Best Motorcycle Headlights - Halogen v HID v LED

Upgrade your bulb or headlight with these helpful tips and side-by-side comparisons. Which beam is brightest? We test aftermarket halogen, HID and LED solutions for motorcycles.
Gear Breakdown:
Drag Specialties Superwhite Halogen - frt9.co/15ouhq
PIAA Xtreme White Halogen - frt9.co/n5da2g
BikeMaster HID Light Kit - SOLD OUT
ODX LED Bulb - frt9.co/q5hg9n
Kuryakyn Orbit Prism - frt9.co/qiemy5
Support us by shopping motorcycle gear with this link:
frt9.co/aeu0mn
Or anything with this Amazon link:
frt9.co/30l4bi
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[@hanswurst8697]

There is the part of KZbin where good quality and excellence is number one priority.

[@fghfsderts]

Hans Wurst can’t agree more with ya. I’d rather wait for weeks for Ryan to release a vid than watching others pumping out trash daily (not saying all daily uploaders are trash, but some are)

[@doncorleon9]

Welcome.. This is crazy canadian biker ...

[@chrisb9960]

F9 Always quality, fair and balanced.

[@w_ulf]

Thank You. This is the true dank shit. Hail the Gods of Moto!

[@Rieju300]

You, sir, are simply the best. You deserve all the accolades and success that come your way.

[@Danof]

The best headlight is Ryans smile

[@user01998]

that's gay but in a good way :D

[@jstrndm945]

Uh-oh. Look weird from here

[@youtubeaccount5153]

Get a room dude.

[@stackflow343]

Notice me, Senpai

[@Fee.1]

Krygos what’s wrong with you

[@PhilOsGarage]

As someone who designs led lights for a living, I've lost count of how many headlight videos are packed full of nonsense. This video is pretty damned accurate, and easy for a layman to understand. Excellent video, this is exactly the clarity youtube videos usually lack.

[@motozest7856]

Hey Phil, maybe you can help me. I'm planning on buying a 2021 Speed Triple 1200 RS, but I can't stand the low-beam-on-the-left-high-beam-on-the-right asymmetric setup; the only way I'm taking the plunge is if I can change the headlights for the 2021 Rocket 3 units, or possibly some other dual round symmetric setup. Thing is, I don't know the first thing about electrical systems... What should I look into? Would I need to upgrade the battery? The wiring? Some other component(s)? I've asked this question around and no one seems to be able to help me... Thanks in advance👍

[@themotorcyclemasswhole]

Alright Phil “O”… best set up for a 2000 Triumph sprint st.

[@motozest7856]

@@themotorcyclemasswhole Phil'O doesn't seem to give a fuck...

[@themotorcyclemasswhole]

@@motozest7856 Yep, or maybe he was just lying about what he does for a living

[@motozest7856]

@@themotorcyclemasswhole Or he doesn't know shit...

[@RoyalsRP]

I can't get over how insane the quality of this guy's videos are.

[@cw205mi16]

I don't think he's a real person, cgi I reckon

[@Lyfeel]

Love Ryan's face after he said "The cops could pull you over for being too white."

[@raphaellacasse-linteau]

I know what he did there

[@freekolafdegroot2776]

Yep, good one. Possible though...

[@nickfry7705]

I missed that, very clever.

[@stackflow343]

lol that'd be a first

[@igostupidfast3]

Glad I'm not the only one who noticed

[@burtbaxter6567]

“Otherwise you’re headlight will end up looking like an American news show - extremely one sided” 😂🤣

[@EasyRiderGreg]

Yeah, ain't that the truth! Bring back Walter Cronkite!

[@Wolf462]

Burt Baxter I was just gonna write the same comment and then saw your so I’ll just like it instead🤣😂

[@seattlegrrlie]

Accurate!

[@FeralLogic]

As an American, I can vouch for the sadness of this unfortunate state of affairs.

[@shabadabadoo4326]

@@FeralLogic Seconded... #feelsbadman

[@steven3915]

The only problem with LEDS vs HIDS is led beam patterns tend to be a lot more random unless paired with projector lenses. HID can be installed in reflector housings (though not recommended) and they'll have a mote similar beam pattern to halogen bulbs. If you live in an area with a lot of rain or snow and plan on riding in that weather I'd highly recommend sticking with halogen or HID, if you live in the desert go with LED.

[@linepulse]

This guy gets it. Beam pattern super important.

[@Master-di4di]

LED price was coming down? No more worries about bulb life.

[@Pyrrho_]

Lensing is more important than emitter.

[@snoopy9568]

Exactly! Unfortunately, and despite having fitted LEDs to my Landcruiser (brilliant!), in Australia NO LED LIGHT is Australian Design Rules (ADR) approved for use in non-projector headlights for that reason - in other words they're illegal! Despite this I have tried several types of LEDs on my (don't laugh!) Hyosung GT650R whose OEM globes can only be described as woeful and which relies on a focusing lens rather than a reflector ("one of those rare weird bikes"), and its been an absolute PITA to get any semblance of a half decent beam pattern out of it! COBs, SMDs, long short - they just don't cut it. So I agree, output and light temp are only half the problem, beam pattern makes or breaks the whole deal. When I grow up, I'll get an R1, my kids tell me I was too old to ride a decade ago!

[@steven3915]

​@@snoopy9568check into a pair of bulbs called OSRAM nightbreakers. Most of the bulbs in the OSRAM line-up are far superior to any bulb you can buy at the local parts store. If I recall correctly, the nightbreakers came standard in all halogen bearing Mercedes vehicles in 2001-2016

[@sidroman]

Your videos are literally saving me hours of online research about a subject. As always, amazing production, style and information. Thank you, F9 team.

[@docthebiker]

Ryan has a PhD in "Because Science".

[@endeavourco]

Except there was no real science here except explaining how the HID works.

[@davidc1961utube]

Ryan is, because science...

[@kloppanator]

@@endeavourco while that's true you didn't watch till the end, did you?

[@eurotrash4629]

While Ryan is very sharp cat... he's not an expert on lighting or night-time vision.... should have called an expert like Daniel Stern lighting first. Many HID & LED bulbs have optical glare/scatter issues in stock housings ... and bluer/whiter isn't better for night vision

[@docthebiker]

@@kloppanator Joey would you miss a second of a FortNine vid? No. Me neither.

[@if0rg0t2remember7]

I usually love Ryan's videos but in this one he failed to mention that HID has no dual wattage and no low beam cutoff like all the other lights pictured. So HID should only ever be installed in a projector or if there are separate high and low housings.

[@brianm263]

Yeah, it depends on the scenario. My last Yamaha had a projection beam, and my hid kit had a moving reflector that would slide to a different position for the high beam with a good cutoff on the low beam. If your bike turns on a new bulb for high beam, hid is not recommended due to the long warm up time, and switching them off and on will shorten the life of them even more. LEDs make great high beams because they are naturally switching off and on all of the time anyway. I’ve also had some leds (the last set in my car) that weren’t great either, couldn’t get the aiming to work with the projector properly.

[@Map71Vette]

Some HID bulbs do have covers on them to mimic low beams. The set I put in my car I bought specifically for that reason because they work better with reflector type housings. Still a different light shape than a halogen filament, but it at least keeps some of the light away from the high beam zone.

[@chehystpewpur4754]

most newer quality hid kids have a high low function. most of it is based off the vehicle application. if its single bulb you can usually find a 2 stage bulb but if it has a separate high and low beam bulb their gonna go the cheap route.

[@HostileTakeover2]

For my LED bulb, the plastic clips that make it a snug fit have worn out through heat/cold before the bulb itself has ever died. (the metal clamps have been fine, but the bulb has a slight wobble to it without the wedge clip things). I went from unable to see much to seeing everything. Probably the best upgrade I ever made on my bike.

[@cameronarnold2983]

This dude educated us , humored us and kept it interesting and didn’t ask for a like or follow. We need more like him. Subscribed !

[@yrmoma]

I was feeling pretty burnt out before this video. Thanks for shedding some light on this important subject! If I may, all riders should check their local laws about retrofitting LED and HID bulbs in their halogen housings-lest they see more red and blue in their future then they would like.

[@c0nsequence942]

Im a simple guy, i see a fortnine upload, i click

[@Francois_Dupont]

fortnite?

[@giantslug6969]

no.

[@youtubetv1588]

OH YEA YEA

[@cembanditx1]

*Groan*

[@mayorofnow]

YT: "New FortNine video on headlight technologies" Inner monologue: "But my ride came with a really nice LED headlight - this probably won't affect me" Other inner monologue: "Doesn't matter: it's FortNine" /me plays video

[@cy-one]

Inner monologue: "Not only do I not own a motorbike, but the one I'm saving up to comes with really good LED headlights..."

[@binaryflawgic5713]

One of the most baffling things I noticed when I started looking for a motorcycle: LED lamps are not the standard yet. They seem to be near ubiquitous even in mid-range models, actually, but they are still listed as a feature. And I've been given the impression that they are somehow more expensive, considering smaller models do not use them (looking at you Honda.)

[@G0ld3nB3ar]

Always a great day when RF9 has a new video out!!

[@BigDijon]

One of the only channels I have notifications for lmao

[@barchilandia]

I stumbled upon your channel a few months ago, and started binge watching your videos at the same time I started to grow interest on motorcycles, today I woke up called a few sellers, called a friend who lended me a helmet, took the train and rode back 70km on my new ride, thanks for inspiring me, please keep the videos coming.

[@delsere7095]

I'm buying headlights for my car and after watching several 20+ minute videos comparing technologies, I was so delighted to see that RyanF9 had a video for headlights. If a person only followed your content, they might not appreciate how concise, fun and easy your videos are to watch compared to practically all other automotive channels.

[@dmo848]

Sylvania last the longest just buy top notch and your set for a few years rather than every yr change them

[@TheMcstevester]

"the cops could pull you over for being too white" that's a first

[@youtubeaccount5153]

steven murphy LOL

[@JohnErikjohansson]

haha i was cracking up a big smile :) the face he make

[@Arthurzeiro]

That's quite the zinger sir.

[@khaccanhle1930]

Yes, but being turned down from University for that "sin" is common.

[@michaellowe3665]

Heard the same thing. Sure enough someone beat me to it.

[@in2minutesorless64]

I love Ryan's content and the pace at which he releases videos - quality not quantity.

[@novacaine70]

Just got on a bike for the first time today, in my country we have to do quite a lot of lessons and theory to ride 125cc+, I was super nervous and thought i was really gonna mess it up. But after watching a ton of your content ( i'm pretty sure i watched every single video for the past month to prepare ) i felt a lot better prepared and had the time of my life and can't wait to go again! Thanks a lot F9!

[@cathycraig1301]

I’m making some mods to my Harley this week and I’ve decided on the PIAA H4 which fits my 04 Dyna. They are currently $45 and seem worth it. Not into rewiring at this point, or fiddling with the beam issues. Thank you sincerely Ryan. You’re a genius and a treasure!

[@cohall46]

I really appreciate the time you spend and effort you put into producing your videos.

[@golnectr]

I can't get enough of this channel or Ryan. What a pro!

[@lxXxXfinalXxXxl]

After years watching your channel I finally purchased my first motorcycle+gear! I went with fieldsheer adv jacket, fieldsheer gloves, dogs of war pants, mx-9 helmet, and some fox boots along with some emergency gear. I couldnt be happier with your recommendations! Thanks Ryan!

[@magiricod]

I feel like this would be a great one to redo! The LED options are all over the place now I wanna see all the different options compared.

[@jefjefferson252]

Great content as usual , keep them coming ! love from the Netherlands

[@richardbridges7962]

Dude...you're awesome. Your videos definitely contributed to my confidence in getting my first bike TW200 Nice to know fate is in the rider's hands and how to increase your odds of stayin up right or not bein stranded in the middle of nowhere. Thanks!

[@BradyPatterson]

Clapping here for the epic level of production. I don't have a bike anymore and just spent hours watching a number of your videos. Makes me want to get one again. Also, the subtle jokes, epic.

[@garretsnyder8478]

This guy is a legend! He’s done just about everything for bikes

[@AustinConnell]

thank you for following up on this request! Would have liked to have heard some information about the effects on the regulator/rectifier, projector retrofits, and throw distance comparisons, but I understand that would be a lot of info to include all in one video. Part 2? ;)

[@dumpjeep]

You should make a show addressing the issue of horizontal cutoffs on the headlight beam that manufacturers are using on modern motorcycles. With the horizontal cutoff when you lean over in a turn, the headlight basically disappears and shines on a tight dot a few feet in front of the bike. Motorcycle headlight has to shine upwards degrees to be able to shine through the turn while you're leaning.

[@aussiebloke609]

Not just modern bikes, either. My '79 Honda CB750F has a sealed beam light (not a reflector and lens with separate bulbs) and the cutoff line is very pronounced - and as a result, I can only ride at night if it's slow, or in a city with streetlights. Sadly, the US-spec bikes didn't get the separate bulbs like across the pond. I may have to get a complete drop-in LED setup, but they look so ugly on an old-school bike.

[@gregabell4799]

JW Speaker makes "Adaptive" headlights - they WILL throw light around a corner when leaned over (downside is they're VERY pricey)

[@jameselliott3668]

The production quality of this was awesome. Nice job Ryan

[@JDnBeastlet]

Ryan, thanks always for covering your topics in an honest and entertaining way. You are nobody's shill. FWIW I replaced my burnt bulb with an LED and I am most satisfied with the result.

[@47f0]

I love LED headlights. I don't love LED replacement bulbs. It's very hard to get LEDs to deliver that narrow light source that a filament gives - at the exact focal point which the optics of the halogen headlight reflector and lens were designed for. If you get lucky, you may find an LED bulb that kind of delivers a decent beam pattern - but it's usually just "A" beam pattern - if the low beam is adequately focused, the high beam will be off, or vice versa. The Headlight Revolution channel has a pretty decent video on this with actual beam patterns. If you ride much in the dark, a replacement headlight designed with LEDs in mind is well worth it. Similarly, HIDs replacement bulbs for halogen headlights suffer from this to some degree, but their illumination is at least a little closer configured to what you get from a halogen.

[@einar8019]

check out the OSRAM Night Breaker h7/4LED, street legal in the EU and works good in my old golf

[@NavigateOffroad]

Great breakdown. For anything more than just a cheap replacement, the entire new housing replacement is often the way to go. With it you can not only get a brighter setup, but also a new look and some cool features as you mentioned. 👍

[@dumptrump3788]

THE BEST motorcycle channel youtube.

[@perjalananmasihjauh]

your filming is epic. Mostly done in a small storage, but I didn't notice at all because you really captured my attention with all you poetic presentation. Kudos

[@seanmclellan4373]

Everytime theres a new fortnine video it's like an oasis in the desert

[@jameswatson9349]

I hope this is your full time job. Your videos are always such high quality and we'll thought out. I genuinely hope it gives you a good return.

[@roseband7244]

Buy merch, KZbin pays terribly

[@frankhernandez1995]

I found this video to be very enlightening, thanks for shedding light, LED of course, on this very important topic, you are a very bright, and shine well above your peers.

[@ouimetco]

My first visit to your channel. Great information but it’s seriously overshadowed by your extremely great abilities as a presenter. Presenting or public speaking careers are clearly one of your strong points. Thank you and cheers.

[@christianmichael1970]

Don’t have a motorbike. Don’t plan on one. BUT stumbled on this channel a few months ago while looking for disc brake tips for a mountain bike. It’s entertaining. Fortnine is amusing, I like his editing style and has my vote when he Publishes his videos. I seriously hope this helps his channel. Very entertaining to watch :0)

[@jodyloki]

Thanks for another cool vid! I live in the UK and have chnged my standard bulb to a bright yellow with a orange tint (aparently legal) and ive noticed a big change in cars moving over to let me filter, which is amazing as I commute throught London.

[@dom2025]

I'm loving this so much. The way you tell me about lights is so intriguing, I'm stuck even though I don't even own a bike.

[@Mr-wg8ti]

Thanks for uploading such videos,you have made me a better rider then i will ever be thanks for all the hard work you do for us 😊

[@clownpocket]

Got an instant like for the “American news show” comment. Accurate.

[@mcauleyman]

3 sided led arnt always best. Depends on what kind of housing you have for your blub

[@vformarallo]

You're right. Headlamps are designed with one bulb in mind, so your new led bulb needs to have those leds at the same distance from the base that the original filaments had, any other distance and the light pattern will be completely distorted. My bulb had hi/lo in opposite sides, so i bought a two sided led and it maintained the original light pattern only brighter.

[@diegopescia9602]

@@vformarallo Thanks for the info.

[@maximus9401]

Love the presentation and visuals. A relatively simple topic made into an interesting watch. Love this kind of stuff!!!

[@xjrj]

Always look forward to new FortNine videos. Guaranteed informative and always good for at least one belly laugh. Cheers!

[@alexbrown1995]

Excellent summary. I've been chasing good lighting for more than 50 years (!) on many bikes and you've covered it all pretty well. You didn't mention the problem with HID bulbs with the altered focal length which scatters the beam everywhere, but that I think has been fixed with better HID specific reflectors. I've always gone for additional driving lights but that's essential in Australia where kangaroos are an ever present menace. Good job!!

[@Clammy69]

A few years ago, I installed a JW Speaker adaptive LED headlight in my '05 Harley Night Train, and it's a true game changer. Not cheap, but if you ride at night a lot, like I do, it's worth every penny. The adaptive feature really showed me how blind I was in curves at night, not to mention how almost useless the factory headlight really was. Over the years, I did try "brighter" halogen bulbs, LED insert bulbs, but nothing comes close to this adaptive LED headlight.

[@thomasborger6548]

Thanks, I'm going to consider that for our 09 Heritage.

[@Draycoe]

Thanks FortNine, nothing like clear answers well presented without unnecessary waffle, cheers!

[@kevgardner8548]

American news show comment. Icing on the cake. Ryan, your channel is beyond brilliant. Long time watcher. Cheers!

[@petebjerkelund5088]

"...and rare bike guys would rather replace their eyeballs with Timbits , than replace an original headlight anyway..." This is why we love this channel!

[@maxman1244]

Came scrolling for this comment after laughing a solid 5 minutes straight Because Im one of those guys that took the old, hard to find, burnt out headlamp of my old bike, cut the sealed beam out and replaced it with a plug and play lmao Just so *everything* is still *entirely* original

[@PennsylvaniaDualSport]

My LED went out 6 weeks after installing it.. when someone stole my dual sport. So that theory is correct !

[@lukasvondaheim]

It bet it wasn't a very bright day for you

[@da72ma]

That was beyond a great rating... content with such an honest review and funny not anywhere else found 👍👍👍

[@seelee1371]

As usual..delivered with insight/ intelligence & humour..Thank you Fortnine

[@vformarallo]

I changed my bulb for an ba20d led from china, so far so good, i can finally see in front of the motorcycle whereas before it was scary. I just had the precaution to measure where the led is in respect to the original filaments, my bulb was hi/lo in opposite sides, so i only bought an led bulb with two sides unlike what is shown in the video, and the light pattern is the same that on the original except brighter. Be careful with these and measure your bulb and the new one because headlamps are designed with one bulb in mind and anything else will scatter light everywhere and not where you want to. Don't get fooled thinking more led's are better, choose something similar to your original. Cheers

[@donkrapf]

I did the same thing. The high and low aren't actually on opposite sides. Each side has both a high and a low, but there is a shield preventing the low LEDs from shining downward onto the part of the reflector which throws the high beam. The high LEDs shine on all parts of the shield. The original halogen bulb has a similar shield for the low filament. The BA20d base prevents you from putting the bulb in wrong.

[@MotoCat91]

If at all possible, I would avoid using the LED or HID bulbs with a traditional reflector as there is quite often some excess 'scattered' light around the edges that can annoy the heck out of other drivers, even if you're really careful with installation and positioning. There are miniature projector housings which can retrofitted into headlight units to solve this issue, it's a bit more work and requires separating the lens from the housing but is well worth it. If you already have a projector lens and just want to swap out halogen for HID/LED then great! I'm actually guilty of the HID in a reflector faux pas back when I was an idiot, with my old Honda VFR800. The centre of the beam had a hard cutoff as it should but the edges had random bits scattered out. It was just subtle enough that nobody was flashing high beams at me but was certainly not ideal. Also due to Honda not using standard H4 clamps, I had to fold back some tabs and cable tie them in place.. which worked great for a while, but one day a bulb fell out of the housing, blasting me straight in the eye as I was exiting a highway. The bulb ended up resting against wires, causing smoke and almost starting a fire.. I pulled over, cut the power, and with a thick leather glove just grabbed the bulb and ripped it out leaving a nice melted palm (I was late for work.. didn't have time to faff about). So then I had just 1 headlight left, and as the beams were identical the light pattern didn't change, I just lost some brightness. About 14 months after the install, my scatter at the edges got worse and the horizontal cutoff of the beam was softening.. Looking inside the headlight showed that my reflector was bubbling and melting from the heat of the HID. So I removed all that was left of the kit, and put a simple halogen back in on the non-damaged side, leaving the bubbly one just for high beam which I rarely used.. as the scatter doesn't matter when nobody is in front. TL;DR, don't be like me.. be smarter

[@richardmiller8028]

Another cracking informative and well presented peace of work from one of the the best motorcycle gurus on KZbin, keep up your exemplary work my friend.

[@icantrideslow]

I was going to buy a Xenon HID kit for my bike but thanks to Ryan now I have to start digging the internet again for ODX Led bulbs. THANKS RYAN.

[@thegreatescape07]

Best mod I ever made for my bike was adding the Denali D4 lights. The difference is insane!

[@ketankadam5669]

Clear water 🤙👍

[@Francois_Dupont]

how much did you pay?

[@thegreatescape07]

@@Francois_Dupont the lights were $399 from RevZilla. Expensive I know, but the difference is insane and worth every penny. I'll buy them for every bike I own I'm the future. I can link a picture of the comparison if you're curious.

[@thegreatescape07]

@@Francois_Dupont Add "" to the link below. Top picture is standard low beams. Bottom picture is standard low beams with the Denali D4 lights on. photos.app.goo.gl/BEzD49VfeFXKF9hw5

[@almaspuding]

@@thegreatescape07 wow, that's unbelievable. Are they street legal?

[@booboogaloo2152]

Remember that when he's talking about the "90 dollar led bulb" he's got Canadian dollars in mind. So that same led bulb in US dollars would be about $6.

[@quadracycle4000]

Or £4 lol

[@Tonyx.yt.]

or 5€

[@lancelot1953]

Except that the US dollar is steadily decreasing in value since our "change of management".. Ciao, L

[@vijabe]

Yeah, I get the joke, but the difference isn't really that much anymore. $90 CAD is $70.19 USD.

[@cathycraig1301]

Good thinking. I forget about that. I just priced a KIAA H4 bulb for my Harley from KTM Twins and they are currently $45 US. Other sites about the same.

[@SawyerKnight]

you post this literally the day after I ordered a new light!... luckily I went with the LED all in one, which looks like the best fit for me compared to the rest anyway. Great Video, keep up the good work as always

[@RickyJr46]

In 2018 I decided to upgrade the poor headlights on an Aprilia Caponord 1200 Rally. One of the problems with the stock setup was reflectors that would scorch and brown over time, even with the original bulbs, so clearly a higher-wattage halogen was a no-go. I eventually sourced LED bulbs from the guys at Headlight Revolution, who have a very good KZbin channel with comparisons of bulb outputs and beam patterns. These LEDs placed the emitters so they approximated the halogens' filament location. The results were very impressive with a broad and smooth pattern of white light and good cut-off. These bulbs had a finned heat sink base only, no fans, and the sinks sat behind the bulb housing in open air. The only real headache was finding a place for the circuitry boxes, they ended up on the windshield support arms.

[@pramienjager2103]

I got one of those super nice "angel eye" LED bulbs for my Yamaha. It fit in just like the stock bulb but of course looks and works many times better. For visibility lights are hard to beat.

[@Metaljesuslol]

You should do a video, talking about your history with bikes and what got you into them and how you ended up here!

[@Mister_NO.]

Hands down the best bike-related channel on the youtube.

[@colbyadams9310]

Very informative I love how you get your point across very thoroughly without a canadian accent.

[@christophergooding]

Goddamn, I love these over-researched vids when they roll around. The entire team in front and behind the camera should be proud of themselves.

[@jordangoodwin4367]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 they didn't do any research what so ever.

[@SidecarBob]

Re appendix 2: If you wire a resistor "in;line" (= in series) it will reduce the current. You need to wire it across the indicators (in parallel) so that it wastes enough current to make the flasher operate. Or do it right in the first place and replace the flasher with a compatible one and liberate a few more watts that can be used for more interesting things. Re "blue" HIDs: Before I converted my bikes to HID headlights (11 years ago) I spent a bunch of time researching colour temperature and things related. I learned that the human eye sees best with 4300-4500K light (equivalent to noontime sunlight). I bought an HID conversion kit made for use in cars and used one ballast & bulb in each of the 2 bikes, the relay that came with it in one and a generic automotive relay in the other one (all it does is energize a solenoid that moves a shutter for high beam). By HIDs do not appear blue and I can see very well with them and as a side benefit I no longer need fog lights because the low beams have a sharp cutoff line so they don't light up the fog above them. When I did mine LED bulbs were not commonly available and complete LED headlight assemblies like the one you show were very expensive (not that anything Kuryakin sells has a price tag that approaches realistic). Would I use HIDs or LEDs if I was doing it over now? I might use an LED headlight for the summer machine but I understand that one of the big problems with them in car headlights is that they don't get hot enough to melt the snow off so I think I'll stick with a nice, hot HID in the winter bike... Oh, and BTW: Colour temperature is an indication of the spectrum of light produced, usually referring to the wavelength most prevalent in the light produced, not how bright a light is so "more kelvins" is a meaningless phrase.

[@jamesm5192]

And halogens are probably easier on the eye as well since LEDs are harsher due to their narrow wavelength band. I'd say the brightest 4000k halogen would be the best. A bright white LED for the high beams would be OK though, but I'd still choose 4500-5000k for that.

[@SidecarBob]

@@jamesm5192 I'd still say that something in the 4300-4500K range is best for both high and low beams. And that anything much higher or lower than that won't help you see as well. FWIW, since I retired I no longer have to drive much at night and seldom in snow storms so when the HID bulb on my winter bike's sidecar failed shortly after I posted my original comment I replaced it with an LED bulb. I don't find the quality of the light to be any better or worse than the bike's HID but it does use a lot less power so I'm inclined to turn it on earlier, which is probably better/safer.

[@axlerodthegreatbauman6763]

This guy has the personality of a story telling motorcyclist…… I don’t know why but I can’t stop watching his videos!!!! I want to go for a ride one day with fort nine!!!!

[@roads2ruin978]

Thanks for this video. I’ve been looking to upgrade my headlight bulb. This helped out a lot. Great Video.

[@MrGarrick7]

I very much appreciate the video! There's some great info in there, But, one very important piece of information that wasn't discussed at all was beam pattern and dispersion. Using LED and HID bulbs in a standard halogen reflector can have some really great light output, but in poor or hazardous locations (for example, glare for oncoming traffic). The important thing that should be mentioned about the kuryakyn orbit and other headlights is that they are a housing made specifically for the LEDs they contain. This can make a huge difference in the useable light output. The retrofit source does an excellent in-depth look at the comparison between halogen, led and HID if you want a longer and more detailed explanation (including actual measured light output).

[@andrewjennings3018]

Great review

[@jamescrud]

I've never ridden a bike in my entire life but I watched the whole video.

[@cathycraig1301]

Are you nuts? Go buy a bike!

[@formysindesigns]

Absolutely loved this video. So much info in such a short video!

[@btvr17]

Love these videos. Very informative but highly entertaining as well!

[@Niro.C]

Great review. I agree, LED is the best lighting system for vehicles. My 2019 Benelli Leoncino 500 (European Spec.) comes with full-LED lights: headlight, rear light and indicators as standard. I like it.

[@dukeatista7100]

It’s been 3 weeks Ryan! Where have you been?? haha

[@Brandon4Weiss]

Dukeatista asking the real questions here

[@FortNine]

We have some larger videos clogging up the pipeline! ~RF9

[@Brandon4Weiss]

This is the only non-family-emergency-related acceptable answer.

[@kapoorh]

Awesome comparison and the narration, phenomenal. Loved it!

[@braddutton330]

Man you make some great vidos. They're all informative, cinematic, and eloquent. Keep up the great work! Thanks for all the knowledge. One request if I may - more Harley Davidson videos!

[@wp9409]

So, question. You've mentioned in another video that adding more lights in a horizontal plane creates a potential aspect ratio problem wherein a car driver may think you're another car, but further away, because he sees two headlights close together. Valid, and actually very good point. Having said that, what mounting options would you recommend for adding supplemental driving or fog lights to an older bike? What configuration do you feel would be the most tenable?

[@jonas699]

Foglights should be closer to the ground. Look at some BMW gs off road lights they preinstall. You want something similar.

[@taitjones6310]

Mount them on the lower fork legs. If you're concerned about the wires being protected, just buy about 7ft. of cheap rubber brake hose and run the wires through that for protection.

[@crmotorbikes]

Ryan, First off, keep up the good work. Your equipment reviews are much appreciated. I’ve tried some 2-chip LEDs in my bike and while super bright to look at they didn’t have anything close to the stock beam pattern. On the road at night they just threw out a big fuzzy ball of light that lite up the trees but didn’t really throw any more light down the road. Have you tested these LEDs at night, and if so, can you see farther down the road with them?

[@dkindig]

The key to a good beam pattern for LED retrofits in halogen housings is for the light emitter to be the same size and in the same location as the halogen filament. Then the focus and the pattern will be correct, just brighter. In the last year, maybe a little longer, the designs have been achieving that and the retrofits aren't as bad as they used to be.

[@mmorgz6622]

no, you cant. 3 sided ones scatter too much and have crap range.

[@jessemeyer3052]

I bought a $30 cheapo LED bulb, but the emitters are in the same location as the halogen it replaced, and it even has the shield on the bottom for the low beam emitters. It is brighter than stock when I tested it, but has a light pattern on low that doesn't blind oncoming drivers. Still, on high, it does seem to throw a fair amount of light higher than I'd like. But it remains an improvement over the stock halogen. I did see a lot of LED bulbs with emitters in all sorts of crazy locations. I avoided them because I doubt they would work well with my headlight reflector.

[@mmorgz6622]

@@jessemeyer3052 yea I have the same sort in my 4wd ATM. They definitely work better than the standard bulbs, I did before and after pics in the road with both high and low beam and using the white broken lines for a distance comparison.

[@Bockwurst25]

Jesse Meyer Hi can you remember the Brand and Type of the led bulb?

[@Frantic12341]

I’m not a motorcyclist but I like your video’s 😍 and your explanations of things! 👍

[@patrickflanagan8008]

A very good review for those who haven't a clue about making the right choice. Excellent

[@davidfree3027]

When are the Christmas lists coming out ? Need to show people what to buy me

[@jarrodcavanaugh6735]

“Replace their eyes with Timbits!” Love it. I miss Tim Hortons

[@doofino]

Where r u that you don't have timms?

[@jarrodcavanaugh6735]

Bret DeFrain southern Indiana.

[@3167667]

Love the amusing, yet extremely helpful appendices.

[@dominiquevidal3080]

The quality has yet again been upped imo. Nice vid guys!

[@DannyRooks]

What timing! I need a brighter bulb for my evening commute

[@adrianflorescu2039]

Same. I ordered my led bulb just a few hours before watching the video

[@arthurpendragon9079]

0:29... brilliant! (pun intended)

[@akbarhussain1767]

Hi there Fortnine,I enjoy your videos,great info & lots of the finest tips out there & some great jokes too,thank you for all the cool tips & happy riding friend..

[@peck3034]

Subscribed! You provide great technical details and very enjoyable humour with damned good advice. Thanks... your helmet discussion was also great BTW...

[@Lolwutfordawin]

Sadly a lot of these aren't really legal in Europe. Thankfully my old 1989 Honda has a pretty decent light stock.

[@opgaquatics5609]

That sucks.

[@hum-3597]

WTAF my headlight just blew out, and i’ve been looking for upgrades 😂

[@SmallSpoonBrigade]

Mine did last week. I went with one that was roughly equivalent to stock. I'll probably go with an LED, but the laws governing this are rather vague locally and I'd rather not worry about getting a ticket when I'm not really needing the extra light.

[@moimemesuis]

love the resume at the end of each video.

[@proto1132]

Your production budget is really good Fortnine, keep up the good vids.