JW Speaker LED Headlight

[Moto Fugazzi]

The headlight on my V11S just plain sucks. I tried replacing the Halogen H4 with a nice LED bulb (which also sucked), then I installed an HID from DDM tuning, and while it was extremely bright, the pattern was awful. I finally bit the bullet and bought the goofy looking JW Speaker 8700 EVO II, and it's quite amazing so far. The stock light doesn't fit in my headlight (I have an 8" on the Sport), so I had to buy an Emgo headlight shell.

The JW Speaker was a perfect fit in the shell, so no mods had to be made. It's rated at 5000 Kelvin, so it's not an annoying blueish light that's worthless in the rain or fog. Nice wide beam pattern with a good cutoff as to not blind oncoming traffic. The only downside is that it's a little inconspicuous during the day, but my aux. lights help with that.

The 8700 Evo 2's can be found on ebay for as little as $250 shipped. The used the Emgo 66-65010 headlight shell which can be purchased for as low as $32. Yes it's pricy, but this light should last for many years, and I can transfer it to different bikes.
Ken

Low beams during the day:


Low beams at night. The fence is 35' from the bike:


High beams at night.



JW Speaker also has an adaptive headlight that fills in the corners of the road when you lean over. Very cool. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7SjyyhX054

[rodekyll]

I am currently running a trucklite series 7 LED headlight.  While I like the light v power draw ratio, it does have a rather abrupt cutoff at the edges of the beam.  This becomes apparent wen I'm heeled over in a tight turn and it makes aux lighting desireable.  I like the concept of the JW Speaker (and it's multitude of clones) with the little side beams. I haven't seen them in action yet, but the concept is promising.

DDM Tuning doesn't recommend using their HID on pavement in a halogen reflector.  They do have an LED setup that does high/low and is adjustable in the socket to help tune the beam.  I don't know of anyone who's tried them yet.

The DDM HID in the proper housings (projectors) are quite impressive.  I've got another pair of projectors on the way to set up my Convert with better aux lighting.

[canuck750]

I installed a pair of Denali D2 dual intensity lights on my KLR 650, rode through the night from Los Angles to Phoenix last year in late October, the lights are amazing, they turn night into day.

http://www.twistedthrottle.ca/denali-d2-dual-intensity-led-lighting-kit-with-full-wiring-harness-and-m8-mount

"When bright is noÂ’t bright enough, grab a set of Denali D2 LED Lights from Twisted Throttle. Small and BRIGHT, with an effective beam distance of 423ft and still an incredibly small power draw!

Denali D2 Lights

The unique optic in the D2 light was designed to create a massive beam of light that is the perfect balance between distance and width. You won’t believe how much light is thrown out in front of you, and off to the sides. Consuming only 10 watts of power per lamp, the Denali D2 lights throw a blazing beam of light 423 feet down the road in front of you. That’s 3 times further than your typical motorcycle high beam."

[Idontwantapickle]

That JW Speaker Model 8790 is really cool but 800 donuts? That's a bit much (Guzzi content).

Hunter

[Moto Fugazzi]

That JW Speaker Model 8790 is really cool but 800 donuts? That's a bit much (Guzzi content).

Hunter

Too much cash for me, but once the other knock offs start appearing, the price will drop significantly. I'll bet it drops to under $400 in a year, but that's still above my pay grade.
Ken

[Moto Fugazzi]

I am currently running a trucklite series 7 LED headlight.  While I like the light v power draw ratio, it does have a rather abrupt cutoff at the edges of the beam.  This becomes apparent wen I'm heeled over in a tight turn and it makes aux lighting desireable.  I like the concept of the JW Speaker (and it's multitude of clones) with the little side beams. I haven't seen them in action yet, but the concept is promising.

DDM Tuning doesn't recommend using their HID on pavement in a halogen reflector.  They do have an LED setup that does high/low and is adjustable in the socket to help tune the beam.  I don't know of anyone who's tried them yet.

The DDM HID in the proper housings (projectors) are quite impressive.  I've got another pair of projectors on the way to set up my Convert with better aux lighting.

I had the trucklite 7 for a few years, but the Kelvin color was too blue (5500k) for rain or fog. I left that on my old V11S when I sold it.

I have an H1 mini projector (from DDM) that I'm going to retrofit into a round jeep headlight when it arrives. It's supposed to be as good as the D2S, and I'll post about it when it's all done.
The jeep reflector housing should fit into a standard motorcycle headlight bucket...
Ken

[rodekyll]

I put my DDM H1's in a pair of $20 halogen shells (tossed the halogens).











I used the V2 (general headlight) lenses with 4300k bulbs and 55w ballasts.  I have a pair of V3 (long range spots) in shipment.  I'll be running a flood and spot with hi/lo capabilities on each bike.  Note that the pics are old -- a lot has happened with the front of the trike since then.

[Devildog]

Anyone tried the Kuryakyn Phase 7 LED?

[redrider90]

Call me old school or maybe my bike is old school but I dropped an 8" Bosch unit using the same 55 halogen bulb in my 90 Mille and increased by 30-40% my low and high beam spectrum.

[Moto Fugazzi]

Anyone tried the Kuryakyn Phase 7 LED?

That looks just like the Trucklite Phase 7, but about $80 more. I'd assume it was rebranded for Kuryakyn.
Ken

[rodekyll]

Yes, the kuryakyn is a relabeled truklite.  If you call and specifically ask, they'll tell you.

Also, the JW Speaker IS a clone of another design, and the design clones can be had for under $200.  I was on a WA ferry with a Harley rider who said he paid $150 locally for his clone AND two aux lights for his oem light bar.

Call me old school or maybe my bike is old school but I dropped an 8" Bosch unit using the same 55 halogen bulb in my 90 Mille and increased by 30-40% my low and high beam spectrum.

I have an 8" main light on the trike and like it better than my 7" main bulb on the bike.  But with a 35w HID you get 100% more (twice) light using 35% less electricity.  A 55w setup gives ~150% more, and the brightness 'bleaches' that blue tint to yellow.  When my 55w HIDs are lit, from behind them you can't tell when the main headlight is on or off except for the scatter when it's on. You wouldn't think a 2.5" projector could outshine an 8" E4, but there are really no words for the difference.

[Madtownguzzi]

here are a few clones of the JW Speaker.

http://www.banggood.com/7-inch-H4-H13-DC10-30V-LED-Headlight-HiLo-Halo-Angle-Eyes-for-Harley-Jeep-Wrangler-p-1039038.html
http://www.amazon.com/Headlight-Davidson-MOTORCYCLE-PROJECTOR-DAYMAKER/dp/B018LXCS0C?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00
http://www.amazon.com/Davidson-Auxiliary-Motorcycle-Projector-Headlight/dp/B013OVKT8E?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00

[rodekyll]

The generic term seems to be 'daymaker LED'.  A search of that term on ebay brings up main + 4.5" aux beams for under $170.  Headlight alone for under $100.  It should be interesting sorting out which is the good quality and which is simply overpriced.

[Moto Fugazzi]

I did a lot of research on those generic LED's and they had way more negatives than the JW Speaker version. The JW's are made in WI (about 20 miles from my house), so I'm supporting local business. JW also makes the original "Daymaker" for HD, so that has some credibility there. I also didn't want to wait days or weeks for the generic version to arrive at my house from China, only to find out that it was junk, and then I'd have to spend more cash on another unit. That was my thought process on spending some cash on the headlight. While I'd love to save some money on cheaper headlights, I just don't have the time to try all of the variations.

This week, the Jeep reflector housing should be arriving, and I'll have to retrofit it with the H1 HID projector from DDM. That should be an interesting comparison...

RK, keep us posted on your light situation. I'm very interested in your findings.
Ken

[rodekyll]

I wasn't going to mention 'daymaker' until someone said everything except the name.  I agree that especially with lighting, it's important to have some confidence in your product choice.  So unless you're willing to do a lot of research on the clones, go with who you know.  One of the reasons I went with trucklite is because they are a well established outfit.  It's too confusing trying to pick through the marketing literature for a clear understanding of what's being sold.  After hours of trying to sort out a 'deal' I was happy to pay a real price for a real product. 

I was reading an ad for one of the daymaker clones that was rating itself @75w!  Can you imagine over 2x the light of my trucklite?  WOW!  The reflection off of street signs would be permanently blinding! 

The small print though says that it's 2 15w dies, or 30w, putting out the same amount of light on high beam as a 75w halogen. 

What does that even mean?  If you call JW, Trucklite, or DDM Tuning, they'd tell you.  Only they wouldn't have to on account of they'd never use such confusing marketing.

[rodekyll]

*sigh*

Now I'm getting a steady stream of on-screen ads for led headlights

[Lesman]

Some of the confusion with watt rating is marketing giving a number that actually combines low beam with high beam wattage for just the low beam. I'm running a no name 30+ watt LED for my headlight. I paid $25+/- 2 years ago. It works great but I could use more wattage/lumens. I'm also runnin a 7" light bar that is 40 watts. I paid $22. Both of my LED are no name that shipped directly from China. I had low expectations. If you look at JW speaker lumen rating. It looks pretty low.

[redrider90]

*sigh*

Now I'm getting a steady stream of on-screen ads for led headlights

Best app in the world. Virtually eliminates all adds all the time everywhere.  "Ghostery"

[rodekyll]

ok -- we'll see.  :)