Headlight question
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
welcome to the forums
yes you can, you should probably upgrade the headlight plug, 80w will be hotter and you want to avoid melting the plastic plug
the new bulb would use about 6.7 amps power vs 5 for the stock high beam
many of the led "kits" are poor quality optics- you'll get hots spots, dark spots, purple or yellow glare etc.
leds light sources are just not able to optically align with the lensing in the reflector
Mike
yes you can, you should probably upgrade the headlight plug, 80w will be hotter and you want to avoid melting the plastic plug
the new bulb would use about 6.7 amps power vs 5 for the stock high beam
many of the led "kits" are poor quality optics- you'll get hots spots, dark spots, purple or yellow glare etc.
leds light sources are just not able to optically align with the lensing in the reflector
Mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Feb 27, 2017 at 11:12 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,002
Likes: 190
From: Penticton BC Canada
Look into a brighter and whiter LED headlight that draws less power rather than an old school bigger wattage bulb. You'll get more voltage drop with a bigger wattage bulb and the light will end up being yellower.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
daymaker is a complete integrated LED.
you may like it.
i do not, I think they give reduced visibility in daylight- narrower angle of light.
but alot of guys like them
leds draw alot less power than a halogen light
Mike
you may like it.
i do not, I think they give reduced visibility in daylight- narrower angle of light.
but alot of guys like them
leds draw alot less power than a halogen light
Mike
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 356
From: virginia
I've been using 80 or 90 watt bulbs for years with no issues on 7" headlights. Wouldn't put one in a 5 3/4 though, friend had one melt connector into a black blob. He eplaced it with ceramic connector. About 7 dollars a pair on Amazon.
Agree with Mike on the LEDs being hard to see from an angle in the daytime.
Agree with Mike on the LEDs being hard to see from an angle in the daytime.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,002
Likes: 190
From: Penticton BC Canada
No, not if its LED's.
The headlight you are looking at may be called a Daymaker, but if its advertised as 80w it will be a Chinese knock off.
Those folks are notorious for BS specs, your 80 watts will be with both high and low on at the same time (even then It won't be 80w ).
So, if it physically fits on your bike, you won't have any problems with overheating plugs or wiring.
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I had the same issue. Trying to find something brighter without melting the system or without it drawing too much and looking like a camp lantern. I was not interested in doing the full replacement headlights (daymaker style). I don't like the look, you can't see them from a side angle, and they are really high priced. I ended up doing an LED bulb swap. Got it from DK Custom products (found here on forum). Price was great. Plug right in to stock fittings and wire plug. Bright, and has a cooling fan built in. I swapped the head and both spots for about $100.
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Banned
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 17,008
Likes: 14,675
From: in a cave at the foothills
Although a bit pricey, Truck Lite are awesome IMO. As noted about other lights, not as noticeable during the day but I got them to ride safer at night. That is where they really shine. Pun intended. One of my riding friends was doing the 90 (?) watt lights for quite a while on his Ultra and always said my TL were not very visible during the day. He is now running a 7" TL on his bike. He is usually riding behind me and I see him in my mirrors just fine. JMO and others may disagree but I like bright lights. Had HD Daymaker on last Road Glide. Again, awesome at night.
