Pulsing Tail Light Bulb

[MarkG]

Having read several of the threads concerning tail light modifications, I went looking for an alternative. I found the pulsing tail light bulb, model #925, on the Kuryakyn site Kuryakyn/Metric/Lighting/Page6. Price of the base unit and the bulb plus shipping is $60. Replacement bulbs are cheap. Not bad all things considered.

This is a direct replacement for the 1157 bulb. When the brake light comes on it flashes three times, then on the fourth time it remains on. The G4 halogen bulb sent with the base unit is rated at 25 watts. Kuryakyn, unlike some of the other vendors, sends a spare bulb with the unit, they are rated for 2,000 hours. The original 1157 is rated at 27 watts. To me, the halogen bulb appears quite a bit brighter.

Went out to see how it looked tonight. Since nobody was home to help, I tied an extension cord around the brake handle and walked away from the bike 50 feet. Carefully pulled the cord and the back end of the Nomad lit up beautifully. IMO the rapid flash and the increased brightness is a definite improvement over the 1157.

I can understand the argument for the more expensive option of modifying all the rear lights to be on, too. However, in this area I find it hard to see the smaller red turn signals during the day. The yellow seems to stand out more, especially when trying to get someone's attention that they are going to turn. Since I really didn't want to modify the wiring under the seat, changing the tail light bulb was quick and easy.

[racinchef]

You make a very good point, that while red lens rear turn signals may look nicer, they are much more visible with the amber lens. A flashing rear tail lamp also catches your attention much more than anything else you can do to increase your visibility at night.

[mncruiser]

On my last bike I put the Kisan bulb in and it is still going years later. Instead of just flashing, it begins with a fast flash and slows down to full solid in 4 seconds. This is a plug and play install. I have had cagers pull up to me and tell me how much they noticed the light.

There is a demo on their page:
http://www.kisantech.com/index.php?cat_id=3

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by racinchef

You make a very good point, that while red lens rear turn signals may look nicer, they are much more visible with the amber lens. A flashing rear tail lamp also catches your attention much more than anything else you can do to increase your visibility at night.

I don't think it's a matter of aesthetics, I believe the law requires them to be red. If they were amber, a vehicle behind you might think you are coming at them.

[Yellow Jacket]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

I don't think it's a matter of aesthetics, I believe the law requires them to be red. If they were amber, a vehicle behind you might think you are coming at them.

That's correct. On the rear a tail light must be red. If the light is a turn signal only it must be amber.

Check out this site for a neat turn signal conversion into tail and brake lights: http://www.electricalconnection.com/...star&sport.htm

The thing I like about this unit is it uses bright red LED's to give the red color while operating as a tail or brake light without changing the amber lens. As soon as you activate your turn signals, the red LED's go completely off on that lamp giving the stock amber signal at it's normal intensity and color.

I don't personally have this unit yet until I can come up with the cash, but several of the forum members have installed it and like it.

[VulcanE]

The pulsing brake lights do get the attention of drivers behind you. I have the Kury "run-turn-brake controller". I have all clear lenses with red LED bulbs, and I have the tour pack tail lights wired to my rear turns. When I put on the brakes, I have 5 tail lights that flash 3 times before staying on solid. When I make a turn, I have the stock signal, and the one on the tour pack, so I have one down low (stock) and one at a driver's eye level (one on the tour pack). The 3 not being used for turning, are brake lights. I have noticed that since I switched it to where it will pulse, drivers do stop a little further back behind me.

[v0lusia]

I put one of these on my Nomad ($19 and about 5 minutes to install)
http://www.electroflasher.com/order.html

[socwkbiker]

I got the Back-Off brand over a year ago and have noticed that when I brake, people behind me slow down much quicker. The pulsing action looks like you are pumping your breaks so people notice you better.

[audiogooroo]

Originally Posted by Yellow Jacket

That's correct. On the rear a tail light must be red. If the light is a turn signal only it must be amber.

Check out this site for a neat turn signal conversion into tail and brake lights: http://www.electricalconnection.com/...star&sport.htm

The thing I like about this unit is it uses bright red LED's to give the red color while operating as a tail or brake light without changing the amber lens. As soon as you activate your turn signals, the red LED's go completely off on that lamp giving the stock amber signal at it's normal intensity and color.

I don't personally have this unit yet until I can come up with the cash, but several of the forum members have installed it and like it.

This is the one I have and it works great!