Sportster Models 883, 883 Custom, 1200 Custom, 883L, 1200L, 1200S, 1200 Roadster, XR1200, and the Nightster.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

LED bulbs

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 14, 2022 | 09:22 PM
  #1  
Stevoknievo68's Avatar
Stevoknievo68
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 140
Likes: 20
From: Oklahoma
Default LED bulbs

Has anyone installed led bulbs in the taillights with the dual taillights on both sides using the stock housings? I have a 2021 forty-eight and it seems like a baron wasteland when it comes to led bulbs that will fit without being too tall for the lens caps to fit over. I see the kind that are about the same width as the housing that has a wire going to the male plug, but I was just wanting a bulb.
 
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2022 | 09:41 PM
  #2  
Iron Horse 13's Avatar
Iron Horse 13
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 690
Likes: 374
From: Where the spirit meets the road
Default

Custom dynamics is what u want.lifetime guarantee even though it or they have a wire.
 
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2022 | 09:53 PM
  #3  
Stevoknievo68's Avatar
Stevoknievo68
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 140
Likes: 20
From: Oklahoma
Default

Originally Posted by Iron Horse 13
Custom dynamics is what u want.lifetime guarantee even though it or they have a wire.
Thanks but I'm seeing more of the same there. I dont want to spend $129 plus on taillights. I just want an led bulb for around 15 bucks each that will plug in, allow me to put my lens on and be gold.
 
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2022 | 10:31 PM
  #4  
2500hdon37s's Avatar
2500hdon37s
Stellar HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,155
Likes: 1,728
From: Mid-MO
Default

I’ve been down the road you’re trying to go down. I ended up with the Custom Dynamics wafer looking/ flat style bulbs. And they’re worth it. I got tired of replacing incandescent bulbs, and the cheap @$$ led bulbs either don’t fit, or if they do are not near bright enough to function as a stop/turn/ taillight. They’re cheap for a reason, they’re typical Chinese crap and half the time not all the chips light up out of the box anyway.

Save your self money in the long run and the time and frustration of dicking with bulbs and get the custom dynamics bulbs if you want to go LED. I’ve had mine for 4 or 5 years now and they haven’t skipped a beat. I would’ve changed a half dozen incandescent bulbs and no telling with the cheap LED’s in that same time frame. And I haven’t had to so much as pull off a cover for the lights since.

but if you’re willing to give knock offs a try, here are the knock off of the custom dynamics bulbs

 

Last edited by 2500hdon37s; Mar 14, 2022 at 10:40 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2022 | 10:45 PM
  #5  
Stevoknievo68's Avatar
Stevoknievo68
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 140
Likes: 20
From: Oklahoma
Default

Originally Posted by 2500hdon37s
I’ve been down the road you’re trying to go down. I ended up with the Custom Dynamics wafer looking/ flat style bulbs. And they’re worth it. I got tired of replacing incandescent bulbs, and the cheap @$$ led bulbs either don’t fit, or if they do are not near bright enough to function as a stop/turn/ taillight. They’re cheap for a reason, they’re typical Chinese crap and half the time not all the chips light up out of the box anyway.

Save your self money in the long run and the time and frustration of dicking with bulbs and get the custom dynamics bulbs if you want to go LED. I’ve had mine for 4 or 5 years now and they haven’t skipped a beat. I would’ve changed a half dozen incandescent bulbs and no telling with the cheap LED’s in that same time frame. And I haven’t had to so much as pull off a cover for the lights since.
Yeah I believe you make a very good point. I just been going over the site there and see some Genesis 4 for 99 bucks. I didn't want to spend that much but from giving them a closer look and the experience that you have relayed makes these look a whole lot more sensible to me. I've also started batting my eye lashes at the running/turn signal lights Genesis has... not happy with the price but with the looking like they will work good for a long time and the safety aspects, its easier to choke down.
 
Reply
Old Mar 15, 2022 | 04:45 AM
  #6  
Andy from Sandy's Avatar
Andy from Sandy
Seasoned HDF Member
Community Influencer
Liked
Top Answer: 3
Top Answer: 5
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 12,257
Likes: 4,947
From: England
Default

Doesn't your bike already come with LED turn/stop/run lights at the back?

One of the Sportsters does and maybe you could get them as an option. They have a 4 wire connection driven directly from the BCM.

Wiring diagram for rear lights - 94000848_PDF_v2 - 2021 Wiring Diagrams Wall Chart - All Models | Harley-Davidson SIP

ETA: Here is a picture - GENUINE HARLEY-DAVIDSON REAR LIGHT / LED TURN SIGNAL Indicator 67800214 Ł85.00 - PicClick UK Curiously this light is not supplied for domestic market.

I was expecting to find something like this from HD as an option but didn't -
2" 1157 Red Harley Rear LED Turn Signal Tail Brake Light [Pair Set] [Black-Finish] [HALO] [Bullet Style] Turn Signals For Harley Davidson Sportster Street Glide Road King Softail Electra Heritage Dyna : Amazon.co.uk: Automotive 2" 1157 Red Harley Rear LED Turn Signal Tail Brake Light [Pair Set] [Black-Finish] [HALO] [Bullet Style] Turn Signals For Harley Davidson Sportster Street Glide Road King Softail Electra Heritage Dyna : Amazon.co.uk: Automotive
and then you would fit clear lenses to cover them.
 

Last edited by Andy from Sandy; Mar 15, 2022 at 04:58 AM.
Reply
Old Mar 15, 2022 | 07:47 AM
  #7  
Stevoknievo68's Avatar
Stevoknievo68
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 140
Likes: 20
From: Oklahoma
Default

Originally Posted by Andy from Sandy
Doesn't your bike already come with LED turn/stop/run lights at the back?

One of the Sportsters does and maybe you could get them as an option. They have a 4 wire connection driven directly from the BCM.

Wiring diagram for rear lights - 94000848_PDF_v2 - 2021 Wiring Diagrams Wall Chart - All Models | Harley-Davidson SIP

ETA: Here is a picture - GENUINE HARLEY-DAVIDSON REAR LIGHT / LED TURN SIGNAL Indicator 67800214 Ł85.00 - PicClick UK Curiously this light is not supplied for domestic market.

I was expecting to find something like this from HD as an option but didn't - 2" 1157 Red Harley Rear LED Turn Signal Tail Brake Light [Pair Set] [Black-Finish] [HALO] [Bullet Style] Turn Signals For Harley Davidson Sportster Street Glide Road King Softail Electra Heritage Dyna : Amazon.co.uk: Automotive
and then you would fit clear lenses to cover them.
yeah I seen that when I got the electrical diagnostic manual but sadly nope, mine is the other...
 
Reply
Old Mar 15, 2022 | 08:35 AM
  #8  
RKZen's Avatar
RKZen
Seasoned HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,088
Likes: 1,962
From: Somewhere on the Bourbon trail
Default

Can't go wrong with Custom Dynamics. A lifetime warranty, or at least as long as they're in business. So even if one of the LEDs goes out, they'll replace.

I just switched the brake and turns on my Road King to Custom Dynamics LEDs with smoke lenses and getting ready to do the same on my XL1200C.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Mar 15, 2022 | 09:14 AM
  #9  
Stevoknievo68's Avatar
Stevoknievo68
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 140
Likes: 20
From: Oklahoma
Default

Thanks everyone for turning me onto Custom Dynamics and though I said I didn't want to spend much I did get some lights there. I went with the Probeam Bullet Ringz and even also ordered the Genesis Halo free running and turn signal inserts for the front... I think the safety aspects with these being so much brighter than even regular led bulbs helped me make the decision to buy but the looks and the quality that I gathered from all the comments pushed me over the edge. Everyone mentioned these guys and I have learned that when a product or company is liked on this site you can bet its proper...
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
SoCalHarley
Touring Models
33
Mar 6, 2022 10:42 AM
470004
Touring Models
24
Mar 31, 2016 02:04 PM
Gater
Electrical/Lighting/Alarm
5
Sep 17, 2015 03:28 AM
Wampuscat
Ignition/Tuner/ECM/Fuel Injection
2
Apr 3, 2008 09:45 AM
Gadgetech
Dyna Glide Models
6
Jul 31, 2006 10:44 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:24 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE