Zongshen RX3 LED Headlight Review
 

Yesterday my parcel arrived from Taobao. All the items I ordered were present, in excellent condition, including the upgraded, LED headlight for the RX3. :)

As with the stock headlight, the upgraded headlight has LED lights which surround the headlight. In addition, the upgraded headlight has two LEDs on top which provide the high beam, and one LED on the bottom, which provides the low beam. The new headlight employs three lenses, one over each LED, which focus, and project the light beams.

I transferred my turn signals from the stock headlight to the LED headlight, and installed it on my RX3. Then I went for a ride as I awaited nightfall to properly test the headlight.

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps6z5oqsp9.jpg

Traveling one of my favorite roads, I stopped to take some photographs of the headlight in the daytime, from approximately 40 feet in front of the bike.

Because of the headlight lenses, the light patterns are very focused. The first photograph was taken from a standing position, with the headlight set to high beam.

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/q...psykwucyp5.jpg

The next photograph was taken from a kneeling position, with the headlight set to high beam. As you can see, the light is more intense inside the focused beam.

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/q...psrcvyuahg.jpg

The last photograph shows the low beam, taken from a kneeling position. This pattern is wider, and tilted much lower to the ground; it has a distinct horizontal cutoff.

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/q...pspa9xfalk.jpg

The headlight has European E4 approval. I can not find any DOT marking on the headlight.

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/t...des/codes.html
http://trace.me/techdocs/TraceME%20e4-03-2033.pdf

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/q...psdwjlcjrc.jpg

After nightfall arrived, I took the bike for a ride to test the headlight patterns. At first, I had the headlight pointed too high. However, I quickly returned home, and discovered the headlight was very easy to adjust for the proper angle.

As stated earlier, the low beam has a distinct horizontal cutoff in the pattern, and is aimed significantly lower than the high beam. The light pattern is well very focused. In fact, it is too focused for my preference. I don't think the low beam casts enough light to the side of the road.

The high beam is also very focused, but casts a little more light to the side. The high beam projects well down the road, and illuminates the signs very well. However, once again, I would prefer a much wider light pattern.

Final Analysis

After replacing the stock HS1 bulb with an H4 bulb, I prefer the light patterns from the stock headlight over the LED headlight. I ride off road a lot, and the stock headlight illuminates the side of the road much better than the LED headlight. The wider illumination patterns make it easier to see rocks, ruts, and other obstacles on an unpaved road. Since the RX3 headlight is attached to the frame, rather than the triple tree, the wide light patterns also make it easier to see the side of the road while negotiating turns on city streets. Therefore, I prefer the stock headlight, with an H4 bulb, over the upgraded LED headlight. ;)

I replaced the LED headlight with the stock headlight, and I will compare the brightness of the two light patterns this evening. However, any differences in brightness aside, I am sure I will still prefer the light patterns from the stock headlight. ;)

I do prefer the appearance of the LED headlight; it looks very modern, and unique. :) However, in my opinion, function trumps form. ;) Therefore, if anyone is interested, I am willing to sell the upgraded LED headlight for the price I paid at Taobao, plus whatever it actually costs to ship the headlight to your location. I will accept the loss of the shipping charges I paid to get the headlight delivered from China. ;)

Thanks for the excellent writeup, Spud.

You're welcome. :)

Thanks for the write up Spud. Would auxiliary lighting still be required with either the standard or the LED headlight?

I'll buy it. PM'ed you, Spud.

Boo. Always late. :cry:

Could send me information for your tao bao agent?

Thanks.

Tony, Spud posted an excellent tutorial here:

and his agent seems to be taobaotrends.com

:)

Auxiliary lighting is always helpful. However, in my opinion, auxiliary lighting is not required with the stock headlight, as long as you switch to a brighter, H4 bulb. :)

In my opinion, auxiliary lighting is required with the upgraded, LED headlight, since the light patterns are so focused. ;)

I got both of your PMs, and replied to both. You are the first to reply, so if the price is acceptable, the headlight is yours. :)

Sprite is correct on both points, Tony. :) Here is a link to my tutorial on ordering from Taobao.

http://www.chinariders.net/showthrea...716#post180716

However, if Paisleyrider changes his mind, you are next on the list for the headlight. ;)

I agree. That's why I went ahead with a black bar riser today rather than try to find a chrome version. The geometry is so much better with 1.5" rise for me.

Very good. Thank you Spud. :tup:

I went for another ride yesterday afternoon with the stock headlight installed, and took some photographs from the same location.

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/q...pstwprmdcv.jpg

I stopped to take some photographs of the headlight in the daytime, from approximately 40 feet in front of the bike. The first photograph was taken from a standing position, with the headlight set to high beam.

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/q...psokgdej0g.jpg

The next photograph was taken from a kneeling position, with the headlight set to high beam.

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/q...psloce1uzp.jpg

The last photograph shows the low beam, taken from a kneeling position.

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/q...psk9mhaegz.jpg

The LED headlight is obviously more conspicuous during daylight, and offers a real safety advantage. ;) I didn't get a chance to ride last evening to test the brightness of the stock headlight with an H4 bulb, versus the LED headlight. Judging from the photographs, it seems the LED headlight is definitely brighter within its focused beams. However, since I don't have auxiliary lighting, I still prefer the much wider coverage of the stock headlight. ;)

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/q...psg4cg1zvn.jpg