Stock headlights vs HID conversion on 2009 RT

[skydiver]

I am thinking of a new RT in the spring and am wondering how people like the stock headlights that come with the bike, or if an upgrade to HID is recommended. I have the HID conversion in my '04 LT and really like it, but not sure it is worth the trouble of converting as I don't do a lot of night riding anyway. But, it is so much more visible in the daytime, that alone may make the conversion worth it. I am not even sure how good the stock lights are in the RT as I have only seen the bike in the showroom at the dealer.

Thanks for any input.

[cpallen]

I have a 09 RT and think the dual low beam lights are pretty good coming off a 05 GS. I'm sure you could see even better with HIDs but I don't ride fast enough to overdrive my headlights now. HIDs are also drawing only 35w (ea) after they have fired up saving 20w of electrical load (x2) so that might also be a consideration.

It would make more sense visually to put one in the high beam position, but they are a little delayed in firing up which might decrease their overall usefulness. They are certainly a very cool farkle, but also illegal.

There you have it.

Courtney in Seattle

[Gaby]

I agree, the stock headlights are fine, for my aging eyes also (if the view becomes too limited, perhaps one drives to fast :) )
I don't like HID's at all, even if adjusted as they should be, they often hinder my sight, even while riding my bike and
sometimes even through the mirrors! It seems it is the old age, drivers on the wrong side of age 50 seem to become blinded
by the high luminance of HID's. And I don't use myself what I find annoying from others ;)
Gaby

[Atomicman]

I have an '09 Rt. I think the stock low dual low beams are pretty good. EAnd even the high beam is not bad.


I think your $$ would be better spent installing auxiallry HID's down on the calipers. This is my plan for the winter.

I am considering these new PIAA's. you would have to wire them to the battery or install a fuseblock (I am probably going to use a Centech AP2) and probably want them switched with the ignition but also a separate switch at the bars. I don't know if you can get caliper mounts that work wiht these but they do make a fork tubular mounts.

My main motivation is safety lighting (The farther they are from your headlights the larger your road image oncoming) adn something that supplements or even overides the low beams at night!


i have stcok bi-xenon HID in 3 of our cars and they absolutley make standard holgen lights seem usesless! I doubt the motorcycle applications from PIAA or another option MOTO lights can hold a candle (no-pun intended to the stock automotive bi-xenons. maybe someon who has already installed them can comment.

[mteitler]

I've had a '99 LT (with the high beam stacked in front of the low beam) and an '05 LT (with a separate high beam). I converted both to HID cuz the stock setups sucked.

The stock headlights on the RT are so much better than the LT's they're not even from the same planet. I've found no need to convert to HID on the RT. I added some Trail Tech SC4 HID's http://trailtech.net/single_hid_sc4.html mounted to Lumalink brackets on the forks down by the calipers http://www.lumalink.com/lumalink_brackets.html and find this setup great for urban/suburban/country nightriding.

[Atomicman]

I have an '09 Rt. I think the stock low dual low beams are pretty good. EAnd even the high beam is not bad.


I think your $$ would be better spent installing auxiallry HID's down on or near the calipers. This is my plan for the winter.

I am considering these new PIAA Cross country http://www.piaa.com/Powersports/lamps.html. the 600's are a fortune. You would have to wire them to the through a fuseblock (I am probably going to use a Centech AP2) it allows switched and unswitched circuuits and probably want them switched with the ignition but also a separate switch at the bars. I don't know if you can get caliper mounts that work with these but they do make a fork tubular mounts.

My main motivation is safety lighting (The farther they are from your headlights the larger your road image oncoming) and something that supplements or even overides the low beams at night!


I have stock bi-xenon HID's in 3 of our cars and they absolutley make standard holgen lights seem usesless! I doubt the motorcycle applications from PIAA or another option MOTO lights can hold a candle (no-pun intended) to the stock automotive bi-xenons. Maybe someone who has already installed them can comment.

Sorry for the "Word Salad" in my above post. I have edited it so it does not look like a 3rd grader typed it!

here is alink to a photo of the Cross country's mounted on the brackets that Michael suggested. they are shown on an 1150RT http://www.lumalink.com/photogallery/photos/photo22.jpg and look through the gallery here and there are a couple of RT shots with Cross country PIAA http://www.lumalink.com/gallery.php?c=BMW#

[SteveInWa]

I have an '05 RT and installed a set of Motolights with amber lenses mounted on the front calipers. Upon return from a nine-day 3,400+ mile trip in SEP, I asked one of my riding buddies if I should consider upgrading my stock lights for better visibility. The response was "you already look like a freaking freight train when approaching, no." They are wired through a CANBUS relay so they go on and off with the ignition with the manual switch just below the dash - easily reachable - so I can turn them off manually if needed. Great visibility in all weather conditions and people notice when I am around.