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[Indenial]

Last summer my HID headlights started acting up.  When the ignition is turned on both lights are on.  When I start it either the left one or the right one is on with no set pattern. Sometimes they both come on. Never have neither one come on (?).    If it's night and I want both lights, sometimes I'll have to try to start it 5-6 times and by chance they both stay lit.

What is happening?  Is it a weak battery?  Is there is voltage drop somewhere?  Is it a bad ballast?  Any help?  It's at the dealership today and I'll see what they say, but I'm not hopeful.   (I bought the  lights from Terry at Hawg Sounds and a member here, but I'm not sure he's in business anymore)

[GregKhougaz]

I had HID's from Xenonlink.com for about seven years before I went over to the "light side" with LED's.  Sometimes the ballasts can't take the voltage drop of starting the bike and both lights will not come back on.  If you do not have bi-xenon lights (If your high beam is halogen), try switching to high beams before you hit the starter and returning to low after the motor starts.  If the lights work, that confirms my theory.  I don't know how long you've had your lights but the newer ballasts are smaller and much better.  They should withstand the voltage drop.  It may be time to update them or go to the "light side." 

GK

[SBB]

I had HID's from Xenonlink.com for about seven years before I went over to the "light side" with LED's.  Sometimes the ballasts can't take the voltage drop of starting the bike and both lights will not come back on.  If you do not have bi-xenon lights (If your high beam is halogen), try switching to high beams before you hit the starter and returning to low after the motor starts.  If the lights work, that confirms my theory.  I don't know how long you've had your lights but the newer ballasts are smaller and much better.  They should withstand the voltage drop.  It may be time to update them or go to the "light side." 

GK

Interesting post above.
Must be one of those "never say never" or maybe it's just Karma.

I had asked above what justification there might be for spending $700 (or $560 if you get the 20%) for LED's over the HID's which cost about $118 (Xenonlink.com and others).  I assumed there was a significant difference in electrical current draw with the LED's having the advantage.   Apparently not. 

Last week, I rode with Treeman from Mariposa, CA to Miller's Landing (Bass Lake) in the dark.  Treeman has an Ultra Limited with LED head and passing lamps.  It was about 50 miles on very dark, winding roads.  On the road, neither of us could discern any lumen difference between his three LED's and my two HID's.  My beam pattern was wider but that could have been due to how his were adjusted.... 

  I'd call it Karma!


SBB

This is just one of those threads that only comes along every so often.

Yup, Brian was right!

 

[GregKhougaz]

Chip,  Are you stalking me?          

[SBB]

Chip,  Are you stalking me?        

No sir, just remembered back when you tried to tell us (or at least anyone interested in LED lights) how much better your HID's were than the LED's.
It's probably just a personality flaw on my part. Nancy says I forgive but I don't forget.
But accept it Greg, it does make for some interesting reading.

SBB

[ultrafxr]

I had HID's from Xenonlink.com for about seven years before I went over to the "light side" with LED's. Sometimes the ballasts can't take the voltage drop of starting the bike and both lights will not come back on.  If you do not have bi-xenon lights (If your high beam is halogen), try switching to high beams before you hit the starter and returning to low after the motor starts.  If the lights work, that confirms my theory.  I don't know how long you've had your lights but the newer ballasts are smaller and much better.  They should withstand the voltage drop.  It may be time to update them or go to the "light side."  

GK

Bingo.  Took me quite a while to understand what was going on with the HIDs on my '07.  Finally knew when it happened and Jim (hd-dude) explained why it happened as GK stated above.  My solution?  I put a toggle switch on my inner fairing cap and just turn off the headlight (low beam only since I can switch off the high beam anyway) while starting the motor.  Once started I flip the toggle and have lights.  Major league PIA when the ballast does kick out and the light does not work.  No other option other than to switch it off and back on again.  Without the toggle you shut down the motor and risk having it happen all over again upon restart.

[GregKhougaz]

No sir, just remembered back when you tried to tell us (or at least anyone interested in LED lights) how much better your HID's were than the LED's.
It's probably just a personality flaw on my part. Nancy say I forgive but I don't forget.
But accept it Greg, it does make for some interesting reading.

SBB

 

Hi Chip,

 I am amused that you would bring this up after nearly a year and a half has passed.  I will try to find you some more interesting reading material.   I don't recall saying HID lights were "better" than LED and the quote above does not so indicate.   I do recall questioning the price / value of the LED lights.   I still think the price is silly.   I got mine at a price I could not pass up.   I also recall JZ's detailed comparison of HID and LED lights which I recall agreed with my assessment.  At one fifth the cost,  HID's remain a better value but don't have the "cool factor" anymore.  

By the way, weren't you the guy that said "real riders" don't trailer their bikes?   What gives?    

GK

[SBB]

Hi Chip,

 I am amused that you would bring this up after nearly a year and a half has passed.  I will try to find you some more interesting reading material.   I don't recall saying HID lights were "better" than LED and the quote above does not so indicate.   I do recall questioning the price / value of the LED lights.   I still think the price is silly.   I got mine at a price I could not pass up.   I also recall JZ's detailed comparison of HID and LED lights which I recall agreed with my assessment.  At one fifth the cost,  HID's remain a better value but don't have the "cool factor" anymore.  

By the way, weren't you the guy that said "real riders" don't trailer their bikes?   What gives?    

GK

Justify it however you want Greg.
Your actions trump your post anytime.
Glad you like your LED's.
That's why I bought mine, because I liked them.
I needed no other justification.

 

SBB