Update on LED driving lights after considerable night riding
by: oldchopperguy - Jun 26, 2016 14:27:14 GMT -5
JerryScript and thecollector like this
Post by oldchopperguy on Jun 26, 2016 14:27:14 GMT -5
As promised, here is an update on the little 30W LED driving lights, after a fair amount of night-riding...
No problems at all with battery-drain. And, with them mounted fairly low, no problems with oncoming traffic flashing their brights at me. Finally, I can ride at night with GOOD visibility for a full "football-field" in front.
My old Kymco has pretty good lights for a scooter, but these teensy LED's increase night-visibility at LEAST 75%. THAT is AMAZING.
Adding an extra 30W to the current used concerned me, but I've ridden quite a bit at night (LED's on all the time) with no noticeable weakening of the battery. I do believe the Kymco charging system IS stronger than the typical Chinese models, which may make a difference.
For those wanting to add these type of lights to their scooters or motorcycles, I do recommend mounting them fairly low. This allows them to be more parallel to the road, lighting up much more pavement, AND below eye-level of oncoming drivers. A side-benefit of this is when turning, as you lean, the "inboard" light lowers, lighting the first 50 feet of road super-bright. The "outboard" light raises, shining WAY down the road. This combination provides AMAZING illumination through the turn.
This is especially welcome on urban side-streets where wet leaves, sewer-drains, etc. lurk in the dark.
These LED's are truly a "fist-sized handful of daylight"! They aren't all that noticeable, and would even look "clean" on a stripped "skelly" scoot, or a crotch-rocket.
No telling how they will hold up over time, but they supposedly use "genuine" CREE LED's for long life.
They must be impressive, as I've had numerous big-bike jockeys roar up at a redlight wanting to see just WHAT in heck kind of lights are on "that scoot"... LOL. Cool!
Ride safe,
Leo (seein' the light) in Texas
No problems at all with battery-drain. And, with them mounted fairly low, no problems with oncoming traffic flashing their brights at me. Finally, I can ride at night with GOOD visibility for a full "football-field" in front.
My old Kymco has pretty good lights for a scooter, but these teensy LED's increase night-visibility at LEAST 75%. THAT is AMAZING.
Adding an extra 30W to the current used concerned me, but I've ridden quite a bit at night (LED's on all the time) with no noticeable weakening of the battery. I do believe the Kymco charging system IS stronger than the typical Chinese models, which may make a difference.
For those wanting to add these type of lights to their scooters or motorcycles, I do recommend mounting them fairly low. This allows them to be more parallel to the road, lighting up much more pavement, AND below eye-level of oncoming drivers. A side-benefit of this is when turning, as you lean, the "inboard" light lowers, lighting the first 50 feet of road super-bright. The "outboard" light raises, shining WAY down the road. This combination provides AMAZING illumination through the turn.
This is especially welcome on urban side-streets where wet leaves, sewer-drains, etc. lurk in the dark.
These LED's are truly a "fist-sized handful of daylight"! They aren't all that noticeable, and would even look "clean" on a stripped "skelly" scoot, or a crotch-rocket.
No telling how they will hold up over time, but they supposedly use "genuine" CREE LED's for long life.
They must be impressive, as I've had numerous big-bike jockeys roar up at a redlight wanting to see just WHAT in heck kind of lights are on "that scoot"... LOL. Cool!
Ride safe,
Leo (seein' the light) in Texas
