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CVO Technical => Electronic Toys and Gadgets => Topic started by: Rio on February 17, 2012, 01:43:38 PM

Title: Best plug & play HID set up for a RGU?
Post by: Rio on February 17, 2012, 01:43:38 PM
It looks as though the LED for RG's isn't going to be happening any time soon.  I guess for better lighting without having to add pod type lighting systems would be to go with HID.  Whats the best plug & play system for the brightest white light?  And is it worth the effort and change? 
Title: Re: Best plug & play HID set up for a RGU?
Post by: Midnight Rider on February 17, 2012, 02:19:05 PM
Rio...these are the ones that were recommended to me:  http://www.motorcyclehidlights.com/harley-davidson-screamin-eagle-c-71_142/digital-hid-kit-slim-ballasts-p-209

I have not done this yet, but plan to at some point this year.  I don't ride much at night any longer, but just in case I get stuck somewhere, it would be nice.  From all I've read, you really only need the low beam kit, which is what is included above.  The 6000K is what you want...it's the whitest light.

If anyone has other suggestions, I'm all ears.
Title: Re: Best plug & play HID set up for a RGU?
Post by: Rio on February 17, 2012, 03:22:51 PM
MIDNIGHT: I'm following that thread as well as the amp upgrade thread.  Two mods that I am considering making that are important to me.  I had LED's on my last bike and I had no problem riding at night.  I am not happy with the set up for the RG, never was and it's the only single fault I dislike between it and the batwing.  If you end up trying something before me, please post it and i will do the same.
Title: Re: Best plug & play HID set up for a RGU?
Post by: Midnight Rider on February 17, 2012, 03:58:07 PM
MIDNIGHT: I'm following that thread as well as the amp upgrade thread.  Two mods that I am considering making that are important to me.  I had LED's on my last bike and I had no problem riding at night.  I am not happy with the set up for the RG, never was and it's the only single fault I dislike between it and the batwing.  If you end up trying something before me, please post it and i will do the same.

When I was at the Maggie Valley GTG last fall, I noticed that Randy's (Otis is his handle on here) RG had HID's.  I didn't get a chance to ask him about them (I think we had both had too much "Berry Juice" at night), but somebody told me he was selling them...you might try PM'ing him.  Randy is a good guy and will help you out if he can.  His were a bit blue, but that's just the bulbs...anything over 6K is too blue for my tastes.

Another great source of information would be Jim (hddude).  I am 100% confident he would know what product to recommend, and he will give you a discount.  The BEST HD tech (does not work for HD), period.  I've bought several things from him over the years, and most of the California crowd here use Jim for ALL their wrenching.  I have so much confidence in him that if I ever wanted serious motor work done on my bike, I'd probably ship it to him and let him do the work, then fly out and ride home.

As nice as the LED's would be, I have a hard time coughing up $600+ for some lights, even though it is probably the best long term solution.
Title: Re: Best plug & play HID set up for a RGU?
Post by: GregKhougaz on February 17, 2012, 04:05:29 PM
Rio,  I've had the Xenonlink, H4(9003, HB2) Hi/Lo 6000K Automobile HID Kit (http://www.xenonlink.com/H4+Hi%25252FLo+HID+Kit/H4+Hi%25252FLo-6500K/H4%289003%2C+HB2%29+Hi%25252FLo+6000K+Automobile+HID+Kit.html) since 2008 with no issues.  I did get the "slim" ballasts.  It's worth a look. $119.00.  You will never need high beams with this set.  FWIT, the Bi xenon kits sometimes need a second power source so check that. 

GK
Title: Re: Best plug & play HID set up for a RGU?
Post by: Midnight Rider on February 17, 2012, 04:47:46 PM
Rio...I just talked to the guy from the link I provided in my first post, and that kit is the right one.  Low beam is all that is needed, with the slim ballasts.  It's all plug and play, so no wire splicing or relays needed.  I think that's the one I'm going with when I order.  He said the 6K color is the brightest and most popular for the RG.

http://www.motorcyclehidlights.com/harley-davidson-road-glide-hid-lights-c-71_137/digital-hid-kit-slim-ballasts-p-209
Title: Re: Best plug & play HID set up for a RGU?
Post by: ultrafxr on February 17, 2012, 04:53:41 PM
Might check with Jim, hd-dude, owner of Metal Dragon.  I got my Xtralights HIDs for my cuse2 from him.  I would think he would have something for the RGs also. 
Title: Re: Best plug & play HID set up for a RGU?
Post by: Rio on February 17, 2012, 04:55:18 PM
Rio,  I've had the Xenonlink, H4(9003, HB2) Hi/Lo 6000K Automobile HID Kit (http://www.xenonlink.com/H4+Hi%25252FLo+HID+Kit/H4+Hi%25252FLo-6500K/H4%289003%2C+HB2%29+Hi%25252FLo+6000K+Automobile+HID+Kit.html) since 2008 with no issues.  I did get the "slim" ballasts.  It's worth a look. $119.00.  You will never need high beams with this set.  FWIT, the Bi xenon kits sometimes need a second power source so check that. 

GK

Greg,
Is MIDNIGHTS system the same system labeled differently by a vendor?  Sound exactly the same and they even look identical???
Title: Re: Best plug & play HID set up for a RGU?
Post by: Midnight Rider on February 17, 2012, 05:03:51 PM
Greg,
Is MIDNIGHTS system the same system labeled differently by a vendor?  Sound exactly the same and they even look identical???


It's hard to tell whether that one is "plug and play".  Certainly, the functionality is the same....but I'd just as soon not splice wires if I don't have to.  Not that I'm uncomfortable doing so, I just don't want to bugger up the wiring harness if I don't have to.

Perhaps Greg will elaborate...
Title: Re: Best plug & play HID set up for a RGU?
Post by: GregKhougaz on February 17, 2012, 05:04:29 PM
Sorry, don't know if they are the same but they do look the same.  You can always call and ask who makes them....   :nixweiss:  The Xenon set is plug and play.
Title: Re: Best plug & play HID set up for a RGU?
Post by: Midnight Rider on February 17, 2012, 05:17:03 PM
Did some checking on dimensions...the Xenon kit uses regular ballasts (it appears), and the other one uses digital ballasts...about 1/2 as thick and slightly smaller in LxW.
Title: Re: Best plug & play HID set up for a RGU?
Post by: GregKhougaz on February 17, 2012, 05:36:00 PM
Did some checking on dimensions...the Xenon kit uses regular ballasts (it appears), and the other one uses digital ballasts...about 1/2 as thick and slightly smaller in LxW.

Old picture.  Xenon uses the slim ballast now as I think they all do. 
Title: Re: Best plug & play HID set up for a RGU?
Post by: Puzzled on February 17, 2012, 05:48:43 PM
Rio,  I've had the Xenonlink, H4(9003, HB2) Hi/Lo 6000K Automobile HID Kit (http://www.xenonlink.com/H4+Hi%25252FLo+HID+Kit/H4+Hi%25252FLo-6500K/H4%289003%2C+HB2%29+Hi%25252FLo+6000K+Automobile+HID+Kit.html) since 2008 with no issues.  I did get the "slim" ballasts.  It's worth a look. $119.00.  You will never need high beams with this set.  FWIT, the Bi xenon kits sometimes need a second power source so check that. 

GK

That is also the kit I have in my bike. I purchased mine about the time that thread got started, still the same components.
Title: Re: Best plug & play HID set up for a RGU?
Post by: Midnight Rider on February 17, 2012, 05:52:15 PM
Old picture.  Xenon uses the slim ballast now as I think they all do. 

 :2vrolijk_21:

Pretty wide variance in prices on these "kits".  The Xtralights digital kit for the RG is $169 for ONE headlight, so you'd need two.  The kit I posted is $149 for two, and the Xenon kit is $119 for two.

I can't see the Xtralights kit being worth more than twice the others.  :nixweiss:  Hard to imagine there would be THAT much difference between bulbs and ballasts...
Title: Re: Best plug & play HID set up for a RGU?
Post by: Puzzled on February 17, 2012, 05:53:41 PM
Here is a link to an install from the site.

http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=28425.0
Title: Re: Best plug & play HID set up for a RGU?
Post by: Puzzled on February 17, 2012, 05:55:19 PM
I just installed yet another set of lights in my work and this time I tried the 35 watt HIDs. Very nice so far. A little tough to explain the light output however it is different/brighter.  :2vrolijk_21:
Title: Re: Best plug & play HID set up for a RGU?
Post by: Midnight Rider on February 17, 2012, 06:05:43 PM
Here is a link to an install from the site.

http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=28425.0

Thanks, Mike...I had seen that thread a long while back and forgotten about it.  If you guys have had good service with the Xenon kit, there's no sense spending extra money for no good reason.
Title: Re: Best plug & play HID set up for a RGU?
Post by: petewerner on February 22, 2012, 02:29:00 PM
Rio,
What about the LED's from HoleShot?
Title: Re: Best plug & play HID set up for a RGU?
Post by: Rio on February 22, 2012, 02:39:02 PM
Rio,
What about the LED's from HoleShot?

It's really hard to tell from a picture.  On a CVO, I think it's important to have a factory fit or look.  The other picture of that brown bike had a factory finished look.  I called him and he doesn't have the time or interest in fabricating a the bracket and modifying the front bezel for the HD LED lights.  He said the way the can is set up, it's really difficult to rig a bracket that will hold the two lamps securely.  Holeshots look good, but I don't care for the blue base showing on the lights or the idea of a dimmer switch.  I would have to see some really good close up photos and maybe some member satisfaction.  I may consider HID's if I can figure out the LED's?
Title: Re: Best plug & play HID set up for a RGU?
Post by: petewerner on February 22, 2012, 02:57:56 PM
Yeah I understand, I don't want anything less than perfect either. I have expressed to Big Jim that the issues u bring up and others for this to work. I know I will have one to look at next week and if it looks good enough, I will install it and take photos. As for the adjustment knob, I plan on setting it slightly lower than the full blast for my low beam and then attach it witha zip tie inside. Why would u mess with it anyway once u get it set. I will be to get to it from the front by removing the headlight cover if needed.
I will let you know.