GOLDWINGHIDS?

[Hoosier Daddy]

I'm considering purchasing a set of these from Socalmotogerar.com. These lights appeal to me because they are "plug n play" and that is about the limit of my mechanical ability. I've watched Cruiseman's video on them but have a few questions for people familiar with them.

I've read in other HID threads that in order to have a properly functioning HID light the entire lens/projector needs to be replaced or there will be issues blinding oncoming vehicles or the HID's will not function properly?
Since these simply replace the oem bulbs it seems the oem head light adjustment would keep the lights pointed where you want them so blinding oncoming vehicles would not be an issue?
What is the life expectancy from these?
Any negatives from folks who have installed these?

Thanks much,
Dan

[Cruiseman]

Dan, I have never experienced the negatives you describe with my HIDs. I know that with LEDs, the projector beams are almost necessary to focus the light, but not so much with HIDs. I have had my HIDs on my 2012 for more than 2 years and love them.

[Fatgrouchyguy]

First, technically HIDs are designed for projector lenses. But if installed and aimed correctly they can be used in reflector buckets. Before install park you bike on centerstand on level ground about 25 feet from garage door or wall. Mark that spot for later, then turn headlights on and mark location on door/wall. After you have completed install park bike in same place, turn lights on, and adjust so brightest part of beam is at or below previous mark.

Bulb life expectancy differs between manufacturers, I don't know who Goldwing HIDs uses so I can't make any claims for those. Kits I have used in past I've had some bulbs last 8-9 years and then I've had them burn out after 3 months.

I will say if you get a kit with digital ballasts that they function better and the bulbs tend to last longer.

[gray red rider]

I have watched Cruiseman's install video of these and I am very interested in purchasing them also.

What about heat? I have read of melting wires, reflectors and yellowing of lenses in other after market HIDs.

I hate over bright headlights and don't want them on my bike. Do these have the definitive vertical cut off line that OEM HIDs have?

[MMR]

Okay, time for me to chime in....as I actually have a set of these on my '13 F6B. If you read my post on the thread from one of the supporting vendors...SoCalMotoGear, you see my story about these. But, here goes anyway......I bought 2 full sets of these last year...so that is a total of 4 bulbs/ballasts/wiring, etc. I installed the HIDs into all four of my headlights, both low beams, and both high beams. After a long ride...7000 miles in 8 days, I decided it was not good to have the HIDs in the high beams, as it takes too long for the HIDs to come up to full brightness, and by the time they do, you need to switch the high beams back off...i.e., oncoming cars.

So I removed the HIDs from the high beams, and installed my usual lights there...the PIAA Super Whites as high beams.

Fast forward to Sept. 5th, 2013....the day I was riding back home from the Least Coast....home to the Best Coast...and I got within 15 miles from home, when lightning struck me on the helmet....seriously. That is not a joke, and it is posted all over the Internet. Here is what it has to do with these HID lights. The bike was not dropped or wrecked in the incident, but it did suffer over $ 10,000.00 electrical damage, as the lightning went from my helmet...down the headsert cord to the bike's audio syste,. through the ground plane to all the relays, fuses, etc, etc, etc,, and eventually shot OUT the antenna. The antenna on an F6B is a short little 8 inch antenna as it is, but after tyhe lightning strike, it looked like a friend rat's tail.

When my local dealer was rebuilding the bike...they found that my HIDs low beams still worked, and nothing was damaged on them.

The bike, now almost a year later, and a total of 30K miles on it, still has those same HID low beams in it, and they work perfectly.

I relayed this story to the "peeps" from SoCalMotoGear, when I ran into them at the Wing Ding Rally in Madison early last month.

Here is a VERY important thing to know about installing HIDs on our bikes. You do NOT want the HIDs to come on with the switched key, as if turning on the ignition would normally turn on the headlights of a Wing. You want to install the headlight DELAY relay......so that the HIDs do NOT come on until the bike has started, and is running. Electrical Connection sells this kit, and it is easy to install. It uses a ground wire attached to the Oil Pressure Sending unit on the bike to send a ground signal to the relay, to complete the circuit. This way, the HIDs do not cycle when trying to start the bike. Again, for the longevity of the HIDs, this is very important. The kit from EC is low in price, and well worth it.

This EC Cut-Out relay/harness is also sold by SoCalMotoGear, so you can do one stop shopping.

I probably have a total of 25K miles on thse HIDs since the first install, and I love them. If you want tips on where to mount the ballasts, wiring, etc, send me a PM, and I can offer tips.

[Hoosier Daddy]

FGR, what position should I have my oem lights in when I make the mark? All the up (normally keep them in this position and never been "flashed") another position? MMR, thanks for the tips and info about the cutout harness. I've read all the reviews on Socals web site and every one has been a full five stars. Nothing negative that I've seen. Will do a bit more research before the purchase I think. Also only plan to get the low beams. Thanks, Dan

[strotter]

I bought the ones that Cruiseman shows in his video. Totally worth the money. The only part of the install that was hard, was getting my big fat hand down in the faring to replace the bulb. The wiring and mounting the ballast was very easy.

[alabamawing]

I also have the HIDs from SOCAL and they are great. I did have a ballist that refused to totally get fired up but they immediately sent me another.

[1096dad]

I purchased mine "lightly" used (pardon the pun) from a member of the "other" board. I even got 2 spare bulbs in the deal! Simple install with the help of Cruiseman's video and I have loved them every day since. I've never had oncoming cars flash me...not once. Riding down the road at night is like daytime. As I come up on other cars, it looks like they are running candles on the front compared to the light put out by the HID's from SoCal. I'll buy them for every Wing I ever own....if I let them stay with my current bike when it comes time to upgrade! 20,000 plus miles of no complaints.

[orangecrate]

I also have the SOCAL HIDs and they work great. No flashes from oncoming traffic either.

[Hoosier Daddy]

UPDATE.....Well I just place my order for a set of these. Got the low beams only. I searched multiple forums and read all vendor reviews and did not see anything negative about these. There were some negative reviews on some lower priced HID's but not a single one about the GOLDWINGHID from SoCal. Thanks to all who replied to my questions. I may take some before & after pics to post later. Dan

[popsclawson]

I had the SOCAL HIDs put in during wing ding last year in Greenville, SC. They were great on the ride home during all the rain. Can't imagine being without them now.

[Gold Winger]

Geesh, MMR glad you are still with us to share your story! You are one VERY lucky guy!

[recon]

Where did you see the video about these lights? I want cowl lights of some sort but havnt decided what kind. I saw Cruiseman's video of the pathfinder set up, impressive!

[Hoosier Daddy]

If you go to the video section of this board Cruiseman's review is on it. Or you can go to www.socalmotogear.com and they have the vid there also. Dan

[speckfisher]

This is my next mod. Thanks to all for your personal opinions and findings. These lights sound like a great idea. I 'll also order what's needed to do my back end as well.

[Hoosier Daddy]

Well got them installed. Seemed like it took me quite a bit longer than it did Cruiseman in his video. Anyway a QUESTION?..... will the sticky sided zip tie holders (same Cruiseman used in his video) stand up to getting wet with rain and road gunk? I zip tied the wiring in several places using those. Anyone had any come undone? Thanks, Dan

[Cruiseman]

Well got them installed. Seemed like it took me quite a bit longer than it did Cruiseman in his video. Anyway a QUESTION?..... will the sticky sided zip tie holders (same Cruiseman used in his video) stand up to getting wet with rain and road gunk? I zip tied the wiring in several places using those. Anyone had any come undone? Thanks, Dan

I have had one come loose, but I think it might be because I did not clean the surface well. I think the next time I will add the super-sticky red 3M backing instead of the one that comes on the zip ties.

[Yellowbird]

This is my next upgrade hope to have them on by the end of the month. Just picked up some of those zip tie holder from Lowes very handy using them on some other products.

[Hoosier Daddy]

Good idea Cruiseman....I will get some of that backing to keep on hand just in case. I ended up cutting a piece off the supplied industrial strength 3M double sided tape to use on the ballast block. That stuff is strong.

Yellowbird....I am very happy with the brightness of these even though I haven't ridden with them at night yet. After I installed the first one I turned the bike on and it was easy to see the drastic difference between the HID and the oem bulb on the other side. Those zip tie holders that Cruiseman recommended are almost a necessity because of all the flat surfaces you will need to zip tie the wiring to. I am very anxious to take a night time ride this week.


Dan