Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Suzuki Tech
DL650 LED Lights DL650 LED Lights
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Suzuki Tech Suzuki Tech Forum - For Questions specific and of interest to Suzuki riders only.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 24 Oct 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 78
Question DL650 LED Lights
Hi everyone,

Well now that I have got my trusty RTW steed (K4 DL650) I am now thinking of getting it ready for the trip. While pouring through the various sites I found a lot of reports saying that there isn't that much spare power coming from the standard alternator (around 100W I think). Anyway quite a few folk suggested that a way in which to get some more power back was to replace the lights (indicators and brake light) with LED equivalents. I have been looking around the motorbike accessory shops but can't find anything has anyone got any idea of where to look?

Thanks

Christopher
__________________
The Wonderful Wander To Oz
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 24 Oct 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
Question LED tail light bulb
Perhaps it is simply a case of getting a LED bulb for the tail-light?
Some are shown here:-

eBay.co.uk - led suzuki, led suzuki Motorcycle Parts Accessories, Accessories, Motorcycle Parts items at low prices=
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 24 Oct 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Saudi Arabia
Posts: 173
Try this then World Of Power Tools. Garden Powertools, Chainsaws, Generators, Heaters, UK

Cheers
Ian
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 25 Oct 2007
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Posts: 1,362
Don't bother
The stop light (standard) is 21 watts .. and it would only be 'on' less than half the time .. so average consumption less than 10 watts.. indicators will be even less than this..

The reasons to go with led lights is thay last longer, come 'on' sooner ... but that is about it. The power gained is not enough to be worthwhile.

How much 'extra' power are you after? I'd think the DL would have at least as much as a DR .. 200 watts. For RTW travel you don't want extra lights, hair dryers, CB radios, etc etc...
__________________
---
Regards Frank Warner
motorcycles BMW R80 G/S 1981, BMW K11LT 1993, BMW K75 G/S
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 25 Oct 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank Warner View Post
The stop light (standard) is 21 watts .. and it would only be 'on' less than half the time .. so average consumption less than 10 watts.. indicators will be even less than this..

The reasons to go with led lights is thay last longer, come 'on' sooner ... but that is about it. The power gained is not enough to be worthwhile.

How much 'extra' power are you after? I'd think the DL would have at least as much as a DR .. 200 watts. For RTW travel you don't want extra lights, hair dryers, CB radios, etc etc...
Makes sense.

Hobospy,
By "spare power" I guess you mean the amount remaining after "normal" power consumption while riding the bike; so what are you using at present while riding and are you sure about your figures?
A Yam Fazer 1000 generates 365W (easy figure to remember!) at 5000 rpm (which is a reminder that the generator output is dependent on how fast the engine is turning over).


Fit a switch to kill the headlight and you gain around 55W for running other electrical goodies - if you need your headlight in poor weather etc, then turn off the goodies and turn on the headlight.
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 26 Oct 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 78
Walkabout,

You are right about my idea of "spare"! I've not been able to find official figures but checking around other forums I am pretty sure that the 100W spare is about right. I was also thinking about fitting a kill switch to one of the headlights, going to be a bit hard "hacking" into my new toy though to fit it!

Frank,

I haven't got a total list of the other electrical items I want to fit to the bike for my trip but as this topic was being discussed I thought I should really have an idea of how to tackle it before it became an issue on my bike (think I am one of those guys that wants to make sure everything is OK before it happens, sure it won't be possible though but then that might end up being half the fun of the trip).

Thanks guys.
__________________
The Wonderful Wander To Oz
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 27 Oct 2007
rhinoculips's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Dillon, Colorado USA
Posts: 73
How much stuff are you wanting to run at the same time??? I found that my Wee-strom had plenty of power for the basics, like grip heaters, AA battery charger, GPS. After these, I probably would have been able to run a heated vest as well. If it were really cold, I would think if you just ran a heated vest and grips you should be fine. Anything more and you would definitely tax the system.

Just encase you haven't seen these V-Strom specific forums check them out. They help me out a lot while getting my wee-strom ready for her ride to South America.

http://www.stromtrooper.com
V-Strom Forum - powered by Tex Arts

You already have gotten some good advice here. The best way to get more power is to put in a headlight switch.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 27 Oct 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Forest, Va
Posts: 46
Hobospy,
Don't think you'll have a problem with the charging system on the Wee-Strom. I rode my 04 DL650 to TDF last year with these Farkles: 2610 GPS,
Roady2 XM radio, Mixit2, Heated Vest, plus keeping the battery charged on a NUVI 350. Had a flat tire in the Seven Lakes region of Argentina and use my Coleman compessor to inflate the rear tire! Not to worry 'bout the Wee-Strom, just ride it!

Harold
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 20 Sep 2009
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: May 2007
Location: outback eastern Australia
Posts: 11
alternator output dr650
Im sure the output is 200 w last year we did 4 months in Mongolia and to Magadan on 2 650/s we both ran gps cb radio heated grips with plenty left over for -10c cold starts but had an interupter switch in high beam.Leave as much standard as you can Suzuki knows best
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Breaking Fog Lights slim161 Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? 1 7 Mar 2005 02:49
K75 driving lights John Ferris BMW Tech 0 22 Oct 2003 07:31
IPF Lights nickt Equipping the Overland Vehicle 4 19 Jul 2003 01:32
lights on XR 389 Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? 2 28 Dec 2000 11:09

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 14:33.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top