Brake light brightness?

[GAPS]

Two of my riding buddies have commented on the relative dimness of my bulb :dribble: :dribble: I told them to fark off but they insist it is a real problem.

During daylight they claim the difference between the running lamp and brake light is not very great making it difficult to tell when I apply the brakes. This is on a 06 BTW. So, any replacement bulbs that I could use which would burn brighter when the brake is applied? Other solutions? What about these gizmos that make the brake light flash, any good?

 

[pawtracks]

Lots of choices here

I have the Kisan units myself (05 FJR)

I know flashing light gets my attention if I am the one doing the following

Come to think of it, my riding buddies said something similar:

"Hey your tail lights are out!"

Maybe your fix is to short out your taillights so they know for sure you are braking

 

[GAPS]

Pawtracks, thanks for the information. I read your earlier post, did you figure out the problem you were having with the lights burning out? How about the rattle in the Kissan, did that turn out to be a defect? Was that in one of the self contained 1157 bulbs? I would like to hear that these are reliable and safe to install before I plunk down my $$.... It appears I need a pair of the dual element 1157s, yes?

Again, thanks for the feedback.

 

[ronjrieth]

Pawtracks, thanks for the information. I read your earlier post, did you figure out the problem you were having with the lights burning out? How about the rattle in the Kissan, did that turn out to be a defect? Was that in one of the self contained 1157 bulbs? I would like to hear that these are reliable and safe to install before I plunk down my $$.... It appears I need a pair of the dual element 1157s, yes?Again, thanks for the feedback.

I agree about the brightness and it is a safety item that can be greatly improved. I used the hyperlites but am waiting for a kit to come out from BRAKE!

I put a kit on my BMW and it is exceptional. Supposedly BRAKE is making kits for the metric bikes now and I have my dealer checking on one for my 06.

Ride Safe

 

[dgfella]

Do you have a link for this BMW Brake light?

 

[Feejer/Weejer man]

If your light ain't too bright I'll bet your not the sharpest tool in the shed either. Ha, Ha.

 

[Fred H.]

You probably already know this, but I thought it might be worth mentioning. There are TWO filaments in the 1157 bulb, one for tail and one for brake lights. You could have one filament burned out in one or both bulbs, or a bad connection at the socket. You might want to remove the fixtures and look to make sure both filaments in both bulbs light when you push on the brake pedal.

 

[pawtracks]

Pawtracks, thanks for the information. I read your earlier post, did you figure out the problem you were having with the lights burning out? How about the rattle in the Kissan, did that turn out to be a defect? Was that in one of the self contained 1157 bulbs? I would like to hear that these are reliable and safe to install before I plunk down my $$.... It appears I need a pair of the dual element 1157s, yes?Again, thanks for the feedback.

I am pretty sure the issue with my tail lights was the water in my Givi trunk. The only thing that makes any sense with both bulbs burning out at the same time after only 1-2 months of use. Time will tell but "knock on wood" there are still working.

The Kisan unit still rattles (just one of them) I plan on talking to them when I return from Reno to get another one while it is still under warranty.

The Kisan units actually replace the entire 1157 bulb unit with a new socket that goes in its place.

This socket contains the circuitry that enables the flashing feature of the brake lights.

You get two 20W bulbs per unit (1 spare for each side)

The Kisan site appears to be down now, I was searching for a picture.

https://www.kisantech.com

The FJR takes two 10-D units, got mine at Cycle Gadgets for $109

I think the units are great. If I wasn't dumb enough to drive around with a small aquarium in my trunk I'm sure I would not have any issues.

Yes one pair of 10-D units

I also picked up a set of spare bulbs $3.95 (came in handy, never know when you might need them)

One final thing to go along with what Fred said.

In addition to the bulbs being dual filament, the bulb can physically go into the socket both ways BUT is only designed to go in one way. If you look real close at the bulb you will see it has two contacts on the bottom. One for Tail light, one for Brake light. On the sides of the bulb you will see there are two metal prongs sticking out (one high, one low) you can tell which side goes where by the corresponding slots on the bulb socket. If you get the bulb in backwards it will not function properly. I think the brake lights will work but not the tail lights or vice-versa.

 

[BMort]

I have an led flashing brake light on my klr. The same place is supposed to be coming out with one for the fjr. Everyone tells me it's very visible on the klr so I'm anxious to see one made for the fjr. Hopefully it's coming soon. Here is their site: https://www.homebody-design.com/

BMort

 

[GAPS]

Fred, yes, the running/brake lamps are working properly, it seems my friends eyes are on the blink, not my bulbs Still, I am going to upgrade to the Kisan units Pawtracks has suggested, I like the simple install of a basic bulb change and some of the features the Kisan offers.

Pawtracks, on the Kisan, have you fiddled with the variable output of the running lamps? I read that you can turn down the intensity of the running lamp to give more contrast to the brake light ON function. Just curious if you found a setting you prefer....thanks for the lead on this, just what Im looking for. B)

BMort, I would take a look at the unit you speak of if it was available, my wife is a new pillion and very concerned with the idea of a rear collision so to put her more at ease I will run with the Kisan.....BTW, we are just outside of New Haven, PM me sometime if you want to get together for a ride, I'll buy the coffee.

 

[pawtracks]

Pawtracks, on the Kisan, have you fiddled with the variable output of the running lamps? I read that you can turn down the intensity of the running lamp to give more contrast to the brake light ON function. Just curious if you found a setting you prefer....thanks for the lead on this, just what Im looking for. B)

I will have to read up on the unit more when the website comes back up or I go home (out from behind big brother's firewall) I didn't realize they had this feature.

Is the info on their website or another source? Do you have a link?

Good luck with the Kisan's. Just keep water out of the equation & all should be fine

I ride with my FJR's previous owner quite a bit and he said they make a nice improvement.

Since he rides a 2006 GSXR 2006 Hayabusa I don't get in front too often.

 

[GAPS]

Hmmm, just got off the phone with Kisan Tech., he said the 06 FJR does not use an 1157 style bulb, looks like I might go with thier LED marker plate frame. This is not my first choice but would serve the purpose....I need to open the tail and check the bulb type, Im hoping they are wrong and the 1157 style will fit..

Paw, the link you posted for Kisan works fine for me....the variable intensity feature is covered on the site, something about turning the ignition on and off 3 times while holding the brake on puts the lamp into a programable mode..... BTW, Kisan phone # is 1-888-464-5472...thanks again sir!!

 

[pawtracks]

Paw, the link you posted for Kisan works fine for me....the variable intensity feature is covered on the site, something about turning the ignition on and off 3 times while holding the brake on puts the lamp into a programable mode..... BTW, Kisan phone # is 1-888-464-5472...thanks again sir!!

Stupid Firewall :evilsmiley02:

Sorry about the 2006 news (hopefully they are wrong) or at least you didn't find out after you spent $110

Hmmm must be in those direction thingy's my wife always tells me to read

(I won't her let catch me reading them )

 

[bmwhd]

Paw, the link you posted for Kisan works fine for me....the variable intensity feature is covered on the site, something about turning the ignition on and off 3 times while holding the brake on puts the lamp into a programable mode..... BTW, Kisan phone # is 1-888-464-5472...thanks again sir!!

Stupid Firewall :evilsmiley02:

Sorry about the 2006 news (hopefully they are wrong) or at least you didn't find out after you spent $110

Hmmm must be in those direction thingy's my wife always tells me to read

(I won't her let catch me reading them )

I had a pair of the Kisan 100HDs in my BMW and loved the random "wig-wag" they created and how bright they were.

I had the Brake! brand LED arrays in my KLR and Triumph (and now in my KLX). That unit is awesome. It's even brighter than the little halogens in the Kisan bulbs and easier on the juice. I hope they offer a solution for the FJR soon.

 

[tom b]

This is my first post to this forum. My 06 FJR is 10 days old and I love it.

I traded in a BMW K12LT and I had some experience with kisan on my LT. You can use the replacement bulbs they sell and this will cause the two brake lights to flash out of sequence. I want the lights to flash together and if this is what you want then the better option is the 100HD-M module. This will make the brake lights flash together. Make sure you get the M version if you have abs. If you don't you'll get abs failures. Guess how I know that.

 

[Bounce]

https://www.bikes-n-spikes.org/mods/hyper/hyper.html

 

[ohiofjr]

My bike did not have a working brake light when I picked it up due to a misadjusted switch on the rear brake. That caused the brake light to be on all the time. Took me a couple days to notice. Just a dumb suggestion.

 

[GAPS]

Paw, I just took out one of the bulbs and found it to be the 1157 type looks like Im back on track...so long as the issue below is a non issue....

Tom, welcome aboard and congrats on your purchase, you have great taste in motorcycles This is a great forum and your input is already appreciated...with the 1157 replacements you say they flashed out of synch, is this with the original Kisan bulbs? I read that you must use two of the same bulbs for them to be in synch... How about the ABS malfunction, was this a problem with a module or the replacement bulbs? Thanks again and WELCOME SIR!

 

[pawtracks]

B) -->

QUOTE(tom b @ Jul 18 2006, 02:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
This is my first post to this forum. My 06 FJR is 10 days old and I love it.

I traded in a BMW K12LT and I had some experience with kisan on my LT. You can use the replacement bulbs they sell and this will cause the two brake lights to flash out of sequence. I want the lights to flash together and if this is what you want then the better option is the 100HD-M module. This will make the brake lights flash together. Make sure you get the M version if you have abs. If you don't you'll get abs failures. Guess how I know that.
Thanks for the info on the ABS. My FJR is a 2005 Non-ABS bike.

Good info to know, would have never thought a brake light would affect the safety of the bike. (didn't tie those two together)

Paw, I just took out one of the bulbs and found it to be the 1157 type looks like Im back on track...so long as the issue below is a non issue....
Tom, welcome aboard and congrats on your purchase, you have great taste in motorcycles This is a great forum and your input is already appreciated...with the 1157 replacements you say they flashed out of synch, is this with the original Kisan bulbs? I read that you must use two of the same bulbs for them to be in synch... How about the ABS malfunction, was this a problem with a module or the replacement bulbs? Thanks again and WELCOME SIR!

Might be something to this ABS issue.

Worth looking into!

Maybe ABS bikes have to go another route, not sure what it affects in the ABS system but doesn't sound like something to be messing with. Sort of offsets the whole safety enhancement goal.