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Author Topic: LED Light Conversions  (Read 2393 times)

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32Lager

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LED Light Conversions
« on: March 19, 2016, 10:17:27 AM »

Most of us will probably agree that LED lighting is one of the best safety upgrades we can do to our motorcycles. The original headlight and spotlights on my 2009 provide a lot less visibility than the newer models so I'm ready for an improvement. I've been searching for the best (or most popular) conversion options but I have yet to find one forum thread or website that includes most or all of our options and comparisons. Information and opinions are scattered so I've created this thread in hopes of consolidation. This thread title should help while searching and if everyone could share their choice and experiences, that would be great. If someone could also add a list to this thread for polling, please do.

Here are the options I've found.
Fixture replacements:
HD Daymaker: http://www.harley-davidson.com/shop/motorcycle-lights
JW Speaker: http://www.jwspeaker.com/
Kuryakyn Phase 7: http://www.kuryakyn.com/products/4205/dot-compliant-phase-7-led-headlamps
Truck-lite: http://www.amazon.com/Truck-lite-Headlight-Drive-Harley-Davidson-Touring/dp/B00Q0TIGSS
Vortex Vision X: http://www.visionxusa.com/product/automotive/7-vortex-led-headlight/

Bulb Conversions:
SoCal Moto Gear: http://www.socalmotogear.com/category-s/36.htm
Fuel Moto: http://www.fuelmotousa.com/c-1205572-lighting-electrical.html
DK Custom: http://www.dkcustomproducts.com/Lights_c98.htm

The questions I have are this:
Do the newer Kuryakyn or Truck-Lite headlights still require an additional trim ring ?
What conversions require wiring upgrades ?

Thanks in advance for your cooperation...
« Last Edit: March 22, 2016, 05:09:16 PM by 32Lager »
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ATGuinness

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Re: LED Light Conversions
« Reply #1 on: March 19, 2016, 01:56:30 PM »

You'll have to make allowances for me here, it's been 6 or 7 years since I converted everything to LED's and the '15 came with them, so my information may be dated.

As I remember, my '09 ultra came with an H4 bulb in the headlight and H3s in the spots.  The Kuryakyn headlights (at least the ones I installed when I got the bike home) required nothing extra.  They were a direct replacement for the 7" QI units.  I imagine the new ones are as well.

None of my conversions required wiring upgrades.  I did have to play with the plug connection when I replaced the spots on my '03, but that changed with the Kuryakyns I put on the '09.  They were a direct replacement.

Finally, if I remember correctly, (Here comes the disclaimer.  I haven't checked in the last few years.) JW Speaker makes H-D's lights and Truck-Lite manufactures for Kuryakyn, so go where you get the best deal on the one you like most.
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Para Bellum

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Re: LED Light Conversions
« Reply #2 on: March 19, 2016, 07:35:06 PM »

Finally, if I remember correctly, (Here comes the disclaimer.  I haven't checked in the last few years.) JW Speaker makes H-D's lights and Truck-Lite manufactures for Kuryakyn, so go where you get the best deal on the one you like most.
Been a few years for me too, but also think that's correct.
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Re: LED Light Conversions
« Reply #3 on: March 19, 2016, 09:30:59 PM »

Just a nugget of info. JW Speaker makes the HD Daymaker.  So.... to save a few pennies, if you don't mind it not saying "HD" behind the lens, do that. I have JW Speaker in my Jeep JK also. They are a Magnificent product. 
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32Lager

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Re: LED Light Conversions
« Reply #4 on: March 20, 2016, 02:35:48 AM »

Thanks for your info. I found this Truck-Lite to JW Speaker comparison (with pictures). These guys prefer Truck-Lite so I'm leaning that way but the one thing that bugs me is the trim ring issue. Almost everyone says they stick out beyond the OE trim ring. Why the heck don't they make them fit like the original headlight ???

http://bogiesreviews.webs.com/Review%20-%20Phase%207%20LED%20Headlights%20&%20Passing%20Lamps.pdf
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ATGuinness

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Re: LED Light Conversions
« Reply #5 on: March 20, 2016, 05:42:26 PM »

Thanks for your info. I found this Truck-Lite to JW Speaker comparison (with pictures). These guys prefer Truck-Lite so I'm leaning that way but the one thing that bugs me is the trim ring issue. Almost everyone says they stick out beyond the OE trim ring. Why the heck don't they make them fit like the original headlight ???

I haven't had optics since school, but my best guess is that the engineers can't get the desired beam pattern and projection without extending the lens a little from the reflector.  It does protrude about .75" beyond the trim ring.  I was unsure about it too, but decided early on that enhanced visibility was more important than appearance.  It really doesn't look all that bad.  I actually had to go out and look at mine because I'd completely forgotten about it. 
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32Lager

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Re: LED Light Conversions
« Reply #6 on: March 21, 2016, 09:10:15 PM »

If it does stick out, I've been considering the visor style trim ring. http://www.harley-davidson.com/store/visor-style-headlamp-trim-ring-pa-11-6973305--1



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32Lager

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Re: LED Light Conversions
« Reply #7 on: March 22, 2016, 05:08:50 PM »

I added a link to the first post for the Vortex Vision X headlight which includes an integrated LED halo. It might be the brightest one out there because you're able to run the low and high beam together.

This video review was done by Headlight Revolution. He includes a bunch of different LED headlights. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mr4Qw0lUgDI

This is another one of their videos focused on the Vision X. At the end, he does a comparison with JW Speaker: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pkkm0KXMP4
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