Just brought my bike home - WOW!!! Those 55W HIDs are bright!!!

Ummm, at least I think they are. It's somewhat subjective since I cannot compare them side-by-side with the 35W lights. I did look into the lights - which I'm pretty sure I also did with my 35s and these were almost like looking into the sun.

I forgot to ask if everything needed was in the box - but I assume so since they didn't have to waste time ordering anything and my service report didn't indicate any parts for HIDs. They mounted the ballasts on the steering head which worked well before.

The price difference between 35W and 55W at DDM Tuning is negligible ($25?). In my mind it's one of the best safety related mods you can do.

I don't know if I'd consider replacing a set of 35s w/ the 55s; but for a first time install or (for me) replacing broken parts: it's an easy upgrade decision.

-Dennis

Nice, Dennis, congratulations :) Call your dealership and ask if they raised them up 3-4 turns. If not, do it yourself. You just have to turn an adjusting screw 3 or 4 turns to raise the lights to optimal position after install. You can find more info on that if you search bikeland.org or just online. People do that with stock lights, too, to maximize lighted area.

My 55W were only $15 more than 35W for both bulbs, so just $7.5/bulb. DDM Tuning has $5 off right now as well, so my package was $80 + shipping. I ordered at 3:30pm but already got notification of shipment (3 hours later!) - those guys work fast! :P

How did they mount the ballasts, btw? Can you take some pics?

* Last updated by: AlexTheNewb on 6/17/2009 @ 6:50 PM *

Romans - Just ordered a 55W 6K Ultra Slim HID Kit for the low beams. I heard that the bulbs are hard to get into the light socket on the bike - ie - aligning up the three arms on the bulb with the slots in the light socket on the bike. When you installed yours, did you take the front end off or just remove the inner pannels to access where the lights are? If you or anyone has suggestions, I'm all ears!

If the three tabs on the bulb are not metal they will be hard to install.(I found this out on my third set).I only removed the top panels to install the bulbs. Turning the handle bars gives you the added room you will need. Just remember to keep the large tab at 2 O'clock, then push in. Do not turn down till you feel all three tabs go in straight. I had to remove my side panels to install the four ballasts. Each single light bracket now houses two of the four ballasts required for the high low set up. They now rest nicely against the factory foam. Babarf1bar if you have only the low beam to install take a look at steve14 location. I know the 55 watt ballast are larger but I would follow his lead for much easier access if they fit. I hope this helps cheers.

3-4 turns. If not, do it yourself. You just have to turn an adjusting screw 3 or 4 turns to raise the lights to optimal position after install. You can find more info on that if you search bikeland.org or just online.

You do not have to go to bike land. Look here in the how to section. There is a picture to show you the location of adjusting screw. If you have any more questions the guys here will be more then happy to fix you up.

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dennisclawson if you get a chance I sure would like to see a photo(like this one)of your new 55 watt system. The low beams must look brighter than the high beams? Can you place your hand on the lens and tell me if it is hot. I am thinking about getting the 55watt for the zx6R as it only has one low beam bulb. Thanks.

* Last updated by: Romans on 6/17/2009 @ 8:03 PM *

Great fit I might add-(hope these things aren't gonna melt the fairings-you think they will?(I've no idea how hot these guys get?)

I have no signs of this and I have been checking. They advertise 300% brighter with 1/3 the power use, but they do not mention how hot the bulb gets. The 55watt bulb must be smokin hot and it is the same bulb as ours(wow). If the guys report no bad side effects I will be installing the 55 on the 600. [quote]And NO,they didn't send "slim" ballasts./quote]

I have two brand new sets of the large Xentec here I could have sold you....... That is the same trick they played on me .F<ckers.

I need to get in there and fix the lights - they worked when I brought her home and now they're not working. Probably loose connectors - but I have plenty of debugging experience so I'm not sweating it.

At least I know the polarity is right since I saw them working. :)

I'll take pictures of the ballast mount - and of the light intensity compared to hi beam once I get them working again.

Hopefully I'll also get my father's day SpeedoHealer installed and programmed.
Whoot! No more quick glances at the speedo when trying a high speed run!

I'm looking forward to spending some alone time with the girl in the garage.

Oh, BTW, the light height adjustment is also in your owners manual! :)

-Dennis

Hey Blue,

I'm good at theory, but the actual practice of fixing things sometimes exceeds my skills... :)

Intermittent failures are some of the most difficult to isolate and correct. That said:

(These are mostly independent of intermittent failure)
You've obviously got the polarity right.
You're bulbs are good.
And you're fuse is good.

This leaves two suspects:
* The electrical connection - the connection (wiring) will get stressed under movement & vibration, and when the temperature changes. That fact that it still happens after working to ensure connection is good seems to discount this possibility some - it's not too hard to ensure you have a good electrical connection - validate this before too much else.

* The HID ballast - I have no idea what's inside these guys so I cannot offer a great deal of help - but, you might be able to isolate the falt by swapping left and right sides - the fact that it's only on one side might well imply that you have a bad ballast. Of course swapping ballasts also changes the electrical connection as well.

I have to say, I wouldn't look forward to trying to fix your issues.

-Dennis

I have the DDM Tuning 55watt 5000k HIDs, what a difference. It lights up the night like the sun. Two full turns up is perfect. I have checked for excessive heat build-up after a couple of 45 miniute rides, the lens were only lukewarm. I also had to reverse the red and black wires, I just cut the slot and pluged in 180 out, and taped. Take out the ram-air tunnels to make installation easier, only takes a few minutes extra. I mounted the ballast in the nose, just under the windscreen. One is under the crossmember, the other is on top of the crossmember tied down with a tie strap. This mod is one that needs to be done!

What UK said - 55-watt 5k HIDs look amazing. This is the easiest and best mod for the money, hands down. I can see at least 200 feet ahead now, in crisp bright light, sometimes even farther (depends on speed as throttle lifts bike's front a bit). Like Dennis, though, I had a problem when one of the lights would not come on when bike started... turned bike off, restarted - problem disappeared. Word.

Careful adjusting the angle... I turned the bolt 3 turns and had cars flashing me non-stop... at 2.5 turns they were still flashing me sometimes, but rarely. So I'm currently at 2.25 turns, haven't tried it out yet on the road, but seems like a good compromise. UK is probably right - 2 turns to stay on the safe side and it should be about perfect.

Tip: after adjusting bulb 2 full turns up, it may seem like light is still a tad-bit low. Don't be fooled - when riding bulbs will always shine farther ahead b/c of bike's front lifting up with throttle even at 35mph (yes, a slight lift, but enough for lights to cover another ~50 feet of road ahead!)

all of this info was super helpful, wanted to thank you all!!! my 35w low and 55w highs are in and working fine.... now I need to change that 194 bulb....Where can I get that one from???

Instead of a brighter white 194 wedge bulb for my street lights, I went yellow for about $2.50 from any auto parts store. It just sets off the bike, looks cool too.