LED headlight

[mikerophone]

The ADV Monster has been excellent, I fully endorse it without hesitation or any regret. I'm sure there are similar and even cheaper options available now but this one is bright, well made and a good value.

[posplayr]

Cyclops 3800

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?231754-Cyclops-3800-H4-LED-Headlamp-Bulb&highlight=LED+headlamp

[posplayr]

Hey guys, any updates on this thread? Looking to switch to LED for my 82GS1100GK to cut down on amp draw and get better visibility on these crazy LA freeways..
Not sure whether to go with Truck Light, ADV monster LED or if there is something better on the market now? Looking at these, not sure how they stack up..

http://hidlightsusa.com/product.asp?id=LED9-130

Thanks!

That is an off road work lamp, Not DOT approved and illegal.

[deepseadiver84]

Thank you sir!

[Mosquito13]

Picked up a set of led healight bulds at Goodwill for $4.99 . Raining today so what the heck. L.E.D. v/s halogen. Both light shown at 1800 rpm low high pics. Instal ez pezy. I did put a piece of lava cloth between the heatsink and the wire loom. Thing got hot fast. Halogen The LED bulb. <a href='https://postimg.org/image/90e3j8rrq3/' target='_blank'><img src='https://s1.postimg.org/65lfdgckyn/20171028_155054.jpg' border='0' alt='20171028_155054'/></a>

[Steve]

Nice picture comparison, but I would like to see the difference with them projected down the road.

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[Admiral Beez]

Picked up a set of led healight bulds at Goodwill for $4.99 . Raining today so what the heck. L.E.D. v/s halogen. Both light shown at 1800 rpm low high pics. Instal ez pezy. I did put a piece of lava cloth between the heatsink and the wire loom. Thing got hot fast. Halogen

I just bought a GS650G and would like to replace the incandescent headlight with either halogen or LED. However I’m concerned about stressing the wiring, since I assume since the LED takes less power, the surplus must now return via the known to be weak R/R.

Should I be concerned? What LED will fit a GS shell? Here’s my bike.

82250DD4-FB0C-4429-B332-418499B5234E.jpg

[Steve]

I just bought a GS650G and would like to replace the incandescent headlight with either halogen or LED.

Well, the good news is that you probably already have a halogen light. I say "probably" because the bike is 35 years old and you are not the original owner. So let's just say that it left the factory with a headlight that uses an H4 bulb.

If you read through this entire thread (and the many others on the topic of LED headlights), you should have seen that there are mixed results. Some have claimed modest success, others have experienced great results and there have been a few miserable failures. Virtually ALL of the bulb changes appear to be brighter, but the real test is how they look ON THE ROAD. Projecting on the wall depends a lot on distance from the wall, so unless they are all at the same distance, comparisons are useless.

The reflector/lens assembly is designed to put a proper pattern on the road that is based on the light source (tungsten filament) being in a precise position. If the LED source is not in that exact position, the pattern on the road will be different, and could actually be dangerous. Besides not being projected onto the road, where YOU need it, it might be projected into the eyes of oncoming drivers, blinding them. I feel it is much better to have a complete light assembly that is designed with the LED source. It's not cheap, by any means, but I highly recommend the Truck-Lite 27270C. There are some knock-offs from China that you can get for considerably less, but I would guess that the quality is also considerably less. I have the rectangular version in my bike and am about to order two of these for my wife's bike and my son's bike.

... I’m concerned about stressing the wiring, since I assume since the LED takes less power, the surplus must now return via the known to be weak R/R.

Should I be concerned?

Yes, the LED does draw a bit less power. Quite a bit, in fact. If you are at all concerned about your charging system, you should also look into upgrading to an SH775 R/R, which will handle the charging just fine. Just like the LED lights, you have to be very careful when shopping for one. There are a LOT of knock-offs with very careful wording in the ads that lead you to believe you are getting an SH775, but they are last year's technology in this year's package, making them no better than what you have in the bike now.

What LED will fit a GS shell?

The Truck-Lite will fit in there perfectly.

.

[GS1150Pilot]

Side note: What ever happened to Rob S.?

[dorkburger]

I occasionally wonder as well. Interesting cat he was. Likely rode off into the sunset on his Sportster.

[80GS850GBob]

For me, I don't like the GE/Phillips set up....the one with the mid vertical divider....shows too flat a cut off line on the road...spevially when leaned over.
I'm interested in the quad LED faced replacement bulbs since they could disperse light radially like the incandescent bulbs do. If the LED manufacturers can match the dispersion we'll have it made.

[Steve]

For me, I don't like the GE/Phillips set up....the one with the mid vertical divider....shows too flat a cut off line on the road...spevially when leaned over.

I have not seen ANY stock light that will light up the road "when leaned over".

Because of the mounting angle on a motorcycle headlight, and the way it leans into a curve, there is simply no way it can light your way into a curve without having a beam that goes up at about a 35° angle, which would also put it into the eyes of oncoming drivers.

I don't remember who makes it, but there is someone who offers a "dynamic" headlight for motorcycles that will light up additional segments of an LED cluster, based on lean angle. Prohibitively expensive, but it's there, if you want it.

My wife's bike has one of the older Truck-Lite units that has multiple LED emitters. Although there are SIX of them in use on low beam and an additional FOUR on high beam, they still put a relatively flat pattern on the road.



That light will be replaced in a couple of weeks with one of the newer style lights. I feel that they are that much better.

.

[reliant_turbo]

The reflector/lens assembly is designed to put a proper pattern on the road that is based on the light source (tungsten filament) being in a precise position. If the LED source is not in that exact position, the pattern on the road will be different, and could actually be dangerous.

the good thing about mosquitos goodwill led setup is that it looks to use the luxeon zes led's which have a small emitter die which allows the manufacturer to place the LED's in the same position of the filament of the original incandescent lamp.

whether they actually got them in the same spot needs to be determined, the on the road beamshots will help determine that.

this guy took a specific led bulb and made sure the leds were in the correct position with good results.

http://forums.tccoa.com/15-exterior/182185-2017-upgrade-led-headlights-9007-a.html

i read about this on here:

http://budgetlightforum.com/node/54717

lots of LED headlight bulb discussion that could help our bikes lights.

Brian

[GS1150Pilot]

I occasionally wonder as well. Interesting cat he was. Likely rode off into the sunset on his Sportster.

Or rode off into a wall. Not a helmet wearer, either ...

[Steve]

Side note: What ever happened to Rob S.?

His last check-in was over a year ago, 3/29/2017.

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