I'm looking for more light (and whiter). I would prefer to install a HID kit than putting a 65w bulb. Any of you installed a HID kit on the Versys? If so, what is the brand name? Where did you installed the ballast? Any picture?

You might want to try Sylvania SilverStar bulbs at stock wattages. Very bright white light and allot cheaper than HID.

I added some and they are much better. They also make a SilverLight Ultra, but I couldn't find one. I have also ordered a 65W 2100 Lumens bulb to try for the low beam. CP64217 from http://www.rallylights.com/hella/H7.asp I will let you know how it works.

I installed low and high beam HID lights from cqlight.ca. Just stuffed the ballasts and igniters behind the fairing. Works great. -- Hank Farber.

I installed low and high beam HID lights from cqlight.ca. Just stuffed the ballasts and igniters behind the fairing. Works great. -- Hank Farber.
Can you take some pictures and post them here please? Did you see a big difference? With the high beam, what is the delay?

I installed low and high beam HID lights from cqlight.ca. Just stuffed the ballasts and igniters behind the fairing. Works great. -- Hank Farber.

Whoops. Didn't mean to submit the same post again. Sorry.

Bob,

As for pictures, I am not sure of what I would take pictures. It is a plug-and-play installation.

The lights are terrific. Way way brighter than stock. The high beam has some delay if you have not been on high beam for a while. Once warmed, it goes on and off seeming instantaneously. So I have no problem in night driving when I am "going up and down" as traffic allows. But not too useful to flash someone daytime. -- Hank.


I installed low and high beam HID lights from cqlight.ca. Just stuffed the ballasts and igniters behind the fairing. Works great. -- Hank Farber.

Hsfarber,
How easy was it to install? For the picture, I was looking for pictures of the ballasts / igniters installation (where they are located). Did you need any extra fitting / parts or the plug and plug kit has everything? Which Kelvin degree did you take? Thank you!

Hi Hsfarber, what model and light temp did you choose?

Thanks,

Hi Hsfarber, what model and light temp did you choose?

Thanks,

I don't think there was a choice of models. The bulb is an H7 IIRC. I chose the lowest temp they sold (5K?).

For those of us who aren't necessarily friends with electricity, was the install fairly easy?

For those of us who aren't necessarily friends with electricity, was the install fairly easy?

The install was very easy for me (plug it in and go). YMMV. -- Hank.

Where (in the fairing) did you installed the ballasts and the igniters? Can you take a picture of your setup please?

I am away from the bike for about a week, and cannot take pictures. In any case, I am kind of embarrassed to do so, since the bits are just stuffed behind the headlights in the fairing and not attached to anything (other than a tie wrap here and there). What can I say?

Hi Hsfarber, thank you for the information!

I got enough, don't need the pictures....

Cheers!

Hi, did install a kit on mine with the help of B0B last fall and let me tell you what a difference it makes. We bought from CQlight too.

We made an aluminium braquet to hold the 2 ballast together and it fits on the horizontal steel bar that hold the front ferring.

I had to go to Toronto for work 2nd week of November at night, without those lights, I think I would have not do it....

THank you for the tip HSfarber

I also put in the 65 watt bulb and thought it was better, but when I intalled the HID lights, I see they are better yet.

If I had to do it over again, I'd only put in the low beam HID. The high beam HID is not meant to be turned on and off often to use as warning lights, it cuts down on their life a lot I read.

Still, even HID lights are not as good as good ol' sunlight. HIDs brighten things up, but any light can't be so bright and adjusted so high that it blinds oncoming traffic. Nor does any light shield the blindness of the oncoming traffic lights. It's just "better", but limited.

One very nice feature about HIDs, is that I can see by my constant display voltage meter I have in front that I have less of a voltage drop using HIDs.

Anyone know anything about the legality of the HID setups (california) how bad is it if I do get clipped?

ATGATT; Great idea, going HID for the low beam. Then
maybe a 65watt high beam? I found some Phillips lights
locally that are only 55 w. but they claim to be much
brighter. Only problem is the packaging does not specify
any lumen output or expected bulb life. One of the parts
guys said they are 'brighter'. Lots of help there...

Anybody have any experience with Phillips NightGuides
($44.99/pair) or Chrystal Vision Ultra ($34.99/pair)?
If I can find replacement bulbs that give me more
light that would be preferable to adding extra lights
to the cowling or forks...

Anyone know anything about the legality of the HID setups (california) how bad is it if I do get clipped?

A lot of the autos are running HID lights. Quite a few of the cholos in town are also running HID type lights, albeit not focused very well. Then there are the lifted SUV/trucks with their fogs and headlights all blinged out. You'd think that the cops will be going after them for mis-aimed lights?

I wonuldn't worry about the legalities in CA. You should re-aim the lights properly first, after the switch over.

If you get pulled over for the light issue, it's a fix-it ticket. No charge.

Peter

Don't waste your money on the Sylvania Silverstar Ultras. Go for the HID. You'll be replacing Silverstars every 6 months and they aren't cheap at $50 per 2 pack. I had one burn out after only 3 months first:censored:, and sent the bulb back to Sylvania with an e-mail(warrranty) to replace. They sent me another 2 pack and this bulb from the new pack lasted about 7 months. Being switched off/on by the ignition and the vibration of the bike are harder on incandescent bulbs than on automobiles.
If you get a quality HID setup. Your initial install cost should break even after about 2 years if you're gonna have your bike for at least 3 years like I plan to do(hopefully 5-7+).

FYI: Sylvania says life expectancy on the SilverStar Ultras are about one year in a (typical) application.
I assume they're talking about automobile as typical......not motorcycles.

I have tried various HID "kits" from different suppliers. I have tried them on my bikes and in my cars. It has been my experiance that ALL of the kits made in China will fail in under a year. Your best bet is to install aux HID driving lights with lens and reflectors made for HIDs.

Hello all, just that I would give you my feedback since I have been on HID (high & low) for at least 6 months of use.

1- I never was stopped or bothered by the police and I did see a lot of them. Quebec/Canada & Ontario/Canada.
2- Nobody in the opposite lane flashed me because I was blinding them. I guess our reflector is doing a good job at not spilling any light where I should not.
3- I have not had any problems with both lights so far.
4- I still love the light it provides. I agree that the High beam on HID is not made to be turned on/off often but I can live with that compromise. The light I get on the high beam and range is so amazing, I can drive so much longer before feeling my eyes are tired.

Cheers,

I bought mine on Ebay, much cheaper there. Spent about $65 for a pair [brand new out of the box] Everything was included for the install.... I prefer the 5 or 6k temp range [seem to penetrate further] Some say the higher ones [blue-purple] may be better for snow of fog....... One thing to keep in mind though is that the standard light bulb gets dimmer when the voltage gets low, but the HID's will start to flicker and shut off if the voltage gets below about 9 volts. May want to keep an old bulb taped to the bike somewhere in case the battery, regulator, or stator has problems and you have to limp home in the dark. Dim is easier to see by than no light at all.

Hi all

A question, since versys has the light ON with the key in ON position, does the HID also lighted during this period?

Thanks

Only the "parking lights" are on before the motor starts. These are the two small lights on either side of the headlights themselves. The HID ignites when you hit the starter and the motor catches.

Yeah..just confirmed it..thanks

I posted somewhere here the kit I installed. I installed it just over a year ago and it is working fine, the guy who recommended it to me has been running this same kit in two bikes for three years, no problems. Best upgrade I have ever made.

I used just the low beam and had to dip it a bit as the beam scatter made the standard height a bit too high. Still throws TONS of light down the road and most important to the sides of the road. I live in the country and commute early in the AM, getting to see the critters in the woods sooner is a big plus. I left the highbeam standard since I want instant bright when I hit the switch and not want to wait the few seconds for the HID to warm up to full brightness.

I posted somewhere here the kit I installed. I installed it just over a year ago and it is working fine, the guy who recommended it to me has been running this same kit in two bikes for three years, no problems. Best upgrade I have ever made.

I used just the low beam and had to dip it a bit as the beam scatter made the standard height a bit too high. Still throws TONS of light down the road and most important to the sides of the road. I live in the country and commute early in the AM, getting to see the critters in the woods sooner is a big plus. I left the highbeam standard since I want instant bright when I hit the switch and not want to wait the few seconds for the HID to warm up to full brightness.


Here ya go:

Sorry for the long delay, I got my kit here:

http://www.cqlight.ca/index.php?cPath=106&osCsid=10beb5ce68c03d5182b991ef95b5e438

From here:

http://www.kawasakiversys.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4987



:thumb:

OK. You tech whizzes talked me into ordering a 5000K HID kit from eBay to replace my low beam.

I think I'm getting a pair in the kit and will have to find a use for the 2nd one. Is there a cheap H7 driving light fixture I can buy and install it there?

Tony

A friend of mine that sell HID install one for me about 1 1/2 month ago.

HID is way way brighter than stock light... Mine is 5000k and if I have to guess, it's 20 plus time brighter and whiter than stock.

When I ride at night with my other friends that don't have HID yet, when ever our bikes are stop at a light; I can't even see their headlight shining on the road any more... :)

ok, now I want one...

OK. You tech whizzes talked me into ordering a 5000K HID kit from eBay to replace my low beam...


My HID kit pair came today, and I just installed one for the low beam. Or should I say I installed it twice since, the first time, I forgot to replace the large rubber boot behind the headlight bulb. Good thing I bought a bag of zip ties at Harbor Freight today.

I took a spin around the block and am really impressed. I'm glad I got the 5000K color. On the wall, it looks white and the high beam looks yellow. Thanks to the reflector, it casts a nice beam with a fairly defined edge.

Tony

Hi Tony

Got some pics?

Can share details on the kit?

Thanks

Hi Tony. Got some pics? Can share details on the kit? Thanks

I bought a generic eBay HID Conversion Kit and specified 5000K white color and H7 bulb when paying. I tend to go with eBay sellers who ship via USPS even if it costs a little more due to off-hours UPS/FedEx locations.

eBay Item number: 110436114508
Seller: hiddistributor
Title: Motorcycle HID Conversion Kit H3/H4/H7/H9/H11/9005
Price: $48.95 (for the 2 kits)
Shipping: Free

I didn't take any pics. You plug a red and black cable into the socket where your headlight bulb used to plug in. You stuff the box somewhere under the front fairing where the forks won't hit it. I'm only replacing the low beam (the top bulb.)

Tony

I bought a generic eBay HID Conversion Kit and specified 5000K white color and H7 bulb when paying. I tend to go with eBay sellers who ship via USPS even if it costs a little more due to off-hours UPS/FedEx locations.

eBay Item number: 110436114508
Seller: hiddistributor
Title: Motorcycle HID Conversion Kit H3/H4/H7/H9/H11/9005
Price: $48.95 (for the 2 kits)
Shipping: Free

I didn't take any pics. You plug a red and black cable into the socket where your headlight bulb used to plug in. You stuff the box somewhere under the front fairing where the forks won't hit it. I'm only replacing the low beam (the top bulb.)

Tony

Hi Tony

I think it is a good price.

May consider this but maybe after warranty period is over.

Keep us posted on any progress yeah.

Cheers

Update. It was about 6 months ago that my low beam HID light went out, so I had to use my high beam only for a while but to do that I had to turn the light direction downward so I didn't blind people. Turns out, I like it like that but I didn't get enough close up light, so I put my regular bulb in for the low beam.

So now I have the low and high beam on for all riding but just have the light direction turned down. For me, it is good for hwy and city.

That is a good idea, but I live in a rural area and need the longer distance high beam is needed for me. But for city riders, not a bad idea.

That is a good idea, but I live in a rural area and need the longer distance high beam is needed for me. But for city riders, not a bad idea.

It has been a while, but as I recall, I didn't see much difference in distance seen compared to how I have it now as compared to HID high beam focused way up. It seems as if HID will light up the road only so far anyway. So for riding the hwy alone, raising the light again for the high beam to go out farther didn't help "much". Maybe it is because the reflectors should change too and not just the light.

If I had the money to spend right now, I would get more focused reflectors for far out lighting.

For me, I lowered my HID below where the stock bulb was becauase of beam scatter due to the reflector not being made for an HID, the beam is not as focused. My reason for the HID was to have a wider and brighter beam, not really further since my highbeam already throws a good amount of light further down the road.

My HID lowered makes the road VERY bright in front of the bike and throws a wide pattern into the woods which helps me spot critters ready to make a move. Add that to a well set highbeam and I feel this set up for me works better than stock.

I have ordered a pair of Hids and am trying to install them. Because of the spacer in the rear of the bulb, the gray piece that the bulb plugs into, I am having trouble with the hid not being thick enough for the metal clip to hold it in place. Anyone else have this problem?