- This topic has 11 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 10 months ago by Elias.
LED Brakelights?
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June 8, 2009 at 7:28 am #2967SafetyFirstParticipant
I’m looking for an LED replacement for my brake light on my Ninja 250. It has to be bright! I believe they are 1157’s, just your average dual-filament bulb.
I say this, because I bought a 12 LED or something cluster bulbs at AutoZone for the cage, and they are not any brighter than incandescent bulbs were. Maybe even less bright. But they stay, just to avoid tail-lights and brake lights going out and having unexpected contact with officials who have red and blue LEDs on their ride.
I’ve also been wondering if a whole LED brakelight assembly would be better, but whatever it is had better be DOT approved. I’m not using any housing that isn’t DOT approved, just to avoid the cagers PI attorney saying I’m negligent because my bike isn’t legal.
Suggestions?
June 8, 2009 at 1:58 pm #19439MunchParticipantI am eventually going to do the same myself. Though I have seen some Ninja’s around when I ride… those things have very little lighting to be noticed for sure…. for my 9 I am going with the conversion to get the turn signals to be multifunctions also. 3 red lights are better then one. you can try this site:
http://www.bikerhiway.com/electropods-flashing-led-motorcycle-brake-lights-red-leds-p-336.html
Their not custom but really add ons. If you do a search for sport bikes in particular you may find some that are made for your bike specifically. I am finding most are for cruisers though. I haven’t really looked into it a whole lot as for right now I already need to replace a tire, looking to get the front pulley and needing a new summer jacket.
Another good one I see:
http://www.motorcyclelighting.com/June 8, 2009 at 3:01 pm #19442eonParticipantI bought super bright wide angle LEDs from BikeHighway (I think mine were 1150s) and am very happy with the result. I got the wide angle ones as some people had mentioned concerns over the focused direction of LEDs (ie. straight back). The wide angle ones have some bulbs pointed off to the side so that you get a better spread of light.
Ideally I would love to have modulated brake lights as I really notice them on other bikes.
June 8, 2009 at 6:45 pm #19450EliasParticipantTrade in for the 650R, they come stock with LED’s
If I were buying new LED bulbs, I would buy from http://www.v-leds.com/ because I have done research and they seem to offer Putco LED’s (high-quality/high-price) for way less than actually buying Putco. BUT, I have not bought from them before, this is just what my findings have directed me toward.
June 8, 2009 at 7:50 pm #19456SafetyFirstParticipantI picked up two RearAlert brakelight modulators off eBay for a pretty fair price. I’m going to try to install them in the center brakelight of the cage and the Ninja today, if it’ll stop raining. I’ll let you guys know what I think of them.
June 8, 2009 at 7:58 pm #19457SafetyFirstParticipantTrade in for a 650? Geez, I’ve barely have the touched the tip of the iceberg on my 250.
Now this looks interesting, but expensive.
http://www.v-leds.com/Exterior-LED/Brake-Light-LED/Red-LED/V-LEDS-RED-V-STAR-M-SMT-p6472898-1-2.html
June 8, 2009 at 10:04 pm #19460EliasParticipantYeah stick with the 250, I was just joking because the 650R is what I am getting
I would stay away from led bulbs that have hinges. To me, I see more moving parts, which = breaks easier. I’ve heard of people buying those “star” bulbs and one or all of the ‘arms’ will go out eventually. Just get a solid compatible bulb that lights 360 degrees, including the housing. I know some people think that these bulbs can blind you, but I have never seen an LED turn signal, brake light or other automotive application that has blinded me or distracted me from driving. The blinding LED’s are used in applications like Tac-Torches and flashlights. So, IMHO, brighter LED signals and brakes = better.
June 11, 2009 at 7:37 am #19549Speedy RodriguezParticipantMy new 650 R has got the LED’s and they are just very cool….beans.
June 11, 2009 at 8:13 am #19552SafetyFirstParticipantAre the LED bulbs in the 650 built into the assembly or are they socketed?
June 11, 2009 at 5:14 pm #19560EliasParticipantbuilt into the assembly, an array of LED’s
June 11, 2009 at 11:57 pm #19587SafetyFirstParticipantI’ve been looking at LED lights for a while now, and I’ve just about given up.
A lot of LED lights only have the LEDs facing the rear. OK, except there’s a nice reflector in the assembly that will reflect the light more evenly across the lens.
Add in the lack of specs on the mcd figures for the LEDs of some bulbs, and it just seems like too much voodoo.
The reviews I can find are unscientific. Pictures of the LEDs being brighter over incandescent lights don’t do it for me. Get a light meter and measure it from different angles and distances.
June 12, 2009 at 3:49 am #19601EliasParticipantYeah no kidding…my favorite is when they put “their” LED’s next to the “competition’s” LED’s and GUESS WHO’S IS BRIGHTER?! LOL, “well that picture says it all! where do I purchase?!” It WOULD be really nice if they had light meter specs. At least v-leds gives you dimensions for most their bulbs, so you can make sure they will fit before you buy.
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