R65ls headlight

[Luke D.]

Good day all,

  I was riding home the other day and saw some motorcycles coming at me with much brighter lights than I am used too.  They happened to be LED headlights, I thought they were really sweet.  I looked online to see what kind of lights they have nowadays.  I think that the R65ls headlights are about 7" round.  if you do a search on google there are TONS of options.  Has anyone ever tried or had success changing out the LS headlights to something more modern?  Thank you very much for any and all help.  Here is a link that I looked at: https://www.google.com/search?q=7+inch+led+motorcycle+headlight&biw=1117&bih=651&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwintqHKj5nOAhXG64MKHUhxB7QQ_AUICCgD

[Luke D.]

I should add that I am also wondering if the electrical system would even handle it.  I know that if you use LED turn signals you need a special thing. (sorry cant think of the name of it at this second)  Thanks again for any and all help.

[Barry]

The electrical system can handle an LED head light just fine as they generally draw less current that stock incandescent lamps. LEDs only cause problems where less current means something isn't going to work as intended such as the indicators and the charge lamp.

The issue with indicators can be resolved with a new flasher relay that isn't current sensitive and the charge lamp needs the addition of a parallel resistor to draw enough current to kick start the alternator.

[marcmax]

I have an LED headlight on my R65LS. It uses the stock headlight shell, reflector, lens, etc. and just replaced the H4 incandescent bulb with an LED one. Had to search for a while to find one that would fit inside the shell as most of them have a cooling fan of some sort attached to the base of the bulb. Some of the fans are very large. It definitely is more eye catching in traffic and better illumination at night.

[mrclubike]

Here is a thread on changing the turn signals And brake lights out to LED's
http://www.bmwr65.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1469334644
It is easy but not real cheap

[Justin B.]

I ran an HID bulb in the Junkyard Dawg and my old R100RT for a while and was amazed at how much more I could see!

[skippyc]

I ran an HID bulb in the Junkyard Dawg and my old R100RT for a while and was amazed at how much more I could see!

I have found that as I get older the lights get dimmer.

[Bob_Roller]

Kinda pricey for a whole headlight assembly !!


https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/motorcycle-led-bulbs/7-round-h6024-sealed-beam-motorcycle-headlight-dot-approved-led-headlight-conversion/3149/#/tab/Photos&Videos

[mrclubike]

I have been wanting to go to a LED head light but have been skeptical of the H4   LED bulb conversions not haveing  a good pattern
Brightness is fine for just day time but the pattern is important at night also
So I am waiting and will just get a complete LED headlight when I convert unless I get a chance to actually see a LED H4 on a wall that I like  

[Bob_Roller]

I have noticed as well, that my night vision is not as good as it used to be, I'll turn 60 in three weeks !!!!!

I'm hesitant on LED headlights, until I can see some in actual night conditions .

[Matt Chapter]

It definitely is more eye catching in traffic  

You've heard of target fixation, right?

I can see the desire for brighter illumination to see where you're going, but that's not the only consideration here.  In addition to a small safety issue (consider drivers with astigmatism, or older drivers, or drunks) where you might be negatively affecting oncoming traffic's vision, there's also the courtesy factor.  If I'm driving or riding, I find a bright light in my mirrors annoying and distracting.

Last and leastly, consider light pollution and / or that you may be shining your headlight through windows, while driving along curvy roads or parking at homes and businesses.

Brighter isn't always better.  And neither is louder, while I'm on my soap box.

[Barry]

I agree that there should be a limit on how bright lights should be. Yes we need good lights to illuminate the road but what we don't want is for light levels to continue ratchetting up and up until nobody can see anything for the glare from other road users.

[jp9094]

As I too, am getting older I agree an LED may be the way to go for my '83 r65 LS.This also raises the question of what to do about the "parking light". I cannot seem to get one to last more than a day or so. Is this a common problem with the LS. The only replacement bulbs I could find are rated 14 volts 4.6 watts while the originals are 12 volts and 4 watts. Could this be the problem? Thanks in advance for any reply.

[Tony Smith]

The problem with all of the LED headlight lamps I've looked at so far is that they do not play well with optics designed for an incandescent filament. A brighter light source most definitely does not translate into better "see where you are going" light unless it works with the optics.

All a brighter light source does (IMLHO) if it is "off-axis" with the optics  is annoy oncoming road users,

BUT, all this is about to change, Phillips have developed a "flip-chip" emitter that can be placed in the same orientation as the original H4 filament resulting in better "see where you are going" light without blinding oncoming traffic. According to the chap I've been corresponding with the "flip chip" light was released to vehicle manufacturers some time back and it will be released as a general part "real soon now'. Frankly it will not be affordable until the Chinese start copying it about 6 months after that - but when they do I suspect it will be a game changer.

In the interim I use a standard H4 bulb 60/55W and will fit LED "flood" and "spot light" projectors. To date tthere has been no real urgency as I try not to ride at night, but last night I stayed out playing a bit too late and had to come down the range in the dark - I would have liked more light - a LOT more light.

[jp9094]

Tony,

Thanks for the response. Like you, I try not to drive when it is dark (which varies from season to season). When I lived in W.A. was not a problem as I was much younger and did not have a motorcycle (thanks to me ex wife). Still curious as to the replacement problem for the parking light and the problem I have with it consistently burning out. ANy ideas?

From an ex sandgroper!