h4 conversion

[kdo58]

Will this work in my gs 850?
http://www.amazon.com/Hella-0023950..._1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1279760673&sr=1-1
I plan on doing the hid conversion using this
http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/DDM-35W-55W-Single-HiLo-Motorcycle-HID-Kit

 

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Yes, that H4 conversion will work just fine. I've never tried an HID kit. It looks like a LOT of light.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[Steve]

I will confirm that the H4 conversion will work just fine.

I will further offer that the satisfaction rate on HID conversions is rather modest, especially with the H4 setups.

Try just the H4 conversion first. You may find that it has enough light and you won't feel the "need" for the HID.

.

 

[Big T]

I've had one on my 78 for over 25 years

 

[SqDancerLynn1]

Most aftermarket kits are also NOT road legal

 

[bobthebiker88]

if you do an HID kit, go the projector route, not just slap an H4 HID kit into a housing and call it good. you do not want to blind oncoming drivers with a poorly set up HID kit as many do. dont do it halfway.

I've seen wel configured HID kits, and an HID slapped into an H4 bucket. there is a PHENOMINAL difference in how well they function. projectors are incredible.

 

[Joe Nardy]

If you want to get the most from your H4 conversion get a Sylvania Silverstar bulb. You won't have as much light as an HID system but you'll have plenty....

Thanks,
Joe

 

[robertkreidler]

I'm confused. I already have the H4 "conversion." I have a 1980 GS850GL, with a Vetter fairing, and the headlamp is an H4 type. Is this normal for the year, or because of the Vetter?
Bob K

 

[DanTheMan]

I put the H4 in my Vetter fairing before my last trip to CA. It's more than sufficient to light the road. It was a huge improvement over the sealed beam system, I see no need for the HID.

 

[Dogma]

I'm confused. I already have the H4 "conversion." I have a 1980 GS850GL, with a Vetter fairing, and the headlamp is an H4 type. Is this normal for the year, or because of the Vetter?
Bob K

The '80 850GL uses the H4 lamp in the stock configuration.

 

[850 Combat]

That H4 Bulb they are showing in the attachment is 100 watt on high beam. I think 60 watt is the legal limit. My brother put an 100/80 watt in his new Seca back when, and it literally burnt the wiring.

 

[Tim Tom]

The HID really does provide a whole lot of light. Like the power of the sun in front of your bike. With the old stock bulb it threw weak light, not enough to comfortably illuminate an small back road. The HID bulb is a whole new animal, the high beam gives me a good 300-400 feet of intense blue white light.
HOWEVER, I would look into angling your headlight down a bit to get it out of other drivers eyes.

GSR member jimfj wrote up a pretty nice review of the DDM system a little while ago. Its worthwhile look at, and convinced me to pull the trigger on the mod for my 850.

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=165014&highlight=HID

 

[bobthebiker88]

a properly aimed halogen bulb will do very well as well. on the 100w bulbs, I dont know about a legal limitation, BUT I do however know that some electrical systems are not up to handling that kind of load and will melt.

 

[Flaming Chainsaws]

Most aftermarket kits are also NOT road legal

I was really wondering why that is. When I ordered my turn signals and headlight, it said that they are not DOT approved on the info page. They work better than stock

 

[Planecrazy]

If you want to get the most from your H4 conversion get a Sylvania Silverstar bulb. You won't have as much light as an HID system but you'll have plenty....

Thanks,
Joe

+1 on the Silverstar bulb! I've been running the same H4 / 9003 Silverstar bulb for five+ years (mostly on "high" beam) and it is a fantastic upgrade over the stock halogen bulb (makes the original sealed beam look like a candle, hehe)!

Did this upgrade years ago (at Joe's suggestion) on my GS550L and then again on my Vetter equipped GS1100G - it rocks!

Regards,

 

[Guest]

If you do go the Silverstar route, look for the European made Osram ones (a lot of motorcycle/car parts vendors now carry them)...these are not white/blue tinted at all & put out quite a bit more light compared to our N. American Sylvania product, at roughly the same price.