Recommended LED headlamp bulb for my 2013 Fjr1300a . Has anyone gone through the many different makes, and found one that's really compatible and de

[Papa54]

Has anyone gone through the many different makes, and found one that's really compatible bright and dependable, while creating a usable beam pattern that doesn't scatter and blind on coming traffic ?

 

[roger dodger]

OEM halogen from any auto parts store. Maybe check the aim of your headlights some evening to prevent blindness.

All the talk about LED conversions never worked for me. 2 good halogens and maybe some added 'fog lights' for conspicuity works best. YMMV

 

[RossKean]

Has anyone gone through the many different makes, and found one that's really compatible bright and dependable, while creating a usable beam pattern that doesn't scatter and blind on coming traffic ?

I suggest that you start with a simple search on this forum. If you put 2013 and LED in the search box, it will get you started. Note that the headlight bucket geometry isn't the same for Gen I (pre-2006), Gen II (2006-2012) and Gen III (2013-15) and what works great for a 2012 might not be so good in your 2013. There is a bewildering variety of H4 LEDs available and the offerings are changing all the time.

Edit: Or as suggested above, get a decent quality H4 halogen (not "premium" high output) and add auxiliary LED lights for conspicuity (or higher power ones to light up the night). High output halogens cost 2-3 times as much and may last less than half as long.

 

[rbentnail]

I went through the Gen2 vs. Gen 3 LED headlight stuff a while back. It's true, what worked great in my Gen2 sucked in my Gen3. I tested several for Gen3 and stuck with Morimoto 2Stroke 3.0 bulbs.

 

[metalman]

I tried out the LED conversion suggested by twowheelobsession on YouTube. He hit a home run with this. A bit fiddley to get adjusted but they are outstanding when dialed in.

 

[rbentnail]

Can you just summarize and say which bulbs he used? I can't make it thru any of his ramblings and babblings.

 

[RossKean]

Can you just summarize and say which bulbs he used? I can't make it thru any of his ramblings and babblings.

I agree about his videos - like watching grass grow! I skimmed through the video and saw that it was a projection-type bulb, so presumably independent of headlight bucket reflector. I didn't see a reference to the bulb itself, but if you actually go to YouTube and look at the info at the bottom, there was a link to an AliExpress bulb. And a comment that tells you "Shown is the Left Hand Drive, 6000k, Y7 FANLESS option" (There are a few options on the site)

AliExpress Link

Not sure if this one is still available but if it isn't, I'm pretty sure you would find a similar one.

 

[Diannie]

I’ve tried a few LED bulbs on my 2013 FJR1300, and I found that the Cyclops Adventure Sports LEDs were the best fit. They’re bright enough for night riding but don’t scatter or blind oncoming traffic, which is a big plus. The beam pattern is pretty solid, and I’ve had no issues with the longevity either. It’s important to pick a bulb that works well with the bike’s setup, though, as some LEDs can create a weird pattern if they’re not the right fit.

 

[Papa54]

Thanks guys ! Plenty of information to "hit the ground running"........

 

[Alan Doak]

I agree about his videos - like watching grass grow! I skimmed through the video and saw that it was a projection-type bulb, so presumably independent of headlight bucket reflector. I didn't see a reference to the bulb itself, but if you actually go to YouTube and look at the info at the bottom, there was a link to an AliExpress bulb. And a comment that tells you "Shown is the Left Hand Drive, 6000k, Y7 FANLESS option" (There are a few options on the site)

AliExpress Link

Not sure if this one is still available but if it isn't, I'm pretty sure you would find a similar one.

View attachment 8804

If you get some of these bulbs make sure the power cord comes out the back of the cooling wings. I bought some where the power comes out the side and when I screwed the cooling fan onto the back it ate into the insulation of the power lead. I was about to depart on a 3000 km ride and decided to ditch them because of fear of failure. The lights illuminated perfectly, but there was a design flaw with the set I purchased.

 

[Papa54]

I suggest that you start with a simple search on this forum. If you put 2013 and LED in the search box, it will get you started. Note that the headlight bucket geometry isn't the same for Gen I (pre-2006), Gen II (2006-2012) and Gen III (2013-15) and what works great for a 2012 might not be so good in your 2013. There is a bewildering variety of H4 LEDs available and the offerings are changing all the time.

Edit: Or as suggested above, get a decent quality H4 halogen (not "premium" high output) and add auxiliary LED lights for conspicuity (or higher power ones to light up the night). High output halogens cost 2-3 times as much and may last less than half as long.

Thanks Ross, but I decided to order the $25 set of h4 led projectors that Bryan from Y.T. Two Wheel Obsession recommended. Several people on the F.B. Fjr1300 enthusiasts page conquered. As you know the problem with led bulbs is the light emitted is completely compatible with many headlight reflective housings. So it made sense to go with a projector that's designed around the led light emitters. I was convinced when I saw the light output in the video.

 

[RossKean]

I decided to order the $25 set of h4 led projectors

If the projectors are well designed, they should be fine. (You got the fanless version?) Is it the same as the AliExpress link I posted in #7, above?
The projector-type bulb should be independent of the reflector in the bucket.
Please report back once you get them installed.