The automotive HID systems are done with what is called Bi-Xenon (marketing term) where the low beam is HID and the high beam is incandescent. They do this because there is a latency in starting up the HID (about .25 seconds before it becomes fully bright). Also, frequent on/off cycling of HID's shortens their life. I understand that some of the kits on Ebay and other places have the HID + incandescent combination, but I've read that they are crudely done with the incandescent lamp "glued" to the side of the HID. Plus the biggest advantage of HID's at least in our motorcycles is power savings and the incandescent high beam doesn't accomplish that. None of the aftermarket HID headlights are DOT approved, so you are risking a ticket.
As far as riding in darkness, have you considered auxiliary LED lights? I'm planning on getting some for my 1997 and mounting them on my forks so they turn with the handlebars. I have't decided which LED lights to purchase yet, but there are a lot of choices. The problem is, these can be pricey ($230-$500). I am confident I can find cheaper lights somewhere.
I really like webbikeworld.com, here is a page they have for lighting reviews with some LED lights to consider for using as auxiliary lights:
http://www.webbikeworld.com/lights/
I completely agree with the database issue, I have the same pet peeve. I also like to share with everyone so I'm also sending my reply to the email list...
-David
________________________________
From: Don Hornung
To: David Nichols
Sent: Thursday, October 13, 2011 5:39 AM
Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Cheap FMF exhaust for '09
Dave:
Thanks for the link. I learned a lot about hi/lo HID. Wonder how those expensive cars get around on/off/on situation. Seems I'm destine to ride in near-darkness on either of my two '06 lime green KLRs.
Don R100, A6F
PS: Sorry for being a spoiler on subject lines versus the actual subject discussed. Over the years I've run some databases to complete projects and any minute variation creates additional / needless records that need cleaned up. Trained myself to keep it "clean", so when I want to read about HID for KLRs, I don't have to remember that the best stuff is really under "Cheap FMF exhaust for '09".
From: David Nichols
>To: spike55_bmw
>Sent: Wednesday, October 12, 2011 12:30 PM
>Subject: Fw: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Cheap FMF exhaust for '09
>
>
>Have you seen this? I should have changed the subject line...
>
>
>----- Forwarded Message -----
>From: David Nichols
>To: Chris ; "
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com" DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com>
>Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2011 1:27 PM
>Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Cheap FMF exhaust for '09
>
>
>
>Here is an interesting article I ran across:
>
http://www.webbikeworld.com/lights/hid-light/motorcycle-hid-light-conversion/
>
>I have no experience with XenonDepot, but I trust webBikeWorld.com. I am an aerospace lighting engineer so I am very familiar with the various lighting technologies, including HID and incandescent. I also stat on top of the current technologies, and LED's will be used in headlights within the next 5 years. At that point, HID's (and incandescent) will be a thing of the past, just like land line telephones...
>
>Like Jeff said, the 08 and newer KLRs are much easier to convert to HID because they have 2 separate headlights, the dual filament H4 lamps in the 07 and older models are challenging to replace with HID lamps. They either have a servo moving a shield to switch from low to high beam, or they have an HID low bean with a
halogen incandescent (filament) lamp for the high beam. Both of these methods are not satisfactory to me. Also, these kits may not be DOT legal. Especially the Ebay kits.
>
>I don't see the Ebay prices to be much lower than places like XenonDepot, not enough to buy from an unknown source and go through what the writer on webBikeWorld.com did.
>
>________________________________
>From: Chris
>To:
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com
>Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2011 10:42 AM
>Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Cheap FMF exhaust for '09
>
>Where does one get a real HID lamp
setup for the KLR?
>
>thanks,
>Chris
>
>On Mon, Oct 10, 2011 at
9:26 AM, david.r.nichols@... >david.r.nichols@...> wrote:
>
>> **
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> I have noticed a big scam on Ebay where they are selling headlight "HID
>> bulbs" which are not actually HID type. These sellers are using "HID" as a
>> term to trick people. The bulbs they are selling are incandescent, with
>> tungsten filaments just like the OEM ones they are replacing. The difference
>> is that these "HID bulbs" are filled with Xenon gas and tinted blue to give
>> a whiter light, but they are actually incandescent, not HID. Actual HID
>> lamps (being a lighting engineer I use the term lamp instead of bulb)