Improve brake light intensity?

[jct842]

I just did the el-cheepo fix when I got my KLX last year....put in a pair of walmart led replacements for I think it was 1157's, any way works for me and is considerable brighter than stock. was around $12-$14 for the pair in one package.

[FLorangeRX3]

I won this gadget from a motorcycle podcast but I haven't installed it yet. It flashes your brake light upon deceleration as well as hitting the brake lever. Doesn't make the lights brighter but might wake up someone not paying attention. Was also thinking about adding a 2nd light incorporated in a license plate frame.

http://gearbrake.com/collections/sho...nt=15412515971

[SpudRider]

Thanks for letting us know about the GearBrake device.

[SpudRider]

[SpudRider]

[RedHawk47]

Gear Brake is a good looking product and I compliment them on providing "plug and play" harnesses. I would like to see more info about how it works; flash protocol and sequence, plus how it deals with being mounted at different angles.


For the RX3 I think the VoloLight is a better choice for several reasons.
1. the RX3 uses the same LEDs for tail and brake function; there is no difference in light pattern when the brakes are activated. The VoloLight provides addition lights which will better attract attention.
2. the brake lights on the RX3 are not much brighter than the taillights, particularly in bright daylight. I became aware of this during the 2016 CSC Baja ride while riding behind other RX3s. Having additional LEDs reduces this deficiency.

[detours]

Originally Posted by RedHawk47

Gear Brake is a good looking product and I compliment them on providing "plug and play" harnesses. I would like to see more info about how it works; flash protocol and sequence, plus how it deals with being mounted at different angles.


For the RX3 I think the VoloLight is a better choice for several reasons.
1. the RX3 uses the same LEDs for tail and brake function; there is no difference in light pattern when the brakes are activated. The VoloLight provides addition lights which will better attract attention.
2. the brake lights on the RX3 are not much brighter than the taillights, particularly in bright daylight. I became aware of this during the 2016 CSC Baja ride while riding behind other RX3s. Having additional LEDs reduces this deficiency.

The VoloLight looks best to me for these reasons as well. Plus they light on any deceleration, not just braking.

I was also hoping there was some electronic way to increase the brightness of the brake LED, for example be removing a resistor on the brake line (if there was one).

One idea I had was placing a small step down transformer on the brake line. I found one on eBay that steps the voltage down from 12V to 9V and raises the amps in proportion. Theoretically, that would brighten the LED ... if it can handle the amps. Or burn it out.

Probably a VoloLight is a better option. A lot less risky anyway.

[rickosuave1987]

Originally Posted by BlackBike

How and where will you mount this. Is this like a licence plate bolt for the sides of the plate will it be too bright?

The KC Cyclone lights are only 2.5" in diameter. I plan to mount mine right below the licence plate with a bolt through the rear fender. These lights are made to be mounted through the center hole with a 1/2" bolt or Dzeus fastener.

I use them on our race car, and they work great. I don't think too bright of a brake light is a problem at all... I want to be seen!

[woodlandsprite]

I'm looking forward to seeing writeups of peoples solutions to this problem! Especially hoping for a tutorial for those who aren't so confident doing electrical adds to their bikes....(namely me) - I've noticed people occasionally creep up on my tail and I'd prefer higher visibility brake indicators if they can be had - especially if they also flash while engine braking!

[detours]

This brake light modulator is designed for LEDs and should work on the RX3. It won't make the brake light any brighter, but it will at least flash and then go steady.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brake-Tailli...-/331842524708

If I can figure out the wiring, maybe I can replace the stock turn signals with some red 3-wire LEDs and turn them into turn signal/brake lights.

Hopefully, I can find some cheaper, but these would work and look stock:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BLACK-Motorc...-/391420447668

[SpudRider]

Detours,

Thanks for posting the tip on the brake light modulator.

I am also actively considering several options for fixing this problem.

[BlackBike]

Originally Posted by rickosuave1987

The KC Cyclone lights are only 2.5" in diameter. I plan to mount mine right below the licence plate with a bolt through the rear fender. These lights are made to be mounted through the center hole with a 1/2" bolt or Dzeus fastener.

I use them on our race car, and they work great. I don't think too bright of a brake light is a problem at all... I want to be seen!

Thank you for answer.

[detours]

I'm giving up on the idea of making the brake light itself any brighter. I could try stepping the voltage down to 9V, which would raise the amps, but that might burn out the LEDs. I don't want to risk it.

Instead, I've decided to replace the stock turn signals with a four wire version that has an integrated running light, turn signal and brake light. Plus I found a cheap brake flasher designed for LEDs on eBay. They just arrived and hopefully I can begin testing this weekend.

• http://www.ebay.com/itm/162085844414
• http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brake-Tailli...-/331842524708

The new turn signals are terminated with bullet connectors. Hopefully they are the same diameter as ours and will just plug in. If not, I'll have to splice. I'm going to have to splice in the flasher module anyway, so it won't be that much more work.

[woodlandsprite]

Detours, you did a great job with your tutorial, and I will soon be following in your footsteps. I figure if needed/wanted at a later date, the option to add a modulator is still possible.

Anyone else still pursuing/investigating other options?

[detours]

I'm talking to GearBrake about getting a plug-in module for our bikes. We're currently trying to identify the 3-wire brake plug. If we can figure out a part number, they may create a custom module for us that will just plug in.

Gear Brake is nice because it has an accelerometer that detects linear deceleration and activates the brake light automatically. They offer a flashing and non-flashing module too.

If we get their plug in module, it will flash the stock brake lights and the new turn signal brake lights.

http://gearbrake.com/collections/sho...nt=15412515971