Can anyone recommend an upgrade to the headlight on my 1098? I'm a bit disappointed with the current set up. I've done a search but there's no real information really, anyone tried a HID setup? Thanks Paul
My bruv's done something to his 1098 and his lights are ultra bloody bright. I'll fire him a text and find out for you.
Apparently he bought a Xenon kit off ebay for £65. He loves it, and I could feel it scorching my arse the other day... I'll try to get a link off him.
Thanks, that would be good if you could send the link figaro. I'll have a look for the thread timberwolf Paul
Paul I've done it. Its not particularly difficult but its best done with the nosecone off If you want any more information let me know and I'll see what I have John
John, where did you buy the kit? I've seen some kits on e bay but I'm a bit concerned about beam pattern, scatter etc, they seem quite cheap so I'm worried about quality. Paul
I got a 55W kit from DDM in the US I don't know if they still supply to the UK. I got 6K color temp There are loads out there and the prices vary hugely. I wouldn't go for something super cheap but middle of the road should be fine. You can put one on the main or dip or both as you please, I have both. I'd go for slimline ballasts. Initial current draw and ballast life problems seem to be far less of a concern than they were in the early days. The bulbs still take a little time to come up to full brightness but they are pretty fast and as Hi beam only switches on the second lamp you do not need to worry about being left in the dark when switching from Hi to Lo (or vice versa) If its an early 1098 you may be able to remove the bulb shields which also cut off a bit of light, I only removed my Hi beam shield as I worried about MOT concerns if the Lo was not in. Other things you'll need to do is drill larger holes in the caps that you remove to get at the headlights to install the rubber boots and you may also need an additional plug as some only come with pins to plug into the loom supply. If you "start a conversation" (what happened to PM?) with me and give me your mail address I'll send you a word doc with an install thread that pretty much shows you how to do it, to give you an idea before you dive in Other things that can be done if your as OCD as me is install an Off/Park/Beam switch on the bike to stop the HIDs from being cycled when you start the bike. HID life is more a function of starts than hours so only switching them on after the engine is running helps to increase the bulb life John
John, just the info I was looking for, I will send you my e mail for the install document. I looked at the kits from the states but was worried about delivery, import duty etc. My 1098 is July 2007 so I'm not sure if the light guards would be fitted? Do you have to order your spare bulbs from the states? Best Regards Paul
You can get the bulbs from any of the suppliers they all usually fit each other, as long as wattage and color temp is correct. I'm not even sure is wattage is that critical as its the Ballast that really controls it, but I've never taken the chance. The bulbs last a long time, I have a spare, but they last longer than halogens. On the color temp I think around 4k is daylight, 5k hint of blue, 6k a bit more. With the 55W kits as opposed to the 35W the blue tends to get washed out a bit so a 35W 5k will only be a little less blue than a 6k 55W I would not go above 6k on color temp as light output starts to get seriously compromised Scroll down on this link and there is a color temp chart, 4300 to 6 IMHO are your choices How bright are these HIDs [pics] - Honda-Tech
Oh and Yes mine is 1098S 2007 so yes it has the removable shields Later 1198 I think onwards they riveted the shields in so you could not remove Yours can be they are held in by small screws, BUT once they are removed I would not like to try and put them back so think about what you want to do before diving in John
Ducati 848/1098 07-09 Xenon HID Bulbs Slim Kit Lights | eBay cost me about £25 and were plug and play just mounted the ballast on top of the head light until I get the front end off again
Don't about the headlight but I'm thinking a number board would look good, Figaro did you get that e bay link?
Slof, is the night time vision any better? I was looking at the e bay kits but was worried about quality Paul
Might be worth a punt then, probably just going to go for dipped only though, see how I get on with that. Paul
