If people rode cycles enough on the streets shared by other traffic, everyone would unanimously agree with you statements. I was considering something similar with my GL1800 Goldwing. Before I went the DIY route, I converted all of my lights with store bought LED’s to see how they performed. After doing so, I never looked back. Depending on the bike, the first thing is to swap the amber turn signal lens for aftermarket clear lens. Then order amber LED replacement bulbs (the brightest available). I used Amazon for these. Read current reviews for each particular bulb type you intend to replace to reach a good compromise between brightness and reliability. Also read cycle forums to see what others are using. You’ll also probably need to change the turn signal relay for an LED compatible version, which prevents the lights from flashing too quickly (hyperflashing). If not available for your bike, a way around that is to wire a small incandescent bulb in parallel into the circuit and tuck it under the seat to provide the necessary resistance needed for stock operation. You’ll need to do that for left and right turn signals. I used red LED bulbs for the brake and rear running lights, shinning through stock red lens. The difference between before and after is startling. Not only were they a great deal brighter, the color is far more brilliant and makes them much more noticeable.
Disregarding DOT regs over my safety, I went with high powered LED headlights. I found some manufactured on a copper back plane, which placed the emitters on the mounting stalk MCPCB in the same location and direction as the incandescent filament inside the stock bulb. This makes the radiation pattern similar to the stock bulb so that light doesnt get scattered into oncoming traffic. You’ll still need to test to verify your results. Not all headlight reflectors play well with all LED swaps. My combo just happened to work well, while maintaining a sheer beam cutoff like the stock beams. Any scattered light WILL BLIND ONCOMING TRAFFIC, and you will be held fully accountable if you blind someone with non DOT approved lighting. My bike has 4 headlights and 2 amber fog lights. I ride with all 6 of them blazing during the day to command attention… and they do command attention (assuming the idiot who threatens my life isnt distracted by something else). LED low beams at night are more than sufficient.
While I was already satisfied with the LED swaps, I took a huge leap forward. To enhance the tail of my bike, I installed red police take-down lights, which I wired to activate with my brake lights. I mounted one on the luggage rack (which is roughly the same height as a driver seated in a car), and another low on the fender. They are programmable with several emergency flash patterns available. The mode I chose is specifically for brakes. It flashes 4 times when power is applied and then the light remains on steady at 75% power until the brakes are released. Search “Feniex Industries - Red T3 Surface Mount”. They are a professional product available through multiple vendors and found on thousands of emergency vehicles. Multiple mount types are available and can easily be modified to fit. I also considered using some as amber auxiliary turn signals, but Im already very satisfied with the amber LED bulbs with clear lens mod.
I also added color appropriate LED strips to the tail and sides of my bike. Again, you dont want to skimp here and buy the best and brightest you can find. To maximize the life of strip LED’s, buy a 12VDC PWM LED controller. Dialing them down to 50-60% power allows for a much longer service life without sacrificing much brightness and blinding everyone at night.
I have been using this setup for 30,000 miles, have been followed by police dozens of times and never been pulled over. Never a sneer from a driver or rude comment from pedestrians, accept “Cool lights. Where can I buy some?” Almost everyone in my local club followed suit and we ride together with much greater presence. Now when I touch my brakes in traffic, people back off and maintain a much greater distance behind me.
Regardless of how many lumens you are throwing out the front of your bike or from behind, ALWAYS assume you are completely invisible to other drivers. Drivers seem to be getting less attentive by the day. Ive lost a lot of friends through the years from cars killing them on motorcycles.
If you havent dont so, check youtube for “MCrider” and many others. There are some great videos concerning lane position and strategy to stay in one piece.
Hope something there helps.
