Opinions on LED's & clear lenses

[Turkina]

I changed my turn signals from clear to amber, based on my friend's opinion about the visibility of the clear lenses.  You can really tell when an amber lens is on or off.  And today, I was driving behind a Lexus RX330 and noticed that the new LED tail lights (embedded in a mirror housing) wasn't noticeably bright in the sunlight.

I think during the night, LED's and clear lenses are great.  During daylight, I think they look washed out, enough to be unsafe at times.  What do you guys say?

[Black Snowman]

I've never been a fan of clear tail lights or tinted headlights. They look differant but, to me anyway, have never looked "better". Then you start factoring in the safety elements, and the cost, and for me it quickly seems like something not to do.

I do like the smoked turn signals though. The amber lenses aren't much for inproving the visability of the bike anyway and I think the smoked lens with a black stem makes for a cleaner more even apperance. For flush-mounts I don't really have a preferance.

I do like me some LEDs though. More efficiant, faster lighting time, and higher intensity. They don't shine as large but the concentrated light is more easliy visable even at very long distances.

That's my worthless opinion (that's right, not even 2 cents).

[Turkina]

My friend said he couldn't see my turn signal blinking in bright sunlight when I was using the clear signals.

As for LED's... I guess it might have something to do with the 'background' that the light is mounted against... hmm

[JohNLA]

I have both clear signals and the LED brake lights. I think both look way better than stock and probably draw  more attention. I think they are plenty visable. At least know one has tried to rear end me since I got them  

[Black Snowman]

At least know one has tried to rear end me since I got them  

No, you just know that noone has SUCCEDED in rear-ending you  

[pantablo]

I changed my turn signals from clear to amber, based on my friend's opinion about the visibility of the clear lenses.  You can really tell when an amber lens is on or off.  And today, I was driving behind a Lexus RX330 and noticed that the new LED tail lights (embedded in a mirror housing) wasn't noticeably bright in the sunlight.

I think during the night, LED's and clear lenses are great.  During daylight, I think they look washed out, enough to be unsafe at times.  What do you guys say?

I assume your turn signals were aftermarket? Most aren't very bright. Srinath has a secret way to make them brighter-put a little peice of tin foil (you got that right, aluminum foil) on the back reflector and it increases their visibility. Lockhart Phillips aftermarket t/s are usually pretty bright-at least the ones I've seen have been plenty visible. When you get the smallest ones then your visibility might suffer. ultimately, YOUR turn signal brightness is important, not the RX's...just make sure yours are visible-you should check them, not go by what you're told.

For what its worth, the Buell signals are actually brighter than stock GS ones.

My LED brake/tail light (from JeffD-THANKS!) is also very bright, as I've been told by the riders behind me AND have seen for myself. Although if you're talking about the LED 1187 bulb replacements that swap out with the stock bulbs then these ARE MUCH LESS VISIBLE through the red lens and need the clear to be seen better. If you want to go LED's JeffD's are the ticket-cheap too, relatively.

[Turkina]

I finally found a picture of JeffD's LED tail lights in the daytime, and supposedly the light output is better than the camera picks up. Now that's a quality job!  
Maybe Lexus should hire him to make their lights... but he'd go nuts getting all those circuit boards printed and everthing right

I'm still agreeing with my friend though.  Many clear lights get overpowered by bright sunlight, moreso than ambers (both sets of signals I used were LP).  Something to do with all the reflections vs the little amber bulb.  So... choose wisely when buying something that looks cool?

So many parts to buy, so little money/time!

[Kerry]

I assume your turn signals were aftermarket? Most aren't very bright. Srinath has a secret way to make them brighter-put a little peice of tin foil (you got that right, aluminum foil) on the back reflector and it increases their visibility.

You can see the results of the aluminum foil trick on my LP Short Stalk II page.

However, I like the idea I read today from cruisedaddy:  just spray the inside of the turn signal body with silver spray paint.  Or better yet, chrome spray paint.  I may have to overhaul my signals now, and redo that page....

EDIT: Changed link from sisna.com to bbburma.net