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[tjstreetglide]

I put the HID lights on my SG last week. This is the first time I have driven it. The bulbs have to warm up before they are up to full power. When switching from dim to hi or back I am almost driving in the dark before the other bulb warms up enough to be able to see.
Did I do something wrong or is this what I have to learn to live with?

[JCZ]

I have HID on this bike and my last bike.  While you do have to wait a minute or two for the gasses to heat up to optimal power, I've never rode in the dark.  Instantly, I have more light than I did with the stock headlight.  When I switch over to the high beam, it lights up a little more higher (further up the road) but takes a minute or two before it also gets a wider beam and then even more higher.  But never where it's "dark"......Is this what you're referring to?

[tjstreetglide]

Yeah I figure about five seconds for high beams very little light, not quite so bad for the low beam, however the low beam is closer to the bike and down on the road more. I remember see somewhere on here that a lot of people had to adjust the headlight way down, but mine were in the same spot as the stock lights. I had no one flash me. The lighting is great when warmed up. I thinking about wiring the lights so both are on when the highs are on. Then I'll always have one hot. But I shouldn't have to do that.

[Hawg]

I have noticed a large number of Harley's with flickering headlights, I figured there was something wrong with their wiring or bulbs and left it at that. Seemed odd to have that many, however as long as mine was ok who cares. I was reading up on the HID lighting and noted this question was asked;

Q:  What about using HIDs with DRL (daytime running lights)?

A:  DRLs supply low power to the bulb in question and this usually is the low beam. If a DRL enabled bulb is retrofit with an HID system, issues will result. The DRL system cannot function under reduced voltage and the side effect is flickering or simply light output. It is recommended that the DRL system for the bulb to be retrofit be disabled. Drop us a line and we'll gladly assist on what to do in such a scenario.

My question is could the voltage output on a harley be too low to run these?   

[tjstreetglide]

I have noticed a large number of Harley's with flickering headlights, I figured there was something wrong with their wiring or bulbs and left it at that. Seemed odd to have that many, however as long as mine was ok who cares. I was reading up on the HID lighting and noted this question was asked;

Q:  What about using HIDs with DRL (daytime running lights)?

A:  DRLs supply low power to the bulb in question and this usually is the low beam. If a DRL enabled bulb is retrofit with an HID system, issues will result. The DRL system cannot function under reduced voltage and the side effect is flickering or simply light output. It is recommended that the DRL system for the bulb to be retrofit be disabled. Drop us a line and we'll gladly assist on what to do in such a scenario.

My question is could the voltage output on a Harley be too low to run these?   

I think the scenario for daylight running lights are like when your lights are off the daylight voltage is automatically energised at a reduced voltage like 9.6 volts or something like that. When the lights are turned back on the smaller voltage i overridden by the 12- 13.5 range. The bike runs on full voltage all the time and shouldn't affect the circuit. Why this isn't a problam on a car, or maybe it is the same only there is two bulbs, a little more light and that makes the difference?

[Eqcons]

I put the HID lights on my SG last week. This is the first time I have driven it. The bulbs have to warm up before they are up to full power. When switching from dim to hi or back I am almost driving in the dark before the other bulb warms up enough to be able to see.
Did I do something wrong or is this what I have to learn to live with?

I've put HID in both low and high beams.  Wired so that low beam stays on when you switch to high beam, so you don't have the problem when you switch from one to the other.

Jim

[tjstreetglide]

I've put HID in both low and high beams.  Wired so that low beam stays on when you switch to high beam, so you don't have the problem when you switch from one to the other.

Jim

How did you wire it? 

[Eqcons]

How did you wire it? 

On my last bike I used a relay to do it, this bike I used the harness that comes with the US CVO dual reflector headlamp.

Jim

[tjstreetglide]

I have HID on this bike and my last bike.  While you do have to wait a minute or two for the gasses to heat up to optimal power, I've never rode in the dark.  Instantly, I have more light than I did with the stock headlight.  When I switch over to the high beam, it lights up a little more higher (further up the road) but takes a minute or two before it also gets a wider beam and then even more higher.  But never where it's "dark"......Is this what you're referring to?

While I am switching over to high, I get instant of higher light, by the time I get the switch all the way it gets very dark then takes several seconds to get even as light as the low beam. Its the same going to low beam except when the light hasn't got cool, but i don't get the instant of a good light. Can you check your out and let me know if it is the same. Seems there is accessory harness that leaves the low beam on while the high is on. I'm going to check that at the stealer tommorrow.

[tjstreetglide]

I tore into my bike and tried to find out what the problem was with the lights. With only the low beam operating on low and not also on high. I put the old bulb back in, didn't work. I took all the lights and ballasts out and took the bike to the dealer. First he tried to tell me that that's the way it was suppose to be. When I walked him over to a FLHTCUSE, low and behold both lights came on with the high beam. ( you think they could have tried that when I called about it). I come back on Saturday to pick up the bike. "that will be four hundred dollars" What the f)(*. They say that the tech had to trace the wiring harness to the problem. The problem was that I hooked up the garage door opener to the garage door opener pigtail. I thew a small fit and asked to see the tech which he got all pissed when I asked just what he had to do and what I wired wrong. I am in the electric trade. What is that about, I know well enough to know to hook the same color wire together. He says he had to hook up the opener as if it was a single bulb. Not my fault but I did the work myself so, warranty denied. He took the tag of that says "garage door opener off and its gone. I just happen to have a picture of the wiring before , when I installed it and plan to call the MOCO. Anybody have the best number to get through to someone that can do something about this?

[Fired00d]

I tore into my bike and tried to find out what the problem was with the lights. With only the low beam operating on low and not also on high. I put the old bulb back in, didn't work. I took all the lights and ballasts out and took the bike to the dealer. First he tried to tell me that that's the way it was suppose to be. When I walked him over to a FLHTCUSE, low and behold both lights came on with the high beam. ( you think they could have tried that when I called about it). I come back on Saturday to pick up the bike. "that will be four hundred dollars" What the f)(*. They say that the tech had to trace the wiring harness to the problem. The problem was that I hooked up the garage door opener to the garage door opener pigtail. I thew a small fit and asked to see the tech which he got all pissed when I asked just what he had to do and what I wired wrong. I am in the electric trade. What is that about, I know well enough to know to hook the same color wire together. He says he had to hook up the opener as if it was a single bulb. Not my fault but I did the work myself so, warranty denied. He took the tag of that says "garage door opener off and its gone. I just happen to have a picture of the wiring before , when I installed it and plan to call the MOCO. Anybody have the best number to get through to someone that can do something about this?

To speak with a Harley-Davidson customer service representative call (414) 343-4056.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[JCZ]

Keep us posted tj.  $400 for tracing wires, even if it is on you, is a long time to trouble shoot.

[tjstreetglide]

To speak with a Harley-Davidson customer service representative call (414) 343-4056.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

Thanks
Over the last 15yrs I have purchased 6 HDs and never had to call Harley-Davidson. How are they to deal with. Is this a waste of time or can I expect to have something really done? I tried to take the bike to the dealer that I purchased the bike from to give them the business. No it is back to my old dealer for everything.

[Fired00d]

Thanks
Over the last 15yrs I have purchased 6 HDs and never had to call Harley-Davidson. How are they to deal with. Is this a waste of time or can I expect to have something really done? I tried to take the bike to the dealer that I purchased the bike from to give them the business. No it is back to my old dealer for everything.

Have never dealt with them so I can't speak from personal experiences... That number has been posted on the site several times and I've saved it. There are stories on here of getting issues resolved to totally getting blown off so dealing with them covers both ends of the spectrum.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[tjstreetglide]

I put the HIDs back on and they work. I haven't had it out in the dark yet but will on Wednesday. But I can tell its a 100 % brighter on high beam