I have been looking at HID kits for my 696 the ones at design corse are £74, I know you can get them cheaper elsewhere but was wondering what the consensus about upgrading. Cheers Dunk
Don't do it mate The UK lens will melt from what I have seen. the HID bulb has an envelope about 10mm longer and it sits too close to the already close lens. If you can find an H7 HID bulb that is the same length as a Halogen H7 you might get away with it but I have yet to find one. Rick
There's a chap developing LEDs for classsics. But they're not "approved" so may not pass an MOT on modern bikes. But Deffo the way to go when they're available
I personally would not fit an HID bulb into a reflector lamp as it scatters too much and dazzles badly. have fitted many to elipsoid lens type lights and passed the MOT every time (including this week) if they are not blinding everyone and scattering everywhere they usually pass. dont give a stuff if they are legal as its a technicallity and very few coppers have a clue about law let alone construction and use. they only know about tyre tread depth, noisy pipes, small number plates & tinted visors. any that really knew the job have moved onto a proper job by now as they hate targets and paperwork. LEDs are interesting but currently your looking at £450 for one with enough power to use as a headlight.
HID capsule runs cooler than a filament lamp 35w HID) also they make an R capsule for reflector lamps, for example H7R, also they are NOT illegal for motorcycles only for cars as cars need to be self levelling etc, there is NO mot failure for HID lamps if the pattern is right and it will be with R capsules, LED technology for standard 12v lamps is way off (unless as said full fat kit), sellers that sell LED bulbs for use in headlamps are misleading and nothing like those found in audi or the 1199s for example. PS I am a qualified motorcycle MOT technician.
I stand corrected. Is it possible that the MOT rules have changed? Type approval is another can of worms.
