All lights are canbus-friendly LEDs. No resistors needed. (Headlight bulbs are LED now)

2549 Views 20 Replies 6 Participants Last post by Slicknick, 2 mo ago

Slicknick

Discussion Starter · 4 mo ago (Edited)

I want to share this experience as it may save you a decent amount of time and money while increasing your visibility and safety. Also, it just looks good.

I went on a mission to find LED bulbs that were canbus friendly, literally plug and play. I bought and returned a few brands (I tried 5 different pairs of headlight bulbs) to find the ones that work and look the best. These are the bulbs that have worked for me, no problems yet. No rewiring or resistors installed.
I put LED bulbs in the turn signals, brake light, running lights including the tag light and LED bulbs in the low and high beam. All lights are significantly brighter. If you get a canbus error, try re-seating the bulbs. Do one bulb at a time and test. I have LED fog lights as well that I installed vivid yellow tint over the lenses.

Here are the links to the aftermarket brake light, turn signal bulbs, running lights and headlight bulbs.
LED running lights - Amazon.com
LED turn signal Bulbs (choose amber/yellow color 1156 bulbs)- Amazon.com
LED Brake Light (choose red)- 1157 CAN Bus LED Bulb - Dual Function 30 SMD LED Tower - BAY15D Bulb

LED H11 headlight Bulbs requiring slight modification - Amazon.com
***(It was a tight fit, so I used a dremel to grind the corner off the top LED bulb to make the chrome cover fit snug. I put petroleum jelly on the bulb to see where it was touching the housing and it worked perfect as a marker to see where to grind. See pictures.)

Tire Vehicle Wheel Automotive lighting Automotive tire

Tire Fuel tank Wheel Vehicle Automotive lighting

View attachment 119215
View attachment 119220

Tire Wheel Land vehicle Atmosphere Vehicle

Tire Automotive tire Automotive lighting Finger Cable

Automotive lighting Purple Finger Bicycle handlebar Automotive tire

Automotive tire Gas Automotive design Auto part Rim

Automotive lighting Automotive tire Vehicle Motor vehicle Automotive design

Hood Motor vehicle Automotive tire Automotive lighting Automotive exterior

See less See more

8

Reactions: 1

1 - 20 of 21 Posts

daniel.poirier

· #2 · 4 mo ago

I was all excited to see your post, but then read the details that matter to my particular case: "I kept the main low and high beam stock halogen"... Hmm, main low and high beam are the only ones I'm searching a solution for... So in your case (other than turn signals and other bulbs not related to improving your visibility at night), is this purely about auxiliary lights?

Reactions: 1

MotoCon

· #3 · 4 mo ago

I think you did wise NOT to alter the headlight. altering that only prevents oncoming traffic to estimate distance and speed due to overwhelming brightness. However I do think the bright downlight on the rear has a positive effect on your visibility at night.

Reactions: 1

Slicknick

Discussion Starter · #4 · 4 mo ago

Sorry about that, yes I did every light but the headlight bulbs.

Slicknick

Discussion Starter · #5 · 4 mo ago (Edited)

I have LED fog lights, 700 lumen each (9 watt), 3000k. They are mounted to the brake calipers, so they move with my steering and are close to the ground.

Slicknick

Discussion Starter · #6 · 4 mo ago

"I think you did wise NOT to alter the headlight. altering that only prevents oncoming traffic to estimate distance and speed due to overwhelming brightness. However I do think the bright downlight on the rear has a positive effect on your visibility at night."

- I agree. I also read that the lower kelvin (color) of the light has an effect on daytime visibility. The study I read seemed to favor the 3000k lights (halogen) vs 6500K lights (typical LED headlights) for daytime visibility.

MotoCon

· #7 · 4 mo ago

Slicknick said:
I'll post a picture tonight.

Yes, please!
A more clever idea than any of the forward blinding auxiliary lights on engine guards and things like that.

Jack the Lad

· #8 · 4 mo ago

Only blinding if badly adjustable and / or non-dimmable, one of the reasons I like the admittedly insanely expensive Clearwater lights, which are helped by having the yellow filters. Having said that, the set on one bike are now 12 years old, so maybe not that expensive per year.

Reactions: 1

degeorgis130

· #9 · 4 mo ago

Hi,

For the brake light, did you order the "red" version of the lamp? There is white, amber and red choice.

Slicknick said:
I want to share this experience as it may save you a decent amount of time and money while increasing your visibility and safety. Also, it just looks good.
I went on a mission to find LED bulbs that were canbus friendly, literally plug and play. I bought and returned a few brands to find the ones that work. These are the bulbs that have worked for me for the past 1,000 miles, no problems yet. No rewiring or resistors installed.
I put LED bulbs in the turn signals, brake light, and running lights including the tag light and the small bulb in the headlight. I kept the main low and high beam stock halogen, as I like the look. Notice how much more light hits the ground under the tag, making for much higher visibility compared to the stock halogen. The blinkers and brake light are significantly brighter. My main headlight is off in the outdoor pictures, just the running lights are on. If you get a canbus error, try reseating the bulbs. Do one bulb at a time and test.

Here are the links to the brake light, turn signal bulbs, and running lights.
LED running lights - https://a.co/d/7749IeG
LED turn signal Bulbs - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0739RCR3J?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
LED Brake Light - 1157 CAN Bus LED Bulb - Dual Function 30 SMD LED Tower - BAY15D Bulb
View attachment 118651 View attachment 118652 View attachment 118653

Slicknick

Discussion Starter · #10 · 4 mo ago

degeorgis130 said:
Hi,

For the brake light, did you order the "red" version of the lamp? There is white, amber and red choice.

Yes select the red bulb option.

RoadStar

· #11 · 4 mo ago

...and amber for the turn signal bulbs?

Thank you for this info, it is one of the things I have been meaning to address!

Reactions: 1

Slicknick

Discussion Starter · #12 · 3 mo ago

RoadStar said:
...and amber for the turn signal bulbs?

Thank you for this info, it is one of the things I have been meaning to address!

yes choose the amber/yellow option for the turn signals.

Slicknick

Discussion Starter · #13 · 3 mo ago

daniel.poirier said:
I was all excited to see your post, but then read the details that matter to my particular case: "I kept the main low and high beam stock halogen"... Hmm, main low and high beam are the only ones I'm searching a solution for... So in your case (other than turn signals and other bulbs not related to improving your visibility at night), is this purely about auxiliary lights?

Just received 2 sets of LED bulbs that are supposedly canbus friendly. On if them has an inline resistor built into the connector cable. Auxito is the brand recommended on here by
FidalgoRob.

Will update shortly on results.

Slicknick

Discussion Starter · #14 · 3 mo ago (Edited)

daniel.poirier said:
I was all excited to see your post, but then read the details that matter to my particular case: "I kept the main low and high beam stock halogen"... Hmm, main low and high beam are the only ones I'm searching a solution for... So in your case (other than turn signals and other bulbs not related to improving your visibility at night), is this purely about auxiliary lights?

Check again, I shared a link for the canbus friendly LED headlight bulbs. They work, and look good.

Slicknick

Discussion Starter · #15 · 3 mo ago

MotoCon said:
I think you did wise NOT to alter the headlight. altering that only prevents oncoming traffic to estimate distance and speed due to overwhelming brightness. However I do think the bright downlight on the rear has a positive effect on your visibility at night.

I have now altered it! I angled the headlight so the low beam cut off is at a proper angle for oncoming traffic. I walked down the street to test it. Now that I’ve gone LED, there’s no going back I think. It looks good and is brighter but not harsh on other drivers in my opinion. Recommended (for now).

degeorgis130

· #16 · 3 mo ago

Slicknick said:
I want to share this experience as it may save you a decent amount of time and money while increasing your visibility and safety. Also, it just looks good.

I went on a mission to find LED bulbs that were canbus friendly, literally plug and play. I bought and returned a few brands to find the ones that work. These are the bulbs that have worked for me for the past 1,000 miles, no problems yet. No rewiring or resistors installed.
I put LED bulbs in the turn signals, brake light, and running lights including the tag light and the small bulb in the front. LED canbus friendly bulbs in the low and high beam. higher visibility compared to the stock halogen. The blinkers and brake light are significantly brighter. If you get a canbus error, try re-seating the bulbs. Do one bulb at a time and test.

Here are the links to the brake light, turn signal bulbs, and running lights.
LED running lights - Amazon.com
LED turn signal Bulbs (choose amber/yellow color)- Amazon.com
LED Brake Light (choose the red color)- 1157 CAN Bus LED Bulb - Dual Function 30 SMD LED Tower - BAY15D Bulb

LED H11 headlight Bulbs (plug and play) -AUXITO H11/H8/H9 LED Bulb, 12000... Amazon.com
View attachment 118651 View attachment 118652 View attachment 118653

View attachment 119214 ko
View attachment 119217
View attachment 119219
View attachment 119215
View attachment 119220
View attachment 119216
View attachment 119218

For the turn signal bulbs, going to linked Amazon page , it seems you have to select either 1156 or 1157 types for the the Yellow lamps. What type did you order ? And replacing both front, rear turn signals, you had no issues?

Slicknick

Discussion Starter · #17 · 3 mo ago

degeorgis130 said:
For the turn signal bulbs, going to linked Amazon page , it seems you have to select either 1156 or 1157 types for the the Yellow lamps. What type did you order ? And replacing both front, rear turn signals, you had no issues?

1156 For the turn signals

degeorgis130

· #18 · 2 mo ago

Slicknick said:
Yes select the red bulb option.

i had problems installing the red brake light LED I ordered by your link. It's 1157-R30-CBT, 12-24vDC Red
Superbrightleds.com
At first with the key on, engine off, the tail light came on OK, no waning light. I hit the rear brake lever and the brake light came on OK, no warning light. i released the brake lever, then started the engine up in neutral and I saw the warning light icon, Lamp message on my display. Also the tail light started blinking a bit as well. Put the original bulb back, no troubles. Tried the LED lamp again, when I started the engine , trouble icon and LAMP message appeared!
I have a 2014 R1200R and believe that the 2011-2014 is the same "family"

I had success with replacing all 4 yellow turn signal LEDs, which I ordered through your link. I did that first, was out on a ride yesterday with no issue. Today I install the red LED tail/brake light and it's not working out for me as it did for you. You said you did not have to buy/install "resister kit" as I recall. Don't know what to do now, any advice?

Since the tail/ brake light is dual filament , You might have to install 2 resistor kits, which I really don't want to do.
I was hoping this would have worked out for me.

See less See more

Reactions: 1

Slicknick

Discussion Starter · #19 · 2 mo ago

degeorgis130 said:
i had problems installing the red brake light LED I ordered by your link. It's 1157-R30-CBT, 12-24vDC Red
Superbrightleds.com
At first with the key on, engine off, the tail light came on OK, no waning light. I hit the rear brake lever and the brake light came on OK, no warning light. i released the brake lever, then started the engine up in neutral and I saw the warning light icon, Lamp message on my display. Also the tail light started blinking a bit as well. Put the original bulb back, no troubles. Tried the LED lamp again, when I started the engine , trouble icon and LAMP message appeared!
I have a 2014 R1200R and believe that the 2011-2014 is the same "family"

I had success with replacing all 4 yellow turn signal LEDs, which I ordered through your link. I did that first, was out on a ride yesterday with no issue. Today I install the red LED tail/brake light and it's not working out for me as it did for you. You said you did not have to buy/install "resister kit" as I recall. Don't know what to do now, any advice?

Since the tail/ brake light is dual filament , You might have to install 2 resistor kits, which I really don't want to do.
I was hoping this would have worked out for me.

Sorry to hear that. Yes I have a 2011 using these exact bulbs still. I would try re-installing the brake light and making sure it’s snug. If that doesn’t work then try and exchanging or returning it. Mine didn’t blink rapidly like you have described.

degeorgis130

· #20 · 2 mo ago

Slicknick said:
Sorry to hear that. Yes I have a 2011 using these exact bulbs still. I would try re-installing the brake light and making sure it’s snug. If that doesn’t work then try and exchanging or returning it. Mine didn’t blink rapidly like you have described.

Anyone out there with a 2014 BMW R1200R , who has purchased the red tail/brake LED with success? (No canbus error messages about the lamp?

1 - 20 of 21 Posts