LED headlight

[kochic]

I can try, the low beam is ok but the high is much better than an h4.We use Truck lite LED headlight on some of the trucks at work and the chinese knock -offs seem to be equal from memory as far as off light output.The lens is plastic and the housing is cast aluminium.
Marc

That is one of the Chinese knock-offs we are wanting a review on.

Any chance you can get some pictures of the pattern on a wall and shining down the road, similar to others in this thread?

.

[fastbysuzuki]

Some stock motorcycle lights have a rather flat top to the low beam, with only a slight dip in the center so you do not shine into the car ahead of you. Most automotive lights have a bit of a 'flare' to illuminate the shoulder of the road on the side away from oncoming traffic. THAT is what makes the difference between American (and European) lights and British lights. The TruckLite is available in a British version. Not sure what the part number is, but these guys might be able to help you.

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Thanks for that Steve, I have looked there and they tell me there are L/hand & R/hand bios models
the down side here in the uk they cost approximately £220 each 🙁

[garyS-NJ]

aux spots on my yam venture and LED reflectror vs LED projector

right side is my stock headlight and left side is when I switched on the small AUX spots. I aimed them right in the center and out a bit for highway riding and happy with them. They also work nice for dark country roads or potholes.. I have the switch close to left grip so I can switch on/off easy enough while riding . These are the style I bought and they are available from many sellers. They have no cutoff but I would still recommend them as aux switched beams.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2PCS-125W-U5-Motorcycle-LED-Headlight-Driving-Fog-Lights-Spot-Bulbs-Lamps/233272522853?epid=8018615976&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&ha sh=item3650203865:g:aA0AAOSw9Xhdftrx&enc=AQAEAAACQ BPxNw%2BVj6nta7CKEs3N0qV6wPr1XY%2BxJT9IjBjasB6SASi %2BZ%2BeOC5UtVvWbjjOq%2Be2QtQnzwjuN6aLowdvsfNbPPrI hBG8AhVgXDAfOzwdPMGsm6%2BLnIbQnlg20Ia7Md8FNLAJQ%2B FCo8bLqcilf70wi0irL7i%2BxthghFruZqCPchkpwzuMLo0tPa SF7Nv%2FgF3bMwdsKGic19H4RY%2BX9%2FZUDbuEKkf84%2B%2 B2rE6l10TIwB6dCQJsDHrPJZJb1X2Bkl4XTv69Z2Mn5E93IfeG UKHmQLeCjfOHku4c0yKr4jkc63UiIxbVlpGtXoAiKu5vzb3TgK 6OyAqu1Pdyh7G6JagAPcj0H6%2BMOBgWNSfrqPNy%2BbfxFg5N TVHh6nP1Qm9f4t3zLfri0sgmS4J5M0Qf0JqjTEyCCJml5MpgSm mCYkhLijdDeAf%2B9ylE3KMauF52cbKy4WpNTEdF5LE%2B667f Inp0lzdmSko%2BGUvFD8IVUY97wZpMYXI09IzJbLM1ktGG%2Fl 05RlRXSfUoIs%2FzNqUGBPpKnmgvL83kHd1NkBXaiokx8xvmNB FWeASXVXhog%2F2sm6EEQTrqR%2FHc8XZ7fy9mHRfu4spb5FNx oYD6JriVGSZxLWTP9lyarX8HiLBRiA4xMXHhWlkHViYZXKRav4 ZMDRTEX9HqSr%2B2mS%2FxYgKEFRlLh1jlh0uBAw1mQMazzWcG rpeuw3VFOXZiaNbpecuRRFqYoO27gX570mKzr%2FfWAjeO4oFs yolZBUBIXO2GuVuY84w%3D%3D&checksum=2332725228539aa b4613c1854a94bb76f99b765b1ade&enc=AQAEAAACQBPxNw%2 BVj6nta7CKEs3N0qV6wPr1XY%2BxJT9IjBjasB6SASi%2BZ%2B eOC5UtVvWbjjOq%2Be2QtQnzwjuN6aLowdvsfNbPPrIhBG8AhV gXDAfOzwdPMGsm6%2BLnIbQnlg20Ia7Md8FNLAJQ%2BFCo8bLq cilf70wi0irL7i%2BxthghFruZqCPchkpwzuMLo0tPaSF7Nv%2 FgF3bMwdsKGic19H4RY%2BX9%2FZUDbuEKkf84%2B%2B2rE6l1 0TIwB6dCQJsDHrPJZJb1X2Bkl4XTv69Z2Mn5E93IfeGUKHmQLe CjfOHku4c0yKr4jkc63UiIxbVlpGtXoAiKu5vzb3TgK6OyAqu1 Pdyh7G6JagAPcj0H6%2BMOBgWNSfrqPNy%2BbfxFg5NTVHh6nP 1Qm9f4t3zLfri0sgmS4J5M0Qf0JqjTEyCCJml5MpgSmmCYkhLi jdDeAf%2B9ylE3KMauF52cbKy4WpNTEdF5LE%2B667fInp0lzd mSko%2BGUvFD8IVUY97wZpMYXI09IzJbLM1ktGG%2Fl05RlRXS fUoIs%2FzNqUGBPpKnmgvL83kHd1NkBXaiokx8xvmNBFWeASXV Xhog%2F2sm6EEQTrqR%2FHc8XZ7fy9mHRfu4spb5FNxoYD6Jri VGSZxLWTP9lyarX8HiLBRiA4xMXHhWlkHViYZXKRav4ZMDRTEX 9HqSr%2B2mS%2FxYgKEFRlLh1jlh0uBAw1mQMazzWcGrpeuw3V FOXZiaNbpecuRRFqYoO27gX570mKzr%2FfWAjeO4oFsyolZBUB IXO2GuVuY84w%3D%3D&checksum=2332725228539aab4613c1 854a94bb76f99b765b1ade

Oh and yes on LED bulbs stuck into reflector housings but I think there are some good replacement bulbs now from the major bulb mfrs (phillips or Sylvania had an expensive one a while back.. But my bigger question there was is it better to go with an LED reflector light like the truck light or an LED projection light?? I do recall HID projection lights were pretty darn awesome as are the current LED projection lights. Might some energy be lost ibn the reflection or is a reflector better suited to shape the beam then a bunch of lenses..

You have pictures you can share?

[ATTACH=CONFIG]59227[/ATTACH]
Please share your "story".



The key point here is that both of those lights were designed from the start to work as a complete unit. My issues have been with LED replacement 'bulbs' that replace an H4 halogen bulb. LED elements are not (yet) small enough to precisely replicate the size and position of the tungsten filaments they are emulating. That difference shows up as a failure to put a proper bson the road.

.

[Steve]

But my bigger question there was is it better to go with an LED reflector light like the truck light or an LED projection light?? I do recall HID projection lights were pretty darn awesome as are the current LED projection lights. Might some energy be lost ibn the reflection or is a reflector better suited to shape the beam then a bunch of lenses..

I tried to answer that, but evidently some of the thoughts did not make it to my fingertips.

The key point here is that both of those lights were designed from the start to work as a complete unit.

The point I was trying to make was that either one (projector or lens) would be good, because they were designed as a complete unit, not an adaptation, like an H4-style 'bulb' inserted into the back of a lens/reflector assembly.

When you design from scratch, you can put your light source anywhere you want, then design the reflector or projector lens to put the light where you want it. If you have an existing lens/reflector (like our stock headlights), it is critical that the light source is located at the focal point for the reflector.

I have not even seen one of the lens-type bulbs you were discussing, let alone ridden behind one at night, but I do have experience with two versions of the TruckLite, besides a couple of the H4 style 'bulbs'. TruckLite wins, hands down. There might be something a bit better, but it would have to be a LOT better than the TruckLite to make a visible difference.

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[garyS-NJ]

aux lights pic attached (I hope)

aux lights 20181105_104702.jpg
Seems I had trouble attaching pic yesterday,...

right side is my stock headlight and left side is when I switched on the small AUX spots. I aimed them right in the center and out a bit for highway riding and happy with them. They also work nice for dark country roads or potholes.. I have the switch close to left grip so I can switch on/off easy enough while riding . These are the style I bought and they are available from many sellers. They have no cutoff but I would still recommend them as aux switched beams.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2PCS-125W-U5-Motorcycle-LED-Headlight-Driving-Fog-Lights-Spot-Bulbs-Lamps/233272522853?epid=8018615976&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&ha sh=item3650203865:g:aA0AAOSw9Xhdftrx&enc=AQAEAAACQ BPxNw%2BVj6nta7CKEs3N0qV6wPr1XY%2BxJT9IjBjasB6SASi %2BZ%2BeOC5UtVvWbjjOq%2Be2QtQnzwjuN6aLowdvsfNbPPrI hBG8AhVgXDAfOzwdPMGsm6%2BLnIbQnlg20Ia7Md8FNLAJQ%2B FCo8bLqcilf70wi0irL7i%2BxthghFruZqCPchkpwzuMLo0tPa SF7Nv%2FgF3bMwdsKGic19H4RY%2BX9%2FZUDbuEKkf84%2B%2 B2rE6l10TIwB6dCQJsDHrPJZJb1X2Bkl4XTv69Z2Mn5E93IfeG UKHmQLeCjfOHku4c0yKr4jkc63UiIxbVlpGtXoAiKu5vzb3TgK 6OyAqu1Pdyh7G6JagAPcj0H6%2BMOBgWNSfrqPNy%2BbfxFg5N TVHh6nP1Qm9f4t3zLfri0sgmS4J5M0Qf0JqjTEyCCJml5MpgSm mCYkhLijdDeAf%2B9ylE3KMauF52cbKy4WpNTEdF5LE%2B667f Inp0lzdmSko%2BGUvFD8IVUY97wZpMYXI09IzJbLM1ktGG%2Fl 05RlRXSfUoIs%2FzNqUGBPpKnmgvL83kHd1NkBXaiokx8xvmNB FWeASXVXhog%2F2sm6EEQTrqR%2FHc8XZ7fy9mHRfu4spb5FNx oYD6JriVGSZxLWTP9lyarX8HiLBRiA4xMXHhWlkHViYZXKRav4 ZMDRTEX9HqSr%2B2mS%2FxYgKEFRlLh1jlh0uBAw1mQMazzWcG rpeuw3VFOXZiaNbpecuRRFqYoO27gX570mKzr%2FfWAjeO4oFs yolZBUBIXO2GuVuY84w%3D%3D&checksum=2332725228539aa b4613c1854a94bb76f99b765b1ade&enc=AQAEAAACQBPxNw%2 BVj6nta7CKEs3N0qV6wPr1XY%2BxJT9IjBjasB6SASi%2BZ%2B eOC5UtVvWbjjOq%2Be2QtQnzwjuN6aLowdvsfNbPPrIhBG8AhV gXDAfOzwdPMGsm6%2BLnIbQnlg20Ia7Md8FNLAJQ%2BFCo8bLq cilf70wi0irL7i%2BxthghFruZqCPchkpwzuMLo0tPaSF7Nv%2 FgF3bMwdsKGic19H4RY%2BX9%2FZUDbuEKkf84%2B%2B2rE6l1 0TIwB6dCQJsDHrPJZJb1X2Bkl4XTv69Z2Mn5E93IfeGUKHmQLe CjfOHku4c0yKr4jkc63UiIxbVlpGtXoAiKu5vzb3TgK6OyAqu1 Pdyh7G6JagAPcj0H6%2BMOBgWNSfrqPNy%2BbfxFg5NTVHh6nP 1Qm9f4t3zLfri0sgmS4J5M0Qf0JqjTEyCCJml5MpgSmmCYkhLi jdDeAf%2B9ylE3KMauF52cbKy4WpNTEdF5LE%2B667fInp0lzd mSko%2BGUvFD8IVUY97wZpMYXI09IzJbLM1ktGG%2Fl05RlRXS fUoIs%2FzNqUGBPpKnmgvL83kHd1NkBXaiokx8xvmNBFWeASXV Xhog%2F2sm6EEQTrqR%2FHc8XZ7fy9mHRfu4spb5FNxoYD6Jri VGSZxLWTP9lyarX8HiLBRiA4xMXHhWlkHViYZXKRav4ZMDRTEX 9HqSr%2B2mS%2FxYgKEFRlLh1jlh0uBAw1mQMazzWcGrpeuw3V FOXZiaNbpecuRRFqYoO27gX570mKzr%2FfWAjeO4oFsyolZBUB IXO2GuVuY84w%3D%3D&checksum=2332725228539aab4613c1 854a94bb76f99b765b1ade

Oh and yes on LED bulbs stuck into reflector housings but I think there are some good replacement bulbs now from the major bulb mfrs (phillips or Sylvania had an expensive one a while back.. But my bigger question there was is it better to go with an LED reflector light like the truck light or an LED projection light?? I do recall HID projection lights were pretty darn awesome as are the current LED projection lights. Might some energy be lost ibn the reflection or is a reflector better suited to shape the beam then a bunch of lenses..

[garyS-NJ]

trucklite vs chinese LED reflector light

side lights set up 20191002_181656.jpg
So steve, you are saying you saw two Chinese knock offs of the trucklight LED reflector light and the trucklite was $100 better??..

As for the projector lenses with cutoff, it's these rectangular lens. see my test set up for some 4" aux fogs I bought. next post I'll show the cutoff from thes lights seems I cannot post two pictures in one post// look here Harley has the newest adaptive daymaker and its different then the 7" JW speaker is selling to everyone else.. Oh lastly, my second Chinese adaptive light came today and the adaptive section seems to work flakey but I might test ride it tonight to see if the beam is worth a frankenstein controller..

I tried to answer that, but evidently some of the thoughts did not make it to my fingertips.

The point I was trying to make was that either one (projector or lens) would be good, because they were designed as a complete unit, not an adaptation, like an H4-style 'bulb' inserted into the back of a lens/reflector assembly.

When you design from scratch, you can put your light source anywhere you want, then design the reflector or projector lens to put the light where you want it. If you have an existing lens/reflector (like our stock headlights), it is critical that the light source is located at the focal point for the reflector.

I have not even seen one of the lens-type bulbs you were discussing, let alone ridden behind one at night, but I do have experience with two versions of the TruckLite, besides a couple of the H4 style 'bulbs'. TruckLite wins, hands down. There might be something a bit better, but it would have to be a LOT better than the TruckLite to make a visible difference.

.

[Rob S.]

Back to my original question (I started this thread) - what makes my 2016 Sportster headlight so much brighter than my 1982 11E? Or is the answer in the question (34 years)?

I was wondering because my brother upgraded to an LED on his 2015 Low Rider and his says the difference is huge. But all I know is the difference between my '82 and my 2016 is huge. So if the upgrade is called an LED, what is my 2016 called, and what is my 11E called? A candle?

I do very little riding at night, even in the car. I was just wondering what the technology in my '82 and 2016 were called. They can't be the same, can they?

[Grimly]

There were notable differences in headlight designs 40 years ago and the passage of time has made some of them even worse.

[Steve]

So steve, you are saying you saw two Chinese knock offs of the trucklight LED reflector light and the trucklite was $100 better??..

Not sure where I have seen two of them when I haven't actually seen even one.
Kochic posted a link to the one he purchased (for about $55). I have not seen any pictures of how it shines on the road, so don't have much of an opinion on it.

Back in post #93, jabcb posted a couple of links to some reviews by Headlight Revolution:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peFLmu2MfTg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNZT6QqHHOo

They show many of the differences between the knock-offs and the real thing.

Back to my original question (I started this thread) - what makes my 2016 Sportster headlight so much brighter than my 1982 11E? Or is the answer in the question (34 years)?

I was wondering because my brother upgraded to an LED on his 2015 Low Rider and his says the difference is huge. But all I know is the difference between my '82 and my 2016 is huge. So if the upgrade is called an LED, what is my 2016 called, and what is my 11E called? A candle?

I do very little riding at night, even in the car. I was just wondering what the technology in my '82 and 2016 were called. They can't be the same, can they?

At the very least, I can guarantee that the light in your 1100 is a halogen bulb. More technically, it is a tungsten filament, inside a quartz-glass capsule that is filled with a halogen gas. Depending on the technical level of the audience, you might hear it referred to as "halogen", "quartz-halogen", "H4" or simply "tungsten". The "H4" designation is merely a style, not a construction feature, this H4 style happens to be a high/low beam headlight bulb with the three terminals on the back side. Your Harley might have a higher-wattage halogen bulb or it might have an LED light, but if it came from the factory, it is not going to be an LED bulb that plugs into the back of a lens/reflector that was designed for an H4 bulb.

.

[Tarantulahed504]

I Want to be in the 7” trucklite squad. Ha

this link is correct . Just plug and play

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Truck-Lite-27270C-7-Round-LED-Headlight-Harley-Hummer-Jeep-Wrangler-CJ-TJ-JK-/362669504539?vxp=mtr&hash=item5470c9781b

thanks for the space

[Wingsconsin]

I Want to be in the 7” trucklite squad. Ha

this link is correct . Just plug and play

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Truck-Lite-27270C-7-Round-LED-Headlight-Harley-Hummer-Jeep-Wrangler-CJ-TJ-JK-/362669504539?vxp=mtr&hash=item5470c9781b

thanks for the space

That's the one I used for myGS850GL with a 7" bucket --
Fits perfectly and I am SO happy with the results .

[posplayr]

Back to my original question (I started this thread) - what makes my 2016 Sportster headlight so much brighter than my 1982 11E? Or is the answer in the question (34 years)?

I was wondering because my brother upgraded to an LED on his 2015 Low Rider and his says the difference is huge. But all I know is the difference between my '82 and my 2016 is huge. So if the upgrade is called an LED, what is my 2016 called, and what is my 11E called? A candle?

I do very little riding at night, even in the car. I was just wondering what the technology in my '82 and 2016 were called. They can't be the same, can they?

I know for an 9" train light you are not going to want to go to a 7" Trucklight.

I did this comparison back in 2016 and I suspect that the bulbs are much better now. I compare H4 Halogen, HID Halogen and Cyclops (LED).
There is a procedure for focusing the Cyclops inside of the bucket that I demonstrate in the video.

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

[Burque73]

Just curious if anyone has used this Eagle Lights 2700G2 in their GS?


This article, written over a year ago, favors the Eagle light over the Truck-Lite. The price difference is only about $25.

[Steve]

Just curious if anyone has used this Eagle Lights 2700G2 in their GS?


This article, written over a year ago, favors the Eagle light over the Truck-Lite. The price difference is only about $25.

Nope, TruckLite user here.

I read through that article.
Who are the jokers that wrote that? I can guarantee that whoever did the "research" for the article did not know what they were doing. First off, the lights were an "apples and oranges" comparison. Two 7" LED lights compared to a 5.75" 6-VOLT sealed beam??? Then using terms like "400% more light" or "wider beam", but never describing, or better yet, SHOWING the beam pattern.

As for looks, the TruckLite looks different enough, but it's easy enough to get used to it.
That Eagle unit just looks a little bit too high-tech to be on a 40-year-old classic GS.

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[Burque73]

Nope, TruckLite user here.

I read through that article.
Who are the jokers that wrote that? I can guarantee that whoever did the "research" for the article did not know what they were doing. First off, the lights were an "apples and oranges" comparison. Two 7" LED lights compared to a 5.75" 6-VOLT sealed beam??? Then using terms like "400% more light" or "wider beam", but never describing, or better yet, SHOWING the beam pattern.

As for looks, the TruckLite looks different enough, but it's easy enough to get used to it.
That Eagle unit just looks a little bit too high-tech to be on a 40-year-old classic GS.

.

Thanks Steve. I respect your opinion on this. I agree about the look of it not really fitting the GS. Just wondering if anyone had used one. The Amazon page for the Eagle light has reviews with a few images of the light beam pattern, for what it's worth.

Frankly, I just want to see and be seen, funky looking light or not. Since the TruckLite has such a good track record, I'll probably wind up going with it.