[gerdawg]

So I was out riding today with another friend in tow and when we pulled over for a fill up and some food he noted that the factory led brake lights on my bike were really hard to see.. at angles.

What's funny is that this is my third time hearing this comment from three different people.

Has anyone else been told this as well?

My friend and I were really getting into the corners but he has a sport bike and so I had to take quite a few odd lines to get around some sweepers that caused me to brake fairly hard prior to committing. On most of the turns where there was an embankment I noticed my friend nearly rear ending me on a few occasions... Just wanted to see if anyone else had this feedback with stock lights.

Also for a chopper/cruiser this bike can really get down in the corners and the low/mid range response is pleasing... Still not sure how comfortable I am scraping pegs around turns though... I did quite a lot of that today and is a bit unsettling.

I've managed to get 1k on the bike to really open it up a little in the month that I've owned it (and for two weeks it rained every day) and I have to say I'm happy with my purchase. I thought it would be a boat in corners and was surprised it's not.... The only thing holding it back is the pegs..

 

[1304cc]

Hey gerdawg,

Yes, these bikes do corner pretty well. I'll scrape the pegs if I have to, but I avoid it since replacing the stockers with Kuryakyn Dually pegs.

And yes, several riding buddies have told me that my brake light is hard to see. I want to replace it, but I don't like any of the other LED options out there. I would really like a plain ol' incandescent red brake light. Then again, I think I'm the only guy who likes the lollipop turn signals. Old school. I dig em. In fact, I'd replace the clear turn signal covers with amber ones if I could find the right size.

Congrats on the new bike!

 

[gunny]

I left my lollipops on not because I like them but for my own sense of feeling safer. I replaced the incandescent with red led’s keeping the clear lens and added the run/turn/brake mod with flasher. If one can’t see my brake light you (theoretically) can’t miss the run/turn/brake lights. They are very bright. Also with the flasher option I have, in my own unscientific study, reduced tailgaters by 50% with just a tap of the brakes. I like it and have been running this way for 3 years.

 

[Adrenaline Revolution]

You stated you don't care for the LED options out there, not sure why.. but take a look at the CustomLED Blaster X.
It replaces the original light perfectly and gives you options of braking brightness and the brake alert flashing. It's programmable.
The lens is a lot clearer and more visible from a wider field of view.
Yeah, it's spendy ($100 to $125) but it WILL let people behind you know that you hit the brakes.
You can get an even wider field of view by mounting the light without the plastic shroud around it (See my sig pic below) but that's another thread.
btw... Tell your buddy to back off, he's half your problem!:nod:

Ride on!

"AR"

 

[gerdawg]

I think 1304 stated he didn't like the LED options out there....I'll check out that link and see what I think. Anything that makes me more noticeable would be great.

Though I think in regards to my buddy I can put myself in his position and see why he was getting so close. On my previous bikes I was able to commit going into turns a bit harder and because of that he naturally thought I that I was going in hotter and was surprised to find himself on my tail because he didn't have any notification that I was slowing down due to being unable to see the brake lights. I was getting on the brakes pretty hard at a good clip and he was pretty far back to start with, it just that he had no notice that I'm slowing down.

I'm a lot more concerned about a cager being on my ass and having to slow down than my friend to be honest. They already aren't paying attention most of the time and I don't want to give them another excuse when they hit me of "oh I had no idea you were stopping".

I think I'll look into the flasher options. Just not sure who here has heard that before and/or how many of you actually know that it's a concern.

 

[puma]

Several have gone with sport bike tail lights. I'm running the ninja tail. It fit perfectly. The blaster x wasn't out when I did my light. But the ninja light is easier on the wallet than the blaster x.

 

[1304cc]

Several have gone with sport bike tail lights. I'm running the ninja tail. It fit perfectly

Pics please?

 

[puma]

http://www.yamahastarstryker.com/members/3171-puma-albums-raven-picture10385-image.html
Here's with just the running light. Had some issues trying to get the image.

 

[wayne]

http://www.yamahastarstryker.com/members/3171-puma-albums-raven-picture10385-image.html
Here's with just the running light. Had some issues trying to get the image.

Puma, what year/model Ninja taillight is that?

 

[1304cc]

Thx Puma.
I think I'm gonna solve my problem with one of these...

Signal Dynamics Dual LED running/brake light from Phats.
I got to finish my beavertail cleanup anyhow, and I don't like any of the regular taillight replacement options. This thing puts out a crap load of light.

 

[puma]

That should look good. I think the ninja light is the zx6r 2007-08. There are several cheap ones from china, I'd make sure it's a good one from here in the states.

 

[gerdawg]

Puma, that looks like the same light that was on the back of my 09 concours....

 

[puma]

Probably is the same. Seems motor companies use the same stuff on different vehicles. I'm sure it saves money.

 

[gerdawg]

Probably is the same. Seems motor companies use the same stuff on different vehicles. I'm sure it saves money.

If it is the same then that was a pretty noticeable light and I never heard any complaints when I rode my concours.

I did a test today with some people at work. Seems the lights are noticeable head on from behind but as soon as I go up a hill it changes the way the edge of the light shines and almost makes it impossible to see due to the way that your looking at the light through the top part of the lens. I think ultimately I'll end up with a low and mean and just eliminate the rear guard and relocate the plates.

I'll do some research of others experiences on that as well likely before pulling the trigger.

 

[Skwerlee]

Several have gone with sport bike tail lights. I'm running the ninja tail. It fit perfectly. The blaster x wasn't out when I did my light. But the ninja light is easier on the wallet than the blaster x.

Yes but SEVERAL members including myself ditched those due to poor quality and failures. I had 50% of the LED's go out on mine within 2 or 3 months. Those cheap little zx636 lights are garbage and failure is the rule not the exception. Heck I have a brand new one in the box that was shipped to me to replace my defective one and I refused to use it. I now have the Custom LED light and she's been 100% perfect ever since!

 

[Adrenaline Revolution]

Yes but SEVERAL members including myself ditched those due to poor quality and failures. I had 50% of the LED's go out on mine within 2 or 3 months. Those cheap little zx636 lights are garbage and failure is the rule not the exception. Heck I have a brand new one in the box that was shipped to me to replace my defective one and I refused to use it. I now have the Custom LED light and she's been 100% perfect ever since!

Same exact thing happened to me, 1/2 the lights quit working after only 500 miles because I didn't take your advice and get the good one from the start.
Now I have the Blaster X and holy **** is that thing bright!

 

[puma]

I haven't had anyone tell me mines different from an angle. I have started looking at the blaster x tho. I'd say the companies probably kept the molds to stamp out the shell of he light to keep cost down. Maybe different internals.

 

[puma]

I've been jinxed. Less than a month after saying my ninja lights awesome and has worked for a year it's no more. I noticed one led going out and within a week I think I'm down 5+ LEDs. Looks like I will look in to the blasterx more.

 

[Adrenaline Revolution]

Yeah, bummer!
Mine worked beautifully until it didn't too! :nod:
The blaster's not as sexy as the tinted lens but it works perfect and it's BRIGHT!!!

 

[puma]

Adrenalin, did you opt for the control switch and have you swapped out the flash relay? I don't mind the faster blinking but if I'm ordering one I'm kinda thinking do the whole package.