K11 Owners Group

Stoked Steve · Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 9:41 pm Post subject: Duck, LED recommendations please!

Hey Duck, you being the king of LED's, I was hoping you could impart some wisdom my way.

I'm looking to improve my stoping visibility by upgrading to some simple LED's on the rear. I hate messing with wiring as I usually end causing more damage than anything else. I was looking at those replacement 1157 bulbs that rotate and flash when you stop along with some Hyper-lights/license plate frame combo's. I see rotating bulbs on E-bay for about $15+/- and a license plate frame with hyper-lites for about $25 +/-.

Would these work OK or are they junk?

As I mentioned, I have no where near the ability or inclination to completely re-do wiring, etc. as you have done, just wanted to do something easy and inexpensively.

Suggestions appreciated.
_________________
Steve
Virginia Beach, VA
93 K1100RS Mystic Red SOLD
12 Suzuki DL650A VStrom

Flying Duck · Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 9:56 pm Post subject:

To start with, your brake light is a single filament 1156 bulb.

Unless you are absolute 100% POSITIVE that an LED bulb will draw 21W (I don't trust some of the eBay listings that claim they pull 24W) then your bulb monitor(a.k.a. triangle light) will be on all of the time unless you wire in a 6ohm 50W load resistor - which generates heat so you have to find a place to mount and then wire it up.

As for LED license plate frames - you get what you pay for.

What I have on my K1100RS is a Lite-Blazer which IMO is an awesome product. Ask Johnny, he's ridden behind it. I put it on my brother's K75 when he was learning and when riding behind him I was impressed. It works well even in bright sunlight.

When mine failed (it was a used OLD one I got off of eBay), they replaced it for the old one and a $10 shipping charge.

Very easy to wire up too.

Here's a link. I have the 56011 and it works great - I use it all the time to get people off my butt in traffic - very effective when rear brake is tapped.

http://www.run-n-lites.com/prod-LiteBlazer.asp

_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

Flying Duck · Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 10:17 pm Post subject:

I forgot the most important thing: The Lite-Blazer LEDs are not behind a lens. Tha'ts what makes them work so well. Things like HyperLites or a fancy bulb are installed behind the tail light lens - this difuses and dims the output of the LEDs.

Don't buy any LED product unless you've seen it in person. Check out the local MC shops to see what they stock. There's other good products out there but, like I said, you get what you pay for. I think bang for the buck-wise the Lite-Blazer is good.
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

Stoked Steve · Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 10:30 pm Post subject:

Thanks Duck, I knew you'd be the man to ask. And thanks for the correction on the 1156 vs. 1157.

I'd rather spend $70 and get what I'm after than waste $45 and be disappointed.

I'll give it a go! (or a "stop" as the case may be.)
_________________
Steve
Virginia Beach, VA
93 K1100RS Mystic Red SOLD
12 Suzuki DL650A VStrom

Flying Duck · Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 10:35 pm Post subject:

owrstrich · Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 11:57 pm Post subject:

the lite blazer is a nice unit...

i had the kisan led plate frame but it failed...

i was gonna get a lite blazer but figured out my license frame helmet lock wouldnt fit with it...

so i got a signal dynamics license frame... its a nice unit too... bit not as bright as the lite blazer...

j o
_________________
yeeeeeehaaaaaaa...

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 10:01 am Post subject:

owrstrich · Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 11:17 am Post subject:

s_a...

i have seen 2 other kinds of helmet locks...

on goldwing top boxes... the bar end style required 1 drilled hole per bar end... i saw 2 helmets hanging off 1 of these on a gold wing... the dudes buddy had 2 of them with 1 helmet hanging hanging off each...

http://www.kuryakyn.com/index.cfm/go/Home.ProductDetail/catID/0/scID/0/IMID/74

on a metric crusier the dude had 2 of these back to back on the crash bar... was interesting... didnt use the c shaped back pieces at all... just had both lock pieces screwd togetthe areound the bar with some kinda special tamper proof head screws...

http://www.kuryakyn.com/index.cfm/go/Home.ProductDetail/catID/0/scID/0/IMID/1096

if you want to ridd your badd self of that helmet lock... i may want to take it off your hands if you happily accept tenderloins or happily accept paypal...

j o
_________________
yeeeeeehaaaaaaa...

Flying Duck · Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 11:23 am Post subject:

One other note: If you've installed the Audiovox cruise control, do not use an 1156 LED bulb for your brake light bulb. The Audiovox cruise control unit sends a small reverse current through the brake light bulb to test it and make sure the bulb is good - similar to the factory bulb monitor. An LED bulb is a DIODE which only allows current to flow in one direction so using an 1156 LED brake light bulb will cause the Ausiovox servo to think that your brake light is out and the cruise control will not work.
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

Mystic Red · Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 1:18 pm Post subject:

Steve, I installed these inside the brake light housing in the extra space on each side of the factory lighting and could not be more pleased. They were plug and play. They have double side sticky tape and all the conectors and will not affect brake light trouble sensor. I like my brake light to be my brake light and my turn signals to have their own function, to signal a turn, but that's just me. If you tell them what model BMW you have they will sell you the correct kit.

http://www.hyperlites.com/bmw.html

I've had mine for 4 years now with no problems. Cool

_________________
Scott Hespelt, '94 K11LT
K11 OG #466

Stoked Steve · Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 4:01 pm Post subject:

I placed an order last night for the Lite-Blazers and got an e-mail today saying they would ship on Monday, great service considering the less than high-tech web site/ordering process.

They also seem to be quite the suspension experts, anyone get any shocks or springs from them?

http://www.run-n-lites.com/prod-LiteBlazer.asp
_________________
Steve
Virginia Beach, VA
93 K1100RS Mystic Red SOLD
12 Suzuki DL650A VStrom

owrstrich · Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 4:37 pm Post subject:

nothing beats bung conspicuousness than turning your turn signals into the running lights turn lights combo...

the flashing led brake bung is just peanut butter on the banana...

in my opinion of course...

j o
_________________
yeeeeeehaaaaaaa...

Flying Duck · Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 5:07 pm Post subject:

The Lite-Blazer is the banana - all else is peanut buttter.
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

Mystic Red · Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 5:38 pm Post subject:

Ah, you guys don't know what you're missin', Run-n- Lites are a joke compared with the real deal! Brake light war, bring it on! Laughing

_________________
Scott Hespelt, '94 K11LT
K11 OG #466

BobZ(IL) · Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 6:23 pm Post subject:

My rear turn signals are on during running and flash for turning. However, because they are amber, a friend said they are illegal in California.

Anyone know for sure? I've not been stopped there, but I've only ridden K11 in CA for a few days.
_________________
'93 K1100LT
'78 R100S
'05 R1200GS
BMWMOA, CRBMWOA, ABC, K11OG #997

Live well, do good work, enjoy the ride.

Flying Duck · Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 8:29 pm Post subject:

Not sure about CA but they are tehcnically illegal in WA. I've ridden mucho miles in CA. Unless you find one with a beed in his bonnet for you, I doubt they'd even notice, much less care. Besdies, I doubt any judge would uphold a ticket when the intention is improved safety.
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 8:48 pm Post subject:

From a DOT standpoint I'm not sure that ANY runing light on the rear that is NOT red is allowed. Turn signals ok but not allways on.
_________________
Ride safe.

1995 K1100LT 0302044
2017 FLHTK Ultra Limited
Garmin StreetPilot 2820
Garmin Zumo 550
Garmin Zumo XT
"One who does not ask questions is ashamed to learn" Danish proverb
1997 K1100LT 0302488(R.I.P.)
1997 R1100RT ZC62149(sold)

Stoked Steve · Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 8:20 pm Post subject:

Got my Lite-Blazer in the mail today, seems like a quality unit.

It came with piggy-back connectors and crimp in-line type as well, any reccomendations on which to use and any other wiring suggestions?

Also, it stresses that the lights need to be level, thus the slightly bent mounting plate, but the bend does not seem to be enough, it looks like they'll still be pointing upward a good 20 degress or so. The mounting plate is quite stout and doesn't look like it'll be easy to bend without damaging it.

Thoughts, suggestions? This will be my weekend project, so nothing urgent.
_________________
Steve
Virginia Beach, VA
93 K1100RS Mystic Red SOLD
12 Suzuki DL650A VStrom

Mystic Red · Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 8:24 pm Post subject:

Hyperlites. Laughing

_________________
Scott Hespelt, '94 K11LT
K11 OG #466

Flying Duck · Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 8:31 pm Post subject: