2012 1200RT I replaced my bulbs for LEDs last night

[SatchelHopkins]

So, I finished replacing all of the bulbs on the front end of the bike with LEDs last night. The running lights and turn signals weren't too bad, but the headlights!!!! I would tell you what I really think, but I'm pretty sure I would be breaking a number of forum rules.

I was a copier technician for a number of years in a previous life. I'm very familiar with working blind while all contorted in a space that you can really fit a single hand into. This was right up there with the most annoyingly cumbersome things I've had to do many years though. I did the left one first and thought it was bad. It turns out that the right one was about 5 times harder. I finally got it done, but there were more than a few moments of seriously considering removing their entire dash/fairing/windshield. I was just thankful that I didn't break the little spade connectors. Then I would have had a real problem.

All I can say is that whoever designed this should be <......................forum redaction.............................>

 

[pauls1150]

tarred and feathered
staked to an anthill and covered with honey
and so on....

 

[kbasa]

Did you find bulbs that don't throw bulb errors and are CanBus safe? Kinda interested to hear what you're using, if so.

 

[SatchelHopkins]

Did you find bulbs that don't throw bulb errors and are CanBus safe? Kinda interested to hear what you're using, if so.

So far, so good. I am using the following:

Headlights (comes with 2 bulbs, so you have to buy 2 packages if you want to do the high beam as well, one extra will be left over)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DGFTRTDS?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

Turn signals, front and rear, (1 package for front, another for rear)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RMX2XK6?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

Front Marker lamps (or whatever they are called)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C1X5HZJ?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

Brake lamps
I have yet to do these

Good luck. The youtube channel tinderboxarts had helpful videos regarding this. Don't expect it to help much with the headlights though.
Time will tell, I guess, if they hold up and remain trouble free.

 

[kbasa]

So far, so good. I am using the following:

Headlights (comes with 2 bulbs, so you have to buy 2 packages if you want to do the high beam as well, one extra will be left over)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DGFTRTDS?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

Turn signals, front and rear, (1 package for front, another for rear)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RMX2XK6?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

Front Marker lamps (or whatever they are called)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C1X5HZJ?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

Brake lamps
I have yet to do these

Good luck. The youtube channel tinderboxarts had helpful videos regarding this. Don't expect it to help much with the headlights though.
Time will tell, I guess, if they hold up and remain trouble free.

Really appreciate it, Mitch. Thank you! I've got some LED bulbs in my 05 and while I love them, the bulb error indicator slowly makes me nuts.

 

[bicyclenut]

So far, so good. I am using the following:

Headlights (comes with 2 bulbs, so you have to buy 2 packages if you want to do the high beam as well, one extra will be left over)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DGFTRTDS?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

Turn signals, front and rear, (1 package for front, another for rear)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RMX2XK6?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

Front Marker lamps (or whatever they are called)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C1X5HZJ?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

Brake lamps
I have yet to do these

Good luck. The youtube channel tinderboxarts had helpful videos regarding this. Don't expect it to help much with the headlights though.
Time will tell, I guess, if they hold up and remain trouble free.

I've replaced all the bulbs in my 2010 with LED except the brake/tail lamps. Tried maybe 2-3 different types, all "CANBUS Compatible" but all threw an error code after hitting the brakes. Shut off bike and reset CANBUS and OK until you hit brakes again. These bulbs are a single filament like a 1056 bulk or the German equivalent and it seems the resistance for a filament bulb can't be duplicated with a LED. Seems like the amperage of the circuit increases with the brake lights and an LED won't work the same way to prevent an error. If you find a bulb that works, it would be great to hear the brand and model. I just added a set of Skene lights as secondary tail lamps/brake lights.

 

[PGlaves]

I've replaced all the bulbs in my 201 with LED except the brake/tail lamps. Tried maybe 2-3 different types, all "CANBUS Compatible" but all threw an error code after hitting the brakes. Shut off bike and reset CANBUS and OK until you hit brakes again. These bulbs are a single filament like a 1056 bulk or the German equivalent and it seems the resistance for a filament bulb can't be duplicated with a LED. Seems like the amperage of the circuit increases with the brake lights and an LED won't work the same way to prevent an error. If you find a bulb that works, it would be great to hear the brand and model. I just added a set of Skene lights as secondary tail lamps/brake lights.

If I really wanted to do this, I would wire the LED in series with the stock filament bulb. Then I would somehow hide the filiment bulb and display the brighter LED bulb, or I would display them both. I don't think this works with the new high-zoot gizmo system with one bulb and varying voltage to display tail and brake light with one bulb.

 

[pauls1150]

If you put the bulbs in series, they'd require twice the voltage, and if one fails, they're both out. Wire them in parallel.

 

[PGlaves]

If you put the bulbs in series, they'd require twice the voltage, and if one fails, they're both out. Wire them in parallel.

Yep! My mistake.

 

[brownie0486]

When my low beam went out near in Wyoming 3 years ago while on a summer trip on my 2011RT, I called Sturgis Motorsports as I'd be in that area in the area the next day. Told me just have it there at 8:45am and they'd get me right in.

Took the bike from the lot, and I was summonsed by loudspeaker 20 minutes late to come to the service counter. The bulb had been replaced. I asked him about how he got that done so fast and he smiled and said there's a few tricks you learn after you do enough of them. No tupperware had to be removed.

 

[SatchelHopkins]

When my low beam went out near in Wyoming 3 years ago while on a summer trip on my 2011RT, I called Sturgis Motorsports as I'd be in that area in the area the next day. Told me just have it there at 8:45am and they'd get me right in.

Took the bike from the lot, and I was summonsed by loudspeaker 20 minutes late to come to the service counter. The bulb had been replaced. I asked him about how he got that done so fast and he smiled and said there's a few tricks you learn after you do enough of them. No tupperware had to be removed.

Nah. I think they must have just given you a different bike and told you they swapped the bulb.

 

[SatchelHopkins]

Okay. Regarding the brake/tail lights, I just replaced mine with these https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DHRQMXJ9?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1
So far no dash errors. They are on all the time and get brighter when applying either brake. By bright, I mean wicked bright. They do have cooling fans built in, so if you put your ear near the tail light housing then you can hear the fans, if the engine is off of course. I hope they last.

 

[SatchelHopkins]

Okay. Regarding the brake/tail lights, I just replaced mine with these https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DHRQMXJ9?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1
So far no dash errors. They are on all the time and get brighter when applying either brake. By bright, I mean wicked bright. They do have cooling fans built in, so if you put your ear near the tail light housing then you can hear the fans, if the engine is off of course. I hope they last.

Well, the brake lights throw errors now. It took a while, but they do.

 

[omega man]

LED’s are very fussy in regards to voltage. How this voltage adjusted is rather critical if it is being monitored.

Since automotive power is 12V, and LEDs generally run best on 2-4V, depending on color, you must use resistors or other components to drop the voltage to a level the LED can work with. This is why you cannot simply plug a basic LED directly into your socket, or connect it to a 9V battery. The manufacturer will determine what the nominal (normal) voltage is to run a specific LED, known as the "forward voltage." For example, a blue LED might be rated as 3.0-3.2V. Adjusting the voltage lower or higher will change the brightness, but only because it also changes the current- higher voltage means the current will increase in an LED.

Informative explanation here-

LED Brightness

Light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, are at the forefront of modern illumination for every purpose imaginable, because of their high efficiency, long life, fast switching capabilities, and vibrant color spectrum possibilities.

www.diodedynamics.com

Enjoy the read with morning coffee.

OM