BEST Cheap Headlight Upgrade for the CB1100 BE WELL SEEN IN THE DAYLIGHT!

[peterbaron]

As this is US Forum, and US member, and bought from Amazon.com, I would assume it concerns US DOT or at least NA DOT

[Gone in 60]

With so many companies producing LED headlight bulbs now, selling on Amazon, AliExpress, ebay, etc, and all made in China, it's doubtful that they are concerned about DOT compliance.

My former employer, a large automotive conglomerate, recently absorbed an LED headlight company. This is a well-respected company that sells in brick-and-mortar parts stores, not shady online outlets. For kicks, I just checked their website's section on LED replacement headlights. Here is their blanket disclaimer:

"WARNING: THIS REPLACEMENT LED HEADLIGHT BULB SET IS SOLD FOR OFF-ROAD USE ONLY. This product should not be used on the road. This product has not been tested for compliance with United States Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard FHMVSS 108 or Canadian Standard CMVSS108. It should not be used on the road or in any other application requiring compliance with FHMVSS 108, CMVSS108 or Title 49 section 571.108, United States Code."

Does that deter me from running an LED bulb? Not in the least. Mine are aimed so they don't blind oncoming traffic, but I'm more concerned about being seen in traffic than the DOT.

[PowerDubs_imp]

My only concern- traditional bulb being dual filament- you have a built in backup to get you home if one fails.

On this- isn't is possible the circuit board fails and you loose both high and low beam?

[Gone in 60]

One of the LEDs I initially received was defective - the low beam LED died shortly after I started using it. But, the high beam still worked fine. That made me think that at least one of them would continue to work, like a normal bulb. That means one of the LEDs failed - can't say what would happen if the circuit board failed, but it is something to think about.

[GoldOxide_imp]

My only concern- traditional bulb being dual filament- you have a built in backup to get you home if one fails.

On this- isn't is possible the circuit board fails and you loose both high and low beam?

You concern is legit.

Modern LED units rarely fail on their own. The power regulating circuit will likely fail due to excessive heat exposure, substandard electronic components (e.g. capacitors), or a marginal cold solder on the circuit board (open or short) which can show itself upon excessive vibration and/or temperature. Depending on the nature of the failure, the entire supply could fail supplying no power, or a rail could go out-of-spec and cause some LED units to fail prematurely.

[Gone in 60]

I'll admit that I've been lazy... I used to carry a spare H4 bulb and screwdriver under the seat in case my headlight ever goes out. It's happened to my once over the years. But, I haven't done so on either the CB or the Bonnie. My LED headlights have been going strong for a little over three years since I've installed them. What's more impressive to me is that the $30 Ebay spotlights I put on my Bonnie over seven years ago are still going strong.

One thing that I would suggest is to get an LED bulb like the type you guys are discussing, that has the heat sink and fan on the front, filament side of the bulb, not the back side where the three-prong plug attaches. I've seen guys put the rear-heat sink type on a bike, and melt the wiring that is stuffed into the headlight housing. Initially, I was concerned about the heat sink on the filament side of the bulb, being closer to the plastic reflector and lens, but hasn't been an issue for my bike in the years that it's been running. It probably runs cooler than a standard halogen.

[Raceman_imp]

Lucky me. I was ready to order an AUXITO LED bulb and I went out to the shop to look at the inside of the headlight bucket. I have a Beamtech LED installed in my 14 Deluxe thanks to the 1st owner.

[Houtman_imp]

My only concern- traditional bulb being dual filament- you have a built in backup to get you home if one fails.

On this- isn't is possible the circuit board fails and you loose both high and low beam?

This happened to me , during the day time I was on the BRP going into the first tunnel and I suddenly realized that BOTH high and low LED were out , scariest to say the least . The main fuse for the lights had burned , they had a heat sink but for whatever reason they failed . I replaced them very quickly with the H4 and never had any more problems .

[Scoot_imp]

After reading the write up and looking at the pics, I am going to order one. Thanks for sharing. Anything to help us be seen is well worth a few bucks.