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How many riders switched to LED headlights from halogen?

Climber

Climber

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 13, 2004
Location
Clovis/Fresno
Moto(s)
01 Goldwing GL1800
Name
Brett
I'm sure this has been covered before, but the technology has probably evolved since the last thread on it.

What are people's experience?

Pro's?
Con's?
 
LED’s don’t work properly in housings that are designed for halogen bulbs. And that hasn’t changed.
 
I switched the low beams to LEDs on my Ducati. They work well but the wiring is a bit of a hassle as there isn't much room to stash the extra stuff. I'd like better high beams as well if I could find a good set-up that fits.
 
And you are blinding on-coming drivers.

And putting LED’s or HID bulbs in housings designed for halogens is illegal.

And the designs for the reflector and lense are very different for each bulb type.
 
ST Guy said:
LED’s don’t work properly in housings that are designed for halogen bulbs. And that hasn’t changed.
Click to expand...
It isn't that cut and dry.

I have put LED 'bulbs' in the reflector housings in my E350 van, and they work better than the halogens I replaced while not blinding oncoming drivers. I actually had my wife drive the van around while I 'tested' it out as an oncoming driver, and with her following me. I have tried them in other reflector housings with bad results. LED and HID 'bulbs' work well in projector headlights with little to no negative affect.
 
Yes. I put Beamtech LED’s in my 2002 FZ1.
They are designed for direct halogen replacement and have a firm beam cutoff with no scatter like the old style front emitting ones.

I’ve never been flashed by oncoming drivers and I’ve asked coworkers if they are annoying and they said they don’t even notice them when following after dark. I’ve had them since Nov and they have been flawless…

Pros:
Much brighter than stock with a noticeable beam cut off. I ride backroads in the dark (to work and back) and they really light up the road, especially on high beam!
Uses less wattage.
Not too expensive…

Cons:
None

www.beamtechs.com

BEAMTECH H4 9003 LED Headlight Bulb 50W 6500K 8000Lumens Extremely Brigh HB3 CSP Chips Conversion Kit

H4 led headlight bulb, Newest Korean CSP LED chips Producing 8000 lumens output, Super bright with output 4000lm per light for safety driving at night
www.beamtechs.com
 

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It is impossible for LED’s or HID’s to work properly in a housing designed for halogens. The light emitting part of both are different in both shape and position compared to halogen. It is simply physically impossible. Yes, you will get more light output but where that light is directed will be different. That is why they are illegal to use in halogen housings.

And photographs of headlights cannot show their shortcomings.

Designing a headlight is science.
 
ST Guy said:
And you are blinding on-coming drivers.

And putting LED’s or HID bulbs in housings designed for halogens is illegal.

And the designs for the reflector and lense are very different for each bulb type.
Click to expand...
Several factors influence this. If you have the right parts, correctly installed and properly aimed- they work fantastically for the rider and oncoming cars.
 
I switched by getting replacement LED shells from Matt Gecko for my 1st Gen S1000XR. 10 years ago, I thought the OEM headlights on the XR were a big upgrade from my previous moto. But, after a late night 55 mile run to the hotel in the Oregon outback following my friend's Clearwater equipped GS, I realized my old eyes aren't seeing in the dark like they used to.

My 2007 F150 has also been upgraded with bulbs that provide a great cutoff and are aimed to protect oncoming drivers. The bulbs were purchased from HeadlightRevolution.com base on the test pattern they share on their website. I also had my wife review the pattern to confirm aim and any issues for others.

Flip
 
I've put LED replacements in two of my vehicles... and then re-aimed the headlights.
The light output is much better. I have not been flashed by any oncoming drivers. I am not concerned with the legalities. :2cents
 
I had an LED in my Hyper for a while but it conflicted with my running lights and had the bike constantly running high beams. Didn't realize it for a while since I don't often ride at night, but it did eventually explain why drivers were so quick to let me pass :laughing threw that LED in the KTM and adjusted the aim a bit so it's not going to waste.
 
Clearwater lights are designed from the ground up to use LED’s. They are great. I installed a set onto my brother’s bike. I was going to upgrade my PIAA’s to Clearwater but then I had my stroke.
 
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