| Author | Message | ||
     Towjam |
Just picked up a couple of LED flashlights for the house. First time I've ever used 'em and holy crap! they're bright! This has me wondering... Why are there not LED headlights? Looks like they'd be more reliable, durable and would last as long as you owned the bike. Or is it for this reason that headlight manufacturers don't want to lose the replacement bulb business? | ||
| Metalstorm |
I've been wondering that myself. Best guess I can come up with is that there would have to be a whole lot of them packed into a small area and the reflector would have to be made just right. Maybe it's just not cost effective at this time or maybe every one is waiting for the next big leap in LED technology before tackling such a task. I look forward to the day that the LED headlight becomes reality. | ||
| Sparky |
I looked into this last year thinking there might be hope for us Firebolt owners. Ha ha hrmph! The situation then was the developers cannot make a bright enough headlight that would run cool and package it into a small enough assembly. The running cool thing is probably the current hurdle in development. Now having said that, I believe Audi is probably the first to the market with a car with LED headlights. But that's a premium priced auto, not a run of the mill motorcycle.  So, there is hope on the horizon, but at what cost? | ||
| Towjam |
Guess I need to read up on LED technology. I assumed LEDs would run relatively cool since they draw less power. The fact that they are now available for autos makes me think we'll be seeing them for bikes sooner than later - and no doubt, BMW will be the first one out the gate with them. | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
I have done extensive research on this. We are still several years away from LED headlights on bikes. The first production vehicle to have LED headlamps is the Lexus LS600h (hybrid). Audi's A8, along with Aston Martin AMV8 use LED only as a driving lamp, not as a full fledged low beam. The Lexus system is very advanced. It uses high voltage to achieve the necessary brightness. The issue is trying to balance lamp life, with brightness. This has proven very challenging. Also LED's are very sensitive to temperature changes. They need to have a cooling/heating system to maintain a constant temperature. This would be complex on a motorcycle. One of the leaders in this area is Taylor Made (yes the people who make golf clubs) they have created efficient LED's for household bulb replacement. They are VERY expensive. The progress of innovation is being hampered by the cheap chinese imports. Very few are willing to pay for the latest LED designs, when ebay is selling tons of "good enough" LED products. If we look back in history at the progression of HID technology this should give you an idea how long it might be before it is a mainstream item. HIDs (as we know them) were originally created for the fiber optic networks. It wasn't until 1991 that the first prototype automotive headlamp was shown. The first production vehicle to have them was the 1993 Lincoln Mark VIII, followed very closely by the BMW 750il. These were very expensive options. Even today HID lights are not mainstream on passenger cars. It is still considered a luxury item. The first high/low LED system is rumored to be offered on the 2009 Cadillac Escalade Platinum edition. | ||
| Towjam |
Cool info - and pretty much answers my question. Thanks! So I assume that LED tailights are just a very basic LED implementation - like LED flashlights. Because they don't need to project a beam, they don't require the high voltage and subsequent temp control of a headlight. Fair to say? | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
Basically. LED tail lamps normally use several lights to achieve the brightness of a single filament bulb. The technology is still new, and ever evolving. so who knows what may be coming. |
