[dwyatt46]

i want brighter lights on my 2005 cbr 600rr, is it a better choice to convert fully to hid wiring or just buy some different bulbs? what are some good bulbs or lighting systems?

[phizog]

For just better bulbs, I like philips vision plus.

[cbr1k2007]

Try the PIAA xtreme white plus bulbs they are 4000K before you decide on a full HID system. I have them on my 2007 CBR 1000RR and they look sweet. You get a bright white light, so you should be happy with a set.

[Diamondback]

+1 on the PIAA bulbs. I have the Extreme White Plus bulbs and they make a huge difference. I am working on a BiXenon setup for the RC using HID projectors that gives both the left and right headlights Low and High Beam function. The only downside is the increased weight. It is one of my winter projects.

[Terminex]

I prefer HID's. The actual measured light output difference between stock bulbs and bulbs like the Silverstars (or silverstar ultras, or the Osrams, is minimal. The dfference between stock & HID's is about 50 to 100% increase. (this was measured on two cars using light meteres both right at the ligh and out at 5 set distances. That said, there is NO ROOM inside the fairings on my 08 Blade. I had to mount the ballasts on either side of the gauge cluster. (My VFR was SOOOOOO much easier, had plenty of room in the fairings)

Do what makes you happy. If it looks brighter to you just changing the bulbs, then do it. (perception is reality:-)

[DukeCBR2008]

HIDs dont fit in my CBR1000RR Fireblade 08 (cant hide the ballasts literally ANYWHERE). Now my question to the PIAA xtreme white plus bulbs:
they apparently produce more heat, correct? Do they not melt the cables or the plastics of the bike?!?!

[cbr1k2007]

The PIAA bulb is a 55 watt bulb that generate as much light as a 110 watt bulb. I had them on my bike for over a year now and they have not had any negative effect on the wiring or the lens cover.

[Terminex]

Originally Posted by DukeCBR2008

HIDs dont fit in my CBR1000RR Fireblade 08 (cant hide the ballasts literally ANYWHERE). Now my question to the PIAA xtreme white plus bulbs:
they apparently produce more heat, correct? Do they not melt the cables or the plastics of the bike?!?!

I installed the HID's on mine. I got slim ballasts and mounted them on either side of the gauge cluster.

[R1FLO]

Originally Posted by dwyatt46

i want brighter lights on my 2005 cbr 600rr, is it a better choice to convert fully to hid wiring or just buy some different bulbs? what are some good bulbs or lighting systems?

if your bike doesnt have projectors .. then technically you wouldn't want to run Hid's .. Even though I have .It is not recommended . There is not cut off and who ever you are behind or on coming will get blinded by the amount of light . Now if you have projectors i would recommend because there is no better light then Hid . Piaa are great also if you have a reflector housing .. Also if you go Hid becarefull as there are alot of companys claiming to sell a plug and play unit but really you still have to run a hot wire to the battery for continous 12V power .. An ebay seller that i purchased some HID's from sells a kit with slim digital ballast and are true plug and play no running + and - wires to battery or ground post for under $100 ..

[BigE]

I have put HIDs on my 09, I did the in-take flapper mod and cut the plastic holders out (above the ram air ducts), the slim ballasts then fit above the air ducts with the excess plastic removed the covers fit back nicely.

[bonjo]

Originally Posted by dwyatt46

i want brighter lights on my 2005 cbr 600rr, is it a better choice to convert fully to hid wiring or just buy some different bulbs? what are some good bulbs or lighting systems?

I don't know about your particular bike & what the headlights are like.
-If they are poor by design, it usually means the deflectors/lens design is poor! So whatever you put in there will still be compromised.
-with time, deflectors/lens can fade & go yellowish, in this case the light output is reduced. Change this first.
If all is ok & assuming you wiring is no starving your headlights, if it were me, there would be 3 options:
1- put a better bulb in there. Here in the UK, Philips x-treme powe has been getting best awards for few years against all the rest (osran, bosh, PIAA,...)
2- get an HID system. I personally don't like this despite all the hype & would prefer to wait for:
3- LED daytime light

[phantomx0_1]

HID wins everytime. Nothing else comes close have them on my CBR 1000rr and they are awesome!

[Diamondback]

The design of the reflectors in our bikes (RC51's and other reflector type housings) was always intended for halogen bulbs which have a much lower light output and a lower color temperature to boot. The use of HID bulbs in these reflectors housings throws out or scatters far more light particles than when halogens are used. This may be interpreted by other motorists as annoying glare or even that your Hi Beams being directed in their field of vision. Is it a safety issue? Maybe or maybe not.

Projectors focus the light particles and provide an extremely sharp cutoff, illuminating the roadway, the shoulder and signage without causing excessive glare to oncoming drivers. I am currently working on a retrofit using FXR projectors from The Retrofit Source in both the Left and Right headlight housings on my RC51. The issue I am working on now is trying to consolidate all the ballasts and wiring in the tail.


This is my Bi Xenon HID retrofit setup. I used FXR projectors from Retrofit Source (Thanks Matt!), 5000k bulbs, and their supplied harness kit. It takes some work to do it the way I did. I used all Deutsch connections wherever possible, and heat shrink bullet connectors where size was an issue (in the upper cowl area). What you see here is incomplete. It works flawlessly, but I was not happy with the bulky ballasts and ignitors being located up front, so I'm going to lengthen the wires from the ballasts to the ignitors and place the ballasts and the majority of the wiring in the rear cowl.
I'm very picky about my stuff, and I won't have somthing half-assed on my bike. I just won't do it until I'm 100% happy with it. Until then I am using PIAA Extreme White Plus H7 bulbs in both lamps. I'm very happy with their light output and color temp (4000k) for $49 per bulb.
View of assembled projectors
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...f/DSC04174.jpg
Another shot of assembled units with ballasts and ignitors
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...f/DSC04175.jpg
Rear view showing ignitor leads, flapper leads (to be shortened)
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...f/DSC04176.jpg

[WyoJames]

Originally Posted by Diamondback

The design of the reflectors in our bikes (RC51's and other reflector type housings) was always intended for halogen bulbs which have a much lower light output and a lower color temperature to boot. The use of HID bulbs in these reflectors housings throws out or scatters far more light particles than when halogens are used. This may be interpreted by other motorists as annoying glare or even that your Hi Beams being directed in their field of vision. Is it a safety issue? Maybe or maybe not.

Projectors focus the light particles and provide an extremely sharp cutoff, illuminating the roadway, the shoulder and signage without causing excessive glare to oncoming drivers. I am currently working on a retrofit using FXR projectors from The Retrofit Source in both the Left and Right headlight housings on my RC51. The issue I am working on now is trying to consolidate all the ballasts and wiring in the tail.


This is my Bi Xenon HID retrofit setup. I used FXR projectors from Retrofit Source (Thanks Matt!), 5000k bulbs, and their supplied harness kit. It takes some work to do it the way I did. I used all Deutsch connections wherever possible, and heat shrink bullet connectors where size was an issue (in the upper cowl area). What you see here is incomplete. It works flawlessly, but I was not happy with the bulky ballasts and ignitors being located up front, so I'm going to lengthen the wires from the ballasts to the ignitors and place the ballasts and the majority of the wiring in the rear cowl.
I'm very picky about my stuff, and I won't have somthing half-assed on my bike. I just won't do it until I'm 100% happy with it. Until then I am using PIAA Extreme White Plus H7 bulbs in both lamps. I'm very happy with their light output and color temp (4000k) for $49 per bulb.
View of assembled projectors
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...f/DSC04174.jpg
Another shot of assembled units with ballasts and ignitors
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...f/DSC04175.jpg
Rear view showing ignitor leads, flapper leads (to be shortened)
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...f/DSC04176.jpg

Those projectors are gorgeous