Choosing new headlights for your motorcycle can be a daunting process. You don’t want to make the wrong choice, after all. Not all of us are able to ride in the best conditions and visibility matters. Most accidents wind up happening because someone couldn’t see the other cars or a sharp turn in the road. As a biker, you have to be extra careful.
If you have paid attention to headlights lately, then odds are you have heard about LED lights. These are common and growing in popularity. LEDs are appearing in most household items, but they are also great for your car or motorcycle. They offer a clean light that doesn’t use up much energy. Still, it can be a hard decision, choosing which one you like the best. This guide will tell you all that you need to know about LED headlights.
What Are LED Headlights?
Even if you do not know a lot about LED headlights, odds are you have seen them. No doubt, you probably have heard of them. LED lights, in general, are popular right now. They are a light that does not burn hot, that stays cool, has a brighter, clearer light and uses diodes and electrons to power it.
As a way to understand them better, you should know that LED lights are smaller; they can fit into your bike easier and tend to look nicer than halogen lights do. When comparing them to Xenons or halogens, you have to be aware of the price. LEDs are more expensive. However, they also last longer and are not as cheap to make as the others.
Top 5 Advantages of LED Motorcycle Lights
There is no denying that LED lights come with their share of benefits. Even if you notice the trend and move towards LEDs, it is not easy to make that change unless you have the advantages laid out in front of you. Here are the top advantages of making the switch to LED motorcycle lights.
Quick Installation and Easy Maintenance
You don’t have to be a mechanic to install LED headlights. They don’t take many tools, and most people with no mechanical experience get them installed in about half an hour to an hour. The kits come with extensive instructions that are easy to follow. Of course, if you would rather have them fitted by a professional, you can still bring your kit into a mechanic shop. Since you’re bringing the kit and they take less time, you should be able to get a good deal.
Not only are they quick to install but you can expect little maintenance to be involved in their upkeep. LEDs don’t need to be replaced, except in the case of damage. You can run your headlights for years and not be worried about them going out any time soon. This helps save you money in the long run on maintenance and light bulbs. Think of LED lights as an investment.
Effective Lighting With Less of a Toll
One thing that no one can deny is that LED headlights work. Add to it that they can cut through fog and dark conditions better than halogen bulbs, and you have an effective set of headlights. Despite their cost, LEDs make up for it in their effective and efficient lighting. They convert 80 percent of all the energy that they use into light. This is different from halogen bulbs, because halogen bulbs produce excess heat that wastes a majority of their energy. Stronger lights that use less energy can be cost-effective not only in terms of repairs but also in costs to your alternator.
Little Fuel Consumption
Your headlights use fuel to power them. Energy efficiency means that LEDs use up less fuel than their halogen counterpart does. When they use less fuel, you get better gas mileage. Anyone who is out there on the road knows that gas prices aren’t always cheap. In fact, any amount of savings begins to add up.
More Durable
Did you know that you can turn an LED light on for 11 years before it dies? This is impressive, especially if you’ve been using halogen bulbs that have to be replaced regularly. While traditional bulbs are effective, they require more maintenance. LED lights take out the maintenance, the blowing bubs that cost you every other year to replace. In addition, they aren’t as prone to damage or failure. A lot of people look at LED lights and their longevity, and that’s where the appeal starts.
These headlight kits have higher standards than previous halogen models. Manufacturers want you to get the most out of your headlights, and so they build them to their full potential each time. They don’t want you to have to change out your headlights every time that you turn your head. Headlights are important, so durable, high-quality components should be what you settle for.
Safe on You and Other Drivers
Have you ever driven on a foggy night with a halogen light? These yellow lights are weaker and have a tendency to reflect the light back at you when the fog is too thick. This makes driving near impossible in a foggy situation or even on dark nights when there isn’t any additional illumination. While driving at night or in the fog is rarely a choice that we want to make, it’s sometimes necessary. The truth is that traditional bulbs aren’t as safe as LED bulbs. LED light penetrates fog. The clear light allows you to see better in the dark. Additionally, these surpass the HID xenon bulbs also, because the light might be bright enough for you to see clearly, but it isn’t going to blind the other people on the road.
How To Switch to LED Headlights
So, you think it might be time for you to make the switch to LED headlights. Keep in mind that when you make your switch, you should pay attention to any instructions you are given when it comes to buying the LED kit. We will try to give you a simple rundown of the process so that you can see how easy it is to hook your new ride up with LEDs.
Know Your Bulb
First, you have to know what type of bulb you already have installed in your bike. Is it a single beam bulb or a dual beam bulb? If you aren’t sure, you can search the internet for the type of bulb that you have, based on the stock bulbs that come with the vehicle. In addition, you can remove the bulb to find out, check the manual or even ask your dealer.
Find an LED Kit
Once you know what type of bulb you have, you’ll know what kind of conversion kit you need. In order to find the right one, you can search several different online retailers, especially those that specialize in motorcycle parts.
Check Your Kit
Once the kit is in your hands, make sure that it came with all of the right components. If anything is missing, you need to have it replaced or refunded. There is nothing worse than getting halfway through the job and realizing that the manufacturer forgot something. Your headlight kit should have two ballasts, two bulbs and the wiring.
Find and Take Out Your Bulb
If you’ve replaced your headlight bulb before, then this should be an easy process. Locate the bulb and undo the connector. Next, you should be able to twist the bulb to remove it.
Install LED Bulb
Now comes installing the LED bulb itself. Gently twist the LED bulb into the socket. You do this in a clockwise motion.
Attach LED Ballast
When it comes to LED ballast wiring, you connect one end to the new bulb and the other to the original wiring.
Keep in mind that this is just a basic step-by-step guide. Every kit comes with detailed instructions that you should pay close attention to when installing new LEDs.
Conclusion: Are LEDs Worth It?
If you are thinking about LEDs, then you also have to think about your budget. They do tend to be more expensive. However, if you are looking to make an investment, then they are worth saving up to purchase them. Consider their longevity. That is one of the key factors when it comes to choosing headlights. No one wants to change their bulb all of the time. If you don’t have to change it for years down the road, then why not choose the option that will last the longest?
In addition, LEDs tend to have the best light of the three options. They are in between as far as not being as dim as halogens but not as cold as Xenon lights. Xenon lights tend to blind other drivers because they can be too bright. LEDs are not prone to that problem. At the end of the day, it’s all up to your preference. LEDs do give you your money’s worth, however, when it comes to efficiency, longevity and durability.
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