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Hey guys I have been absent for a minute but still riding the VTR daily & still have my beloved single sided swingarm B bike.
Can someone tell me of a good buy not expensive LED bulb? I tried one of the halo type ones but it only puts out light on the top half of it.
Anyway lay it on me. Links if possible. Thanks.
I've got the Cyclops Ultra. It meets one of your criteria. It's good.
Steve, does it really light as they show in their images? Meaning no or little run off? Cause my led light has an abrupt run off and I don't really like that riding country roads.
Is run off the same as cut off? Meaning looking more like a spot and less like a flood? I would say their pictures are pretty accurate. I'm actually surprised no one has brighted me. Friends have told me my high beam is really bright in their mirrors even in daylight. I'll try to go out tonight and get some pics.
Actually, I would have to say reality is better than their pictures. The amount of light is a bit exaggerated due to the camera exposure, but this gives you a good idea of the light pattern and coverage. And the amount of light probably isn't exaggerated as much as you think it is.
In each pair of pics, low beam is first, then high beam. The section of road is level and quite dark. The light from the farm on the right really isn't providing any illumination on the road.
I have the same bulb and it is better than they claim. I've tried 6 different LEDs and this one is best IMHO. The TRS HID Bi zenon was better but to heavy for the OEM headlight shell. It destroyed the adjustment mounts in about 2k miles.
Like their website says, it has a removable base plate and, as I recall, that made it easier to install with the headlight in place. I don't have nightmares about installing it, so it must not have been too difficult. I think I may have done it when I had the guage cluster out to install LEDs.
Last edited by VTR1000F; Aug 10, 2021 at 12:25 PM.
Thanks! I've been tasked with installing some LED's at the shop that we just could not make fit. I've used the removable base plate type before and they seem to work great.
Another option would be a HID lens projector kit (lens + bulb + ballast). Have had great results in the past (didn't bother for the VTR). Only downside is that you have to take the headlight apart to fit the lens.
Thanks for this link.
This will be going into the bike and have a nice safety factor for the day and good visibility at night.
Looks like a great product. Thanks. 👍🙏🏽
So the LEDs I've tried have that super sharp cut off on the top. One actually only emitted light from the top of the bulb which reflects down. Gonna look at the cyclops. How long have you had it in? Would hope it would last but many dont.
Also do the bulb emitters aim up and down or on the sides? It doesnt seem to emit as much light aiming to the sides of the reflector on the VTR.
Last edited by smokinjoe73; Aug 15, 2021 at 05:09 AM.
So the LEDs I've tried have that super sharp cut off on the top. One actually only emitted light from the top of the bulb which reflects down. Gonna look at the cyclops. How long have you had it in? Would hope it would last but many dont.
Also do the bulb emitters aim up and down or on the sides? It doesnt seem to emit as much light aiming to the sides of the reflector on the VTR.
The cyclops led lamp uses the Cree led's which is pretty much the benchmark in led technology for longevity and brightness for the given power they use.
I used to be a Cree dealer selling led technology for industrial applications and home and they're pretty much the best made.
I really don't thing you'll have to worry about it burning out unless you're having serious issues with the electrical system of the bike and even than the Cree power supplies have circuits which would prevent over voltage and under voltage from causing premature death of the led.
Really great product and one of the reasons why I'm getting one got my 'Hawk.
Good luck. 👍
The images above are a bit distorted respecting brightness due to the camera exposure, etc. as mentioned above. Not terribly, but a bit. I would say it's more distorted on the roadway as I imagine that surface is more reflective than the grass, etc. on the shoulders and in the ditches. I would say the camera (phone) exposed for the roadway making the sides look darker than reality, but if you zoom in, you can see the sides are still well and evenly illuminated.
The emitters are on the sides of the installed bulb. Pictures below where I was also able to capture the octopus finger monster loose in my garage.
I've been running the bulb since last September and a bit more than 2,000 miles, so, not that long.
So my other concern is that with most LED bulbs I feel like my bike is invisible to cars since it aims so low even on high beam. Can someone look from the front to see if it appears very dim compared to stock?
I got LEDs for my 2 4 wheel vehicles and had none of these issues, maybe its the reflector shape of the VTR?
OKOK I think I am sold. I will try it after my trip. I was also reading up on Lightening dark brand bulbs. Dont think they will fit in our low clearance application.
