every 12 months I have to remember what its like to ride in the dark. and once again, I am faced with how to address the lighting issue. on the upside, I can afford to so something about it this year! I have a few ideas, but thought I would run just a couple of them by this group where, obviously, you may have more specific experience with the bike I have. so, here goes.

Has anyone here installed 55watt HIDs on all four of the headlights?

Has anyone actually SEEN the (a) headlight housing melt due to over heating from HIDs? (everyone I bring the idea up to can only tell me they have heard of this)

and lastly, has anyone dissected a headlight from a ZX-14? I have considered doing this to alleviate the high beams from any reflectors that may prevent light from casting (flooding) in a full pattern, vs. the diamond shape pattern that ultimately causes any usuable light to disappear in as much as a 35mph turn. on that thought, I really miss my FZ1. LOL

for what its worth, I did search for this subject here on the forum, but didn't find a lot that answers my specific questions. thanks in advance for your input.

I spent a little time aiming the headlights and found a pretty big improvement. Try that first.
As far as the HID's go, I've bought a few sets from DDM Tuning with good results.
The 55 watt ballasts really yield impressive lighting and still maintain the same draw on the charging system as the OEM bulbs. I ride pretty much year round and use heated gear. I'm considering using 35 watt ballasts to conserve a bit of power, allowing for more heated gear. I don't know what the alternator output is nor do I know how much is left in reserve with the normal running of the bike and will try to get answers to those questions prior to ordering the HID kits...Hank

I installed DDM 35w HID's in both my high/low beams. The low beams are a marked improvement, and the high beams are like staring at the sun!

Thanks guys... I am a headlight aimer... on all my vehicles. LOL I am thinking I will just bite the bullet and go with the HID, 55watts and see if that gets me the results I am looking for. thanks for the input.

In my 08' , I've put in the DDM 55w 5K units and I have had zero problems. I don't use the high beams very much though.
The lamps that come in the DDM kits weren't uniform in color between the high and low beams. The high beams seem like 6K lamps and the lows were true to the 5K rating. It didn't bother me all that much because as I said, I don't use the high beams all that much.

The optics were good when all was said and done. The DDM lamps have the capsule in the correct orientation or position as if comparing them to a halogen. I did have to re-aim the lights a bit but that's common on many HID upgrades both projector and reflector headlights.

Hope this helped a bit.

I dont like them, Yes they are bright and yes they are cool looking. At night when on dark roads I dont think you can see as well. To get them to work right you have to adjust them up so high that they blind on comming trafic and your high beams are useless. I say go with the stock type bulbs adjust them so the low beams and high beams work together and use the switch.

My friend john has been running hid light for some time now.I ordered a pair of h9 and h 11 55watt 6000
from xenonpro.com . They have a lifetime warranty. I just hope the cops like them as much as I do.