Hi all,

Family member has a 2005 GS500F US model with some dubious modifications. The one I'm focusing on at the moment is the LED headlight, it works, sort of... but it practically blinks at idle (1200 RPM), brighter with each piston firing, once it revs up it's sort of OK.

First question. I know on some older bikes the headlight load is a necessary part of voltage regulation, just checking if that's not the case here, or any other issues like that. I think this bike should be newer than that, but too old to have CANBUS issues, but I don't know for sure.

Second question, has anyone used one of the many load resister/capacitor combo's? I see a bunch on Amazon. It looks like one for an H4 would fit. Any recommendations on brands (they vary from $12 to $40 or more). It seems they are made for more sophisticated issues (ie CANBUS) but hoping they'll help with idle speed headlight flickering. (It doesn't have to be perfect, but any improvement would help).

Third semi-related question, any Turn Signal Relays recommended for LED blinkers? I see a bunch available, but reviews are mixed.

Welcome to the forum!

I once had a LED H4 bulb in my 1998 and I didn't have any issues like the ones you're mentioning. Bluesmudge, another member here, has (or at least used to have) one as well, in his newer F bike. Perhaps he'll chime in soon.

I don't have any specific recommendations for a relay but I do know it has been confirmed several times in the GS500 fb group that a combination of an LED relay + a non-polarized dash bulb allows LED indicators to work properly. There are other ways to do it, as I've come across, but to me, a relay and a bulb seems to be the easiest way to go. It's also mentioned in the wiki about the non-polarized bulb.

I have an LED headlight on my 2006 F model. I've never had the low RPM blink, even on the really cheap LED headlight I tried first.

I do think its party inherent to the technology. My stock 2019 Honda C125 Super Cub comes with a LED headlight from the factory, and it has a noticeable blink at idle.

It's possible the blinking means your charging system isn't producing enough voltage at idle. But more likely its just a cheap LED bulb.

Thanks for the welcome.

The headlight blinking is gone.

Two things have happened, set idle a little higher (1200RPM), and wired in the front blinkers (with built-in DRL) . Maybe loose wire, maybe idle voltage, maybe the extra DRL load fixed it, not sure.

It is a cheap LED, that's for sure, strangest light pattern I've ever seen... but workable, if not ideal. Haven't gotten anyone flashing high beams at me, so seems to be tolerable to oncoming drivers.