K11 Owners Group

HoosierStu · Last edited by HoosierStu on Sat Oct 22, 2016 4:14 pm; edited 1 time in total

I have not replaced my headlight in a long time. With recent strides in LED bulbs I was thinking there must be some great options for me to replace my bulb with something very bright, that is not nearly as hot as my current bulb.

Anyone have any suggestions for simple bulb replacements?
Any of these an option?

https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/motorcycle-led-bulbs/motorcycle-led-headlight-conversion-kit-h4-led-headlight-bulb-conversion-kit-with-flexible-tinned-copper-braid/2781/6195/#/attributes/10935
or
https://www.amazon.com/Cyron-Lighting-Retrofit-Headlight-ABH4K-A6K/dp/B00REQVA34
or
https://www.amazon.com/MICTUNING-LUMA-9003-Headlight-Bulbs/dp/B01B2XPK3K/ref=pd_sbs_263_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01B2XPK3K&pd_rd_r=VDZFGPZ54R4C5MEH9ZTF&pd_rd_w=XMb4M&pd_rd_wg=IDOmq&psc=1&refRID=VDZFGPZ54R4C5MEH9ZTF
_________________
"Still can't find 6th gear" 94 K1100LT

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2016 4:04 pm Post subject:

I would advise caution with LED in the headlight housing.
My reasoning here is the reflection effects of the LED positions relative to the rear reflector and the lens design.

You may find too much scattered light and not having in focused where it is realistically usable at night, or out of the eyes of oncoming traffic.

Just be careful. I have read of others experimenting with LED in the headlight housing but, in the end, going back to traditional filament lamp design either stock incandescent or halogen.

You could make a very good improvement with light output if you install a power relay for your headlamp circuit. There are some on the market that are pretty much plug/play, or you could build your own.
I have the headlight relay setup from Eastern Beaver, as do many others, and some have made their own relay setup as well.
The purpose is to get improved power current to the lamp without routing it thru the hi/low bar switch and the small harness wiring from BMW.

All food for thought for you.
_________________
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)

HoosierStu · Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2016 4:18 pm Post subject:

Here is one more I found.

https://www.amazon.com/OPT7-Motorcycle-Headlight-Arc-Beam-99-Clear/dp/B00WVJR0D8/ref=sr_1_6?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1477167337&sr=1-6&keywords=h4+led+headlight+conversion+kit&refinements=p_72%3A1248861011
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"Still can't find 6th gear" 94 K1100LT

HoosierStu · Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2016 4:21 pm Post subject:

Scott,

Thanks so much for the input. I guess it has to do with how my light housing reflects the light forward. I'd love to hear from others who have experience with changing over.

I actually think I have the Beaver relay installed.
_________________
"Still can't find 6th gear" 94 K1100LT

RAL88 · Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2016 7:03 pm Post subject:

LED replacement bulbs for your headlight are not what they used to be. I have LEDs in the headlights of my motorcycles and my truck. Some are not designed well and others work great Here is an example of how they should be designed.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/G7-Philips-LED-Headlight-Kit-P13W-/232122221098?hash=item360b90022a:g:aP8AAOSwgHZYC8xS&vxp=mtr

If you look closely you will see a hood over one set of LEDs. This simulates the same hood you see over one filament of the halogen lights. This gives you the same effect as the original bulb.
_________________
Rich

"If it ain't broke, take it apart and make it work better"
*************
'96' K1100LT-SE
'97' R850GS-R

Jim · Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2016 10:20 pm Post subject:

Stu, if you want to play it safe and stay away from LEDs for now, make sure you have the headlight relay installed, then install a Sylvania Silverstar Ultra bulb. These bulbs are made in Germany by Phillips. That should give you plenty of light. I've been using a Silverstar for years - no problems.
_________________
Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - still has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repaired!
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."

N41EF · Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2016 10:31 pm Post subject:

You might also do an upgrade of your wiring harness and try a stock bulb. I bought the lighting harness from Eastern Beaver and was very impressed with how easy it went in. Headlight is much brighter, and doesn't dim at idle.
_________________
2014 R1200RT Water Cooled
2001 R1100S Light
1993 K1100LT. Nissan Ice Blue.(Gone)

HoosierStu · Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2016 8:03 am Post subject:

I do have the eastern beaver headlight relay already installed.

I'm purchasing this one. I'll let you know how it goes.

https://www.amazon.com/OPT7-Motorcycle-Headlight-Arc-Beam0153-Clear/dp/B00WVJR0D8/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1477224739&sr=8-4&keywords=h4+motorcycle+led+headlight+bulb
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"Still can't find 6th gear" 94 K1100LT

HoosierStu · Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2016 9:14 am Post subject:

One more question. Where is a convenient switched power source for me to connect my Denali light's posi-connector to? I don't want it connected to my headlight power since it will switch off when I hit the other setting (high or low beam).

Thanks.
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"Still can't find 6th gear" 94 K1100LT

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2016 7:52 pm Post subject:

Fuses 1, 7 are both relay switched power, fuse #8 is switched directly from the ignition switch without a relay.
_________________
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)

michaelcurrin · Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2016 9:03 am Post subject:

I tried an LED conversion on my RS, couldn't get the "bulb" in. The heat sink on the back interfered with the fairing mount. There looks to be clearance, if you could get it in.

For now the LED bulb is on the shelf until there's a reason to pull the faring and try again to mount it.
_________________
Mike Currin
20 BMW R1250RS
93 BMW K1100RS / EML Speed 2000
06 Ducati ST3
67 Triumph 650 chopper

Flying Duck · Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2016 1:24 pm Post subject:

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2016 8:04 pm Post subject:

I did install an LED bulb in my RS.

It was a high quality product not a China special.

LOTS of light scatter, like it was a bad application.

Went back to the bulb that Jim recommended.

But I added a pair of Clearwater Erica aux lights. Well worth the buy in price.
_________________
John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.