LED Turn Signal Mirrors

[INfox]

I’m looking into a purchase of LED strips/Turn Signals for my RT mirrors.

I like the 12 inch long strip of the Stay On (SPY225), but don’t care for the all time on feature. The other shorter strip Full view turn signals (SPY202) [not on all the time] look like a better option; although they are shorter.

I am 5-1/2 foot tall (with the stock seat for now) and wonder at the same time if the outside LED strip is a better option, than the inside next to the mirrors application (drilling holes etc). I want to see when the blinker is on, I do not want to be blinded from the mirror reflection of the LEDs installed in the mirrors; and I do want to see the LEDs even if its sunny outside.
I did read many comments on this wonderful forum, just can’t make up my decision due to the inability to go to crowds because of COVID-19.

The kits do not list the LED chip’s nor the IP rating specs. Could anybody, please, tell me, what are they? I gues they are IP65 (Waterproof) rated. Is the SPY202 set possibly a 3014 LED chip?

 

[oldguyinTX]

check out Spyderpops-a sponsor here-and take a look at the mirror LED's. A hint: I installed mine on the bottom of the mirrors as the installation instructions indicate, but found that I could not really see them. They sent me a new set at no charge and I installed them on the TOP of the mirrors, which makes them much more visible. Really easy install, plug and play, with instructions on how to stop hyperflash, a common problem when installing extra lighting. I think you will be very happy with them. They only light up when you are signalling a turn, or when you activate the emergency flashers. A great bang for the buck.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

turn signal LED's

I’m looking into a purchase of LED strips/Turn Signals for my RT mirrors.

I like the 12 inch long strip of the Stay On (SPY225), but don’t care for the all time on feature. The other shorter strip Full view turn signals (SPY202) [not on all the time] look like a better option; although they are shorter.

I am 6-1/2 foot tall (with the stock seat for now) and wonder at the same time if the outside LED strip is a better option, than the inside next to the mirrors application (drilling holes etc). I want to see when the blinker is on, I do not want to be blinded from the mirror reflection of the LEDs installed in the mirrors; and I do want to see the LEDs even if its sunny outside.
I did read many comments on this wonderful forum, just can’t make up my decision due to the inability to go to crowds because of COVID-19.

The kits do not list the LED chip’s nor the IP rating specs. Could anybody, please, tell me, what are they? I gues they are IP65 (Waterproof) rated. Is the SPY202 set possibly a 3014 LED chip?

waaaaaaaaaay back after I bought my 14 RT I added a small LED strip to the mirror housing edge ( mine on the edge closest to the body ) .... I just drilled a small hole in the plastic of the mirror housing and threaded the LED wire into the housing cavity .... stripped the ends and after unplugging the turn signal connection I just put the LED wire ends into the connection and re-connected it..... hasn't failed yet ..... Mike :thumbup: I bought my small strips ( 6 -led's )at BANGOOD.com about $4.00 .....

 

[YIRYDE]

I suggest giving Spyderpops a call, he will help you with the length of the LED’s you want to function as turn signal.

 

[INfox]

Thank you for the replies, each idea and experience counts.

I am not worried about the installation, I did my research on the components already. I prefer not to drill into the mirror enclosures.
There is an excellent DIY video by It's Yours. OWN IT or a good one by Slingmods.com; and one for the SPY202 set.

My main focus is on the thoughts of different people's experiences with different set-ups. The chip quality will have influence on the location and length of the strips, just as the height of the driver. This could help other people as well. COVID-19 will stick around for a while, not being able to sit on other's trikes makes it hard to imagine which set-up would I/we like the best.

II did also check the BANGOOD.com, they sell the short strips, but not the long ones:
6inch Motorcycle Flexible 18 LED Turn Signal Indicator Light Strip Amber Bright US$4.14 ;
12V Pair 6 LED 5050 Motorcycle Strip Turn Signal Indicator Blinker Light Amber US$4.82;
2pcs Universal Amber 6 LED Motorcycle Strip Turn Signal Indicator Blinker Light US$4.22.

The Plug'N Play are easy install at a double of price without knowing the spec's.

One option I thoufht of was to get two 11-1/2 inch 5050 SMD LED strips from eBay @ $22.50 and to buy OEM Style Electrical 2 Pin Socket Connectors $5.95 . This would make it Plug'N Play at a half price and I would know the chip quality.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Thank you for the replies, each idea and experience counts.

I am not worried about the installation, I did my research on the components already. I prefer not to drill into the mirror enclosures.
There is an excellent DIY video by It's Yours. OWN IT or a good one by Slingmods.com; and one for the SPY202 set.

My main focus is on the thoughts of different people's experiences with different set-ups. The chip quality will have influence on the location and length of the strips, just as the height of the driver. This could help other people as well. COVID-19 will stick around for a while, not being able to sit on other's trikes makes it hard to imagine which set-up would I/we like the best.

II did also check the BANGOOD.com, they sell the short strips, but not the long ones:
6inch Motorcycle Flexible 18 LED Turn Signal Indicator Light Strip Amber Bright US$4.14 ;
12V Pair 6 LED 5050 Motorcycle Strip Turn Signal Indicator Blinker Light Amber US$4.82;
2pcs Universal Amber 6 LED Motorcycle Strip Turn Signal Indicator Blinker Light US$4.22.

The Plug'N Play are easy install at a double of price without knowing the spec's.

One option I thoufht of was to get two 11-1/2 inch 5050 SMD LED strips from eBay @ $22.50 and to buy OEM Style Electrical 2 Pin Socket Connectors $5.95 . This would make it Plug'N Play at a half price and I would know the chip quality.

Here's something that you might want to consider about using " longer and or brighter strips ". At night, the strips are going to reflect off the mirror...... What you need to see in the mirror may NOT be as visible as it once was ..... good luck ... Mike :thumbup:

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I used a 3" long strip from Superbright LEDs mounted on the end of the mirror. It's visible from the front, side, and rear.

One thing to consider. Looking out to the mirror to check if the turn signal is on or not requires a deliberate turn of your head to see it. I think a brighter single LED on the dash somewhere will work better to catch your attention and alert you that the signal is on. That you can easily with peripheral vision. The mirror is outside of the main peripheral vision zone. Someone here put a bright LED behind the speaker grills. I think that may be one of the best solutions.

 

[INfox]

Here's something that you might want to consider about using " longer and or brighter strips ". At night, the strips are going to reflect off the mirror...... What you need to see in the mirror may NOT be as visible as it once was ..... good luck ... Mike :thumbup:

Thank you Mike, I want to make sure I understand; even if I would tape the LED's on the outside of the mirrors housing, they would reflect on the inside - on the mirrors? I thought the housing would block the light with the "overhang". If yes, in that case it does not matter where the LED's are installed and it sould be only a visual preference.

 

[INfox]

I used a 3" long strip from Superbright LEDs mounted on the end of the mirror. It's visible from the front, side, and rear.

One thing to consider. Looking out to the mirror to check if the turn signal is on or not requires a deliberate turn of your head to see it. I think a brighter single LED on the dash somewhere will work better to catch your attention and alert you that the signal is on. That you can easily with peripheral vision. The mirror is outside of the main peripheral vision zone. Someone here put a bright LED behind the speaker grills. I think that may be one of the best solutions.

What a great idea. Luckily I see the mirrors within my 90 degree peripheral vision.

I searched for the “bright LED behind the speaker grills” and I think I found the posts: Hey Dummy, your turn signal's on and Mirror Turn Indicators

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Led mirror turn signals

Thank you Mike, I want to make sure I understand; even if I would tape the LED's on the outside of the mirrors housing, they would reflect on the inside - on the mirrors? I thought the housing would block the light with the "overhang". If yes, in that case it does not matter where the LED's are installed and it sould be only a visual preference.

I have seen a lot of pics of where folks have put their LED trn. signal lights .... I can't remember any that were on the outside of the mirror housing....Mine are on the inside ...... I considered doing them in the speaker housing under the grill cover .... but splicing into the trn. signal wires didn't appeal to me...... I did add Red COB type LED rings inside my rear speaker housing to which I had re-placed the OEM grill with a wire mesh one from the JBL speakers I put in there ..... good luck .... Mike :thumbup:

 

[Lew L]

Well, I'll be the outlier here because I went with the Muth mirror system. Yes, it cost more. I've had NO problems with them in over 5 years ( one of the early mods). They are in-obtrusive when off, not too bright at night but bright enough in the day. Look OEM ( or better). Besides, the sequential Fenderz signal lights from TricLED really brighten things up from the side and are visible from the saddle too.

Lew L

 

[BearX16]

I got these plug and play from lamonster garage http://www.lamonstergarage.com/can-am-spyder-rt-longhorn-mirror-led-light-kit-lamonster/ Lights are not in my eyes and and can eye shift to fender to tell if signals are on or night. I thought I had a picture, will take another one.

 

[ThreeWheels]

When I had my 2014, I used these arrows mounted to the mirrors. I connected them directly to the turn signals so the arrows blinked in unison with the signal lights.

Here's a link:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Universal-...nic&brand=Cipa&_trksid=p2485358.c100760.m1850

 

[pegasus1300]

Well, I'll be the outlier here because I went with the Muth mirror system. Yes, it cost more. I've had NO problems with them in over 5 years ( one of the early mods). They are in-obtrusive when off, not too bright at night but bright enough in the day. Look OEM ( or better). Besides, the sequential Fenderz signal lights from TricLED really brighten things up from the side and are visible from the saddle too.

Lew L

It seems that Muth no longer sells these mirrors. I went to their web site and there is nothing listed for a Can Am Spyder of any year or model.

 

[pegasus1300]

3Wheels do your arrows shine back in your eyes very much at night?

 

[ThreeWheels]

3Wheels do your arrows shine back in your eyes very much at night?

Not at all on my 2014. The arrow lights were wired to the turn signals, not the driving lights, so they are only on as blinkers.
I lit up all the reflectors with LEDs. The rear red reflector on the front fenders was lit up as part of that package. I found that reflector to be very distracting at first, but eventually got used to it.
My ultimate solution was to buy a 2020 RT Limited. The arrows on the dash are very visible, so I didn't need any auxiliary turn indicators to know when the turn signals are on.
Having said that, I installed Spyderpops vision kit to light up the reflectors.
There is no rear red reflector for the fenders, so that took care of that problem.
I installed the mirror LED strip on the front of the mirror covers. This strip acts as an always on running light AND a blinking turn signal. By mounting this strip to the front of the mirror, I get several advantages.
1) The strip doesn't shine back in my eyes, so there is no distraction.
2) By mounting it on the front of the mirror, I feel it makes me more visible to oncoming traffic. The running light and turn signals mimics the design of previous model year Spyders.
3) The LED strip acts as a tether in the event the mirror cover works loose. I've seen this problem reported, but haven't experienced it yet.

 

[MONK]

I've got the same LaMonster Longhorn lights that BearX16 mentioned. They do NOT blind you. As a matter of fact, the only part I can see (out of my peripheral vision) is about 3-4 LEDs on the side of the mirror. They're always on (but flash w/the turn signals) but all you see at night is a gentle glow.

 

[FastOldGuy]

I'm surprised they haven't addressed the TURN SIGNAL Indicator Issue. I've been thinking of where and how to add an LED or LED's. I started building LED Sailboat Mast lights in the early 2000's. Climbing 55' to change a 7 watt bulb once a year is for the Birds. I did 120 miles yesterday in front of my Spyder. (GF wanted a "We Ride Separate Bikes"! trip.) The turn signals on the Front of my 2016 are fine. I think a Yellow LED on the front of the fenders would help and naturally the Turn Signal Indicator. I considered adding the backside Mirror option. This might be a Winter project.

 

[Eviltwin]

If all you are trying to do is make the indicator more visible during daylight, you could also just add a bright LED to the dash somewhere. I added a couple of green ones and they are plenty visible during the day..

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I've got the same LaMonster Longhorn lights that BearX16 mentioned. They do NOT blind you. As a matter of fact, the only part I can see (out of my peripheral vision) is about 3-4 LEDs on the side of the mirror. They're always on (but flash w/the turn signals) but all you see at night is a gentle glow.

" always on " .... why ??? ... I wired mine directly into the wiring for the blinker light .... they are ON only when the blinker is working ...... Mike :thumbup: