Brighter tail light for 05?

[ridin gaijin]

Has anyone replaced their tail / brake light (bulb(s) I guess)? With what? If I ever find a set of crash bars I can actually afford, I'll stick some lights on that for the front end; but I'm interested in making my ass end more visible too.

Thank you!

[Stretch]

I've been looking at these...
http://www.homebody-design.com/catalog/brake/brake.html

[Bruincounselor]

I've been looking at these...
http://www.homebody-design.com/catalog/brake/brake.html

Dang. I wish I had that kind of cash to burn. I've used LED's from my FLAPS (Friendly Local Auto Parts Store). I think the standard 1157 fits and a pair was less than $20.

I've been considering upgrading to this as an extra light for brake:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=199827

Stretch - know any suppliers? :roll:

[ridin gaijin]

That adv thread got me thinking. I googled "motorcycle LED" or something similar and came up with what looks like a place to check:

http://www.customdynamics.com/motorcycle_lights.htm

(scroll down past "neon engine lights" douchebaggery)

I hope those bulbs are cheaper than $115...

Now all's to do is figure out what size to get. Maybe I check bike and then call them.

[tigerdown]

Just fitted the 1050 tiger/sprint led rear light unit to my '05 tiger.Simple fit and looks great,Much brighter that original.Picked it up for £10 off Ebay

[Stretch]

Thanks for the tip.

By the way, does it flash a couple quick times when you hit the brakes, or is it 'on / off'.

[ridin gaijin]

Just fitted the 1050 tiger/sprint led rear light unit to my '05 tiger.Simple fit and looks great,Much brighter that original.Picked it up for £10 off Ebay

Oooooo! Now that could work...

[tigerdown]

Hi Stretch,It's on/off action,Here's a couple of pic's

[Stretch]

Thank you!

[TigerTrax]

Site with superb lamps for upgrading your cycle's light output:

http://store.candlepower.com/h-9.html

Here is a treatise on why HID conversions are not all they're cracked up to be.  It's rather interesting reading:

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech ... sions.html

Finally, here is a site that has about every LED you can think of:

http://www.superlumination.com/

[ridin gaijin]

Well, I guess there are two concerns with LEDs that I've been able to discern.

1) They draw so little power that they may not operate properly without a resistance-thingy installed inline (would not prefer)

2) After all that, they may not be brighter than the old ones after all


Regardless, I'm likely to get one of these Kisan turn signal gizmos. 99.999% of the time I cancel my turn signals, but I really like the part about converting the turn signals into running lights. Yay! Especially if I can find brighter bulbs for them too.

[Bruincounselor]

Well, I guess there are two concerns with LEDs that I've been able to discern.

1) They draw so little power that they may not operate properly without a resistance-thingy installed inline (would not prefer)

2) After all that, they may not be brighter than the old ones after all

1. I'm not sure why you'd need a resistor. LED's are sensitive to current direction, but that's not a problem if the wiring is done correctly. There are issues with LED turn signals because the flasher doesn't work well with the reduced load (causes rapid flashing). This is easily remedied with a solid state flasher.


2. LED's are directional, although there are newer versions of bulbs that have fixed this problem. LED's are available in a wide array of brightness. Most trucking companies are switching due to increased service life and reduced current draw. I predict the filament bulb will no longer be used in the auto industry in the very near future.