The Truth about LED bulbs - Don't Buy LED Bulbs Before Watching This!

[Steve W.]

Interesting. When I went to buy led bulbs for my GMC Canyon on HR's website, there was a cautionary note wrapped in legal mumbo jumbo, that said basically the headlights aren't legal per DOT to be used on-road. But their video promotes them for the truck. I've since researched this issue a little and it seems aftermarket LEDs are too bright for current highway use because of outdated regulations ...

Although there might be something about brightness, the real issue is mentioned in that video from Headlight Revolution. The source of light (the LED emitters) might not be in the same place as the incandescent filament. That is going to put the source out of the focal point of the reflector, yielding unknown results in the light pattern on the road. Usually, it causes a LOT of glare for oncoming drivers.

Actually, I wish there was universal enforcement. I sure get tired of being blinded by oncoming vehicles (usually jacked up trucks) blinding me with their low beams!

Keep in mind that you can be blinded by the STOCK lights, too, if they are not adjusted properly.

Don’t forget all the passenger cars and their so called driving lights....both of these should be called BLINDING LIGHTS!

The stock DRLs (Daytime Running Lights) on my van use the high beam lights, but at a lower intensity. Since they come on when the key is turned on, and remain on until the headlights are turned on, the only way I can prevent that is to run with my regular low beams and marker lights all the time. Sorry, but that's not going to happen.

.

[cravenfun]

I pulled out the LED headlights that were in my used purchased F3 and put in HID's. LED had junk high beams and weak low beams, brand unknown.
H4 kit is a little more involved but I'm a gearhead so no issues for me. I've been using HID in my snowmobiles for 10 yrs now and no issues.
I've tried LED's and none of them work properly in a filament bulb style housing like a filament HID bulb.
Vehicle fleet is HID converted also.
I'm a nut on proper aiming so save the flames.

[UtahPete]

I think this thread is about finding the right LED solution, with the understanding that many factors are in play and just swapping in a cheap LED bulb for a halogen isn't necessarily going to work.

HID is an old, expensive technology with its own technical issues, such as delay in the response time, high amperage draw, different reflector requirements and so on. It's not the direction that advancements in lighting are going, I believe.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I think this thread is about finding the right LED solution, with the understanding that many factors are in play and just swapping in a cheap LED bulb for a halogen isn't necessarily going to work.

HID is an old, expensive technology with its own technical issues, such as delay in the response time, high amperage draw, different reflector requirements and so on. It's not the direction that advancements in lighting are going, I believe.

....and that's one of the reasons I posted my experience with the " Fahren " brand.... Mine are 16,000 Lumens ( Fahren makes others that are brighter ) & even with iffy Night Vision I think they are great ..... JMHO ./... good luck .... Mike

[svspyder]

What year/model did you install these on? Amazon fitment says they won't work on my 2015 RT-S SE6. Thanks

[UtahPete]

What year/model did you install these on? Amazon fitment says they won't work on my 2015 RT-S SE6. Thanks

Go by Fahren's replacement guide. You'll need to know the OEM bulb designator e.g. 9005/HB3

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

What year/model did you install these on? Amazon fitment says they won't work on my 2015 RT-S SE6. Thanks

You didn't " Reply With Quote " .... but if the question was for me ... I did this on my 2014 RT .... I think they said it wouldn't fit mine either ... but obviously it did ..... I don't think " Fahren " even knows Spyders exist. .... The company deals with mostly auto's .... To the best of my knowledge ALL 9005 / HB-3 bulbs / LED's have the same BASE .... good luck ... Mike

[svspyder]

You didn't " Reply With Quote " .... but if the question was for me ... I did this on my 2014 RT .... I think they said it wouldn't fit mine either ... but obviously it did ..... I don't think " Fahren " even knows Spyders exist. .... The company deals with mostly auto's .... To the best of my knowledge ALL 9005 / HB-3 bulbs / LED's have the same BASE .... good luck ... Mike

thanks, still trying to get the hang of proper thread process!

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

thanks, still trying to get the hang of proper thread process!

No problem, when I joined in 2012 I didn't know how to even talk on a forum .... I was using all caps and got immediately spanked by a few folks here

[askitee]

This clip echos some of the issues I found. I investigated many many brands/types and tried a few brands of LED but none did the job. Even some of those recommended as suited to Spyders don't really do that much better.

Some things I learnt

• Some drivers simply wont fit inside the sealed plastic housing
• Some bulbs incorporated the driver and sink, fitted ok (JW Speaker)
• I wondered about the impact of a sealed plastic housing would have on the ability for a heat sink or fan to really cool what it needed to cool
• I was lucky that my car has the same bulbs as the '17RTL so I could swap. It came down to the manufacture of the reflector that determined how effective the LEDs were.
• Corresponding with some manufacturers (Phillips, PIA, JW Speaker, OSRAM) was helpful - they were honest enough to say don't use our product on your RTL
• That when a bulb was tested in my '17RTL, no matter how bad the result was, when fitted to my Car the LED gave s%^t loads of light, and both are Projector type housings with plastic encased surrounds.

When I spoke with Lexus (my car is a Lexus) they said "LED's have been around a long time now and the headlights in your 2012 IS were designed to accommodate them, if your Bike doesn't the manufacturer needs a kick on the derriere"

We in Aus have our low beams where US/Canada have their fog lights (either side of the Frunk). I wish I had the testicular fortitude to bake a headlight from an RTL and see if I can fit different internals like these guys at HR have..

Late edit -
1. I did get a better outcome for my High beams from PIA, with some bulbs that had a 5deg title on the filaments, this was an improvement on the OEM candles my RTL had.
2. I dont care what technology I use, I just want better illumination at the front, not the underside of overhead bridges, or so short I can spit further, or so narrow I have to walk the roadside to make sure no furry critters are there ready to run into me.

[ulflyer]

Just replaced one in my F3 that seems to be same intensity as original OEM which is what I wanted: # 9003, $14 from Walmart.

[Frostbyte]

I haven't gotten around to converting my headlights to LED yet, but I added a set of Pencil Beam Driving Lights on custom mounts I fabricated, switched and wired up to my High Beams through a relay. I do a lot of night riding in the country so lighting is important and these have done wonders for me.

https://www.cyclopsadventuresports.c...ound_p_10.html

[SportsterDoc]

I had this in my Triumph and now in my Yamaha Bolt

https://www.amazon.com/AUXITO-Motorc.../dp/B07T4H4FR3

I have these in my Nissan Frontier

https://www.amazon.com/AUXITO-Headli.../dp/B09TT597F1

If 9005 is needed, consider these

https://www.amazon.com/AUXITO-9005-H...NsaWNrPXRydWU=

Very bright, never had an on-coming vehicle flash their lights, as the pattern is excellent.

[UtahPete]

I had this in my Triumph and now in my Yamaha Bolt

https://www.amazon.com/AUXITO-Motorc.../dp/B07T4H4FR3

I have these in my Nissan Frontier

https://www.amazon.com/AUXITO-Headli.../dp/B09TT597F1

If 9005 is needed, consider these

https://www.amazon.com/AUXITO-9005-H...NsaWNrPXRydWU=

Very bright, never had an on-coming vehicle flash their lights, as the pattern is excellent.

With respect to the original post on this thread, I note the 9005 bulb has the recommended chip pattern and the recommended fan, but the driver is built into the base and cannot be used as daylight running lights. So, not recommended for motorcycle use apparently.

[cravenfun]

With respect to the original post on this thread, I note the 9005 bulb has the recommended chip pattern and the recommended fan, but the driver is built into the base and cannot be used as daylight running lights. So, not recommended for motorcycle use apparently.

Automotive daytime running headlights lights run on 1/2 or reduced power. That's why they say no DRL use as running on low voltage will hurt them.
On cycles the headlights are on at full power all the time so they should be fine.

[UtahPete]

Automotive daytime running headlights lights run on 1/2 or reduced power. That's why they say no DRL use as running on low voltage will hurt them. On cycles the headlights are on at full power all the time so they should be fine.

Thank you. I did not know that.

[BearX16]

... I bought 9005 / HB3, they fit fine ..... good luck ... Mike ..... I suggest you try the above Fahren LED's ... I don't do much Night riding, because of Night Blindness ( 75 yrs. old ) .... but when I do these bulbs light up the road very,very well

The lights arrived today. Are the plugs plug and play or does the plug on the RT need to be changed?

Thanks Fred

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

The lights arrived today. Are the plugs plug and play or does the plug on the RT need to be changed?

Thanks Fred

Glad I caught this post ..... I didn't have to change anything .... so yes plug-n -play..... What exactly did you get ????? ...Mike

[BearX16]

Glad I caught this post ..... I didn't have to change anything .... so yes plug-n -play..... What exactly did you get ????? ...Mike

I got the 9005 HB3 from Amazon. On another note I've got the Quatrac 5 on the front and Altimax on the rear, with 10K on them. The wear is minimal and the handling greatly improved. Thanks for all the tips and ideas, all I have to do now is convince myself that I want to start removing panels.

[PMK]

I got the 9005 HB3 from Amazon. On another note I've got the Quatrac 5 on the front and Altimax on the rear, with 10K on them. The wear is minimal and the handling greatly improved. Thanks for all the tips and ideas, all I have to do now is convince myself that I want to start removing panels.

Swapping headlight bulbs on a Spyder RT is not to difficult for a person with average or better than average mechanical skills and correct tools for the job. Suggest, you might purchase the applicable maintenance manual and read as needed the tasks before attempting them.
If your confidence in your mechanical ability or lack of tools holds you back, maybe find another local owner to help. Feed them lunch and beer and you should be good to go.

[2dogs]

Swapping headlight bulbs on a Spyder RT is not to difficult for a person with average or better than average mechanical skills and correct tools for the job. Suggest, you might purchase the applicable maintenance manual and read as needed the tasks before attempting them.
If your confidence in your mechanical ability or lack of tools holds you back, maybe find another local owner to help. Feed them lunch and beer and you should be good to go.

But that top screw requires exceptional dexterity.

[PMK]

But that top screw requires exceptional dexterity.

BearX has a Gen 1 body style 2014 RTS based on his photo. Not quite sure which top screw you are referring to. Never had an issue just using a proper length 1/4 drive extension and socket. As I mentioned, and not focused at you 2Dogs, this task is average or slightly above average skills to get the headlights removed and reinstalled with no damage or issues with the high beam shutters. Not so much difficult, but more involved than a screw change.

[svspyder]

Just did the swap on my 2015 RT-S. Lost one of my eyebrow torx screws in an opening just above the back of the frunk. Had to replace out of backup stock. Anyone know of where it went or if it will show up again someday?? If you can locate the area I mentioned, you might want to stuff a rag in it before starting on the eyebrow.

[PMK]

Just did the swap on my 2015 RT-S. Lost one of my eyebrow torx screws in an opening just above the back of the frunk. Had to replace out of backup stock. Anyone know of where it went or if it will show up again someday?? If you can locate the area I mentioned, you might want to stuff a rag in it before starting on the eyebrow.

So far, in the many times I have removed those panels, I have yet to not find every screw if dropped.
Ironic, the last time apart, and far more than accessing headlights, I found the screw the dealer lost a while back when doing some warranty work, it was either replacing all DESS components including key switch, or it was when they replaced the left side paddle shift assembly.
So upon reassembly, reinstalled the correct screw replacing their same but shiny screw the dealer installed.

[2dogs]

BearX has a Gen 1 body style 2014 RTS based on his photo. Not quite sure which top screw you are referring to. Never had an issue just using a proper length 1/4 drive extension and socket. As I mentioned, and not focused at you 2Dogs, this task is average or slightly above average skills to get the headlights removed and reinstalled with no damage or issues with the high beam shutters. Not so much difficult, but more involved than a screw change.

Next time I enter that cave I think I going to use the magnetic extension trick. On a scale of 1 to 10, it's at least a 5.