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Author Topic: 2019 LED Headlight Retrofit  (Read 4235 times)

drivethruecp

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2019 LED Headlight Retrofit
« on: January 15, 2019, 10:47:31 PM »

Anyone else intrigued by the new 2019 Zero Headlight teaser for 2.25.19 https://www.zeromotorcycles.com/ ? Already thinking of a retrofit for my 2017!

I'm currently running the Sylvania Silverstar ZXE headlight bulb and Sylvania - 194 T10 W5W ZEVO LED White Headlamp running Light.
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inhibernation

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Re: 2019 LED Headlight Retrofit
« Reply #1 on: January 16, 2019, 08:23:02 AM »

I think it's great for plug-and-play ability.

But somewhat objectively it was strange that a next-generation electric bike would cling to incandescents all around despite affordable LED options.  And quite subjectively, I have always preferred round headlights despite how modern the bodywork is. 

Good on them for updating.  Everyone else always has the DIY option.  Hope it's durable enough to last.

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BrianTRice@gmail.com

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Re: 2019 LED Headlight Retrofit
« Reply #2 on: January 16, 2019, 09:48:53 AM »

Everything I've heard from engineers about LED lights on the Zero is that they got bogged down sourcing a vendor's product that would actually pass DOT/NHTSA/ECE testing. They expressed sincere frustration about this.

Zero moves slowly, but they aren't fools and most things we've thought of, they've tried.
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inhibernation

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Re: 2019 LED Headlight Retrofit
« Reply #3 on: January 16, 2019, 11:25:37 AM »

And that's a fair perspective to have.  By comparison, I certainly wouldn't have asked them to prioritize the % benefit of LED-vs-H4 over the quality of brakes, wheels, gauges, suspension, etc presented on the showroom floor.
 
But that's also a decision the average consumer isn't privy to.

LEDs would be a 'visual match' to their advertised new technology, while the LSL Urban provided by Zero was first public on the 13-year-old Yamaha MT-03.  I remember shopping around for used take-offs as a popular upgrade on my old Suzuki SV650. 
« Last Edit: January 16, 2019, 12:22:29 PM by inhibernation »
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inhibernation

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Re: 2019 LED Headlight Retrofit
« Reply #4 on: January 16, 2019, 01:04:33 PM »

drivethruecp: 
Unfortunately, I can't find a single 4-squares-and-a-bar headlight to match the Zero link you showed.  That's strange, considering the side-profiles still show the LSL housing, but there's no searchable LED retrofits for those.  And Zero isn't likely making their own.  It's not clear what their concept is working with.

If you are time-conscious and don't want to wait a year or so for wrecked 2019's, you might have to fork out for a Koso (https://kosonorthamerica.com/shop/motorcycle-mx/thunderbolt-led-headlight/) or a cheap but questionable round LED.  I've been happy so far with the questionable 5 3/4 light.  Grab a fork mount, bucket, headlight and you're there!
« Last Edit: January 16, 2019, 01:27:29 PM by inhibernation »
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2016 Zero DSR, 2006 HD Sportster 883, 1978 BMW R100

Richard230

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Re: 2019 LED Headlight Retrofit
« Reply #5 on: January 16, 2019, 08:52:38 PM »

Personally I have never cared for weird shaped headlights, like Suzuki used to have in the 1960's or those scary things currently on KTM and some Kawasaki motorcycles.  :o Just give me a nice big round headlight.  :) And as someone who rarely rides at night, I am happy with incandescent lighting, as long as the bulb is easy to change when it burns out.  ;)
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caza

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Re: 2019 LED Headlight Retrofit
« Reply #6 on: January 16, 2019, 11:05:52 PM »

Just wait for the SR/F to come out and order the part from AF1 Racing. Probably will be it's own project to mount and wire it, but so is any custom solution.
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bones302

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Re: 2019 LED Headlight Retrofit
« Reply #7 on: April 10, 2019, 11:43:04 PM »

@inhibernation, can you advise what headlight is on your DSR?
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alko

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Re: 2019 LED Headlight Retrofit
« Reply #8 on: April 11, 2019, 01:23:27 AM »

Anyone else intrigued by the new 2019 Zero Headlight teaser for 2.25.19 https://www.zeromotorcycles.com/ ? Already thinking of a retrofit for my 2017!

I'm currently running the Sylvania Silverstar ZXE headlight bulb and Sylvania - 194 T10 W5W ZEVO LED White Headlamp running Light.

I switched my headlight out,for an hi/low beam LED but it throws the projection way off, so I will definately see if the sr/f headlight assembly can be retrofitted to my dsr.
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inhibernation

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Re: 2019 LED Headlight Retrofit
« Reply #9 on: April 12, 2019, 05:55:57 AM »

@inhibernation, can you advise what headlight is on your DSR?

Cheapo LED off Amazon.   5 3/4" Bucket from DimeCity.  Welded up my own mounts, but it would be easier to use any of the fork tube side-mounts available out there. 

Well-reviewed lights are Eagle in the $125 range and JW Speaker in the $300 range.
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flattetyre

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Re: 2019 LED Headlight Retrofit
« Reply #10 on: April 12, 2019, 08:03:38 AM »

Zero uses those last-century incandescent lights because they're extremely cheap and easy. They could have put in LEDs if they wanted, but they figured it wasn't worth the extra effort.
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dukecola

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Re: 2019 LED Headlight Retrofit
« Reply #11 on: April 12, 2019, 08:10:35 AM »

@inhibernation, can you advise what headlight is on your DSR?

Cheapo LED off Amazon.   5 3/4" Bucket from DimeCity.  Welded up my own mounts, but it would be easier to use any of the fork tube side-mounts available out there. 

Well-reviewed lights are Eagle in the $125 range and JW Speaker in the $300 range.
I've got the JW Speaker 7" on my 16' SR. It was $$299. I don't have a way to post photos here, but here's a link to my pics on the FB group. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2229472780408941&set=pcb.2115836978485499&type=3&theater&ifg=1
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alko

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Re: 2019 LED Headlight Retrofit
« Reply #12 on: April 12, 2019, 08:49:16 AM »


[/quote]I've got the JW Speaker 7" on my 16' SR. It was $$299. I don't have a way to post photos here, but here's a link to my pics on the FB group. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2229472780408941&set=pcb.2115836978485499&type=3&theater&ifg=1
[/quote]

That looks really good. I want one. Besides the custom bracket for mounting, is it otherwise plug and play?
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SBK74

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Re: 2019 LED Headlight Retrofit
« Reply #13 on: April 12, 2019, 02:07:04 PM »

Everything I've heard from engineers about LED lights on the Zero is that they got bogged down sourcing a vendor's product that would actually pass DOT/NHTSA/ECE testing. They expressed sincere frustration about this.

Zero moves slowly, but they aren't fools and most things we've thought of, they've tried.

If I'm not mistaken, the US spec Energcas have incandescent blinker lights, while their EU counterparts have LED blinker lights. Must be due to frustrating legislation indeed.
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bones302

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Re: 2019 LED Headlight Retrofit
« Reply #14 on: April 12, 2019, 06:23:06 PM »

@inhibernation, can you advise what headlight is on your DSR?

Cheapo LED off Amazon.   5 3/4" Bucket from DimeCity.  Welded up my own mounts, but it would be easier to use any of the fork tube side-mounts available out there. 

Well-reviewed lights are Eagle in the $125 range and JW Speaker in the $300 range.

thought so. thanks. I had that in a 7" version wihtout halo ring on my Monster. The bucket threw me off though.
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