Indicators - Bulb vs LED ?

[bigup]

Looking to replace the indicators on my hornet as they look huge, plus one of the rear ones is taped together from previous owner so a good time to change.

There are lots of aftermarket indicators , bulbs and LEDs

I know the LEDs ones need a relay but interms of safety and being seen are the LEDs indicators any good in day light ? I've been reading conflicting info on the Internet.

Some say LEDs have a very directional view unlike bulbs , night time they are spot on but in daytime they are not very good.

Also what halogens if a car hits you and they says I couldn't see your indicating as they are so small?

So my options are:

1. Stay with stock (put up with ugly but be seen, be safe)
2. Fit LED indicators (look amazing but maybe not as bright as bulbs?)
3. Fit smaller bulb indicators ( best of both worlds sort of!)

What are your thoughts ?

[Sable]

[anthony_r6]

I bought some LED ones for my Hornet and they were pretty poor during the day. I ended up switching back to standard bulbs for fear of someone rear-ending the bike whilst I was trying to turn.
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[redeem ouzzer]

I've yet to see a convincing LED indicator set up that matches the visibility of standard bulb indicators.
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Be a REAL MAN!

[Irn-Bru]

The ones I've seen (ebay cheapies) are pretty rubbish, can't see them on sunny days. OEM LED ones on Beemers, Ducatis etc. are usually shit hot though, probably a get what ya pay for thing. I stick with bulbs personally. My DRZ has handguard LED indicators and rear stock bulb ones, the Hornet has them ones you get from Halfords, bulb ones, which I am a big fan of personally, I've had them on nearly every bike I've owned and I think they're decent.
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[drzsta]

I paid a fair whack for me LED indicators but they are bright as hell.
https://www.kellermann-online.com/en/produkte/untergruppe/109

[Supermoto_Fan]

I've got the official Yamaha ones at £35 a pair they not cheap, but they are fantastic quality and as bright as BMW standard offerings.

The Chinese/eBay specials are cheap for a reason.
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Yamaha MT-09 - Triple powerrrr

[Beehive Bedlam]

I think they look shit.

[G]

Depends on the models you buy.
They can low output and directional. They can be brighter than standard with a wide viewing angle.[/b]

[Kickstart]

Hi

Tiny indicators will be hard to see anyway, and most aftermarket indicators are cheap rubbish.

LED lights are directional, but if an indicator is designed well then the individual LEDs can aim in different directions.

All the best

Katy
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Itchy]

Buy what you like, if other drivers are looking they'll spot them.

If they aren't looking then you can have indicators the size of football stadia flood lights and they won't see you.
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[ADSrox0r]

Bear in mind, replacing bulbs with LEDs can make the regrec more susceptible to failure in the long run. Unused power has to be dumped in the form of heat.

Not saying it will do bad things, and no doubt plenty of modder types will jump up and down stating 'nowt wrong wiv it m8' but it's just simple electrical facts.
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Current bikes: '08 VFR 800 VTEC(yo) , '07 ZZR1400 Winter hack: '95 Aprilia 650 Pegaso Currently lusting after: RC30

[G]

[Matt B]

[Rogerborg]

[Hahadumball]

[bigup]

Anyone recommend any decent led indicators?

I know there is an oberon brand but at £61 for a pair they are a bit rich for me lol

How about any of the Oxford ones?

Trying to resist buying the cheap ebay ones

[drzsta]

if your going cheap then stick with bulbs.

[Itchy]

[stonesie]

[ADSrox0r]

[Albigularis]

New good quality LED ones are very good. The ones on my Mutlistrada light up motorway signs when changing lanes, and houses when driving in urban areas. Never seen a bulb do that on any of my bikes.

The aftermarket ones in my mates ZX-7R though, are so dim that you can barely see them at night. In daylight they are pointless.
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Biking history so far-
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[talkToTheHat]

I did bad things to a 125 replacing the huge stock 12w indicators with 21w tiny aftermarket ones. The replacement ones were way more visible though. Most big bikes that use i incandescent bulbs use 21w bulbs. Its mostly the shape of the reflector that makes a difference. I bought some chromed aluminium ones from j&s the morning the postman broke an indicator off my 535 right before the MoT. They were really good.

If you have an led indicator and a load resistor to bodge the flasher, you wont actually save any energy, so the difference is only cosmetic unless you have or change the flasher to be an led compatible flasher.
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