LED Lights - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

TNT · 06-14-2004, 09:00 AM

Hi Guys,

I wonder if anybody has experience with aftermarket LED's. I want to change the stock light bulbs on my 2002 Bandit with LED's.

Any product you recommend? I will start with replacing the tail/brake bulbs and then move to the turn signals.

Thanks

DrBob · 06-14-2004, 03:56 PM

I don;t have a particular brand to recommend, but if you are going to retain the stock red lens cover you need to get clear/ white LEDs; red LEDs won't show up unless they are behind a clear lens.
With the turn signals, you need to add a load equalizer, as the LEDs draw much less power than stock and thus the flasher will not work correctly. As a general rule, if you add LEDs and not a load equalizer, either they will not flash at all, or both sides will flash at once when you turn on either directional. Kuryakyn makes a good one, as do several other companies.

TNT · 06-14-2004, 06:23 PM

Thanks, I will check it out

dirtyfingers · 06-14-2004, 08:27 PM

Red LED's light up "red" wether through a clear lens or a red one. It doesn't matter. You can get load equalizers, or get an electronic flasher. An electronic (others are mechanical) flasher will flash the same all the time no matter what electrical load.

DrBob · 06-14-2004, 10:25 PM

Didn't say they wouldn't light up red, I said they wouldn't show up, as in you can't see them behind the lens. Red LEDs behind a red lens are barely visable, but white LEDs behind a red lens, or better yet red LEDs behind a clear lens, show up much better than the stock set up.

**Uncle Bob** · 06-15-2004, 09:57 AM

Personal opinion about led is that are great when the light is low but aren't as visible as a conventional bulbs during daylight hours.

Just something to think about from a safety perspective, that's why I have both on my bike.

paul14814 · 06-18-2004, 01:27 AM

Second to what others have mentioned, I don't have a brand name to recommend , and you'll need a cleaar tail light lens.

The benefit of the LED over incandecent is that LED has no "glow time" detectable by the human eye. I've read it decreases the resonse time of the driver who views them, and I believe that to be true.

When shopping, I'd favor the brand whose bulb has the most LED's in the cluster.

That's about it.

... Paul

06-14-2004, 09:00 AM	#1 (permalink)
TNT Newbie Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 7	LED Lights Hi Guys, I wonder if anybody has experience with aftermarket LED's. I want to change the stock light bulbs on my 2002 Bandit with LED's. Any product you recommend? I will start with replacing the tail/brake bulbs and then move to the turn signals. Thanks

06-14-2004, 03:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
DrBob In The Zone Joined: May 2004 Bike: several Location: Decatur, GA Posts: 2,763	I don;t have a particular brand to recommend, but if you are going to retain the stock red lens cover you need to get clear/ white LEDs; red LEDs won't show up unless they are behind a clear lens. With the turn signals, you need to add a load equalizer, as the LEDs draw much less power than stock and thus the flasher will not work correctly. As a general rule, if you add LEDs and not a load equalizer, either they will not flash at all, or both sides will flash at once when you turn on either directional. Kuryakyn makes a good one, as do several other companies. __________________ Dream like you'll live forever, live like you'll die tomorrow. You MUST obey the pug dog!

06-14-2004, 10:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
DrBob In The Zone Joined: May 2004 Bike: several Location: Decatur, GA Posts: 2,763	Didn't say they wouldn't light up red, I said they wouldn't show up, as in you can't see them behind the lens. Red LEDs behind a red lens are barely visable, but white LEDs behind a red lens, or better yet red LEDs behind a clear lens, show up much better than the stock set up. __________________ Dream like you'll live forever, live like you'll die tomorrow. You MUST obey the pug dog!

06-15-2004, 09:57 AM	#6 (permalink)
Uncle Bob Site Admin & Squeegee Boy Joined: Dec 1969 Bike: 2003 Volusia SE Location: Montréal, Québec, Canada Posts: 107	Personal opinion about led is that are great when the light is low but aren't as visible as a conventional bulbs during daylight hours. Just something to think about from a safety perspective, that's why I have both on my bike. __________________ Yadda yadda yadda, whatever, they ain't going to listen anyway.

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06-14-2004, 06:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
TNT Newbie Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 7	Thanks, I will check it out

06-14-2004, 08:27 PM	#4 (permalink)
dirtyfingers Ditch Magnet Joined: Mar 2004 Location: Chicago Posts: 167	Red LED's light up "red" wether through a clear lens or a red one. It doesn't matter. You can get load equalizers, or get an electronic flasher. An electronic (others are mechanical) flasher will flash the same all the time no matter what electrical load.

06-18-2004, 01:27 AM	#7 (permalink)
paul14814 Newbie Joined: May 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 10	Second to what others have mentioned, I don't have a brand name to recommend , and you'll need a cleaar tail light lens. The benefit of the LED over incandecent is that LED has no "glow time" detectable by the human eye. I've read it decreases the resonse time of the driver who views them, and I believe that to be true. When shopping, I'd favor the brand whose bulb has the most LED's in the cluster. That's about it. ... Paul

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