Advice on integrated tail light

[Blueman]

So i was thinking of getting this>>>http://www.ebay.com/itm/271208031426?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT 

The only thing is that im worried that it wont be bright enough. If anyone has an integrated tail light, please let me know what you think of it.

[pomme123]

I've got em. I love em. They are bright enough for any riding. They work well. Only thing is they make your blinked go really quick due to the lesser draw on power. If your gonna get led front blinkers your going to need a led relay to control the speed.


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[adidasguy]

Notes:

1. Wrong connector, but you can splice the wires (they mention that)
2. Does it illuminate the license plate? That is a DOT requirement. If it doesn't, you'll need to add white LEDs for that.
3. DOT requires that turn signals be 9" apart. Those are not when integrated. If you leave side turn signals on, you are OK otherwise if you ride like a squid and get pulled over you could get cited for non-conforming turn signals. If you have an accident and your turn signals are to blame (i.e. they didn't see your turn signals), non DOT approved turn signals will go against your case.

The problem with integrated from the view of someone behind you is it is very hard to tell whether you are going left or right.

Having your lights and signals DOT approved could be important if you have an accident and lights come up as a cause for the accident.

Just suggestions.

Oh, and blue is not allowed. Blue is only for police vehicles. You can get cited for the blue lens. Go clear or smoke.

[robfriedenberger]

I've been eying that up for a while now, never got money to pull the trigger though.
Check your local laws BTW, PA dose not have a DOT requirement on the lights, dose not have a turn signal requirement other than if equipped they must work, and dose allow solid blue lighting any where other than the front a of a vehicle. 

Any thing that makes you stick out usually makes you get hit. Cagers tend to get target fixation and don't realize it, and cops look for the odd ball.

Adidasguy dose have good points though, let post back if you get it and let us know how it turns out.

[adidasguy]

Some good resources:

http://www.bikernation.net/motorcyclelaws.htm

http://www.ehow.com/list_7356561_federal-regulations-motorcycle-turn-signals.html

http://www.sportbikes.net/forums/zzr-600/391575-dot-approved-turn-signals.html

I guess better safe than sorry. If your state has inspections, check into it.
You can ask a cop, too. However, ask what is required to be legal and not get ticketed rather than asking what you can get away with.


Colour of light emitted

The colour of light emitted by vehicle lights is largely standardised by longstanding convention. It was first codified in the 1949 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic[2] and later specified in the 1968 United Nations Convention on Road Traffic.[3] Generally, but with some regional exceptions, lamps facing rearward must emit red light, lamps facing sideward and all turn signals must emit amber light, while lamps facing frontward must emit white or selective yellow light. No other colours are permitted except on emergency vehicles.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automotive_lighting

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automotive_lighting#Turn_signals

[pomme123]

Ok. Suppose I should weigh in a little more as well. I had to mount my licence plate to my fender directly. (Drill a couple of holes) which I didn't mind because I've done a fenderectomy and now it looks great. I also had to shave some plastic of the rear plastics to let the white LEDS reach the plate. I'll take some photos tonight when I get back to the bike to show you the wiring (splicing wire locations) and the shaved part.


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[pomme123]

Ok mate. So here are the photos.
Can you see the way I trimmed out a little of the black plastic underneath!

For the splicing. Red goes to brown. Green goes to big white, thin black. Black goes to big black, Thin white. The yellow cables are the indicators. They go to there respective sides. I can't remember which cable controls the lights but only one does so just use common sense to work that one out.


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[GS4me]

Are these available for the earlier bikes as well?  First time I've seen these.  (I have a 95).

My original rear signals were replaced with LED Turn Signals that are smaller (but brighter), but I've always considered the idea of an integrated Tail / Turn Signal (and to just leave the current smaller LED turn signals in place).

I like the way my aftermarket turn signals look, but they just aren't "robust" like the factory turn signals are.  I could forsee some type of object being kicked up and breaking one off.

[kamikazepsi]

Be careful with aftermarket LED tail lights.....sometimes you'll get cheaper LEDs that will make you blind up close and inside garage lighting but once your outside and at further distances, natural sunlight will wash out the LEDs and they are hard to see. 

If you ever get a chance to go to a group ride/motorcycle rally,bike night, etc....you'll see a drastic difference on how different LED taillights perform.

[adidasguy]

Some products on ebay state they are not DOT approved. Some don't say at all.

I buy products from Lights4All on ebay.
They are in Germany and are certified compliant for German automotive standards - so basically DOT approved quality.

Maybe you pay a little more, but all my bikes have their products and for almost 4 years now.

http://stores.ebay.com/lights4all/_i.html?_nkw=gs500&submit=Search&_sid=110699378
(Where they say 89-96, really 89-2000 is the same.)

[codajastal]

I have the LED integrated tail light without the numberplate light but have connected small LED's for that and have had no issues with the popo here.