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Incandescent vs. LED Taillight Comparison

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  • #1

    Incandescent vs. LED Taillight Comparison

    So, a few of you asked me to post the results of my swap from the original 1157 incandescent bulb to the LED Dual Function Motorcycle Tail/Brake & License Plate Lamp from superbrightleds.com.


    Here goes.... (Keep in mind, the camera does exaggerate the differences quite a bit, also the light conditions and shooting distances are not as consistent as I would have liked, but you get the general idea.)

    Original 1157 taillight


    New LED taillight


    Original 1157 brake and taillight


    New LED brake and taillight


    So as expected, the LED's are not as bright as the incandescent bulb, but they are bright enough to be seen in the day light, and save valuable amps which is a big help especially with stop and go city driving.
    It's also worth pointing out that my bike has the single bulb light, so for those of you running the two bulb fixture, IMHO I don't think you should have any reservations about making the switch.
    Pat K

    80 XS11 "Special" Standard
    (80G chassis & engine w/ 79 SG lights and cluster)

    79 XS650 (engine currently squeals like a stuck pig.)

    72 Plymouth Satellite (met an unpaved manhole collar, which it managed to tear out of the street, currently has some "issues")

    04 Current Designs Solstice GT XL Kayak (I like it because it doesn't have carbs, or any other moving parts)
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Great stuff

    Hey PatK : I also have LED's in the tailight (two of them) from MIkesxs. Just a note I just installed to more LED's self contained units hooked to the brake light only mounted with velcro on my saddlebags & that extra two little lights (they are every small chrome ones about the size of a silver dollar or cdn loonie) This extra makes the world of difference when you hit the brakes & now I wouldn't ride without them. Just wanted to get that out there for anyone who does the LED change for the tailight, extra's are okay as no power drain increase - Dan
    '81 XS1100 LH - Midnight Special - been lookin' a long time for this one.
    1179 big bore kit, 80SG motor
    Rebuilt head, valves
    TC Bros Forward Controls (Brass Pegs)
    Tkat Fork Brace
    T.C. Spade Fuse Box
    Dyna Coils & wires
    Mikesxs shocks,controls,& bars (special)
    ISO grips with stelleto ends
    4 into 1 black Bassani exhaust
    Bridgestone Spitfires
    Tuned by Tinman905
    & a will to keep it.

    Comment

    • #3
      Originally posted by patk12345 View Post
      It's also worth pointing out that my bike has the single bulb light, so for those of you running the two bulb fixture, IMHO I don't think you should have any reservations about making the switch.
      My bike has the double bulbs at the back and, personally, I would not recommend switching. The brake lights in daylight, particularly sunny days, were just not bright enough to alert drivers behind me that I was slowing or stopping. My LED bulbs had the max number of diodes available, even round the edge of the bulb, and they were still nowhere near as good as filament bulbs..... I fitted them, tested them and then removed them..... My bulbs were not from superbrightleds though, so maybe they weren't as good. THey were packed with diodes though and looked the part.
      XS1100F 1980 European model. Standard. Dyna coils. Iridium plugs. XS750 final drive (sometimes). Micron fork brace. Progressive front springs. Geezer regulator/rectifier. Stainless 4 into 2 exhaust. Auto CCT (Venturer 1300) SOLD. New project now on the go. 1980 European model.

      Comment

      • #4
        Originally posted by James England View Post
        My bike has the double bulbs at the back and, personally, I would not recommend switching. The brake lights in daylight, particularly sunny days, were just not bright enough to alert drivers behind me that I was slowing or stopping. My LED bulbs had the max number of diodes available, even round the edge of the bulb, and they were still nowhere near as good as filament bulbs..... I fitted them, tested them and then removed them..... My bulbs were not from superbrightleds though, so maybe they weren't as good. THey were packed with diodes though and looked the part.
        It's not just about the number of LED's, but also the number of lumens reach individual diode puts out. That number is constantly increasing and different brands having different light levels. I'm pretty please with the ones I got from Kragen Auto which are very bright. However, they have some drawbacks compared to some of the others, one being that they CANNOT be mixed in the same circuit with incandescent bulbs, as you lose the dual brightness in that situation as they don't use two sets of diodes, but do two levels of brightness with a single set of diodes, but they are very bright and very visible. I think it also helps that I don't depend on just the stock tail light, but have the 4 additional lights of the vetter trunk as well.
        Cy

        1980 XS1100G (Brutus) w/81H Engine
        Duplicolor Mirage Paint Job (Purple/Green)
        Vetter Windjammer IV
        Vetter hard bags & Trunk
        OEM Luggage Rack
        Jardine Spaghetti 4-2 exhaust system
        Spade Fuse Box
        Turn Signal Auto Cancel Mod
        750 FD Mod
        TC Spin on Oil Filter Adapter (temp removed)
        XJ1100 Front Footpegs
        XJ1100 Shocks

        I was always taught to respect my elders, but it keeps getting harder to find one.

        Comment

        • #5
          @Dan

          Thanks for the info, I'll have to take look at Mike's selection.
          Pat K

          80 XS11 "Special" Standard
          (80G chassis & engine w/ 79 SG lights and cluster)

          79 XS650 (engine currently squeals like a stuck pig.)

          72 Plymouth Satellite (met an unpaved manhole collar, which it managed to tear out of the street, currently has some "issues")

          04 Current Designs Solstice GT XL Kayak (I like it because it doesn't have carbs, or any other moving parts)

          Comment

          • #6
            Originally posted by patk12345 View Post
            @Dan

            Thanks for the info, I'll have to take look at Mike's selection.
            Superbright LED's also has some that are pretty large size wise that still plug into the normal socket but are larger so have more diodes so are brighter and cover more area. Those might also work better than the ones that are the same size as a normal bulb. It would be nice to get some almost the same size as the brake light, that would give some real light output back there.
            Cy

            1980 XS1100G (Brutus) w/81H Engine
            Duplicolor Mirage Paint Job (Purple/Green)
            Vetter Windjammer IV
            Vetter hard bags & Trunk
            OEM Luggage Rack
            Jardine Spaghetti 4-2 exhaust system
            Spade Fuse Box
            Turn Signal Auto Cancel Mod
            750 FD Mod
            TC Spin on Oil Filter Adapter (temp removed)
            XJ1100 Front Footpegs
            XJ1100 Shocks

            I was always taught to respect my elders, but it keeps getting harder to find one.

            Comment

            • #7
              In their MARINE and other applications bulbs, they have an 1157 bulb base wired to a separate 36 LED array that can be positioned inside the reflector housing so that they are pointing straight backwards towards the rear!



              T.C.
              T. C. Gresham
              81SH "Godzilla" . . .1179cc super-rat.
              79SF "The Teacher" . . .basket case!
              History shows again and again,
              How nature points out the folly of men!

              Comment

              • #8
                I wish those lights had longer wires on those panel lights.
                Nathan
                KD9ARL

                μολὼν λαβέ

                1978 XS1100E
                K&N Filter
                #45 pilot Jet, #137.5 Main Jet
                OEM Exhaust
                ATK Fork Brace
                LED Dash lights
                Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Volt Meters
                Green Monster Coils
                SS Brake Lines
                Vision 550 Auto Tensioner

                In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

                Theodore Roosevelt

                Comment

                • #9
                  @TopCat
                  The marine version is definitely tempting, but the SBL motorcycle 1157 has that ring of white LED's to illuminate the plate.

                  Do you have a link to that marine bulb? I couldn't seem to find it on their website.
                  Pat K

                  80 XS11 "Special" Standard
                  (80G chassis & engine w/ 79 SG lights and cluster)

                  79 XS650 (engine currently squeals like a stuck pig.)

                  72 Plymouth Satellite (met an unpaved manhole collar, which it managed to tear out of the street, currently has some "issues")

                  04 Current Designs Solstice GT XL Kayak (I like it because it doesn't have carbs, or any other moving parts)

                  Comment

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