In an effort to improve the headlight on my ST2, I have decided to undergo the HID conversion. Here is the process that I followed (in case anyone else is looking to do the same thing).
First of all, not only is the stock headlight pathetic, as we all know, but mine was even more so as the stock projector reflector was completely burnt out.
I replaced the stock projector with one that was designed to be used with HID, but I kept running the halogen bulbs (H1). The lighting was improved over stock (a mag light is improved over stock) as the new projector has an automated cut off that flips out of the way when on high beam to give even more light in High beam. I had improved my maximum nighttime riding speed of 35 MPH with the stock equipment to a MAXIMUM of 50 MPH with just the new projector. Still wasn't good enough, though. I do a lot of night time riding in the fall and need to be able to see better at night, So I decided to do the HID thing and see what that gets me.
Halogen Low Beam followed by high beam:
I picked up a Super Vision HID Conversion kit off of ebay. 35w bulbs & ballast WITH mounting brackets. I didn't want to use Zip Ties.
I probably didn't need to, but I pulled off the top fairing just to have better access and room.
Drilled and tapped a small hole in the instrument panel bracket:
Amount mounted the ballasts there. I figure they should have enough room to shed heat up there under the screen.
The instructions say to use a 20 amp fuse for one light or a 30 amp fuse if two lights are used on the same ciurcut.
First of all, not only is the stock headlight pathetic, as we all know, but mine was even more so as the stock projector reflector was completely burnt out.
I replaced the stock projector with one that was designed to be used with HID, but I kept running the halogen bulbs (H1). The lighting was improved over stock (a mag light is improved over stock) as the new projector has an automated cut off that flips out of the way when on high beam to give even more light in High beam. I had improved my maximum nighttime riding speed of 35 MPH with the stock equipment to a MAXIMUM of 50 MPH with just the new projector. Still wasn't good enough, though. I do a lot of night time riding in the fall and need to be able to see better at night, So I decided to do the HID thing and see what that gets me.
Halogen Low Beam followed by high beam:
I picked up a Super Vision HID Conversion kit off of ebay. 35w bulbs & ballast WITH mounting brackets. I didn't want to use Zip Ties.
I probably didn't need to, but I pulled off the top fairing just to have better access and room.
Drilled and tapped a small hole in the instrument panel bracket:
Amount mounted the ballasts there. I figure they should have enough room to shed heat up there under the screen.
The instructions say to use a 20 amp fuse for one light or a 30 amp fuse if two lights are used on the same ciurcut.