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Recommended watts for HID system. 35 or 55?

3.8K views 49 replies 25 participants last post by  Poison  
#1 ·
I know several people here have upgraded their VTX headlights to HID systems so i figured this would be a good place to ask my question.

Im about to order an HID system in the next day or two and dont know if I should go with a 35 or 55 watt kit. Are there any pros are cons to either?
I do know I want a WHITE light so I believe I need a 5000k bulb. Is this correct?

I will appreciate any advice!

Thanks
 
#5 ·
I sell 2 colors 4300K Whitest I have seen and a 6000K which is also very bright but has a slight blue tinge. It is actually the same color as the light at noon on a clear day. PM me if you need info.
And only 55W.
 
#6 ·
From what I have read the 35 watt HIDs have about the same light output as the stock halogen bulb. If you are trying to conserve watts then go that way. The 55 watt HID is significantly brighter than stock and is what I currently have on my bike in 6000k color thanks to Sam. you will not regret it.
 
#7 ·
From what I have read the 35 watt HIDs have about the same light output as the stock halogen bulb. If you are trying to conserve watts then go that way. The 55 watt HID is significantly brighter than stock and is what I currently have on my bike in 6000k color thanks to Sam. you will not regret it.
:bowdown: :lol:
 
#8 ·
From what I have read the 35 watt HIDs have about the same light output as the stock halogen bulb. If you are trying to conserve watts then go that way. The 55 watt HID is significantly brighter than stock and is what I currently have on my bike in 6000k color thanks to Sam. you will not regret it.
I'm going to have to disagree on this one I have a 35watt HID and it's much much brighter than stock
 
#9 ·
From what I have read the 35 watt HIDs have about the same light output as the stock halogen bulb. If you are trying to conserve watts then go that way. The 55 watt HID is significantly brighter than stock and is what I currently have on my bike in 6000k color thanks to Sam. you will not regret it.
No way - the 35 watt HID puts out about 3 times the lumens as a stock halogen bro.
 
#10 ·
From what I have read the 35 watt HIDs have about the same light output as the stock halogen bulb. If you are trying to conserve watts then go that way. The 55 watt HID is significantly brighter than stock and is what I currently have on my bike in 6000k color thanks to Sam. you will not regret it.
Stock halogen bulbs produce about 1200 lumens of light
35w HID kits produce about 3400 lumens.
55w kits produce about 5000 lumens


I get high beamed enough with my 35w kit. It's adjusted for correct angle on road and everything. I shudder to think how frequently I'd get high beamed with the 55w kit.

For the record, the standard for most all kits is 35w. 55 is new to the market. If I had to do it again, I'd still get 35w. it's 3x brighter than stock, and I have zero issues with visiblity at night. I can attest to the fact that the 35w kit is DECIDELY brighter than a halogen.

A couple of nerd comments. The 55w produces a bit more heat than the 35w, so I'd be wary of that. I know some guys are running them but the generated heat might be an issue over time. Federal DOT regs say HID bulbs need to be shielded (ie, have some sort of block between the bulb and front of light, like the shrouds you see encapsulating some headlight housings) the VTX headlight (if I remember right) does NOT have this shield so you're basically on your own. I say this because the difference in light output will be significant enough to get you noticed by local LEO's. . . one of them having a bad day might decide to enforce rules.

Good luck whichever way you go.
 
#11 ·
Stock halogen bulbs produce about 1200 lumens of light
35w HID kits produce about 3400 lumens.
55w kits produce about 5000 lumens


I get high beamed enough with my 35w kit. It's adjusted for correct angle on road and everything. I shudder to think how frequently I'd get high beamed with the 55w kit.

For the record, the standard for most all kits is 35w. 55 is new to the market. If I had to do it again, I'd still get 35w. it's 3x brighter than stock, and I have zero issues with visiblity at night.

A couple of nerd comments. The 55w produces a bit more heat than the 35w, so I'd be wary of that. I know some guys are running them but the generated heat might be an issue over time. Federal DOT regs say HID bulbs need to be shielded (ie, have some sort of block between the bulb and front of light, like the shrouds you see encapsulating some headlight housings) the VTX headlight (if I remember right) does NOT have this shield so you're basically on your own. I say this because the difference in light output will be significant enough to get you noticed by local LEO's. . . one of them having a bad day might decide to enforce rules.

Good luck whichever way you go.
Some misinformation.
Heat has not been an issue. 3 years in my housing- no problem.
Your lamp must still be aimed incorrectly- I never get flashed. Nor do we get flashed when several of us are riding together.
Every HID I've seen and the ones I sell have the end cover/shield incorporated into the bulb assembly.
There are many units installed in the Seattle metro and no one has received a 2nd look much less a ticket.
The light output info is correct.
Yes- 35W is MTL enough- certainly better than stock. I'll take the extra distance available with the 55W bulb.
 
#12 ·
There is significantly more heat generated with a HID bulb over a halogen. . your pushing 23000volts of electricity though gas. My headlight lens gets hotter now than it did before with halogen. So yeah, it will generate heat. . will the 55w generate more than the 35? Don't know, don't have one, I was just pointing out a possible problem. If it don't it don't.

No my bulb isn't aimed incorrectly, it has no shield. I haven't seen ONE HID kit that provides a shell that goes around an HID bulb. I've bought them from a couple different sources. If yours has one, great. But that's the exception, not the norm. With the shell to cover it, I can see why people in Seattle haven't had an issue.

I know your a seller of the kits. I understand you have a vested interest to provide the best positive image of your product. I'm not against that. If I had to do again, I'd look at one of your kits and support a fellow member.

But the 35W kit is more than adequate. If the HID was not original equipment your pushing your luck with it. That's not misinformation. That's how it is. Just because no one's had trouble doesn't mean it's not possible, it just means it's not probable that they'll have problems.

Have a good night. :thumbup:
 
#13 ·
Odd to have not seen H4 HIDs with shields. I have never seen a hi/lo H4 without the shield. H3 bulbs have no shield and I believe the H4 with the quartz Hi beam has no shield. Just clearing up some statements that do not apply to the kits I import. No offense taken.
 
#14 ·
I'm going to have to disagree on this one I have a 35watt HID and it's much much brighter than stock
No way - the 35 watt HID puts out about 3 times the lumens as a stock halogen bro.
Stock halogen bulbs produce about 1200 lumens of light
35w HID kits produce about 3400 lumens.
55w kits produce about 5000 lumens


I get high beamed enough with my 35w kit. It's adjusted for correct angle on road and everything. I shudder to think how frequently I'd get high beamed with the 55w kit.

For the record, the standard for most all kits is 35w. 55 is new to the market. If I had to do it again, I'd still get 35w. it's 3x brighter than stock, and I have zero issues with visiblity at night. I can attest to the fact that the 35w kit is DECIDELY brighter than a halogen.

A couple of nerd comments. The 55w produces a bit more heat than the 35w, so I'd be wary of that. I know some guys are running them but the generated heat might be an issue over time. Federal DOT regs say HID bulbs need to be shielded (ie, have some sort of block between the bulb and front of light, like the shrouds you see encapsulating some headlight housings) the VTX headlight (if I remember right) does NOT have this shield so you're basically on your own. I say this because the difference in light output will be significant enough to get you noticed by local LEO's. . . one of them having a bad day might decide to enforce rules.

Good luck whichever way you go.
Ok I get the point. The 35 watt is more than bright enough. I stand corrected. I know my 55 is bright enough that when I ride with a dark visor at night ( I know ) I feel comfortable enough with the light output and visable distance that I can leave the visor down and still see better than a clear lens with the stock halogen.
 
#15 ·
:agree:, I have just the low one. Saw my buddys last week, he has hi and low. I love my low, but it will be for sale soon, I really like the the one he has. Said ie loves it, his if i'm right is the 55. Smitt
I have Sam's kit, (NDana) and I got the 55w 6000K system. (W/ hi/lo) It has a slight blue tint, but it is bright as hell. One of my favorite mods.

I would def. go w/ the 55w, it's def. brighter.
 
#16 ·
I've been watching all these HID posts for some time now and I'm just about to pull the trigger on a kit from NDAna. I have a question about longevity though.......how long do these things last? And when they burn out, whats burns out, the bulb or ballast? Also, what about replacement parts, are they readily available locally, or mainly mail order only?

Yeah, yeah, I know.......3 questions instead of one, what can I say....I'm an inquisitive guy. :dontknow:
 
#18 ·
I've been watching all these HID posts for some time now and I'm just about to pull the trigger on a kit from NDAna. I have a question about longevity though.......how long do these things last? And when they burn out, whats burns out, the bulb or ballast? Also, what about replacement parts, are they readily available locally, or mainly mail order only?

Yeah, yeah, I know.......3 questions instead of one, what can I say....I'm an inquisitive guy. :dontknow:
I warranty mine for 18 months. The bulbs are supposed to last about 10X as long as tungsten lights. Buy 2 high end SStar lights and you have paid for the kit and the HID is still a lot more light.

I have seen some bulb failures and only 1 ballast. Items warranted as spares are in stock. The nice thing is if the light goes out you pull 2 screws, unplug the HID bulb, put your stock bulb back in (which you of course have in your saddlebag!) and off you go. No wiring is changed and there is nothing else to do to run the quartz bulb till the new HID gets to you.

No way realistically to address parts availability in your area.
 
#20 ·
Just installed a 55w 8000k HID H4 into my 2006 VTX1300S. Real bright over the stock bulb.

Also have a 10 second delay relay in the circuit in order for me to start the bike first and then have the HID come on.
Good idea- Not necessary but will save wear and tear on all electronics involved.

I placed an on/off switch in the ground of the ballast wire simply to save the battery. I like to be able to work on things without draining the battery with the HL. Also nice to turn it off when riding in groups or if I'm just running down the slab for a long distance. Feds be damned. :D
 
#22 ·
Has anyone installed a pair of 35W HIDs in there driving lights on their light bar, over kill?
Overkill. YES! Am working on an install with Hella lamps and putting the ballasts in the bottom of the radiator fairing. Certainly taking my time with the project as there is really no need for them. Am using one fog and one driving lamp and will be switched independently. Will be able to use any combination or single bulb only. Any one or 2 or all 3.
 
#23 ·
NDAna's kit here as well... I have to agree with others who have said this is the best mod bang for the buck. :thumbup:
 
#24 ·
NDAna's kit here as well... I have to agree with others who have said this is the best mod bang for the buck. :thumbup:
Just don't use it for 'spotting' deer! Unless you trying to avoid them! And thanks for the props.
 
#25 ·
Just don't use it for 'spotting' deer! Unless you trying to avoid them! And thanks for the props.
It's like wading through a stream getting around them here... Funny though, shine that sucker off into the woods dark and deep and the number of eyeballs visible a couple hundred yards out would be rather disconcerting to city folk :mrgreen: