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[Doug S]

Well I've done a lot of searching over the last couple of days and due to the very shallow turn signal housing and somewhat non-standard 150 degree pin offset (thanks Zero) there are very few options for a plug and play LED replacement bulb.  Yes the LED turn signal board from Weisner will work, but no way I'm shelling out $170 to convert my turn signals to LED.

I found some shallow LED bulbs with a 180 degree pin base that could be modified to fit, but the lumen output and quality are not very good.

If anyone out there has found a good alternative, please share.

I pretty much came to the conclusion that without a cheap and easy solution, which doesn't really seem to exist, there's just no compelling reason to change. They look better than incandescents, but that's about the only real-world advantage. The power draw of a 12W turn signal is insignificant, and they're on so infrequently anyhow that it's just not worth spending any money on even if there were an easy solution available.

[ESokoloff]

I pretty much came to the conclusion that without a cheap and easy solution, which doesn't really seem to exist, there's just no compelling reason to change. They look better than incandescents, but that's about the only real-world advantage. The power draw of a 12W turn signal is insignificant, and they're on so infrequently anyhow that it's just not worth spending any money on even if there were an easy solution available.

I look at it differently.

I want additional lumination for the purposes of enhanced conspicuousness. 

[BamBam]

Agreed.  The only reason for me to convert to LED's is is to have brighter, more visible turn signals.   All the LED bulbs I looked at that might be able to work had pretty lame lumens.

There are these bulbs, but with a length of 40mm are probably too long and I don't see the lumen output given.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-X-581-AMBER-INDICATOR-CAR-BULBS-19-LED-ORANGE-12V-21W-BAU15S-AUXILIARY-BULB/382401776282?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649

These might work if you modify the base, but the lumen output is only 176.
https://www.amazon.com/EverBrightt-10-Pack-Amber-BA15S-Signal/dp/B01ARM0W9E/ref=sr_1_12?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1523024686&sr=1-12&keywords=amber+1156+led+bulb

Does anyone know the lumen output of the stock turn signal bulb?

[MrDude_1]

I pretty much came to the conclusion that without a cheap and easy solution, which doesn't really seem to exist, there's just no compelling reason to change. They look better than incandescents, but that's about the only real-world advantage. The power draw of a 12W turn signal is insignificant, and they're on so infrequently anyhow that it's just not worth spending any money on even if there were an easy solution available.

I look at it differently.

I want additional lumination for the purposes of enhanced conspicuousness.

I do too, but instead of the turn signals, I focused on putting an LED headlight bulb in the front, and I am working on a LED rear light solution.
Even when its hyper-bright the turn signals are a bit small.

[BamBam]

One other idea I had would be to modify the lens cover by drilling a hole in it to let a taller LED tower bulb fit through and then seal the end of the bulb with a clear PVC cap glued to the lens.  Seems like a bit of work, but it would be super visible and cheap to fab up.

[ESokoloff]

I pretty much came to the conclusion that without a cheap and easy solution, which doesn't really seem to exist, there's just no compelling reason to change. They look better than incandescents, but that's about the only real-world advantage. The power draw of a 12W turn signal is insignificant, and they're on so infrequently anyhow that it's just not worth spending any money on even if there were an easy solution available.

I look at it differently.

I want additional lumination for the purposes of enhanced conspicuousness.

I do too, but instead of the turn signals, I focused on putting an LED headlight bulb in the front, and I am working on a LED rear light solution.
Even when its hyper-bright the turn signals are a bit small.

I already have a 5700k LED headlight & aux bulb along with lower fork mounted selective yellow 10w fog lights.
Amber running lights add another layer of conspicuousness. 
Eventually I want to add an additional 4 Amber LED bolts (2 per side) to the hand-gards for some side & additional front coverage but will hold off until i get the running/signal interface device figured out. 

[ESokoloff]

Agreed.  The only reason for me to convert to LED's is is to have brighter, more visible turn signals.   All the LED bulbs I looked at that might be able to work had pretty lame lumens.

There are these bulbs, but with a length of 40mm are probably too long and I don't see the lumen output given.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-X-581-AMBER-INDICATOR-CAR-BULBS-19-LED-ORANGE-12V-21W-BAU15S-AUXILIARY-BULB/382401776282?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649

These might work if you modify the base, but the lumen output is only 176.
https://www.amazon.com/EverBrightt-10-Pack-Amber-BA15S-Signal/dp/B01ARM0W9E/ref=sr_1_12?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1523024686&sr=1-12&keywords=amber+1156+led+bulb

Does anyone know the lumen output of the stock turn signal bulb?

 Neither of these two operations or suitable replacements for the stock  incandesce bulb. 

Both state to be 360° coverage (RUN!!!!)
The e-bay claims 3.96 watts but I seriously dought that's possable.
(See "Full Item Description")

The Amazon offering is $1/bulb and only .6 watts so not suitable.


In order to achieve an incandescent comparable LED (lum output) a heat sink likely will be involved (to keep the temperatures of the LED(s) manageable).

Look at the construction of SYLVANIA's hi powered LED's https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=sylvania+zevo+led&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Asylvania+zevo+led

Here's Phillips 1157 https://www.amazon.com/Philips-12836REDB2-Intense-Vision-light/dp/B00P2D415K/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1523064020&sr=8-3&keywords=Phillips+1157+led


The LASFIT 1157A (Duel output) will fit with modifications  https://www.amazon.com/LASFIT-12-24V-Extremely-Non-Polarity-Blinker/dp/B077T8G9PG/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1523064257&sr=1-1&keywords=Lasfit+1157a

I wish I remembered the exact limitations of the bulb Real estate (how long you could get way with). I seem to recall only 35mm or so.

[ESokoloff]

One other idea I had would be to modify the lens cover by drilling a hole in it to let a taller LED tower bulb fit through and then seal the end of the bulb with a clear PVC cap glued to the lens.  Seems like a bit of work, but it would be super visible and cheap to fab up.

I'm not liking making any alterations to the exterior of the pod &/or lens but that's just me. 

I'm definitely frugal (otherwise I'ld have gone the Weiser route) but you have to be willing to expend a little bit in order to achieve the desired affect (comparable or greater lum output with long term reliability).

Perhaps consider http://www.hightechspeed.com/products/xarc/index.html
A bit pricey but looks to be a Quality product at a decent price (especially compared to Weiser).

[ESokoloff]

BamBam,

These are Plug-n-play.  http://dynamicmotorrad.com/
They don’t list a model for Zero but perhaps they have one that will work.
$30 a pop sounds reasonable considering it’s a drop in solution. 

[BamBam]

Hey, now we're talking. Those could be the ones. Thanks for sharing.

Judging from the photos, the Motorrad bulbs will definitely fit the smaller arrow style turn signal.

[ESokoloff]

Hey, now we're talking. Those could be the ones. Thanks for sharing.

Judging from the photos, the Motorrad bulbs will definitely fit the smaller arrow style turn signal.

Just found this......
If you pull the trigger on a set, use ADVRIDER or BMWMOA in the discount code for $18 off.
http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/new-bmw-can-bus-compatible-led-turn-signal-bulbs.1030344/

http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=971463

[BamBam]

Thanks for the information.  Given the price of the Motorrad bulb and the luke warm reviews, I'm going to pass and keep searching for a cheaper alternative.

[acacia1731]

Cheaper alternatives available on this site.  The pair I got for around $1.00 is no longer available, but there are several similar sets for under $5.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2PCS-Super-Bright-S25-1156-led-COB-12SMD-1156-BA15S-P21W-Auto-Car-Signal-Reverse-Led/32856511321.html

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2x-Super-Bright-S25-1156-led-COB-12-SMD-1156-BA15S-P21W-Auto-Car-Signal-Reverse/32832539001.html

[BamBam]

Thanks for the links Arcadia.  The problem I see with the bulb in your first link is they are clear and we need an amber bulb for our turn signals. The base is also a BA15S so you would need to file off one of the pins to get it to fit in the socket.

Similar base issue with the bulb in the second link, but at least it's available in yellow.  At that price I think I'll give it a try.

I found these bulbs on Amazon that got great reviews and would be a direct plug-n-play, but at $50 a pop........no thanks.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018UWBPK8/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=AAJYP6IRGK45M&psc=1

[BamBam]

I'm seeing some conflicting information regarding the polarity of the electronic flasher relay.  If I'm looking at the bottom of the flasher where the pins are located (i.e. the pins are facing me) should the positive (+) be on the right side or left side?