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LOWFLYER · 01-21-2008

HID headlamps are a wonderful upgrade to a motorcycle, especially the Rogue! That was my last upgrade. A few things to keep in mind though:

1. Unless you have a projector beam style enclosure like the V2k (not LT) you will be blinding everyone with a light pattern made only for a regular halogen bulb so be prepared to be lit up with high beams by oncoming traffic at night and maybe even during the day.

2. Higher Kelvin temperature does not mean brighter light! These people that get themselves the 12000K purple HID lights are doing themselves a disservice at nighttime and putting them at risk for an accident. While it may look nice, there is no value added lighting benefit, just a color difference. See below:

-5000K Pure White has an approximately 3200lm output, which is more than 3x the light output of the traditional halogen light and is the color temperature with the most output. This is what you see traditionally as factory OEM on most vehicles equipped with HID ie: BMW, Mercedes, Lexus etc etc.

-6000K Diamond White has an approximately 2800lm output, which is 3x the light output of the traditional halogen light and slightly less light output compared to the 5000K.

-8000K Iceberg Blue has an approximately 2550lm output, which is about 3x the light output of the traditional halogen light and slightly less light output compared to the 6000K.

-10000K Brilliant Blue has an approximately 2200lm output, which is more than 2x the light output of the traditional halogen light.

-12000K Exotic Violet/Purple has an approximately 2100lm output, which is more than 2x the light output of the traditional halogen light.

3. HID kits have become very affordable. You can get them on Ebay for as little as $74 shipped from US sellers. Be mindful though about what you're getting as far as warranty and such.

4. Look for plug and play that don't require any splicing of wires. What you will get is a bulb, ballast, and ignitor so think about that when considering this mod. Where will you stuff the ballast and igniter if your housing is not large enough to hold it. Some ballasts have the igniter built in and some do not, but the ballasts are usually around 5x5x.75 so they're not huge.

Me personally, I went with an 8000K kit that in hindsight makes me wish I would have gone with maybe the 5k or 6k instead. I wanted the blue light, and while brightness is sufficient and the effect is what I desired it leaves me wishing for just a little more light output for those roads that are completely unlit at night time. (damn deer....) Whatever way you go, you won't be disappointed with this upgrade. Cheers.

-Justin

01-21-2008	#4 (permalink)
LOWFLYER Rogue Runner BTK Intermediate Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: McGuire AFB, Armpit New Jersey Posts: 143	HID headlights or Xenon HID headlamps are a wonderful upgrade to a motorcycle, especially the Rogue! That was my last upgrade. A few things to keep in mind though: 1. Unless you have a projector beam style enclosure like the V2k (not LT) you will be blinding everyone with a light pattern made only for a regular halogen bulb so be prepared to be lit up with high beams by oncoming traffic at night and maybe even during the day. 2. Higher Kelvin temperature does not mean brighter light! These people that get themselves the 12000K purple HID lights are doing themselves a disservice at nighttime and putting them at risk for an accident. While it may look nice, there is no value added lighting benefit, just a color difference. See below: -5000K Pure White has an approximately 3200lm output, which is more than 3x the light output of the traditional halogen light and is the color temperature with the most output. This is what you see traditionally as factory OEM on most vehicles equipped with HID ie: BMW, Mercedes, Lexus etc etc. -6000K Diamond White has an approximately 2800lm output, which is 3x the light output of the traditional halogen light and slightly less light output compared to the 5000K. -8000K Iceberg Blue has an approximately 2550lm output, which is about 3x the light output of the traditional halogen light and slightly less light output compared to the 6000K. -10000K Brilliant Blue has an approximately 2200lm output, which is more than 2x the light output of the traditional halogen light. -12000K Exotic Violet/Purple has an approximately 2100lm output, which is more than 2x the light output of the traditional halogen light. 3. HID kits have become very affordable. You can get them on Ebay for as little as $74 shipped from US sellers. Be mindful though about what you're getting as far as warranty and such. 4. Look for plug and play that don't require any splicing of wires. What you will get is a bulb, ballast, and ignitor so think about that when considering this mod. Where will you stuff the ballast and igniter if your housing is not large enough to hold it. Some ballasts have the igniter built in and some do not, but the ballasts are usually around 5x5x.75 so they're not huge. Me personally, I went with an 8000K kit that in hindsight makes me wish I would have gone with maybe the 5k or 6k instead. I wanted the blue light, and while brightness is sufficient and the effect is what I desired it leaves me wishing for just a little more light output for those roads that are completely unlit at night time. (damn deer....) Whatever way you go, you won't be disappointed with this upgrade. Cheers. -Justin __________________ 07 Candy Plasma Blue ZX-14-Stock for now.......