Gave the LED headlight bulb a shot. Very pleased!

23300 Views 27 Replies 14 Participants Last post by Pilot747, Mar 22, 2015

lrdofh8

Discussion Starter · Jan 21, 2015 (Edited)

2

I have been putting HID kits in all my vehicles for years (so far my 99 Vette, wife's 12 Wrangler, my 12 Ram, my 09 Raider to name a few). I have never had a problem until I put one in my Vaquero. The output on low beam would intermittently flicker, even with a canceler in place. I tried replacing the bulb, the ballast, even the wire harness, nothing worked. Then last night on my way to work it just dies altogether.

Long story short, I had one of those new H4 LED bulbs (no ballast or crazy wiring, very plug and play) from xmas and had been waiting for a chance to put it in. Now I had a reason, lol. Here's the link if you're interested.

I after watching some install videos, I took the shield off the bulb before I installed it. The results were awesome! I get the same light output I did with HID, better light spread, and instant on (no waiting for the warm up period). And none of the crazy wiring mess.

Look into it if your thinking of upgrading from Halogens.

All lit up:

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RACNRAY

· #2 · Jan 21, 2015

Wanting more light on my Vaq I upgraded the stock bulb to a PIAA xtreme white bulb few years back. Nice improvement over stock but I believe I have gone thru 3, maybe 4 of these bulbs as the low beams on all of them burned out, in my opinion way too soon. And these bulbs are of the anti-vibration type.

This LED bulb looks appealing, if it is as bright as the PIAA that'll be good, but if brighter and with some lifespan advantage I'll be even happier.

Does The wiring harness that comes with the bulb plug into the oem h/l bulb socket? And why did you remove the shield?

THANX
RACNRAY

lrdofh8

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jan 21, 2015

RACNRAY said:
Does The wiring harness that comes with the bulb plug into the oem h/l bulb socket? And why did you remove the shield?

THANX
RACNRAY

Yes. No fuss no muss. As in the pic, the H4 connector plugs right into the oem socket.
I took the shield off because in the video reviews I saw, it drastically reduced the brightness and light spread.

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Peg

· #4 · Jan 21, 2015

I use the same LED bulb - and feel the same way about it. It's a worthwhile upgrade if you want the whitest light possible.

The shield on mine is still in place though... It appeared to me that the design of the bulb meant there was no way to avoid blinding oncoming drivers if I took it off? I doubt the bike would pass inspection.

mbell09

· #5 · Jan 23, 2015

how is the light output for distance ? does the beam flood out right infront of the bike or do you get good distance

twowheeladdict

· #6 · Jan 23, 2015

I use the PIAA xtreme white bulbs in my running lights on the Voyager. They make the OEM headlight bulb look like an afterthought.

I know that HID lights turn night into day, but also blind oncoming traffic if you don't change the reflectors out or use projector lights.

I will consider the LED bulb when my headlight goes out. With the exception of my dual sport and the Guzzi, I always have a second source of lighting on all of my bikes. If the headlight goes I can still ride, plus it presents a better source of conspicuity for oncoming traffic

Grumbler

· #7 · Jan 23, 2015

2

Haven't had to replace one, single bulb on my 2001 1500 Classic yet. Am the original owner, too. However, when the H4 headlight bulb does go out, will order the Nokya H4/9003 Headlight Bulbs - Hyper Yellow 2500K 60/55W (Stage 1) from Amazon.

Already checked with Idaho vehicle code and consulted with Idaho State Police and they're legal. If illegal in your state then consider using them in spot lights. I don't ride at night too often and am more interested in the conspicuity or visibility of my motorcycle to other vehicles on the road. If you do tons of riding at night they might not be feasible for you.

Motorcycle Light Bulbs - Improving Visibility With Yellow Bulbs
http://www.webbikeworld.com/t2/motorcycle-light-bulbs/yellow-light-bulbs.htm

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twowheeladdict

· #8 · Jan 23, 2015

lrdofh8 said:
I have been putting HID kits in all my vehicles for years (so far my 99 Vette, wife's 12 Wrangler, my 12 Ram, my 09 Raider to name a few). I have never had a problem until I put one in my Vaquero. The output on low beam would intermittently flicker, even with a canceler in place. I tried replacing the bulb, the ballast, even the wire harness, nothing worked. Then last night on my way to work it just dies altogether.

Long story short, I had one of those new H4 LED bulbs (no ballast or crazy wiring, very plug and play) from xmas and had been waiting for a chance to put it in. Now I had a reason, lol. Here's the link if you're interested.

I after watching some install videos, I took the shield off the bulb before I installed it. The results were awesome! I get the same light output I did with HID, better light spread, and instant on (no waiting for the warm up period). And none of the crazy wiring mess.

Look into it if your thinking of upgrading from Halogens.

All lit up:

How many miles on your bike? Many of us have 50,000 or more miles on our 1700s.

mes882

· #9 · Jan 24, 2015

Do these led have a cooling fan or is that not needed on these? If they get to hot will they shut down and turn off??

lrdofh8

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jan 27, 2015

twowheeladdict said:
How many miles on your bike? Many of us have 50,000 or more miles on our 1700s.

I just got her this past September, barely over 2000 yet.

lrdofh8

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jan 27, 2015

mes882 said:
Do these led have a cooling fan or is that not needed on these? If they get to hot will they shut down and turn off??

They have a sizable heat sink to dissipate the heat. Mine hasn't shut off on me yet.

lrdofh8

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jan 27, 2015

3

So I took some photo's to give a better sense off the brightness and light spread:

Off:

Low:

High:

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calldavid

· #13 · Jan 28, 2015

Thank you for the update, great output. On my list to do.

RACNRAY

· #14 · Feb 6, 2015

I just ordered this bulb. It's gonna be compared to the PIAA extreme white bulb I have been runnin, and replacing a few along the way. I will let u'all know how the two bulbs compare and the longevity.

RACNRAY

SkinnyPedal

· #15 · Feb 7, 2015 (Edited)

Watching
do you have a part number or link for the Vaquero. mine is 2011 Vayqero

Also Racnway, I just installed the PCV. I have ordered the auto tune that should be here this coming week. Where is the best place for the O2 and is it a good idea to do the analog engine temp and or the speed input to the PCV?

Thanks for anyway help and goin to search for some thread on this.

Vulcanader

· #16 · Feb 8, 2015

lrdofh8 said:
I just got her this past September, barely over 2000 yet.

Thanks for the product tip lrdofh8. Looks great. Just placed an order myself....

sandcrawler

· #17 · Feb 9, 2015

Also here to thank you for the tip. Mine's ordered and on the way.

I also purchased a pair of H8 replacements for the fog lights. They are SUPER bright but I would say they "suffer" from the spread out light pattern. I don't know that they're any worse than the originals but they are much more noticeable from the front. The biggest thing I notice about them at night is that road signs the halogens didn't illuminate well are now well lit. If I can get a picture with a camera that doesn't do auto-adjustments I'll see if I can post some pictures of before/after.

Here are the H8s I picked up.

http://amzn.com/B00N5BAWYK

lrdofh8

Discussion Starter · #18 · Feb 10, 2015

Glad I could be of assistance

Vulcanader

· #19 · Feb 10, 2015

sandcrawler said:
Also here to thank you for the tip. Mine's ordered and on the way.

I also purchased a pair of H8 replacements for the fog lights. They are SUPER bright but I would say they "suffer" from the spread out light pattern. I don't know that they're any worse than the originals but they are much more noticeable from the front. The biggest thing I notice about them at night is that road signs the halogens didn't illuminate well are now well lit. If I can get a picture with a camera that doesn't do auto-adjustments I'll see if I can post some pictures of before/after.

Here are the H8s I picked up.

http://amzn.com/B00N5BAWYK

Are your fog lights from the OEM Kawi lightbar? I checked mine and the lens show H3.

It's the OEM 1700 classic lightbar so perhaps different there. If so, I'll check for a H3 version of these bulbs...

RACNRAY

· #20 · Feb 25, 2015

I received this LED bulb in yesterday and was anxious to test it out. The Vaq was on jack stands with the front end off to install new fork springs, Gold Valve Emulators and a fork brace from gv550. The skoot was aimed at my garage door so we shut the door and turned off the lights to make our comparisons.

I have been runnin a PIAA extreme white bulb for a few years now, actually I have gone thru 3 bulbs and am on my fourth, quite expensive! No doubt the PIAA is brighter than stock. We analyzed the PIAA bulbs brightness and pattern, then installed the LED bulb. The LED bulb has a "softer" white light (it even says so in the instructions) but sad to say was not as bright as the PIAA bulb. For comparison we installed the stock bulb and it was much "yellower" in color than the other bulbs and was the dimmest.

My old eyes needs as much light in front of me for my night ridin, so the PIAA went back in.

This LED bulb is better than stock but I will have to put up with the PIAA's failure rate.

Anyone interested in this LED bulb I'll sell it for $40.00 including the shipping. Darn thing took 3 weeks to get here from China!!

RACNRAY

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