Quick headlight question
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 755
Likes: 9
From: Phoenix, AZ
I'll go onto detail in a couple of days- after I try a few things. I have emailed FM asking for tips.
i just tried some FM LEDS- they have GOBs of light
BUT ( and a big but) the light is not well focused and is a big blob out in front of you.
Gone is the horizontal spread to the shoulder and the sharp horizontal cut off which allows you to get light down the road without blinding on-coming traffic.
The HD dual halogen has very good optics in the reflectors and lensing to direct the light- for that to work the light source need to be it the correct place.
My first impression is that gobs of misdirected light from the LEDS is not an improvement over controlled light from the DOT halogen bulbs-
I have emailed FM to ask if they have any tips for better results.
I have seen stuff online from car guys about trying to use spacer to move the led fore/aft to get a focused light.
right now all I can do with the stock adjusters is move the blob up and down...if I move the blob out of the eyes of other drivers...then the light is too close to me.
Mike
i just tried some FM LEDS- they have GOBs of light
BUT ( and a big but) the light is not well focused and is a big blob out in front of you.
Gone is the horizontal spread to the shoulder and the sharp horizontal cut off which allows you to get light down the road without blinding on-coming traffic.
The HD dual halogen has very good optics in the reflectors and lensing to direct the light- for that to work the light source need to be it the correct place.
My first impression is that gobs of misdirected light from the LEDS is not an improvement over controlled light from the DOT halogen bulbs-
I have emailed FM to ask if they have any tips for better results.
I have seen stuff online from car guys about trying to use spacer to move the led fore/aft to get a focused light.
right now all I can do with the stock adjusters is move the blob up and down...if I move the blob out of the eyes of other drivers...then the light is too close to me.
Mike
Has FM responded to you?
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
Essentially all they can offer is advice to move the "blob" up/down, right/left with the adjusters.
I saw some posts on automotive forums about using spacers to move the led lightsource back...and maybe onto focus...or cutting away the seal to move it forwards...hoping to get the light source into a focused position relative to the reflector and lens.
I am now back to halogen capsules and will use them.
The FM leds are bright as heck MUCH brighter than the halogens and at a higher temperature - but the light doesn't go where I need it.
Other riders may be completely happy with these.
the only criticism I would offer on the seller is that they do not detail DOT compliance or an "off road " warning- either of those would have been useful.
pics shot from 25' from garage door bike on center stand...my driveway is on a slight angle so light beam is a little higher than "real"- these are best for looking at the optics. total light from leds is much, much greater- the camera does not accurately show the difference in the amount of light produced.
HD DH w/ H9 65w bulb ( in place of 55w H11)
horizontal spread and a sharp cutoff from oncoming drivers, allows light to be aimed down the road.
HD DH w H9 piaa 65w:
light has a slight bias to light the rt side shoulder
FM led low:
this is where I ended up trying to get the light out of oncoming driver's eyes down and to the right...up high is a yellowy "ghost of light blob" which continued to be a problem.
light is concentrated center, so on curves, there is no light through the curve- I have an S curve up the end of my street
FM LED hi - same headlight aim as above:
mike
I saw some posts on automotive forums about using spacers to move the led lightsource back...and maybe onto focus...or cutting away the seal to move it forwards...hoping to get the light source into a focused position relative to the reflector and lens.
I am now back to halogen capsules and will use them.
The FM leds are bright as heck MUCH brighter than the halogens and at a higher temperature - but the light doesn't go where I need it.
Other riders may be completely happy with these.
the only criticism I would offer on the seller is that they do not detail DOT compliance or an "off road " warning- either of those would have been useful.
pics shot from 25' from garage door bike on center stand...my driveway is on a slight angle so light beam is a little higher than "real"- these are best for looking at the optics. total light from leds is much, much greater- the camera does not accurately show the difference in the amount of light produced.
HD DH w/ H9 65w bulb ( in place of 55w H11)
horizontal spread and a sharp cutoff from oncoming drivers, allows light to be aimed down the road.
HD DH w H9 piaa 65w:
light has a slight bias to light the rt side shoulder
FM led low:
this is where I ended up trying to get the light out of oncoming driver's eyes down and to the right...up high is a yellowy "ghost of light blob" which continued to be a problem.
light is concentrated center, so on curves, there is no light through the curve- I have an S curve up the end of my street
FM LED hi - same headlight aim as above:
mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Dec 16, 2015 at 05:03 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 307
From: Houston, Texas
Wow, you mean like this one?
http://www.kpaulindustrial.com/sylva...h-am-pk-6.html
That sir, is freakin' brilliant. In a million years I would never have thought of a traditional automotive high output halogen on my bike. I bet it's bright as hell too.
I would love to hear the lumens on that sucker.
http://www.kpaulindustrial.com/sylva...h-am-pk-6.html
That sir, is freakin' brilliant. In a million years I would never have thought of a traditional automotive high output halogen on my bike. I bet it's bright as hell too.
I would love to hear the lumens on that sucker.
I can't tell from your link if that is the dual hi/lo beam version but if not, I use a similar version. It's plenty bright and if it takes a rock, cheap and easy to replace from any auto parts store. I commute across Houston every day. It's an 08 with 110,000 miles. I think every one here has a chipped windshield. I'm on my fourth headlight lost to a rock or something similar.
I'm by no means saying this is the best solution for everyone but it is for me and my wallet.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 239
Likes: 2
From: Leesburg
I am fascinated by this option as well! Bikerlaw, are you going to give this a try? It is certainly cheap enough that there is no harm in trying it out to see if it is an improvement.
My first order of business is to install Skene Photon Blasters and P3 lights over the winter, but I do want to address the substandard lighting as well at some point.
My first order of business is to install Skene Photon Blasters and P3 lights over the winter, but I do want to address the substandard lighting as well at some point.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
Likes: 494
From: Richmond, VA
Actually, no. I was , and still am interested in this light alternative, but after reading about this light yesterday, I did google search. Just by happenstance I searched Jeep lights. Which fit in our buckets. After seeing the insane non D.O.T. LED options the Jeep guys are running, that's where I am likely heading. Once you removed the word HARLEY from the mix, there are some very interesting options that claim some truly crazy light output. And for well under a hundred bucks.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,219
Likes: 63
From: westland Michigan
Another LED Headlight Thread - Sirius LED Direct Plug H11 Bulbs
Here is the tread name on the rushmore side that lead me to the Sirus Cree led headlight. Sorry dont know how to post up a link.
Batman
Here is the tread name on the rushmore side that lead me to the Sirus Cree led headlight. Sorry dont know how to post up a link.
Batman
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 755
Likes: 9
From: Phoenix, AZ
Essentially all they can offer is advice to move the "blob" up/down, right/left with the adjusters.
I saw some posts on automotive forums about using spacers to move the led lightsource back...and maybe onto focus...or cutting away the seal to move it forwards...hoping to get the light source into a focused position relative to the reflector and lens.
I am now back to halogen capsules and will use them.
The FM leds are bright as heck MUCH brighter than the halogens and at a higher temperature - but the light doesn't go where I need it.
Other riders may be completely happy with these.
the only criticism I would offer on the seller is that they do not detail DOT compliance or an "off road " warning- either of those would have been useful.
pics shot from 25' from garage door bike on center stand...my driveway is on a slight angle so light beam is a little higher than "real"- these are best for looking at the optics. total light from leds is much, much greater- the camera does not accurately show the difference in the amount of light produced.
HD DH w/ H9 65w bulb ( in place of 55w H11)
horizontal spread and a sharp cutoff from oncoming drivers, allows light to be aimed down the road.
HD DH w H9 piaa 65w:
light has a slight bias to light the rt side shoulder
FM led low:
this is where I ended up trying to get the light out of oncoming driver's eyes down and to the right...up high is a yellowy "ghost of light blob" which continued to be a problem.
light is concentrated center, so on curves, there is no light through the curve- I have an S curve up the end of my street
FM LED hi - same headlight aim as above:
mike
I saw some posts on automotive forums about using spacers to move the led lightsource back...and maybe onto focus...or cutting away the seal to move it forwards...hoping to get the light source into a focused position relative to the reflector and lens.
I am now back to halogen capsules and will use them.
The FM leds are bright as heck MUCH brighter than the halogens and at a higher temperature - but the light doesn't go where I need it.
Other riders may be completely happy with these.
the only criticism I would offer on the seller is that they do not detail DOT compliance or an "off road " warning- either of those would have been useful.
pics shot from 25' from garage door bike on center stand...my driveway is on a slight angle so light beam is a little higher than "real"- these are best for looking at the optics. total light from leds is much, much greater- the camera does not accurately show the difference in the amount of light produced.
HD DH w/ H9 65w bulb ( in place of 55w H11)
horizontal spread and a sharp cutoff from oncoming drivers, allows light to be aimed down the road.
HD DH w H9 piaa 65w:
light has a slight bias to light the rt side shoulder
FM led low:
this is where I ended up trying to get the light out of oncoming driver's eyes down and to the right...up high is a yellowy "ghost of light blob" which continued to be a problem.
light is concentrated center, so on curves, there is no light through the curve- I have an S curve up the end of my street
FM LED hi - same headlight aim as above:
mike
Looks like if you add the passing lamps that they would fill in the sides too so they might work great with the FM kit?
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
the passing lights are made to illuminate ahead with a bias to the right- ( reference the manual). I get your point though and I did monkey with a few options ( with my wiring I can run high and low together and spots at all times).
the largest part of my concern probably is oncoming drivers- in the led low beam pic you can see the high bright spot- even with the beam aimed low---- not only for annoyance, but target fixation.
drivers blinded by lights sometimes steer towards them
I have seen studies that incidence of police cars/ emergency vehicles hit on the roadside have increased with use of led flashers-
I know that I have been blinded by these light when driving, and at times it is hard to see the road and see past the lights
Mike
the largest part of my concern probably is oncoming drivers- in the led low beam pic you can see the high bright spot- even with the beam aimed low---- not only for annoyance, but target fixation.
drivers blinded by lights sometimes steer towards them
I have seen studies that incidence of police cars/ emergency vehicles hit on the roadside have increased with use of led flashers-
I know that I have been blinded by these light when driving, and at times it is hard to see the road and see past the lights
Mike
