GSX1400 Owners .org

Technically Speaking => Electrics => Topic started by: VladTepes on Sunday, 20 May 2018, 04:29 PM

Title: LED bulbs for tail.brake lights?
Post by: VladTepes on Sunday, 20 May 2018, 04:29 PM
Are there LED bulbs for these which are a straight drop in for tail lights and brake lights? (and where the brightness difference between tail and brake is clearly evident)

Any special resistors or anything needed?

I need to replace one of the brake light bulbs and.. no time like the present for an upgrade eh.
Title: Re: LED bulbs for tail.brake lights?
Post by: grog on Sunday, 20 May 2018, 07:59 PM
Vlad, unbelievably not one globe ever blown in mine. i find standard bright enough. drop in led are available. i changed front park light to led, it blew in 3 months, refitted original, still going. so i guess one did blow. have been tempted to fit led headlight globe but the 120+ from repco are very good. rode home tonight in the dark, great for a change.
Title: Re: LED bulbs for tail.brake lights?
Post by: Charliewag on Sunday, 20 May 2018, 09:29 PM
I fitted a pair of these from Halfords. Straight swap with no need for a resistor. No problems so far.
Title: Re: LED bulbs for tail.brake lights?
Post by: VladTepes on Monday, 21 May 2018, 12:06 PM
Hmm this is an interesting article - seems there's a lot to this LED caper...

https://www.webbikeworld.com/1157-led-brake-lights-motorcycles/

Title: Re: LED bulbs for tail.brake lights?
Post by: ARH on Monday, 21 May 2018, 05:37 PM
Quote from: VladTepes on Monday, 21 May  2018, 12:06 PM
Hmm this is an interesting article - seems there's a lot to this LED caper...

https://www.webbikeworld.com/1157-led-brake-lights-motorcycles/

If I understood hat article correctly (and looking at the pictures) .... the key message was basically don't bother.  Standard globes do the job better much better.   I'm with Grog on this one... Only ever had 1 bulb failed in the time I've had the bike.. if there is no gain to be made in terms of brightness, and minimal gains in terms of power draw then in my view it comes down to cost.. no brainer really!

Interesting stuff tho! 
Title: Re: LED bulbs for tail.brake lights?
Post by: VladTepes on Tuesday, 22 May 2018, 09:33 AM
The main take away from that article is that a bulb which works really well in one bike maybe be next to useless in another.

This is due to variances in the design for various LED bulbs (orientation) and the variance in designs for the taillight lenses and reflectors.  The one needs to suit the other. And that's not rally possible to tell until you buy one and plug it in....



Now I just need to figure out the easiest way to get to the bulb...