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Brake light bulbs

Neez

New member
I changed out a brake light bulb today. IMHO, this chore involves way too much hassel, especially if you have Givi bags and racks. I did it in my garage, so no big problem, but it is not something I would want to do roadside in dirty weather. And if you don't, Mother VCM will set a fault which will put you into Limp Mode. I wonder if there is a lighting modification that makes this job quick and easy?
 
Limp Mode?

I've changed both of my brake lights the left last September and the right 2 weeks ago. Did not enter limp mode either time.
 
I changed out a brake light bulb today. IMHO, this chore involves way too much hassel, especially if you have Givi bags and racks. I did it in my garage, so no big problem, but it is not something I would want to do roadside in dirty weather. And if you don't, Mother VCM will set a fault which will put you into Limp Mode. I wonder if there is a lighting modification that makes this job quick and easy?

You could replace them with LED units from NMN - shouldn't burn out in your lifetime.
 
I've changed both of my brake lights the left last September and the right 2 weeks ago. Did not enter limp mode either time.
Yeah, I have been checking back through some of the older posts. Magic man states that you have to burn both bulbs before limp mode happens. I believe him (and you), even though the shop manual says otherwise, page 394. It's a relief to know. Some of the places I like to ride are pretty remote.
 
How do you know? (Somebody had to do it) :D
After putting sport rack/backrest on then testing everything a few hours before riding to Homecoming last year had to take it all half apart to replace right rear good thing I have small hands I was able to cheat :shemademe_smilie:back rest that is:ohyea:
 
You could replace them with LED units from NMN - shouldn't burn out in your lifetime.

That's the way to go. I looked around the site, I did not see that option, but one call to Evan should hook you up. I did find an interesting fact while looking on the site:

"LEDs illuminate .20 of a second faster than standard incandescent bulbs." This provides a longer time for other vehicles to react when you signal to turn. At 65mph this equates to an additional 17 ft of distance for other vehicles to react."

This refers to the signals, but in brake lights, even better. Seventeen feet would be the difference of a car stopping behind you, or plowing thru you.

Good to preorder these things and have them on hand to swap out when the stock bulb/s go or a rainy day, whichever comes first.
 
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in my experience, two LED bulbs in the rear caused the VSS issue and full on limp mode.

Having just one LED and one bulb was ok for many miles, but the fear of having the one bulb blow on me brought me to going back to two bulbs full time.

Every time one of these m&th3r F*ck3rs blows out, I'm tempted to just run the Spyder off a cliff and fake an insurance claim. It's such a pain in @ss to get in there and now with the kewlmetal rack, its a 60-90 minute procedure.

If you're standing behind the Spyder and looking ahead to the tail;
Seems like the right one pops 3-4 times, then the left one pops and the sequence starts all over again. I have lost track of how many I have swapped out. I've tried diffferent brands, I had some shipped from Europe, I tried "Heavy Duty" bulbs from a truck supplier...... nothing.

One just popped last week. Seems like I have to swap one out every 4-7 weeks.:gaah:

If it was a nice simple proccess, I would not have fantasies of throwing a stick of dynamite in the gas tank. I could just purchase a box of bulbs and swap them out... Instead I have to perform surgery. URGH!!
 
Strange, I only have 13,000 + miles on my Spyder but I've never had to replace a bulb yet.
 
I was told the other day that my plate light was out. But I do have a brake light. Are these bulbs double element like our 1157 for our cars and bikes??:chat:
 
I was told the other day that my plate light was out. But I do have a brake light. Are these bulbs double element like our 1157 for our cars and bikes??:chat:
The license plate light is a single element bulb, although I don't remember which. Be careful putting the screw back in. It is short, and easily lost. I recommend Loctite. You can't replace just a lost lens, you have to repolace the entire light assembly if you lose the screw and lens on the road somewhere.
-Scotty
velo.gif
 
in my experience, two LED bulbs in the rear caused the VSS issue and full on limp mode.

Having just one LED and one bulb was ok for many miles, but the fear of having the one bulb blow on me brought me to going back to two bulbs full time.

Every time one of these m&th3r F*ck3rs blows out, I'm tempted to just run the Spyder off a cliff and fake an insurance claim. It's such a pain in @ss to get in there and now with the kewlmetal rack, its a 60-90 minute procedure.

If you're standing behind the Spyder and looking ahead to the tail;
Seems like the right one pops 3-4 times, then the left one pops and the sequence starts all over again. I have lost track of how many I have swapped out. I've tried diffferent brands, I had some shipped from Europe, I tried "Heavy Duty" bulbs from a truck supplier...... nothing.

One just popped last week. Seems like I have to swap one out every 4-7 weeks.:gaah:

If it was a nice simple proccess, I would not have fantasies of throwing a stick of dynamite in the gas tank. I could just purchase a box of bulbs and swap them out... Instead I have to perform surgery. URGH!!


The NMN Led untis will not cause Limp mode----
 
The NMN Led untis will not cause Limp mode----

I agree...

Everyone here, just get the NMN products and you won't have to worry about a thing...it's absurd to have to replace bulbs all the time...NMN has it all figured out and installation is quite manageable. Once you have PROPER LEDs, there's no going back!
 
in my experience, two LED bulbs in the rear caused the VSS issue and full on limp mode.

Having just one LED and one bulb was ok for many miles, but the fear of having the one bulb blow on me brought me to going back to two bulbs full time.

Every time one of these m&th3r F*ck3rs blows out, I'm tempted to just run the Spyder off a cliff and fake an insurance claim. It's such a pain in @ss to get in there and now with the kewlmetal rack, its a 60-90 minute procedure.

If you're standing behind the Spyder and looking ahead to the tail;
Seems like the right one pops 3-4 times, then the left one pops and the sequence starts all over again. I have lost track of how many I have swapped out. I've tried diffferent brands, I had some shipped from Europe, I tried "Heavy Duty" bulbs from a truck supplier...... nothing.

One just popped last week. Seems like I have to swap one out every 4-7 weeks.:gaah:

If it was a nice simple proccess, I would not have fantasies of throwing a stick of dynamite in the gas tank. I could just purchase a box of bulbs and swap them out... Instead I have to perform surgery. URGH!!
Nickaro, if I am reading the older posts correctly, NMN has a added bit of circuitry in their device which tricks the VCM into thinking it is dealing with the stock bulbs. Without this, Mother knows, and punishes you with limp mode. Forgive my simplistic description, electronics are really a mystery to me. Suggest you contact NMN.
 
To the best of my knowledge, NMN does not make LED replacements for the rear stock tail/brake light bulbs.

The Triple Play includes the logic box and loads for converting the turn signals... not the stock tail/brake light bulbs. And, they are great along with the center LED light!

.
 
To the best of my knowledge, NMN does not make LED replacements for the rear stock tail/brake light bulbs.

The Triple Play includes the logic box and loads for converting the turn signals... not the stock tail/brake light bulbs. And, they are great along with the center LED light!

.
:agree:
 
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