Show me your lights, tail lights, turn signals. What works what doesn't.
07-26-2011, 03:35 PM
#1
Junior Member
Squid
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Riverside, CA.
Posts: 8
Show me your lights, tail lights, turn signals. What works what doesn't.
I want to update my lights and wanted to see what is out there, and especially what looks good on a SH. Can your lights be seen in bright day light. If you changed your lights please post here specifically just regarding the lights.
Please include photos and, if you have it, a link to the store where it can be purchased.
Thanks.
Please include photos and, if you have it, a link to the store where it can be purchased.
Thanks.
08-14-2011, 10:00 PM
#3
Junior Member
Squid
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Riverside, CA.
Posts: 8
I'm on my 2nd set, still not happy.
I shopped Amazon and then Ebay and there are some good prices. Unfortunately, you do get what you pay for. I spent $20-30 for a set of 4 turn signals. China made and very poor quality. 1 out of 4 lights has had a major defect. I'm pretty handy with a soldering iron so I fixed it myself.
Set #1 from Amazon had a small incandescent lamp and could not be seen at all in daylight. Set #2 from eBay is LED but the PC board inside each unit is not mounted at a consistent angle for optimum brightness so I had to play around with mounting angle position.
One of my friends bought a flashing HyperLight brake light LED and it is awesome - really bright. Similar to police bike flashers. So, my next set will be HyperLights. They don't look stylish but they are really bright, which is really what I'm interested in.
Set #1 from Amazon had a small incandescent lamp and could not be seen at all in daylight. Set #2 from eBay is LED but the PC board inside each unit is not mounted at a consistent angle for optimum brightness so I had to play around with mounting angle position.
One of my friends bought a flashing HyperLight brake light LED and it is awesome - really bright. Similar to police bike flashers. So, my next set will be HyperLights. They don't look stylish but they are really bright, which is really what I'm interested in.
Last edited by rafbo; 08-16-2011 at 10:23 PM. Reason: Inserted photos.
08-15-2011, 08:50 PM
#6
Member
Squid
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Washington State
Posts: 84
I have a Volar Integrated LED Taillight($20!) and generic LED turn signals on the rear.
Blinkers
My front signals are some sort of flush mount that I'd like to replace. They're running lights as well, but that isn't plugged in right now due to issues with the taillight.
Blinkers
My front signals are some sort of flush mount that I'd like to replace. They're running lights as well, but that isn't plugged in right now due to issues with the taillight.
08-15-2011, 09:46 PM
#7
Member
Squid
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Tampa Bay Area, USA
Posts: 70
Cat-Eye Front and Rear Turn Signals
I have the following cat-eye flush-mount front turn signals:
Cat-Eye Flush-Mount Front Turn Signals
They are plenty bright, and the standard amber lamps are very affordable and are easy to get at any local motorcycle shop. Also, they are easy to install and are fairly low-maintenance: I bought mine six years ago, and did not need to replace the lamps until this year, at a cost of $1.34 per lamp.
My rear turn signals are as follows:
Mini-Cat-Eye LED Rear Signals
Mine have amber lenses, but they are still the same basic turn signal assembly. They look elegant in proportion to the trimmed rear mud-fender of the bike, and they were fairly easy to install. (I just spliced-in the ball-and-socket connectors from the Crap-Co OEM signals.)
cheers,
Professor Chaos
Cat-Eye Flush-Mount Front Turn Signals
They are plenty bright, and the standard amber lamps are very affordable and are easy to get at any local motorcycle shop. Also, they are easy to install and are fairly low-maintenance: I bought mine six years ago, and did not need to replace the lamps until this year, at a cost of $1.34 per lamp.
My rear turn signals are as follows:
Mini-Cat-Eye LED Rear Signals
Mine have amber lenses, but they are still the same basic turn signal assembly. They look elegant in proportion to the trimmed rear mud-fender of the bike, and they were fairly easy to install. (I just spliced-in the ball-and-socket connectors from the Crap-Co OEM signals.)
cheers,
Professor Chaos
Last edited by ProfChaos; 08-15-2011 at 09:52 PM.
08-16-2011, 10:48 PM
#8
Junior Member
Squid
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Riverside, CA.
Posts: 8
This is my brake tail light.
The tail light I got on eBay and it's not LED, it uses the stock bulbs and stock bulb sockets and wiring. Simply unplug the bulbs form the original tail light and into this new tail light. Easy installation. I'm happy how it looks and it's bright.
08-17-2011, 11:26 AM
#9
Member
Squid
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 84
[QUOTE=K30;311711]I have a Volar Integrated LED Taillight($20!) and generic LED turn signals on the rear.
Blinkers
How do you like your tail light? I think I want to pick on up.
Blinkers
How do you like your tail light? I think I want to pick on up.
08-17-2011, 12:04 PM
#10
Senior Member
Superstock
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: South Kakalaki
Posts: 313
I also had the volar integrated tail light on my SHawk. It was a biatch to wire up, but once we got it working it's been great. Here's a video of mine.
Superhawk Integrated LED tail light - YouTube
I have some generic fleabay flushmount front signals. I got lucky, they've been working great for about a year and a half.
Superhawk Integrated LED tail light - YouTube
I have some generic fleabay flushmount front signals. I got lucky, they've been working great for about a year and a half.
08-17-2011, 07:41 PM
#11
Senior Member
Back Marker
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: San Antonio, Tx.
Posts: 181
Here's a view of my tail, er, my bikes tail. The tail lights & blinkers were intergated with the undertail. I added the brake strobe. Front blinkers are flush mounts. Not the best for visibility, but i always ride as if no one can see me anyway.
08-18-2011, 12:08 PM
#12
Member
Squid
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 84
I also had the volar integrated tail light on my SHawk. It was a biatch to wire up, but once we got it working it's been great. Here's a video of mine.
Superhawk Integrated LED tail light - YouTube
I have some generic fleabay flushmount front signals. I got lucky, they've been working great for about a year and a half.
Superhawk Integrated LED tail light - YouTube
I have some generic fleabay flushmount front signals. I got lucky, they've been working great for about a year and a half.
12-06-2011, 09:12 AM
#13
Senior Member
MotoGP
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: NYC
Posts: 5,033
I like to be seen
Superhawk lights and speedo - YouTube
It cant be ignored at night and have the eastern beaver high voltage headlight wires & relay
Superhawk lights and speedo - YouTube
It cant be ignored at night and have the eastern beaver high voltage headlight wires & relay
12-12-2011, 12:02 AM
#14
Wild Man
Back Marker
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: California Central Coast
Posts: 189
I like to be seen
Superhawk lights and speedo - YouTube
It cant be ignored at night and have the eastern beaver high voltage headlight wires & relay
Superhawk lights and speedo - YouTube
It cant be ignored at night and have the eastern beaver high voltage headlight wires & relay
Right...I agree with SmokinJoe.
Cage drivers always say " I just didn't see him" when they clip a bike.
It beats me why the first thing a motorcyclist does is whack the nice bright signals off their bike for some small cheap *** dim ones.
If you want good looking LED's then get these DOT rated ones.
K&S Technologies Universal LED Turn Signals - Street Bike - Motorcycle Superstore
They are expensive but they are the brightest ones out there and can been seen from many angles.
12-12-2011, 12:19 AM
#15
Moderator
MotoGP
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Gettysburg, Pa
Posts: 5,072
I took off the oem because in my opinion they are butt ugly. That doesn't mean I simply do not care about safety. My lights are VERY frikin bright, even in daylight. I feel safe w/ 'em. I drove up and down my road w/ my wife watching to see if she could see them and I got her ok, which ain't easy mind you.
$125+ for one pair? Too expensive IMO (and no, you can't put a price on not being seen, just to stop that argument). Do you know how much one super bright LED costs? How do they justify raping you of 125 for 2 signals??
$125+ for one pair? Too expensive IMO (and no, you can't put a price on not being seen, just to stop that argument). Do you know how much one super bright LED costs? How do they justify raping you of 125 for 2 signals??
12-12-2011, 07:58 AM
#16
Boosted
SuperSport
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Sioux Falls, SD
Posts: 642
I switched out my front turn signals for some LP Turn 6 units which looked nice, but I have yet to see something brighter than stock that doesn't cost $150+. I went back to OEM signals both front and rear, but did switch out the rear taillight to the Clear Alternatives LED one with integrated signals.
12-26-2011, 02:04 PM
#18
Senior Member
SuperBike
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,116
03-1997 75k+ miles
55/75w H4 driven by own headlight harness/relays with high beam on own headlight modulator with infrared daylight-off sensor circuit (H4 plug ceramic)
3rd eye replaced with 12-LED panel
twin 55w halogen driving lights with own wiring/relay
front turn signals/running lights are LP Type 3 3-wire with own QD polarized connections
rear turn signals/running lights are front OEM with 3rd wire run for running light circuit
tail light is gutted OEM housing/lens converted to 10 LED panel (per Haknslash); installed Optima STL-88RCB (have trim template available); wired using OEM bulb sockets modified to accept 3-wires
rear auxiliary neon brake light license plate surround powered by own transformer & relay triggered by brake light circuit (may switch to LED auxiliary brake light)
Mosfet VR-R from late-model Kawasaki run direct to battery with OEM VR-R input wires to main fuse used in reverse to feed auxiliary 6-circuit fused power panel
fused polarized "D" coaxial QD plug wired to battery to power heated vest (with digital t-stat), own mini-mini air pump & to connect to Battery Tender
alarm system with remote & hidden kill switch to CPU
heated grips with digital T-stat
cigarette plug power socket (mainly for Garmin Nuvi 765T)
hard-wired Cobra radar detector with mono ear jack plug fitted Bluetooth (BT) dongle to connect to mini BT stereo receiver (Garmin also paired) connected to noise canceling foam ear buds
electrical system monitored with on-board LED voltmeter
55/75w H4 driven by own headlight harness/relays with high beam on own headlight modulator with infrared daylight-off sensor circuit (H4 plug ceramic)
3rd eye replaced with 12-LED panel
twin 55w halogen driving lights with own wiring/relay
front turn signals/running lights are LP Type 3 3-wire with own QD polarized connections
rear turn signals/running lights are front OEM with 3rd wire run for running light circuit
tail light is gutted OEM housing/lens converted to 10 LED panel (per Haknslash); installed Optima STL-88RCB (have trim template available); wired using OEM bulb sockets modified to accept 3-wires
rear auxiliary neon brake light license plate surround powered by own transformer & relay triggered by brake light circuit (may switch to LED auxiliary brake light)
Mosfet VR-R from late-model Kawasaki run direct to battery with OEM VR-R input wires to main fuse used in reverse to feed auxiliary 6-circuit fused power panel
fused polarized "D" coaxial QD plug wired to battery to power heated vest (with digital t-stat), own mini-mini air pump & to connect to Battery Tender
alarm system with remote & hidden kill switch to CPU
heated grips with digital T-stat
cigarette plug power socket (mainly for Garmin Nuvi 765T)
hard-wired Cobra radar detector with mono ear jack plug fitted Bluetooth (BT) dongle to connect to mini BT stereo receiver (Garmin also paired) connected to noise canceling foam ear buds
electrical system monitored with on-board LED voltmeter
Last edited by skokievtr; 12-26-2011 at 03:47 PM.
12-26-2011, 03:44 PM
#20
Senior Member
SuperBike
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,116
Low load devices such as the RD & GPS are not an issue but I judiciously select what else I have on depending on priority and monitor the volt meter often. So far, knock on plastic, the stator has been up to the task the last "few" miles LOL
BTW, two "side" questions: Have others found that the starter motor will run with the kill switch off (very handy at times), and that both the high & low beam can be made to go on simultaneously with the high beam switch set between on & off (which I do not recommend doing unless a relay based head light harness is installed, as the high beam switch is not then passing amperage to the bulb)?
BTW, two "side" questions: Have others found that the starter motor will run with the kill switch off (very handy at times), and that both the high & low beam can be made to go on simultaneously with the high beam switch set between on & off (which I do not recommend doing unless a relay based head light harness is installed, as the high beam switch is not then passing amperage to the bulb)?
02-13-2012, 09:14 AM
#21
Senior Member
SuperSport
SuperSport
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Tampa Florida
Posts: 521
I have a volar and this is a video on how to install it
04-07-11 Integrated tail light installation and troubleshooting - YouTube
04-07-11 Integrated tail light installation and troubleshooting - YouTube
06-05-2012, 08:12 AM
#23
Senior Member
MotoGP
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: NYC
Posts: 5,033
I went the opposite way of the profiling indescrete look. I want everyone to see me and wanted huge headlight power. I guess to me function over fashion. This way I get to ride another day & push toward 300k street miles.
Superhawk lights - YouTube
Superhawk lights - YouTube
06-05-2012, 11:25 AM
#25
Retired- but not tired!
SuperBike
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Pittsburgh
Posts: 1,478
I went the opposite way of the profiling indescrete look. I want everyone to see me and wanted huge headlight power. I guess to me function over fashion. This way I get to ride another day & push toward 300k street miles.
Superhawk lights - YouTube
Superhawk lights - YouTube
06-09-2012, 09:21 PM
#27
Seasoned tech
SuperSport
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Issaquah, WA
Posts: 576
I have the integraded tail lights and I'm not a huge fan, though they were on it when I got it. From what my buddy said they aren't super easy to see if you're not straight on during the day but the turn signals are much easier to see at night.
I've also got LED front signals but they aren't dual elements though so the running lights are not on which I'm not real thrilled with either. I'm thinking of running a relay to them so that they are on as running lights then the turn signal flashes them off.
I've also got LED front signals but they aren't dual elements though so the running lights are not on which I'm not real thrilled with either. I'm thinking of running a relay to them so that they are on as running lights then the turn signal flashes them off.
06-10-2012, 05:06 PM
#29
Member
Squid
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 70
Thought id join the band wagon here. Just purchased the Backoff Wigwag module from Signal dynamics. It pulses your brake lights, stock or LED to get peoples attention.
Signal Dynamics | Signal Dynamics Corporation 1-800-785-1814 | Motorcycle Safety Lights | Break Light Signal Module | Motorcycle LED Lighting | Signal Dynamics - Creator of BackOFF
Signal Dynamics | Signal Dynamics Corporation 1-800-785-1814 | Motorcycle Safety Lights | Break Light Signal Module | Motorcycle LED Lighting | Signal Dynamics - Creator of BackOFF
06-10-2012, 06:28 PM
#30
Senior Member
MotoGP
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: NYC
Posts: 5,033
So it will do something like this Superhawk lights and speedo - YouTube
