Brake light Options for ST1300 (Brighter and more visible)

Joined
Dec 25, 2007
Messages
9
Age
87
Location
Hamilton, OH
Bike
ST1300A
Last time riding in the rain on the Blue Ridge parkway, my number 2 could barely see my ST1300 taillights not to mention brake lights. I know there was some discussions of LED replacements a while back but some of those seem to have some disadvantages, like being heavier, they would fall out of the sockets. So with some time going by, I'm looking to see if there are some ST drivers who have found more suitable lighting options for the tail/brake lights for ST1300's.
Thanks
 
I don't think LED bulbs falling out of brake/tail light sockets is a thing. At least I don't remember seeing any such post here. There is a possibility of popping the position lights out of the socket through careless handling.

My first preference is using a separate bright brake light in addition to the factory brake lights. I have LED brake/tail lights that are incrementally brighter with a bright spot but don't fully illuminate the lenses.
 
Didn't need to change my tail light but wanted a brake light to get their attention.
I like my Hyperlight. I set it to strobe for 5 seconds, then solid light. If I want it to strobe again, just let off pedal or lever and re-apply.
 
If you want to add a light instead of replacing bulbs, Whelen is hard to beat. The Lin3 or Tir3 is pretty much as good as it gets. On the 1100 its the perfect size to replace the reflector on the rear fender. Many STs have them. Bright. I think best bang for the buck and easy to add.


If not then super bright leds have several bulbs to choose from. They seem to be the standard for on line sales. I have their stuff in the front turn signals and plan to use them again for the rear.
 
'Hyperlight. I set it to strobe for 5 seconds, then solid light. If I want it to strobe again, just let off pedal or lever and re-apply'
Same as TOS, very bright (have had them on all my bikes for years)
 
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I have a Whelen stop/tail/turn LED lightbar mounted under my GIVI rack and 2 16LED Hyperlites mounted on the reflector bolts and I have changed all the stock bulbs to LED.
 
I've not heard of bulbs falling out either. I switched to Red LED bulbs and it made a big difference in the tail light brightness. Just make sure you use a Red LED in a Red lens.
 
I've not heard of bulbs falling out either. I switched to Red LED bulbs and it made a big difference in the tail light brightness. Just make sure you use a Red LED in a Red lens.
Which LED bulbs did you use and where did you obtain them? And for the install, just replace existing bulbs with LED's.
Just got back from NC trip...Thanks for your consideration...
 
Which LED bulbs did you use and where did you obtain them? And for the install, just replace existing bulbs with LED's.
Just got back from NC trip...Thanks for your consideration...

JDM ASTAR
JDM ASTAR 1260 Lumens Extremely Bright PX Chipsets 7440 7441 7443 7444 992 LED Bulbs,Brilliant Red

Tail light is plug and play as long as you aren't using a Audiovox cruise control. If you are, then a relay needs to be added for the cruise to work.

Bought them on Amazon.
 
JDM ASTAR
JDM ASTAR 1260 Lumens Extremely Bright PX Chipsets 7440 7441 7443 7444 992 LED Bulbs,Brilliant Red

Tail light is plug and play as long as you aren't using a Audiovox cruise control. If you are, then a relay needs to be added for the cruise to work.

Bought them on Amazon.
Thanks for the link.
JDM ASTAR
JDM ASTAR 1260 Lumens Extremely Bright PX Chipsets 7440 7441 7443 7444 992 LED Bulbs,Brilliant Red

Tail light is plug and play as long as you aren't using a Audiovox cruise control. If you are, then a relay needs to be added for the cruise to work.

Bought them on Amazon.
Thanks for the info. I have a 2008 ST1300A but no cruise control. Regards
 
In addition to the above suggestions, I've read about installing a third bulb into the tail light. Requires a 3rd socket /bulb assly and a bit of cutting/bonding into the center section between the two existing bulbs. Sorry, I can't find where I saw it but you get the idea.
 
The only thing I noticed on the LED brake lights is that they are so bright it looks like the brakes are on all the time.
I was following a fellow ST rider and thought he was riding his brakes constantly - only to find out they were LED brake lights and gave the illusion the brakes were being applied.
 
In addition to the above suggestions, I've read about installing a third bulb into the tail light. Requires a 3rd socket /bulb assly and a bit of cutting/bonding into the center section between the two existing bulbs. Sorry, I can't find where I saw it but you get the idea.
I don't remember seeing such a thread for an ST1300 but here is a thread about adding a third light bulb to an ST1100 brake lamp housing- ST1100 third brake light addition.
I don't know if the same could be done to the ST1300 housing without first having a look at it but the attached pdf provides all of the information for anyone who might want to give it a try.
The only thing I noticed on the LED brake lights is that they are so bright it looks like the brakes are on all the time.
I was following a fellow ST rider and thought he was riding his brakes constantly - only to find out they were LED brake lights and gave the illusion the brakes were being applied.
For this reason I think that dding additional lighting dedicated to brakes is preferable to putting brighter bulbs in the existing brake lamp. I use to follow a riding buddy who put brighter LED bulbs in his bike and they were so bright that it very often was not evident that he had applied the brakes. This could be dangerous.

Another option is to increase the surface are of the exisitng brake light on the ST1300. In lieu of adding additional lights, and without creating the danger of putting in brighter bulbs which reduce the differential between the running lights and the brake lights, another option is to increase the surface area of the existing brake lights. This can be accomplished by replacing the turn signal bulbs with amber/red switchback LED bulbs. The turn signals will still flash amber when the turn signal is activated. When the brakes are applied the turn signal housing will be filled with red light effectively turning the turn signal housings in to additional brake lights. This significantly increase the surface area of the brake light. An additional wire between the existing brake circuit and these bulbs will need to be added.
See this thread for details- Rear turn Signal - Red/Amber switchback Led mod - ST1300.

For some additional ideas about adding an extra brake light see this thread- adding an additional brake light to the bike.
 
You're right Andrew, it was an ST1100 I saw, not an ST1300. Thanks for finding that.
 
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