd rather have it said straight than to have it said incorrectly. (Even with a little jabs here and there) As you can see, I'm not a regular on the site, but I should be, so serves me right.
I tried looking at the owners manual with not much help at all, so I believe you. My 10k service is coming up, so I might as well throw that in while they have it.
Now I'm gonna start an oil thread.  |
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Cruiser
Posts: 50
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HOLLY COW!! Now that's taking it to the extreme! |
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Tourer
Posts: 482
Beer Collins, Colorado (there is no fort) | So you're you sayn' your bi curious? |
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Cruiser
Posts: 50
| If the glove fits. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va | Lone Ranger - 2011-04-09 2:41 PM
Flyin Hawaiian - 2011-04-09 3:43 AM How do you gain access to the head light? Easy mod? Remove top panel and pull out bulb and replace? Plug and play? Bwahahahaha!!! ?
For $20 come by my place and I'll replace your bulbs for you, that is, the stock standards. I really don't know what I'm saying, but I replace mine, one, in about a half hour to 45 minutes, depending on my frustration level. I have almost no dextarity in my left hand so that has made it difficult to replace the left headlight, which is the most difficult. I will only replace the one that is burned out to keep my frustration level down, so far it works very well. Two things that I do, actually three, is first, be patient, second remove the airfilter, third, adjust the headlight all the way up. I have smaller hands, a blessing, so if you have larger hands, find a friend who has small hands and good dexterity. Having prepped and in the right frame of mind, remove the plug, pull the boot and release the clip. The single, most hardest thing on the left headlight is getting the boot back on. I use a long flat-tip screwdriver and from above flip the boot over the lip from the top, then you can push on with the hand. You are truly working blind, and I have a knack to see things with my fingers.
Anyway, $20 for the right bulb, $30 for the left.
Edited by Cap'n Nemo 2011-04-10 6:59 AM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 742
North Orange County CA | hdfed:
If your intention is to improve your lighting, I would forget about aftermarket H4 to HID conversions and invest in the Victory HID kit, and/or a good set of driving lamps.
While you will undoubtably get more light out of the HID conversion kit than the standard H4 bulb there is a reason that almost every reputable manufacturer of these conversions states in their ads that the products are for "Off Road Use Only" or "Not for Sale in the US".
All head lamps used on vehicles sold for road use must meet DOT standards. Converting an H4 headlight to HID will affect the focus / beam pattern of the headlight by changing the focal length of the bulb in relation to the reflector. This is why cagers with these units are always blinding you. They appear to be on the high beams based on the brightness, but it's usually due to the unfocused beam.
A conversion of this type on a lamp at the height of the motorcycle headlight would probably make you a target for every LEO in Florida (since it is a vehicle code violation and will be obvious no matter how you adjust the lamp), not to mention that blinding oncoming vehicles on two lane roads probably does not improve your safety.
Saving a couple of hundred dollars on a time consuming, sub-standard, and illegal conversion seems to me to be false economy.
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Tourer
Posts: 447
Cleveland, GA | Unfortunately for me, y'all reminded me that I needed to change both my headlights today. Both high beams were out and I've been putting off fixing them because although I usually let my dealer replace them, I'm about 250 miles from him and won't get a chance to get there any time soon. So I just sucked it up and went out and did it today. Yeah, it was as much fun as I remembered, but I got 'er did. Now I'll be able to see better at night. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va | Lone Ranger - 2011-04-10 11:20 AM
Unfortunately for me, y'all reminded me that I needed to change both my headlights today. Both high beams were out and I've been putting off fixing them because although I usually let my dealer replace them, I'm about 250 miles from him and won't get a chance to get there any time soon. So I just sucked it up and went out and did it today. Yeah, it was as much fun as I remembered, but I got 'er did. Now I'll be able to see better at night.
.....intimacy.... awwwwww |
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Cruiser
Posts: 102
Orlando | Hey IB... Most new autos roll out of dealerships with HID bulbs in them. NO problem with LEOs if you stay below 8k on the HID kits. I do have a Victory HID light. Run it all the time and it helps. I did a dual HID conversion on my BMW K1200LT and know all too well about limit of working room. All you have to do is take some of the plastic off and you will have enough room. There is more room behind the plastic on the Vision than I had on the BMW, not expecting problems. Also not expecting a simple plug-n-play either. As far as the Vision Driving Lights... sure you will save some time installing them, they do help with the lighting, but come on, $300.00 for some driving lights! The Dual HID kits in H4 start at $80.00 and go up from there. Nothing above the $200.00 mark and the HID bulbs give you SO much more light up front. Regards to "changing the focal point" not sure at all about that either, never had a problem on the BMW. And I see nothing in the FL vehicle code about them either... Again, all you high end new cars roll off the showroom with them! Bottom line, I want to be seen! I'm not doing it for anybody else but me and my safety. Just like buying a Vision, people have said to me, "That's an ugly bike, I don't like it", Well.... I did not buy it for you!
Edited by hdfed 2011-04-10 5:02 PM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 742
North Orange County CA | First of all lets start with areas of agreement.
Like you, I'm a big fan of safety when it comes to riding my motorcycle as a result of having been hit by cars twice in the last 40 years. I am an AGAT type regardless of weather, use big chunks of 3M retroreflective vinyl on my helmet, and have already invested over $500 in aftermarket lighting for my Vision including Clearwater LED driving lamps and the MOABL modification. I completely understand your desire to have as much light as possible; both from the standpoint of your own ability to see and the desire to be seen.
I also agree with your assertion that many new cars come standard with HID lamps, but they do so because the lamps are purpose built to focus properly (lens and reflector), many also have an auto leveling feature (required for the vehicle to saleable in the EU) to keep them aligned.
I chose to go the direction I did because having lived with bikes whose charging systems were maxed out I had no desire to overtax the Visions charging system; especially since I have plans to add other electrical components. I am working on my air horn install now. I am also be concerned that since the Vision headlight is known to suffer from water intrusion problems and HID kits push close to 12000 volts on the business end of the transformer that this might pose a hazard as well.
You may disagree with my assertion that your potential project might be false economy if you get a ticket. But there is no question that what you are contemplating violates vehicle code and poses a potential danger to other drivers because of unfocused lamps creating glare.
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards establish minimum performance requirements for headlamps, taillights and side reflectors. All aftermarket parts must adhere to these requirements. Under federal regulation FMVSS 108, replacement lights must conform to the specifications for the original equipment manufacturer's system they will be installed in. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration has determined that HID conversion kits can never be designed to meet this standard; as a result of that determination declared HID conversion kits illegal in 2004. It should be noted that FMVSS108 is the controlling regulation for all of North America, so Canada observes the same restrictions.
Interestingly, it is state vehicle codes that are responsible for auxiliary lighting like fog lights; so unless Florida restricts the use of HID fog/driving lamps you could theoretically install an HID driving lamp system and accomplish what you want without creating a hazard for other drivers and running afoul of the local constabulary. Both Hella and Piaa make small xenon HID driving lamps suitable for motorcycle use that appear to have relatively low current draw , but they are very expensive. The Hella Micro DE Xenon kit has a list price close to $700. They do offer a single unit - which is intriguing but it appears to cost over $400 for a single lamp . The PIAA "Cross Country" Kit lists in the $600 range.
Here is what Hella, one of the major manufactureers of HID components incorporated in aftermarket retrofits has to say. http://www.hella.com/produktion/HellaUSA/WebSite/Channels/Drivers/T...
"Looking for HID (Xenon) "retrofit" kits for your vehicle? Unfortunately, there are products, Xenon retrofit kits in particular, available in the aftermarket (especially on the Internet) that are illegal for use on American roads. Besides being illegal, products of this kind also endanger the public?s safety. Use of these ?DIY retrofits? may lead to traffic fines or worse trouble for you and your vehicle. Some of these kits may use Hella parts, such as ballasts or bulbs, but are in no way approved or endorsed by Hella, Inc. for use on vehicles."
Perhaps you will find that it illuminating (yea, I chose that word on purpose  ) that resellers of HID conversion kits resort to language like the quotes below, to attempt to shield themselves from liability, which they bury in their privacy policies, warranty info, terms and conditions ,or other sections of their websites that a potential customer might not visit. They also are obviously aware that the NHTSA is after them and that they are selling something that could get their customers in trouble.
I'm going to beat the legal issue to death, because it irritates the hell out of me that the predator class gets away with taking advantage of the unsuspecting for years and years, and makes so much money that the fines are not even a slight deterrent; and in the process they endanger all of us.
http://www.carhidkits.com/privacy.html
"Disclaimer By continuing to enter this site, you are expressly and impliedly agreeing to all terms as stated below.
CarHIdkits.com, suppliers, partners and resellers will not hold any liability for xenon HID (High Intensity Discharge) Lighting System. Any restrictions, violations or liability should be related directly to the manufacture. The importer / suppliers or resellers will hold no responsibility for any violations this product has.If you are affiliated with or working for DOT, Government regularity agencies or any other organization including organization involving in banning HID conversion systems either directly or indirectly, and / or you are in any related group, and / or were formally a worker of those parties, you can not enter anywhere further on the website and must exit the website immediately. You cannot return to this website. You can not access any files on this website and you can not view any of the web page files. You cannot hold anything or anyone on this website responsible for any violations you may find. You may not call any of our phone lines to order the product direct or indirectly, you may not purchase anything from our company, resellers and our affiliates in its existence. By continuing on this site you are not agreeing to these terms and you are violating code 431.322.12 of the Internet Privacy Act signed by Bill Clinton in 1995. According to code 431.322.12 of the Internet Privacy Act you cannot threaten our ISP(s) or any person(s) or company storing these files, and cannot prosecute any person(s) affiliated with this page which includes family, friends or individuals who run or enter this web site. HID are designed for off road vehicles or vehicle applications that is non-registered or export only. They are not to be used in any driving conditions if the headlight assembly is not designed for the HID kits.(All headlight assemblies have a DOT code on them ex. HB3 - Halogen Bulb 3, if the headlight assembly is designed for HID it will list an HID code on the headlight) By buying and using HIDs on public driven roads without proper headlight assemblies will be the sole liability of the customer. HID kits not installed by the manufacturer in the factory are deemed for off road use only. You may not hold any parties but the customer responsible for misuse of this product. Carhidkits.com and its partners nor anyone associated with CarHIDkits.com is responsible for any representation of our products from our ?Affiliates? or by those who purchase their products from this web-site. We urge our customers not to claim that the products they purchase from us are legal. Please be sure to check DOT regulations in your state before purchasing this product."
http://www.hidxenonheadlights.com/termsconditions.html
Please note that all HID Kits and the components of our HID Kits are intended for export or off-road use only. We are not responsible for violation of local laws due to the unintended use of our HID kits.
http://www.hidkitsonline.com/Warranty.html
LEGAL NOTICE:?HidKitsOnline.com does not endorse any illegal use of the HID conversion kits. Due to recent regulatory developments, DOT/NHTSA prohibits the use of HID Retrofit system on highway or public road in USA.
This website http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/Hid/conversions/conve... has lots of technical info on the issue, and explores HID conversion kits at length.
Hope this information helps. If you decide to proceed let us know what you do, and how it works out.
I am also very interested in feedback from anyone who buys either the Hella or the PIAA xenon driving lamps and mounts them on their Vision.
Edited by Tarpits99 2011-04-13 10:00 AM
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Visionary
Posts: 1229
Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Short and sweet h HIDs are not illegal. HIDs in Halogen designed reflectors are. If the conversion kit includes the reflector, than it's legal.
Yes, they are cracking down! |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 8
| so what is the trick to removing the metal retaining clip? |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | Here is a link to a Tech Reference for replacing the head lights. Warning...there will be blood....sweat and tears involved in the replacement.
http://www.vision-riders.com/bb/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=7538&pos...
Edited by radioteacher 2011-05-05 8:52 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 101
Springfield, TN | Appreciate this post. I noticed yesterday my right headlight is out on low beam. I have an '08 VV with 40,000 miles and this is my first headlight out... are y'all having frequent issues? |
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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | My originals lasted 3 years/48,000 miles. Replace both with PIAA Extreme White Anti-vibration H4's. Stock wattage but brighter light. Pricey but very nice. http://www.amazon.com/PIAA-70856-Xtreme-White-Antivibration/dp/B003D5J0AK |
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Bi-Xenon Headlights
