LED headlight???

[Cainus83]

Howdy all 

Firstly i am new and this is my first post so go easy on me 

I recently became the owner of my first bike, a 2009 GS500F in unreal condition. I'm looking to convert it into a naked and possibly sell the fairings.

I will replace the headlight, indicators and mirrors. I have new LED indicators on the way as well as headlight bracket/s.

Does anybody know if the universal LED headlights will work? are they plug and play or is there more to it?

Here is a link for the light in question http://thirdgear.com.au/3-eyes-led-all-metal-headlight/

I figured this would be a great place to ask, given there are so many GS wizards. I greatly appreciate any help you can offer.

P.S The fairings are black and in excellent condition (no scratches/never dropped) if anybody would be interested. I can provide pictures.

Thanks

Cain

[Janx101]

Heyo,  what OAD is that headlight? ..

And if it's CREE led then could be ok, if not then it could be questionable. .. it's not so much the light intensity tho, the reflector size/focus/beam pattern is what makes a usable headlight...

Some of these online lights are quite good but others are little more than a work light/floodlight (short range)

You really need to see if there are same ones somewhere online that show a diagram of expected beam pattern and 'throw' (distance down the road) of useful light?

Legality wise if it has the dot rating (or similar safety standard) for your country then it may meet the minimum requirement for "having a headlight/visibility to other road users" .. whether it has light you can safely ride with is another matter.

At that price it's a question of whether you want to be the guinea pig if no additional information can be found!

..  and welcome to the forum!

[ShowBizWolf]

Congrats on the bike and first post!! 

When reading your thread, I immediately thought of the headlight in this build thread currently going on...
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=69594.0
...it isn't the same light exactly but looks kinda similar... maybe Joester41 can point you in the right direction if ya send a message or ask in that thread.

Also, if you are serious about selling the fairings, post a thread with pics of them in the For Sale/Wanted section of the forum... I'm sure someone will be interested 

[fetor56]

5 reviews all 5 stars.
I've bought a few things from Third Gear and found them to be good,both in quality and timely service.
If u mention not only your interest in this light but also the forums interest perhaps they will give u the option of returning it(unmarked/undamaged/in original packaging) if not to your(and the forums) expectations.
I'm not talking about a free light,but if unsatisfactory an easily returnable light.
The forum link given to them would help.

[SuzukiOnly]

I just bought a $20 drop in led headlight on eBay. I liked that the cooling fins and fan were on the bulb end (whereas most stick out from the base) so it didn't require finagling the wires in my headlight enclosure (E model). I'll put up a pic or two here and let you know what I think of it Supposed to be 4k lumens at 40W consumption (3.2k lm @ 20w low beam). I ride mostly during the day and just wanted additional visibility. If I did much night riding, I'd probably opt for a projector lens retrofit, they are inexpensive and easy to do.

[Cainus83]

5 reviews all 5 stars.
I've bought a few things from Third Gear and found them to be good,both in quality and timely service.
If u mention not only your interest in this light but also the forums interest perhaps they will give u the option of returning it(unmarked/undamaged/in original packaging) if not to your(and the forums) expectations.
I'm not talking about a free light,but if unsatisfactory an easily returnable light.
The forum link given to them would help.

Thanks for the input. It's always good to hear from people with first hand experience. I did notice that Third Gear have a 30 day return policy that
appears pretty flexible. I am definitely leaning this way after reading your post 

Heyo,  what OAD is that headlight? ..

And if it's CREE led then could be ok, if not then it could be questionable. .. it's not so much the light intensity tho, the reflector size/focus/beam pattern is what makes a usable headlight...

Some of these online lights are quite good but others are little more than a work light/floodlight (short range)

You really need to see if there are same ones somewhere online that show a diagram of expected beam pattern and 'throw' (distance down the road) of useful light?

Legality wise if it has the dot rating (or similar safety standard) for your country then it may meet the minimum requirement for "having a headlight/visibility to other road users" .. whether it has light you can safely ride with is another matter.

At that price it's a question of whether you want to be the guinea pig if no additional information can be found!

..  and welcome to the forum!

I contacted the company who were quick to respond but unfortunately they were'nt able to offer more information. I do know that it is not certified by Australian standards, and after talking to
people who have performed modifications, it isn't a big issue here. To play it safe if i would keep all of the original light, fairings etc for roadworthy/resale purposes.

I just bought a $20 drop in led headlight on eBay. I liked that the cooling fins and fan were on the bulb end (whereas most stick out from the base) so it didn't require finagling the wires in my headlight enclosure (E model). I'll put up a pic or two here and let you know what I think of it Supposed to be 4k lumens at 40W consumption (3.2k lm @ 20w low beam). I ride mostly during the day and just wanted additional visibility. If I did much night riding, I'd probably opt for a projector lens retrofit, they are inexpensive and easy to do.

This could be an option if i already had a headlight but alas i only have the F model light which i am not fond of on naked bikes. Figured it would be simpler to buy an entire headlight and make life easier for myself.

[Cainus83]

I have also purchased 4 new LED indicators.

I've done a little research and am aware of the flasher issues requiring the addition of load resistors or an LED flasher relay.

Does anybody know if this will fit the GS 09 model and solve the problem?

http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-store/products/SCA-Motorcycle-Indicator-Flasher-LED.aspx?pid=134578#Recommendations

Cheers

Cain

[The Buddha]

I would buy the plastic housing one. The main reason is that metal will rust. Also the plastic will transmit less of the vibration from the bike into the bulbs though the LED's may not care like filaments do, and mine is hard mounted.
Cool.
Buddha.

[lucas]

I have also purchased 4 new LED indicators.

I've done a little research and am aware of the flasher issues requiring the addition of load resistors or an LED flasher relay.

Does anybody know if this will fit the GS 09 model and solve the problem?

http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-store/products/SCA-Motorcycle-Indicator-Flasher-LED.aspx?pid=134578#Recommendations

Cheers

Cain

The product image for this appears to show three terminals sticking out the bottom.  You need one with only two terminals.  You can find the flasher relay on your bike under the right side seat fairing.  It's a black squareish box.

If you're using this for an led turn signal conversion you want to find one that is a "no load" flasher relay.  Otherwise you will end up faffing about with resistors in order to get the signals to light up.

I looked online to see if I could find a good one to recommend but the price of shipping to Aus scared me off.

[The Buddha]

GS has 3 terminals in the headlight.
Am I missing something.
Cool.
Buddha.

[lucas]

Yeh, the link in question was for the turn signal relay.

[Cainus83]

I would buy the plastic housing one. The main reason is that metal will rust. Also the plastic will transmit less of the vibration from the bike into the bulbs though the LED's may not care like filaments do, and mine is hard mounted.
Cool.
Buddha.

Thanks for the tip. Wasn't considering plastic but it makes sense.

I have also purchased 4 new LED indicators.

I've done a little research and am aware of the flasher issues requiring the addition of load resistors or an LED flasher relay.

Does anybody know if this will fit the GS 09 model and solve the problem?

http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-store/products/SCA-Motorcycle-Indicator-Flasher-LED.aspx?pid=134578#Recommendations

Cheers

Cain

The product image for this appears to show three terminals sticking out the bottom.  You need one with only two terminals.  You can find the flasher relay on your bike under the right side seat fairing.  It's a black squareish box.

If you're using this for an led turn signal conversion you want to find one that is a "no load" flasher relay.  Otherwise you will end up faffing about with resistors in order to get the signals to light up.

I looked online to see if I could find a good one to recommend but the price of shipping to Aus scared me off.

Thanks for the heads up. Just did a search on ebay AUS and found a few. Some are adjustable and some are even universal. Is this the sort of thing that i would need?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2-Pin-Electronic-LED-Flasher-Relay-FIX-Motorcycle-Turn-Signal-Bulbs-Hyper-Flash-/171803697805

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2-Pin-Speed-Adjustable-LED-Flasher-Relay-Motorcycle-Turn-Signal-Indicator-SW-/161953229453

[lucas]

That orange one looks like a direct swap.  Not advertised as a no-load-flasher so be ready to do the in line resistor thing.

[Cainus83]

That orange one looks like a direct swap.  Not advertised as a no-load-flasher so be ready to do the in line resistor thing.

Thanks. I found a no load version that looks like it is ideal. A little more expensive but... 

http://www.ledshoponline.com/12v-12-volt-3-pin-LED-flasher-indicator

[Cainus83]

Thanks folks for all your input on this topic. Being a noob and all, it's great to get friendly sound advice.

After doing more research i came to the conclusion that i would have to spend far too much on an LED headlight. The lower entry level stuff usually doesn't have E mark approval and the quality/performance can be quite poor.

The truck lite phase 7 and JW speaker evolution would have been great options but would have cost me anywhere between $450 and $900. I only paid $2600 for the bike 

I settled for a pretty standard black cafe racer style 7" headlight with clear e marked lens and H4 connector from modern motorcycle company australia. It will look the part and if the performance lacks at all i will look into upgrading the bulb.

Much appreciative
Cain