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After market LED headlights on airhead? After market LED headlights on airhead?
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Photo by Sean Howman, The Pamir highway in an unseasonably cold late October, Tajikistan

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Photo by Sean Howman,
The Pamir highway in an unseasonably
cold late October, Tajikistan



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  #1  
Old 4 Oct 2017
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After market LED headlights on airhead?
LED headlight conversions have become very popular with Harley Davidson riders recently. This kind of kit.

I'm looking to replace my current pair of cheap halogen lights on my R100GSPD, and wondering if LED might be a good option. Lots of clear bright light, but with a much lower power draw on the alternator.

But are they robust enough to be trusted on a long trip?

Will they survive rough roads?

Has anyone tried them yet?

Obviously the downside of these LED kits is that if a main bulb goes you can't change it.
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  #2  
Old 7 Oct 2017
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I've only had quick glance at the link and didn't register if they're eu stamped or whatever but that would be my main concern with aftermarket headlights - whether a picky MOT man would want to see the Euro authorisation code stuck on them somewhere. Next on the list would be beam pattern. That's the main issue with aftermarket led bulbs, that the beam pattern is off and a mega bright not quite dipped bulb gets you lots of "retaliation"from cars coming the other way.

I'd have thought anything built from scratch - like those lights- should be ok though. My main experience with aftermarket led spotlights has not been failure of the led bit but of the supporting electronics- poorly supported parts breaking off from vibration,but that was from cheap sh1t Chinese lights. Done properly they should go on forever. I've had a red led taillight in one of my bikes for about 10yrs now and the only issue has been rust.
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  #3  
Old 8 Oct 2017
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Aftermarket LED Lights
Hi ... greetings from Perth, West Australia.

Take a look at Clearwater Lights USA web-site.

I have the Darla LED DRL's on my BM for years. Expensive? - Yes..... but a high quality, rugged product ..... DIY install is easy if your not mechanically challenged.

Very low draw when head light is dipped (DRL mode)..... hit high-beam and the road ahead lights up.

My BM doesn't go off-road .... so can't comment on that aspect (very helpful support guys at Clearwater will be able to advise).
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Old 8 Oct 2017
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Thanks for the replies.

HD riders seem to be having no problems with MOT in the UK. The LEDs give a sharper vertical cut-off, certainly better than my pair of halogens which leak a little bit of light over the specified height (and which should probably fail the MOT, but never have). The pattern is flat, with no left-hand up-tilt. That's fine for a UK MOT - just so long as there isn't a right-hand up-tilt.

Those Clearwater Lights are really very very expensive! I prefer to go for the cheaper and more readily replaceable option.
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Old 3 Nov 2020
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I fitted a Trucklite LED headlight, which cost £150. It's great. Lots of light in a good pattern. Passes MOT no problem. Low current draw. Added a pair of LED spotlights to spread the light further to the side.
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Old 7 Jul 2022
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I think it’s possible to change them on the led lights in your case. Moreover, it is a good idea, because these lights are more powerful and bright, and look more impressive. If you are afraid of their strength, you should buy premium quality ones. I’ve got https://www.vont.com/product/vont-bulb-color-smart-light-bulbs-smart-bulbs/ in my car, and I’m completely satisfied with how they work. I’ve been using them for more than a year now. They never broke, even though I spilled coffee on them once. I hope they’ll serve me for much more because I like the light they create. Let me know if my comment was helpful!
Last edited by SahuiCooler; 11 Jul 2022 at 15:01.
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