HID Headlights in 1200GS

[AlexSoCal]

Here are some pics. of how I installed the HID bulbs and location of the ballasts needed to power the lights, the light output is more than five times that of the halogen stock bulbs with only 35W per light.
You need a HID H7 retrofit kit (one bulb if you only want to upgrade the low beam).No modifications were maid to the electrical system plugs in 10 min., the tricky part is mounting the ballasts so they don't rub on anything, this took me an hour and a little ingenuity.There is one on each side of the gas tank behind the black covers.
Good luck!!!!!

[gs12rman]

Hi Alex

this seems a much neater solution to upgrading the less than perfect stock lights than mounting auxillery units.

Have you tried your lights at night since the mod and if so what sort of improvement is there considering the original reflecters are being used ?

One of my few gripes with my r12gs is the poor lighting. A bike that was designed by BMW in 2004 which is clearly meant to be ridden half way across the planet in whatever weather is thrown at it, is given such a feable excuse for lighting. Almost every owner I know has or wants to improve them, I just don't get what the designers were thinking of. It's a good job the rest of the bike is generaly awsome.

Sorry for the small gripe but the GS has been evolving for 25 years now and BMW certainly have the technology. The discerning BMW car buyers would not stand for candle power for lighting would they? I think we bikers are often expected to put up with bad design. IMHO of course.

Anyway Alex I would certainly appreciate your feedback on your new lights and info on where they can be purchased.

Cheers Steve

[AlexSoCal]

The lights are much brighter and they reach further than stock because of the higher intensity, the light dispersion is the same as stock since you are using the same projectors, which is good to oncoming traffic, you can choose the color temperature of the bulbs 5,500 Kelvin is about the same as BMW cars with HID, higher temperature will mean bluer even violet light color.
You can get them with Jen (626) 967-3139 http://www.suvlights.com
His webpage has pictures of before/after.

[gs12rman]

Many thanks for that Alex

[MikeT]

this seems a much neater solution to upgrading the less than perfect stock lights than mounting auxillery units.

I agree with you, but don't forget that by adding driving lights you're creating what I've referred to as a "triangle of light" and that makes you many times more visible to other motorists. There's something about 3 lights in that shape that causes people to take notice. So if you're at all concerned about making yourself more conspicuous I suggest you consider aux lights as well as HIDs.

[gs12rman]

Originally Posted by MikeT

There's something about 3 lights in that shape that causes people to take notice. consider aux lights as well as HIDs.

I have heard this theory before, I think also that the triangle will produce a wider spread of light.

I do not like the idea of huge lamps stuck on the side of my bike though. Having said that there are small lamps that appear a little more discrete, I'm just not sure how effective they are.

Does anyone have any experience with the smaller auxillary lamps ?

[Time Traveller]

Originally Posted by gs12rman

I have heard this theory before, I think also that the triangle will produce a wider spread of light.

I do not like the idea of huge lamps stuck on the side of my bike though. Having said that there are small lamps that appear a little more discrete, I'm just not sure how effective they are.

Does anyone have any experience with the smaller auxillary lamps ?

I agree with MikeT about visibility. I am using the Hella 1400 that I bought from http://www.adventurersworkshop.com. They cost $39 plus shipping. And they are very small. I think they are 55 watt halogens and I have them mounted on HP tank guards/bars. Tho they don't add a lot to "lay down light" they do add to your presence. The bright blob above the headlamp is an "ADV" sticker that I got from the same people. Was amazed at how reflective it is. The kit comes with everything you need.

Time Traveller

[bmwinva]

hey there. i'm new so please forgive me for format errors.

i've converted 20+ bmw low and high beams over to HID. presently working on a 1200gs adventure. i like the xenonfactory polarion product at:
http://www.xenonfactory.com/products/hid/sirius.htm

i hide the ballast in the same place and then put the relay somewhere close.


however, i always recommend an additional set of lights lower down for a 3 point view. cars are blind to lights but not to patterns that confuse them .... have you ever NOT seen a triangle of light coming toward you? you always see it ... so now for the clincher, i work with motolights because i believe the concept is important and their product is fantastic. however, i have installed so many types of lights that i believe more is better.

later

roger

[efiguer]

Hi Alex and everybody. I am having a problem with my installation of HID because when I start the motorcycle the HID blinks but then does not function and in the LCD screen in the main cluster I have the sign of a bad bulb. What you think is happening, it could be an issue with the electronic can bus system of the r12gs. My kit did not come with relay so i did not install a relay.

Thanks in advance for your comments on this topic

Efiguer

Originally Posted by AlexSoCal

The lights are much brighter and they reach further than stock because of the higher intensity, the light dispersion is the same as stock since you are using the same projectors, which is good to oncoming traffic, you can choose the color temperature of the bulbs 5,500 Kelvin is about the same as BMW cars with HID, higher temperature will mean bluer even violet light color.
You can get them with Jen (626) 967-3139 http://www.suvlights.com
His webpage has pictures of before/after.

[AlexSoCal]

Your Battery might need charging, my lights did the same thing after 4 weeks of not using the bike, I charged the battery with BMW electronic charger overnight, and everything was back to normal, the ballast requires a minumum amount of current (Amperage) from your battery, if its not there the lights wont come on and your instrument cluster will detect a blown light.
Hope this helps.