Hi Umit -

I think the problem with the Hella Micro DE lamps is that the (long range) Driving Lamp version is only available as an HID - you can only get the cheaper halogen bulbs in the Fog Lamp lens version if you see what I mean?

PIAA not only make specific lamps for bike applications (and they do a number of HIDs of course), but they also offer driving lamps with halogen bulbs - typically the blue or 'white light' version that offer a similar beam colour to HID, but at halogen prices!

I'd always had (and heard) mixed opinions about PIAA lamps - that some weren't that well made/were the same as cheaper unbranded lamps, just with some nice stickers and a premium price. But I've been convinced by their 004X lamps - which are nice and compact, black (important!), and have the right beam at the right price...

The 004X range is bike specific with a round (not oval or cut-off) beam - they also offer the more expensive 1100X series which look like eggs, but I've read a couple of reviews saying they are not as robust on a bike used off-road.

A popular upgrade is also their (or other brands) headlight bulbs which have the same 'white light' beam - I have fitted 100w bulbs to my Tenere and the difference is certainly noticable - everything is crisper looking, and reflects better than with a standard yellow colour beam.

Running the 100w bulbs doesn't seem to have caused any problems with the exisiting circuitry on the bike (or the charging system). Obviously if you ran low and high beam at the same time it might, but this doesn't happen unless you hold the pass/flash button on of course.

You should certainly run the auxillary lights directly from the battery, and switched via a relay from either a dedicated switch or wired to the high-beam circuit (I prefer a dedicated switch so you can run them with or without the bike being on highbeam). The PIAA kit comes with all of this.

The PIAA 004X draw 35w each (but they say gives the equivalent of a 55w bulb), and similarly this is why a lot of people run HID lamps, as the power/current draw is far lower than the equivalent light output. However, one problem with HID is that they can take a few seconds to warm up to full power, which is why using them as a high-beam supplement can be of limited use (if you have to keep switching them on and off)?

So for example, with the pair of 35w lamps on, you are pulling another 70w from the generator. Coupled with the white light version of the headlight bulb (they do a 55w bulb that gives out around 100w equivalent power), I think you'll have no problems, and a lot more light!

Of course this is all speculation at the moment as I am still waiting for my PIAAs to arrive in the post! - once they are fitted I'll be able to give you a more definative answer.

In the meantime, I hope that has given you a little more to think about? In these world of global shopping, you ought to be able to get PIAAs shipped to you, if you decide to go with them?

xxx

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