Okay, so I did the search function and I didn't find anything as helpful as I was hoping for.  Is there an easy to purchase, good HID kit out there (not too hard to install is also great) for a M696?

Seriously, this bike has been on the market for 5 years now with the same headlamp....there must be a simple solution!   

okay you want an HID kit or you want the projector retrofit?

Retrofit (the only option I would consider):  Retrofitsource.com or cheap ebay bi-xenon projector
HID: google for DDM Tunning kit.  Heard/Read good review on them.

having the right bulb is key, there are retrofit kits, but ive tried several bulb brands and they all look like garbage compared to a regular bright bulb, to get a better light output you will need to get a projector retrofit done, unfortunately the  depth of the stock unit makes it impossible to properly fit something in there

Thanks for the replies! I checked out theretrofitsource.com and best I can tell is that their set-up is a full lens replacement which I don't want to do. I want it "done right", but I want to keep the stock lens for the look. I really like the look of the stock one. To do it right though, I definitely have to do a projector replacement.

@wannabfast That's kinda what I was wondering, whether or not a person could even put an HID projector in there successfully, and be happy with the outcome.  Still hoping its possible, but a good quality, bright bulb might be decent enough.