The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2
Technical Discussion => BMW Technical Q&A, Primarily R65 => Topic started by: John M on March 13, 2013, 04:26:08 PM
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Anyone have first hand knowledge of the best Led's for rear turn signals
86 R65 and 84 R80 ST. There seems to be a plethora of choices re: numbers of Led's and configuration
Best Regards John
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You want the color of the LED, to match the color of the lens .
Also, if you decide to install LED lamps for turn directionals, you need to add a resistor for each lamp, or get a flasher relay that is made for LED's .
LED"s don't draw enough current to properly operate a standard flasher relay .
If you go with LED's for just the rear turn directionals, and leave the front incandescent lamps, you have to put the resistors in the wiring for each LED lamp .
Here's a site that probable has what oyu need .
http://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/tail-brake-turn/
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I already have electonic flasher relays from NAPA ( a direct replacement for the old unit ) Is there a problem with mixing incandescent for the front turn signals with Led's in the rear. the only reason for considering doing only the rear on both bikes at the moment is $$$. I have sunk enough into the R80 for the time being and thought the rears were more important from a safety point of view. Best Regards John
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From what I saw on the Superrightled site, the electronic flasher relay will work with incandescent lamps, at least theirs does !!!
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Thanks Bob ,sounds like they will work together without problems
Best Regards John
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I have a mix of LED and incandescent turn sigs on the '81 R65. I plugged in a turn signal relay appropriate for LEDs and it's all good.
With the huge number of cars now utilizing LED lamps in various locations, any FLAPs will have the relay at a low cost. Getcha one.
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-Two-Vehicle Crashes Facts
In 2006, 2,537 (51%) of all motorcycles involved in fatal crashes collided with another type of motor vehicle while in motion. In two-vehicle crashes, 79% of the motorcycles involved were impacted in the front. Only 5% were struck in the rear.
taken from: http://trafficsafety.org/safety/sharing/motorcycle/motor-facts/motor-injuries-fatalities
might want to think about putting the led's up front for safety, not in the back. Your signals are most important when dealing with oncoming traffic, especially at intersections
-In 2006, 51% of all two-vehicle crashes involving a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle in which the motorcycle operator died, were intersection crashes.
-In two-vehicle motorcycle crashes involving a motorcycle and another type of vehicle, in 40% of the crashes the other vehicle was turning left when the motorcycle was going straight, passing, or overtaking the vehicle.
As far as rear lighting, I did get an LED taillight from Motorrad Elektrik (Rick was great to do business with). It's way brighter, draws less juice, is ALWAYS on, and the license plate illumination ends up putting quite a spot of light on the pavement at night. It also plugs right in, and was around $50 or $60 IIRC
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Very interesting statistics Luca, I had always been more concerned with being hit from behind. I will have to rethink my priorities .
Best Regards John
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In added the Beacon II replacement from Motorrad Elektrik to my bike .
I do a fair amount of riding in night conditions .
I added the 'Stopper' LED light from ME, along with 'Electro Pods', kinda similar to 'Hyper Lights' .
I also replaced the red reflectors at the rear of the bike, with off shelf LED lights/reflector, from an auto store .
If someone is following too closely, of if I think they aren't paying attention, I put the rear brake on, the light switch comes on way before the shoes contact the drum, usually gets their undivided attention .
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Something else that I have done has been very liberal use of 3M reflective tape. You can find it in almost any color (small lots on eBay) and it is easy to cut to any shape. Any place there is a spot for it I put a piece, ie. around the top/bottom of the shocks, along the frame members, even small dots on the wheel rim, etc. Hard to notice during the day but at night when a headlight hits you (from any angle) it lights up like a Christmas tree. Careful planning and placement and there is no mistaking it is a motorcycle when it lights up.
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In the recent past there have been a few notable rear end crashes where motorcyclists were killed but I get the impression they were the result of the other drivers not looking as opposed to the motorcycles not being conspicuous enough.
Conspicuity from the front is definitely an issue though. On my daily commute I've noticed another regular biker coming towards me that has in addition to his headlight a very effective flashing LED. It really makes the rider stand out. I think to my self that's illegal but I understand why you are doing buddy. They are widely used by pedal cyclist's but also illegal as far as I am aware. Perhaps the police turn a blind eye when they see road users doing what they can to try to make themselves safe.
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Bob is right on with situational awareness. Motorcycles trade active safety (brakes, handling, usually accleration, and small size) for passive safety (airbags, crumple zones, seatbelts, mass, etc)
This even means checking mirrors while stopped at lights. MSF teaches you to keep it in gear in case you need to high tail it while stopped (every mph you add to your speed before a collision, if you cant avoid it, reduces the force of impact).
Of course I think we all agree conspicuity is a good thing. I dont dress like the high vis power ranger for style... but knowing where your danger is most likely to come from is invaluable... and if you pretend youre invisible its difficult to be taken by surprise by other vehicles
Also of note (although I think Ive done enough hi-jacking) is something I heard from my brother. He says people tend to swerve towards very loud sounds, such as air horns. I haven't seen the data myself, but maybe I'll do some digging and see if i can come up with some good stats on the effectiveness or detriment of loud horns
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I just been reading a report on motorcycle accidents and as usual the statistics show almost half are "Right of Way" accidents at junctions where other road users turned in front of the Motorcycle.
It's a worry that "Over 30% of our detailed sample of ROW accidents where a motorcyclist is not a fault involve a motorcyclist who is recorded as using daytime running lights or reflective clothing, or both". This is commonly referred to as ‘looked but did not see’ (LBDNS).
There is an urban myth in the UK that the most dangerous road users are old guys (or girls) driving something perceived safe like a Volvo. The statistics bear this out. If you look at the age profile of other road users who "looked but did not see" those over 65 are up to 5 times over represented. A sobering thought as many of us are close to or in that age group. I'd hate to be driving the car that took out another motorcyclist.
(http://)
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I recently read that motorcycle accidents have spiked in metropolitan areas in the last year. A lot of aggressive driving out there by people in cars, who despite the laws are still holding their cell phones and often texting, and with traffic in Southern California pretty bad most of the time, the danger level is just higher. I've had people pass me, in my lane, which is really spooky. I routinely move to the head of a traffic line and work to stay ahead of the cars on the road.
Now, a simple fact: The ability to judge the distance and speed of a moving object is most difficult when an object is moving directly towards or away from you, as opposed to across your path. It's even harder with a single point of light, as in a motorcycle headlamp, to judge speed. We've all had some dope make a left turn in front of us, and it doesn't matter how wrong they are, we still will be the loser. People in cars don't have to just see notice us, they have to pay attention.
During the day, unless you are in heavy stop and go traffic, try keeping your high beam on all the time. Unless you have a bank of off-road flame thrower auxiliary lights it won't blind anyone but may help you to be noticed. Also, in addition to your turn signals, use hand signals as well. I've politely signaled drivers following too closely to back off and it usually works. Please note I use the word 'politely'.
And at night, a black helmet and black leathers are just about invisible. Reflective clothing and a metalflake helmet can help. And our bikes are pretty quiet compared to cruisers or rice rockets with open pipes, so people in cars aren't going to hear us either.
I realize this may sound like those old swimming pool rules, you know, No Running, No Diving, No Splashing, etc., followed by 'Have Fun", but this is the reality of the situation as I see it.
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I've politely signaled drivers following too closely to back off and it usually works.Please note I use the word 'politely'.
I've only done that once when 10mph over the speed limit wasn't fast enough for some jerk. I have to admit I lost it and signaled very aggressively he should back off - that work too. I do understand there are places you wouldn't do that.
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Yeah, some drivers just don't get it. When confronted with a jerk, who is probably angry about something that has nothing to do with us, I either put some distance between us or just pull over and let them go. The single fingered salute just enrages them. Sometimes you see them further up the road getting a ticket. Then wave and honk your horn as you pass...
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The one fingered salute can certainly get you in trouble. I don't make a habit it of it, only a couple of times in 40 odd years riding.
There might be one advantage in pissing off a car (or more usually van) driver. On my regular commute there's a white van man that habitually drives full pelt at a small roundabout with no intention of stopping regardless that I'm already on it. One morning lets just say I didn't make a friend of him. He might now be on the look out for a motorcyclist but given what we have been saying about conspicuity, is that such a bad thing.
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I had always been more concerned with being hit from behind.
Protip: go faster!
I've been rear ended once.. my fault, to an extent. Rush hour traffic, stop and go divided 4 lane highway, so two lanes each way. I moved from the right to left lane, stopped at the next light, tuned out.. and the kid behind me never noticed my maneuver. Splat. Crushed my left hand bag, gave me a stiff back. And a reminder to pay more attention!
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Will an LED conversion take the strain off the charging system/battery?
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With the turn signals being an intermittent use item, it won't do too much to relieve the charging system .
If you converted the turn directionals to running lights, then they would help out .
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So, if I used white LED's for direction indicators, they could double as running lights?
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You need to match the LED color to the color of the lens .
A white LED shining through a yellow or amber lens will appear dimmer than a yellow/amber LED .
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Thanks Bob.
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BTW Chris, an LED tail lamp will take some constant strain off of your charging system, and is brighter than the stock unit.
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Thanks Luca
That's on the list when rewire time comes!