What is the truth about LED bulbs?
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Charlotte Area
What is the truth about LED bulbs?
I have been thinking about switching to LED lights in my Ultra but am a little confused. You see, right now my bulbs are clear incandescent. Yet some of the led replacement bulbs I see are only in red. For brakelights and marker lights is this the best choice? It would seem that the red LED would not be as bright or illuminate the red lenses as much as the clear bulbs. should I hold out for theclear LED's ? While there is a difference in cost between red and clear, I'm only looking at the performance of the bulb. The more I can do to be seen, the better I like it.
Riders that have LED's sound off
Thanks
\
Bubba
Riders that have LED's sound off
Thanks
\
Bubba
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Republic of Texas
RE: What is the truth about LED bulbs?
HD Makes a replacement LED tail light that is bright. It is very bright. I have it on one of my bikes. The other bike has a LED bulb in its tail light. Its not as bright, but its brighter than a standard bulb. Both bikes need load equalizers with LED bulbs.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
RE: What is the truth about LED bulbs?
ORIGINAL: oldairboater
HD Makes a replacement LED tail light that is bright. It is very bright. I have it on one of my bikes. The other bike has a LED bulb in its tail light. Its not as bright, but its brighter than a standard bulb. Both bikes need load equalizers with LED bulbs.
HD Makes a replacement LED tail light that is bright. It is very bright. I have it on one of my bikes. The other bike has a LED bulb in its tail light. Its not as bright, but its brighter than a standard bulb. Both bikes need load equalizers with LED bulbs.
Do you have the part number??
Thanks,
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,823
Likes: 4
From: London, Canada
RE: What is the truth about LED bulbs?
Depends on which bulbs you get. A buddy has led bulb replacements in his and when I follow him they seem to be bright only when you are directly behind. If you are off to the side a few degrees, they appear dimmer.
The good thing is LED technology is advancing at a rapid pace, so this years products are better than those of only a coouple years ago.
The good thing is LED technology is advancing at a rapid pace, so this years products are better than those of only a coouple years ago.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,653
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From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
RE: What is the truth about LED bulbs?
Be sure to get the proper relays also. Switching from regular bulbs to LEDs can cause problems as the current (electrical kind) requirements are different.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Forest Lake, Mn
RE: What is the truth about LED bulbs?
Have never regretted them. LED's draw less current than regular bulbs. Not an issue on my "old" bikes, but I have heard of issues with load equalizers, etc as some have mentioned here. But "no" experience with it.
One thing to watch for. If you look in catalogs, they will very often have 2 bulbs for the same application, say a tail light. One will be way less $$$ than the other. CHECK the # of diodes in the array ofeach. The MORE doides, the brighter the light. They fooled me once, won't happen again.
I like being seen, too. And anything that helps, gets bought and installed.
As to the "red" ones, that only becomes an issue if your brake/tail is also your license plate light, and your state requires a "white" light for your plate.
I KNOW THAT LAW, NOW!!!!!
But I found a "white" cateye set up at J&P. Love it.
One thing to watch for. If you look in catalogs, they will very often have 2 bulbs for the same application, say a tail light. One will be way less $$$ than the other. CHECK the # of diodes in the array ofeach. The MORE doides, the brighter the light. They fooled me once, won't happen again.
I like being seen, too. And anything that helps, gets bought and installed.
As to the "red" ones, that only becomes an issue if your brake/tail is also your license plate light, and your state requires a "white" light for your plate.
I KNOW THAT LAW, NOW!!!!!But I found a "white" cateye set up at J&P. Love it.
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RE: What is the truth about LED bulbs?
Since, by their very nature, light-emitting diodes have more candlepower than incandescant per surface area color is the norm. If you put white LED's in, your brake lights would be pink, not red. Clearly illegal to most motor vehicle codes.
RE: What is the truth about LED bulbs?
Ilike the clear taillight look, as you can see. I have bought some LED bulbs thattwist in just like a regular 1156 bulb for $10 or so. I also bought a round 30 some LED 1157 bulb for the rear tailight (run & brake) and they certanily did improve the lighting from the rear. But if you want bright, and I mean bright, check out Radiantz LED Retro Kit for OEM Taillight, and Radiantz LED Turn Signal LED Retroz/Pair. I spent the extra dollars for safety reasons and I can't do much else to be seen at a stop light. I am very happy with them... And yes you will need a load equlizer!
http://www.radiantz.com/
To me they are worth the extra. J.M.O. [sm=signs007.gif]
http://www.radiantz.com/
To me they are worth the extra. J.M.O. [sm=signs007.gif]
