HID Conversion

Peter

Candyman

Posts: 1,060

Motorbike: R1200GS-07

Mileage: 47,000 km

Location: Singapore

Thanks: 1439

1

Thursday, October 30th 2008, 2:24am

Conversion kit from H7 to HID 35 W. I decided for a 4300 k bulb, because It's closer to the light temperature that we are used to. Also it is a bit brighter than the types with blueish tint. The conversion kit its made in Korea. Cost S$ 160 / US$ 105 / Euro 85.

Ballast, starter, extension cord and burner. I think I don't need the extension.

HID burner

Digital ballast

Starter

Peter .PEOPLE WHO HAVE VISIONS SHOULD GO TO SEE THEIR DOCTOR

vrider

Intermediate

Posts: 15

Motorbike: R 1200 GS Adventure-08

Location: Athens,Greece

Thanks: 7

2

Tuesday, November 18th 2008, 4:27am

Well, I tried to do something similar, however I was warned not to do so!
The reason why , is the Canbus system of the 08 models and on. To be more specific I was told that the stock
bulb of the gs/gsa is 55w and most of the conversion kits use 35w bulbs. BMW Canbus systems recognizes the
difference in the bulb wattage and gives an error message......

So no HID kit for my gsa........Damn! I really liked it!

Harry

johnofchar

V-Strom Representative

Posts: 48

Motorbike: SV-Strom

Mileage: 108,000 miles

Location: Charleston SC USA

Thanks: 34

3

Wednesday, November 19th 2008, 6:12am

Many of the HID kits out there have a 50 watt option.

Peter

Candyman

Posts: 1,060

Motorbike: R1200GS-07

Mileage: 47,000 km

Location: Singapore

Thanks: 1439

4

Wednesday, November 19th 2008, 9:28am

Did you actually try it, Harry?

I wanted to take some pictures before and after, but damn it is hard finding a suitable piece of road in Singapore. It's laying around for days.

Peter .PEOPLE WHO HAVE VISIONS SHOULD GO TO SEE THEIR DOCTOR

vrider

Intermediate

Posts: 15

Motorbike: R 1200 GS Adventure-08

Location: Athens,Greece

Thanks: 7

5

Wednesday, November 19th 2008, 7:40pm

Peter, i haven't tried them although I think that I will finally do it since the price is very tempting. These guys want approx 55euro delivered vvme.com/catalog/list-s-10145-10146.html for the first kit. The problem is that in the case that it does not work properly I will be forced to find a alternative way ( such as add a resistor to confuse the Canbus that there is a 55w bulb installed, I don't even know if this is possible it's just a thought) but at the moment I don't have the time. Maybe after Christmas.

As for John, I know there are 55w kits but I was (also) told that this is too much power for the headlights and because of the extreme heat produced the entire light cover might melt down. I don't know if this is possible but it sounds right.

In case I'll go for it I will keep you posted

Harry

Peter

Candyman

Posts: 1,060

Motorbike: R1200GS-07

Mileage: 47,000 km

Location: Singapore

Thanks: 1439

6

Wednesday, November 19th 2008, 11:23pm

I don't believe heat would be a problem with the 55 W HID kit. HID is actually cooler than a H7 at same wattage. That is why it is more effective. More electrical power is converted to light instead of heat. What I could think of an issue with a 55 W HID burner, may an unacceptable increase in glare with that kind of power.

Peter .PEOPLE WHO HAVE VISIONS SHOULD GO TO SEE THEIR DOCTOR

johnofchar

V-Strom Representative

Posts: 48

Motorbike: SV-Strom

Mileage: 108,000 miles

Location: Charleston SC USA

Thanks: 34

7

Thursday, November 20th 2008, 6:29am

Don't think glare would be a problem if the light is adjusted correctly. BMW lights are well known for their reflector/lens combo having a excellent cutoff point. I have two 30 watters on at the same time with no problems.

ghostrider1964

Edumacated Redneck Adventurer

Posts: 244

Motorbike: R1200GSA-08 and 01 ATK 605 Enduro

Mileage: 45,000 miles

Location: CORYELL CITY, TEXAS

Thanks: 402

8

Saturday, January 10th 2009, 6:03am

I put the VVME HIDs on my GSA. VVMEs customer service SUCKS!!!!

but the price is cheap and they do work. My HID was $60 US shipped. I have an 08 GSA and NO CANBUS issues. I did both the high and low with 35 watt....MAJOR improvement in lighting

2008 R1200 GSA
2001 ATK 605 Enduro
Many others that are gone 8-)

http://www.rollthebonesrally.com/

1 registered user thanked already.

Users who thanked for this post:

Peter

ghostrider1964

Edumacated Redneck Adventurer

Posts: 244

Motorbike: R1200GSA-08 and 01 ATK 605 Enduro

Mileage: 45,000 miles

Location: CORYELL CITY, TEXAS

Thanks: 402

9

Saturday, February 7th 2009, 6:08am

Here is a picture of the large HIDs under the beak of my GSA... NOT very visible... :thumbup:

2008 R1200 GSA
2001 ATK 605 Enduro
Many others that are gone 8-)

http://www.rollthebonesrally.com/

konfucius

Beginner

Posts: 29

Motorbike: R1200GSA-08

Mileage: 13,000 km

Location: Boras, Sweden

Thanks: 43

10

Sunday, February 8th 2009, 7:57am

I'm doing this conversion right now, I've got a pair of HIDs from VVME, I put one of the ballasts where I think the canister should be on a US bike, a round intake on the right side of the tank, but where did you put yours, I cant find a good place for the second ballast on my -08 Adv?

Peter

Candyman

Posts: 1,060

Motorbike: R1200GS-07

Mileage: 47,000 km

Location: Singapore

Thanks: 1439

11

Sunday, February 8th 2009, 12:51pm

Peter .PEOPLE WHO HAVE VISIONS SHOULD GO TO SEE THEIR DOCTOR

konfucius

Beginner

Posts: 29

Motorbike: R1200GSA-08

Mileage: 13,000 km

Location: Boras, Sweden

Thanks: 43

12

Sunday, February 8th 2009, 6:09pm

Yes, that is where I put the first one, but the second one, same place?

ghostrider1964

Edumacated Redneck Adventurer

Posts: 244

Motorbike: R1200GSA-08 and 01 ATK 605 Enduro

Mileage: 45,000 miles

Location: CORYELL CITY, TEXAS

Thanks: 402

13

Monday, February 9th 2009, 11:39pm

I mounted both of my ballasts together...I can take some more pics tonight or tomorrow...even with both there, neither are very visible :thumbup:

2008 R1200 GSA
2001 ATK 605 Enduro
Many others that are gone 8-)

http://www.rollthebonesrally.com/

ghostrider1964

Edumacated Redneck Adventurer

Posts: 244

Motorbike: R1200GSA-08 and 01 ATK 605 Enduro

Mileage: 45,000 miles

Location: CORYELL CITY, TEXAS

Thanks: 402

14

Tuesday, February 10th 2009, 12:21am

Here is a picture of both mounted... 8-)

hope this is helpful I am getting educated in posting pics so be patient :yes:

Better view?

:wall:

PETER HELP?

2008 R1200 GSA
2001 ATK 605 Enduro
Many others that are gone 8-)

http://www.rollthebonesrally.com/

Peter

Candyman

Posts: 1,060

Motorbike: R1200GS-07

Mileage: 47,000 km

Location: Singapore

Thanks: 1439

15

Tuesday, February 10th 2009, 1:13am

You did well on your second try, so I deleted the previous version were you got the thumbnail only. Now you are a picture posting professional.

Good view. The ballasts are really a bit big.

Peter .PEOPLE WHO HAVE VISIONS SHOULD GO TO SEE THEIR DOCTOR

ghostrider1964

Edumacated Redneck Adventurer

Posts: 244

Motorbike: R1200GSA-08 and 01 ATK 605 Enduro

Mileage: 45,000 miles

Location: CORYELL CITY, TEXAS

Thanks: 402

16

Tuesday, February 10th 2009, 4:32am

Thats your $49.95 special frome VVME!!! Now my high beam has started turning off on bumpy roads....

2008 R1200 GSA
2001 ATK 605 Enduro
Many others that are gone 8-)

http://www.rollthebonesrally.com/

Props-n-blades

Posts: 1

Motorbike: R1200GS-05

Location: Aalst, Belgium

17

Thursday, March 19th 2009, 7:33pm

Hi,

I just found this forum and I also just installed an HID conversion. The one I installed can handle differences in Canbus, so no fault messages.

vrider

Intermediate

Posts: 15

Motorbike: R 1200 GS Adventure-08

Location: Athens,Greece

Thanks: 7

18

Saturday, May 2nd 2009, 8:35pm

Well, after a long period of no spare time , last Monday I ordered from VVME the single beam kit 4300k for 65$ delivered.
I had my concerns if it will work on my 08 GSA (without ESA) but I also though that for 50 euro, it was worth to try it.
So last Thursday the kit arrived and as of yesterday I have Xenon lights on my GSA ! Both normal and High beam.
I have to admit that the kit it looks Chinese however the light produced is great, so far.
One thing though I took into consideration was the fact that several
people who went for the slim ballast, had problems with their CanBus,
therefore I decided to play it safe and try the normal ballast. I
think, without being positive about that , that these ballasts can
handle Canbus issues.

I did the same installation as Ghostrider's in the previous photo.
I also figured of another spot to place the ballasts but I went the safe way!
A few years ago I would have taken the tank apart and...... well I think I am getting older!

In any case the mounting was easy and this kit is really plug and play. I hope it will last.....

Harry

1 registered user thanked already.

Users who thanked for this post:

Peter

ghostrider1964

Edumacated Redneck Adventurer

Posts: 244

Motorbike: R1200GSA-08 and 01 ATK 605 Enduro

Mileage: 45,000 miles

Location: CORYELL CITY, TEXAS

Thanks: 402

19

Tuesday, May 5th 2009, 4:24am

Have the ballasts gotten any smaller from VVME? The only fault I had was when the high beam went out...I finally traced this to the spade connectors not fitting tight enough. I crimped slightly with pliers so all seems well. If it starts going off again I will solder the sucker :yes: