In this month’s tech talk, Carl talks about the benefits of LED lighting. While many manufacturers have kept their dual-sport models pretty much the same since the late 1900s, you can still take add new technologies like LEDs to make your ride safer.
One of the main advantages of LEDs is much brighter lighting. A conventional headlight on a dual-sport puts out about 1,000 lumens, while an LED replacement can put out more than 3,000 lumens, while using less power. This means you will be more easily seen by traffic, can better see the road or trail ahead, and can power more farkles, all at the same time. Win-win-win!
While LED taillights are also brighter than their conventional counterparts (600 lumens versus 300), you get the added benefit of quicker response time. Conventional taillights take around 0.4 seconds to light up, while LEDs light up almost instantaneously. If you’re traveling at 60mph, 0.4 seconds means 35 feet more stopping distance for the car behind you!
LED turn signals are brighter and come on quicker than conventional turn signals. They are also available in a sequential style. Many bikes will need a flasher kit and a diode kit for proper operation.
Lastly, LED aux lights are worthwhile upgrade. They are available in different patterns like flood or driving, depending on your preference. We recommend wiring them up to your high-beams to simplify operation.
