So here's the deal...
My missus' FXSE has the factory HD LED headlight, and it's pretty damn nice.
I have a HID setup on my Yamaha, and it's slightly better, but not much (indicating the LED is pretty darn good).
I'm picking up an FXSB for myself, and was thinking about the upgrade to LED.
I pulled the missus and it's genuine HD and when I looked it up I nearly shat myself! $600. for a nice headlight is a LOT of dough! LOL
So I know HogLights is a reputable dealer, and I want to do business here in Australia, but after looking at their products I have to believe it's the same stuff I would get off Ebay from China :(
Even HogLights is over $250. for the same light I can get off Ebay for $46. delivered.
I'm not trying to bag on HD, or HogLights, but do any of you have experience with the Ebay crap?
I usually do ok on that stuff, but NONE were advertised as having a GLASS lens. The HD headlight is GLASS.
So at the very least I feel I'll be starting with an inferior product, but at a lot less cost.
If you have had good luck re bad luck with the stuff, please chime in.
I prefer not to ride at night if I can avoid it, but when I do I want the place lit up like a baseball field! :)
Cheers
Yeah a lot of discussion on these cheap led headlights, with people happy with them
my concern is replacement if you out riding somewhere, servo's have H4
My thoughts exactly :)
I just figured somebody else had already spent beer money on one, and could tell the tale.
I'll get something going and come back to you guys, and I'll have the genuine HD LED to compare side by side, so it should be interesting.
been toying with the same idea myself.. however last weekend a mate of mine on his softy got pulled over and defected for a lot of things 1 was including a LED headlight as it doesn't state on the glass it was ADR approved... he bought it as is so no idea on brand...
I will keep the stock H4 for now..
No they don't have ADR approval, normally any lights on any adr compliant vehicles, have the letter E on them near all the other small writing.
Never had an issue with the Law, and been all round Oz with it.
Thanks for the input mate!
They do all look much the same.
I may still explore some HID options as well, since I believe the factory light has a H4 globe in it.
Not a lot of places to hide a ballast box on a Breakout though :)
I might even take ole mate up on his used HD LED.....
Ordered this one from Ebay last night....
Ebay LED
Most of the $46-99. buggers had TERRIBLE feedback. This mob doesn't have much feedback, but it's all these lights and all good feedback - AND they are at least here in Australia.(willing to let a bloke drop in to pick one up)
I did find one other that was $93. delivered to QLD from China(although they claim to be US stock), and they apparently sold 199 of them in the last couple months and had good feedback for the last 6 months..... BUT they make all their listings "Private" so you can't really tell what a person bought. I hate that because something sneaky is up, so none of the good feedbacks were directly related to any of the lights.
This light does NOT appear to have the DRL, but frankly I can't figure out what the Hell that is for on a bike anyway. The only time you would see it was with the ignition on ACC. Otherwise it just gets drowned out in the rest of the lights. Maybe it's a Yank thing?
Will get some detailed pics when it gets here.
so far so good... the mob actually sent a message asking what colour I wanted, as I did not specify when ordering.
And I already have an AUS tracking number.
Should have it in hand next week for sure :)
Thanks for the heads up Loopie.
However, the headlight I am purchasing is marked "DOT" "SAE" and "E" for approvals.
Honestly, if I get pulled up, the headlight would be the least of my concerns LOL
First impressions...... Communication with the Ebay seller was excellent, and postage from Melbourne only took a few days to arrive.
Packaging was quite decent, light was very well protected and even installation instructions (IN ENGLISH) were included.
Looking good so far!
I complicated matters a bit by deciding last minute to change out the headlight bucket. Another Ebay item, and was said to NOT fit LED lights, but it easily does.
The new LED light fit in perfectly and with just a couple tweaks I got the gear mounted on the triples.
Prior to swapping them though, I got a couple pics in the garage.
The dingy yellowy looking thing on the left is OEM H4 on my FXSB.
The crisp white thing on the right is HD Daymaker in the missus' FXSE.
The only thing the new LED does NOT have is the DRL, and I really can't see missing it.
On these bikes, it only even comes on if you put the bike in "Accessory" mode. Might be useful for looking around the carpark?
Anyhow, with eyeball adjustment of the light angle, here's the comparison..........
New LED on the left and HD Daymaker on the right.
The initial colour is not quite the same, but the pattern may be wider than the Daymaker.
They both have a clear border across the top - unlike the OEM H4.
Keep in mind, both bikes are on the side stands - thus the tilted light patterns :)
Will make some final adjustments and get them both on the road in the next few nights for a real on-road comparison.
I opted for the Black headlight, yet I put it in a Chrome bucket. Still looks alright to me. If the chrome bucket starts to look daggy (it eventually will) I may get it powder-coated Gloss Black. My bike is Black and Chrome, so either suits ok.
The pics of the bulbs head on are very hard to see, but the light layout in the Ebay unit is identical to the HD Daymaker with the exception of the Daylight Running Lamp.