LED Headlights in rainy Wx

[Beer van Huet]

I have used a Xenon light for about ten years to my satisfaction but the last couple of years, I had to change the light every 3000 miles for some odd reason. So I took the Xenon parts out and reinstalled the OEM light.
I am now looking for other headlight options.
The LED set obviously is a big improvement.
Somebody told me however, that riding with LED at night in rain is a pain in the neck.
He explained this by saying that LED does not produce a bundle and the dissiminated light scatters and is reflected in (moderate to heavy) rain with poor visisbility as a result.  As someone w/o experience with a LED headlight, this argument sounds reasonable and valid to me.
So I would appreciate the opinion of other Riders with LED headlights, to check if there is reason for concern about this issue.
I know the LED produces excellent light, that is not my question. Only hands on experience during night time in adverse, rainy Wx please.

[sandy]

I’ve ridden in lots of rain but it was before I installed an Eagle Light Daymaker. If you have a standard/tourer, email Josh for his adapter and light. This is not just a bulb. It’s a complete headlight replacement in the original bucket.

[DarkSideR]

Beer,

This is Josh Chambers - AKA "The Headlight Guy".

For the last 5 years I have been helping my Valkyrie Brethren with LED Headlight options. I manufacture and sell an Adapter Bracket that seamlessly allows installation of an LED DayMaker Fixture which are specifically designed for Motorcycles. For the last 2 years I have teamed up with Eagle Lights offer the Motorcycling community superior LED DayMaker Headlights.

With that said I have quite a bit of experience with LED's, and here's what I know;

Any white light will reflect back in the rain. This is why some cars have Yellow Fog Lights. Obviously with limited space on a motorcycle, and the rarity of the combination of night/rain riding it isn't feasible to add yellow fog lights to a bike.

With that said LED's are superior at night, but which LED is best? You have a couple of different options.
- H4 LED Replacement Bulb - The OEM reflector housing wasn't designed for an LED, thus scatters the light. Additionally these are plagued with ballasts, and fans that go bad.
- DayMaker - This completely replaces the Reflector housing. Light can be 2-5 times more (depending on which option you choose) than a halogen bulb. Eagle Lights Headlights come with a Lifetime Warranty. The average life of a Daymaker is that of 50+ halogen bulbs. You'll never have to buy or replace you headlight ever again (this can be viewed as a cost savings upgrade).

I have helped hundreds of my Valkyrie Brethren upgrade to DayMakers and all have been extremely happy. If I have sparked your interest in this option here are;
- Options & Pricelist

- Installation Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K48cp45_h6Q&t=31s
- Advert - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYBeSuxmk8I

Please feel free to contact me at ValkyrieJosh@gmail.com for more information or to purchase.

[LB]

I have LED bulb in headlight, and LED driving lights. Both work great, by themselves or together. Been in the rain many times, day and night, and never had any issues.

[WintrSol]

I installed the Eagle Lights Gen III, using the included mount provided by Josh. I can say it has the best light pattern, high and low beam, of any headlamp I've ever used at night. It appears to be completely rain proof, but I've yet to test it in the kind of rain I've ridden in before.

[JimC]

For Josh, AKA "the headlight guy"

When are we going to see options for LED's on the interstate models?

Jim

[gordonv]

I believe the issues with LED in the rain at night, was the old versions, not the newer ones.

I've an IS, and the only replacement is for the bulb. Having new bulbs and no need to buy them, I'm waiting. It will take those who own and ride in the dark to reply. Glad to see DarkSideR reply with his lights.

[Valkorado]

I sure like the H4s I'm using in both my Tourer and my Interstate.  They're fanless, and based on Philips lumiled chips.  They sure light up the night well, and I have no complaints with beam pattern.  No problems after years of use in all weather conditions.

That said, I can't comment on riding in the rain at night.  I purposefully try to avoid that.  

Note that with these bulbs, being H4s, you do have to trim or bend a tab back to make them fit properly for Interstate application.

The ones I found on eBay look exactly like this.  They came in two packs so I have a spare.  If I ever need it.

[-mike-]

I sure like the H4s I'm using in both my Tourer and my Interstate.  They're fanless, and based on Philips lumiled chips.  They sure light up the night well, and I have no complaints with beam pattern.  No problems after years of use in all weather conditions.
...

I had the very same LEDs and went back to incandescent bulbs quite soon. The light was good with these LED, as you say. I had to rotate the "bulb" a little in its mount to get the proper light pattern, though.

How did you avoid the massive RF noise the drivers (ballast) send out at these lights?
I tried A LOT to get rid of it - to no avail.

Radio reception was down to some strong stations with lights on....
This kind of noise also can have some serious side effects on added electronics like self cancelling turn light systems (ask Jersey... )

-mike-

[Valkorado]

I sure like the H4s I'm using in both my Tourer and my Interstate.  They're fanless, and based on Philips lumiled chips.  They sure light up the night well, and I have no complaints with beam pattern.  No problems after years of use in all weather conditions.
...

I had the very same LEDs and went back to incandescent bulbs quite soon. The light was good with these LED, as you say. I had to rotate the "bulb" a little in its mount to get the proper light pattern, though.

How did you avoid the massive RF noise the drivers (ballast) send out at these lights?
I tried A LOT to get rid of it - to no avail.

Radio reception was down to some strong stations with lights on....
This kind of noise also can have some serious side effects on added electronics like self cancelling turn light systems (ask Jersey... )

-mike-

Never noticed it, but I don't use "radio" per se -- I have a 12v bluetooth receiver that is hooked through the stereo AUX and my huge MP3 collection on a small Bluetooth MP3 player.  I'm getting no interference with this setup at all.

I'm guessing that's the difference.  I am also running the BonS smart switch (I think that's what he called them) on Ruby, which powers the headlights directly from the battery.  That may also be helping to prevent the interference you describe.

Yes, the light is very good with these LumiLED bulbs, really bright and good spread pattern both lo and high beam.

[DarkSideR]

For Josh, AKA "the headlight guy"

When are we going to see options for LED's on the interstate models?

Jim

Unfortunately a single unit LED isn't an option for the I/S. I however have done quite a bit of research about LED Replacement Bulbs, and found these (https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/motorcycle-high-beam-and-low-beam-headlight-bulb/h4-led-fanless-headlight-conversion-kit-with-internal-drivers-4000-lumensset/5321/11896/?make=32&model=2657&scc_id=1940&year=1999) to be a superior option for the I/S.

What makes them superior is;
- No ballasts or fans to go bad.
- Hi/Low Beam
- The placement of the LED mimics the filament of a Halogen Bulb thus making the most of your OEM Reflector Housing.
- Only 25 Watts
- 4,000 Lumens
- Plug-N-Play

Hope that helps.

[Gregory Scott 16248]

I went with these led lights for my 1999 Interstate from Electrical Connection. No static noise into the audio system or the CB radio. You need to clip the lower 2 tabs for them to fit in the nonstandard Honda H4 socket. Just order the adapters H4 Bulb Alignment Shims to make them work. 

Shims 1 pair.  https://electricalconnection.com/index.php/product/h4-bulb-alignment-shims/

Led lights 1 pair.  https://electricalconnection.com/index.php/product/led-headlight-bulb-h4/

Greg

[2KVISRiderDan]

No Daymaker assembly for the Interstate? Who said that? One of our Florida Valkyrie brothers, Steel Cowboy designed a Daymaker option which requires some bracket fabrication & OEM headlight assembly modification but it is doable. This is an aftermarket Daymaker assembly made for the HD Road Glide so it has it's own reflector for correct light distribution. It is installed into the OEM Honda headlight housing & retains the same adjustability as the OEM assembly. I will post a couple pics once I save them to Post Image, possibly this evening. Here is the link to Steel Cowboy's original post. Some of the pics are gone due to Photobucket.
http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,95207.0.html

[txtriathlete]

For Josh, AKA "the headlight guy"

When are we going to see options for LED's on the interstate models?

Jim

Unfortunately a single unit LED isn't an option for the I/S. I however have done quite a bit of research about LED Replacement Bulbs, and found these (https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/motorcycle-high-beam-and-low-beam-headlight-bulb/h4-led-fanless-headlight-conversion-kit-with-internal-drivers-4000-lumensset/5321/11896/?make=32&model=2657&scc_id=1940&year=1999) to be a superior option for the I/S.

What makes them superior is;
- No ballasts or fans to go bad.
- Hi/Low Beam
- The placement of the LED mimics the filament of a Halogen Bulb thus making the most of your OEM Reflector Housing.
- Only 25 Watts
- 4,000 Lumens
- Plug-N-Play

Hope that helps.

Are these a direct fit on the IS or do they require the adapter ring and trimming? Some of the reviews on the site indicate they may not fit Honda...

[JimC]

For Josh, AKA "the headlight guy"

When are we going to see options for LED's on the interstate models?

Jim

Unfortunately a single unit LED isn't an option for the I/S. I however have done quite a bit of research about LED Replacement Bulbs, and found these (https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/motorcycle-high-beam-and-low-beam-headlight-bulb/h4-led-fanless-headlight-conversion-kit-with-internal-drivers-4000-lumensset/5321/11896/?make=32&model=2657&scc_id=1940&year=1999) to be a superior option for the I/S.

What makes them superior is;
- No ballasts or fans to go bad.
- Hi/Low Beam
- The placement of the LED mimics the filament of a Halogen Bulb thus making the most of your OEM Reflector Housing.
- Only 25 Watts
- 4,000 Lumens
- Plug-N-Play

Hope that helps.

Thanks Josh,
Just what I was looking for, I figured you would have played with them some.
Jim

[-mike-]

To the above post: The Lumiled advertised sets with 4000lm per bulb are added all LEDs for low and high beam. But they don't light up at the same time. In reality specs are 2000lm (measured a bit more) per bulb at any time. Still.....
Just to show (off) what these LumiLED bulbs can do:


That was just low beam on my car.

Beer, p.m. me if you want a H4 bulb sent for free for testing. Used for a short period, in excellent condition.
These are them: https://www.ebay.de/itm/273841817754

P.M. here or in VRCC Germany forum. My handle there is "Mike W."

We can talk about what it is worth to you later. Probably one or two beers at a future meeting

If you don't like it, simply send it back.


-mike-

[DarkSideR]

No Daymaker assembly for the Interstate? Who said that? One of our Florida Valkyrie brothers, Steel Cowboy designed a Daymaker option which requires some bracket fabrication & OEM headlight assembly modification but it is doable. This is an aftermarket Daymaker assembly made for the HD Road Glide so it has it's own reflector for correct light distribution. It is installed into the OEM Honda headlight housing & retains the same adjustability as the OEM assembly. I will post a couple pics once I save them to Post Image, possibly this evening. Here is the link to Steel Cowboy's original post. Some of the pics are gone due to Photobucket.
http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,95207.0.html

Well that's huge. SteelCowBoy however didn't follow up with how to install.

[The emperor has no clothes]

No Daymaker assembly for the Interstate? Who said that? One of our Florida Valkyrie brothers, Steel Cowboy designed a Daymaker option which requires some bracket fabrication & OEM headlight assembly modification but it is doable. This is an aftermarket Daymaker assembly made for the HD Road Glide so it has it's own reflector for correct light distribution. It is installed into the OEM Honda headlight housing & retains the same adjustability as the OEM assembly. I will post a couple pics once I save them to Post Image, possibly this evening. Here is the link to Steel Cowboy's original post. Some of the pics are gone due to Photobucket.
http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,95207.0.html

Well that's huge. SteelCowBoy however didn't follow up with how to install.

Actually, he did a real good thread with it. But, the pics are gone with photobucket.

[mello dude]

Calling DarkSideR..... please check your email.. I would like to order..

How are orders going? Talking to a few parts guys, getting certain parts is slow going and difficult.