HID questions...please help...

[bone crusher]

I ordered ESI's 6000k HIDs to have installed at my dealership and they told me that BRP is against the installation of these, saying that they mess the electrical system up and create major issues.

I know that hundreds, if not more, have ESI's HIDs and I need to know if anyone has had such problems before they do the install.

I figured that this issue was with inferior-made HID products, but some reassurance would be nice...anything specific I can send to the dealer would be nice.

Thanks everyone...

 

[Justin]

I don't have the ESI ones, but I've put 6 kits on the 3 Spyders and have no issues. Kits were only $100.00 each. No need for the dealer to do them. They're super simple and take about 45min for the headlights and 15min for the fogs. One of the best mods to do. The lightning is phenomenal.

 

[NancysToy]

Some HID kits do cause CanBus electrical problems...on Spyders and on other makes. Some installations also cause problems, depending on where the ballasts are placed, or the quality of the wiring alterations. It is understandable why BRP is against them, since they cannot control the quality of the aftermarket kits, or the installation and ballast location. Of course, they also prefer that you buy their expensive kit. Obviously, since they sell an HID accessory, the concept is OK, it is just the quality, and how the technology is applied, that are important. Evan did a lot of testing in choosing compatible componenets for his kit, and I would trust it. That doesn't mean one can't fail and cause problems, any more than it means the BRP kits will not fail, but it is a tested, proven unit in Spyder applications. I would hesitate to use another brand, although some have worked fine, but I would use the ESI version in a heartbeat.

 

[IWN2RYD]

I also had these same worries. I have read a few threads here where folks did in fact have some issues, and others that had none what so ever. But the weakness of the Factory Halogens was to great for me to ignore. Being in the North West makes for pretty short daylight hours during the winter months. I go to work in the dark and come home in the dark.

I called a lot of our vendors looking for an HID kit for the RT's.. With no luck. After a bit of research I found out why...

The solution is different for the RS than it is for the RT. We have the RT. Both the Fog and Headlights are sealed units. However, I learned form a vendor we can go to our kitchen ovens, set the heat to 200f, and it allows the sealant to become softened and we can separate them. Evidently it takes 300f+ before the actual plastic of the housing having any ill effects.

Then once we swap the bulbs out, we go back to the oven to soften the seal again. And "Clam" them back together.

Anyway, For all of my Autos I purchase all of my HID kits from Retro Solutions (Link) They have helped me with any questions, been honest, and actually do warranty their parts.

That said, I learned about an HID installation from a fellow member InspectorGadget. He used this Ebay vendor with a lot of success for his RT. The SLIM HID KIT CONVERSION LIGHT MOTORCYCLE H7/H4/H9/H3/H1. The headlights are the 9005(HB3) and the fog lights are the H8.

Now I did the installations on both my wife's 2007 Mustang GT on the Fog and Headlights, and on my Fog so far on my 2010 F150. The quality of the actual products was what I expected for the $$ I paid in regards to the Retro Solutions kits.

However the Ebay vendor product quality was equal to the Retro quality and that surprised me. I have purchased from a handful of Ebay vendors for HIDs and always was disappointed. This is the first time ever I was not.

I have not yet installed the HID kit on our RT because we have traded it in for a 2011 and expect delivery of that new bike in late November or Dec and will install the HID kit then.


To read up on InspectorGadget's thread (Link) it is on a different forum, but worth the read if you plan to do it on your own.

 

[Fun2]

Both of the HID kits from ESI - Evan

Cannot beat them, I can't say enough about how much better riding at night has been. These headlights and fog lights work great.
If your out there - Thanx again Evan

 

[docdoru]

Cannot beat them, I can't say enough about how much better riding at night has been. These headlights and fog lights work great.
If your out there - Thanx again Evan

:agree: :firstplace:

 

[dave01]

The HID setups from ESI are awesome. I have used many others on motorcycles and quads and the ESI ones are far superior in brightness and ease of install.

 

[wyliec]

The HID setups from ESI are awesome. I have used many others on motorcycles and quads and the ESI ones are far superior in brightness and ease of install.

Yeah, install was a snap. I let WizardMaster do it.

Here's Lamonster's install.

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5306

 

[GaryTheBadger]

I've had ESI HID headlights in my 2008 SE-5 for 3000 miles and not a single hickup. Self-installed.

 

[bone crusher]

Thanks guys...I'm just a bit anxious being the dealership called me to tell me that BRP advised against it. I told her that hundreds, if not more, have them installed, and there aren't any problems. I remember early on there were some issues, and I told her the ballasts cannot touch metal, but she insisted on telling me repeatedly that BRP does not recommend aftermarket HIDs...I just don't want to have a problem that could void my warranty and getting warned by the dealership is not a comforting thought...

They'll do the install, but I'm a bit nervous right now...

 

[docdoru]

They'll do the install, but I'm a bit nervous right now...

Go for it...:thumbup:

 

[NancysToy]

Thanks guys...I'm just a bit anxious being the dealership called me to tell me that BRP advised against it. I told her that hundreds, if not more, have them installed, and there aren't any problems. I remember early on there were some issues, and I told her the ballasts cannot touch metal, but she insisted on telling me repeatedly that BRP does not recommend aftermarket HIDs...I just don't want to have a problem that could void my warranty and getting warned by the dealership is not a comforting thought...

They'll do the install, but I'm a bit nervous right now...

To the best of my knowledge, any HIDs that caused problems did not cause any lasting damage. As soon as disconnected, everything worked again. This would be the expected effect of RFI interference on the CanBus. In that case, they could not void your warranty, they could only charge you for that particular troubleshooting and repair (disconnect the HIDs and replace the stock lights).

 

[bone crusher]

To the best of my knowledge, any HIDs that caused problems did not cause any lasting damage. As soon as disconnected, everything worked again. This would be the expected effect of RFI interference on the CanBus. In that case, they could not void your warranty, they could only charge you for that particular troubleshooting and repair (disconnect the HIDs and replace the stock lights).

Thanks Scotty...do you or anyone else know of any continuing problem with ESI's HIDs or has Evan and his crew worked everything out?

I'm hoping BRP has had more issues with other brands and ESI's are fine...however, they probably all get grouped together, you think?

 

[Firefly]

Thanks Scotty...do you or anyone else know of any continuing problem with ESI's HIDs or has Evan and his crew worked everything out?

I'm hoping BRP has had more issues with other brands and ESI's are fine...however, they probably all get grouped together, you think?

I think they for sure group ALL aftermarket HID's together as 'not approved' or 'BAD'.

100% BS

Some have had issues with some cheap brands--- but the majority have NOT had problems--- even with off-branded units.

BRP is just crying over not being able to sell you their overpriced ($1,100) HID option.

WTH does the service dept really care-- it's not like their NOT billing you for the time!

Seriously-- I would consider doing them yourself. You installed the BRP sidecases yourself---- this HID install is MUCH easier than that was!:thumbup:

 

[Justin]

Thanks guys...I'm just a bit anxious being the dealership called me to tell me that BRP advised against it. I told her that hundreds, if not more, have them installed, and there aren't any problems. I remember early on there were some issues, and I told her the ballasts cannot touch metal, but she insisted on telling me repeatedly that BRP does not recommend aftermarket HIDs...I just don't want to have a problem that could void my warranty and getting warned by the dealership is not a comforting thought...

They'll do the install, but I'm a bit nervous right now...

I have mine tie wrapped to the frame and the fogs to the metal tube bars without an issue. I have the digital slims for Can-Bus systems.

 

[ld271]

i bought the brp HIds with the fog lite no problem easy install no electrical problems :2thumbs: yes thay are a bit pricy but worth every dime :bowdown:

 

[IWN2RYD]

The HID setups from ESI are awesome. I have used many others on motorcycles and quads and the ESI ones are far superior in brightness and ease of install.

I called ESI.. No go on the RT. Did you do them and find them from ESI?

And how are they far superior compared to all the others? No dimming? Color? All the instructions and parts look the same on most kits. No big deal once you do a set. But far superior installation intrigues me. I like the sound of that

 

[dave01]

I called ESI.. No go on the RT. Did you do them and find them from ESI?

And how are they far superior compared to all the others? No dimming? Color? All the instructions and parts look the same on most kits. No big deal once you do a set. But far superior installation intrigues me. I like the sound of that

This was based on the ones I put on my RS. They dont make the ones for the rt, as you have found out. I have purchased, in the past, many sets of HID lights for the Busa, quad and gsxr1000 that died not long after install, due to poorly made parts. That, and the need for many of the other kits requiring cutting/splicing of wires. The ones I got off Ebay for my RS caused many scrolling error codes and shut the spyder down a lot. Yanked them and went with ESI's lights and had no further issues. Plus, the small ballasts and plug-n-play feature was great.

 

[Justin]

This is the kit I have on the RT-S and 2 Phantoms. I have the fogs and headlights done on all. No splicing all plug and play and was only $100.00