H4 LED - 2018 Evitek, F2 replaces G6

RobbieAG said:
Wow, a lot of choices! I'd like to order a set of these H4 F2 LEDs for my 1300. I prefer to order from Amazon so I don't have to wait a few weeks (I don't mind paying a few dollars more). I'd also rather deal with Amazon in case there's an issue. I see brands Sagego, Katana, JDM, and V16 to start. Are they all the same (and made by Evitek with different names)? The prices do vary somewhat. If they're all the same, I might as well go with the cheapest one. Thanks in advance.
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I used Amazon for these F2 bulbs last August. They're a great product.
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RobbieAG said:
Wow, a lot of choices!
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Just not all of them good ones. There are a couple/few that are similar enough that it's more a matter of preference than minimal or maximal (?) quality of the beam pattern.

There's a definite disparity of construction and possibly no DOT standards for replacement LED bulbs. So research is advised and spidey has done a lot of heavy lifting for the rest of us.

To me the F2 seems to be the clear winner for headlight replacement LEDs. I've got the G6s and might upgrade if only to get a little lower (less blueish) color temperature.
 
ST Gui said:
Just not all of them good ones. There are a couple/few that are similar enough that it's more a matter of preference than minimal or maximal (?) quality of the beam pattern.

There's a definite disparity of construction and possibly no DOT standards for replacement LED bulbs. So research is advised and spidey has done a lot of heavy lifting for the rest of us.

To me the F2 seems to be the clear winner for headlight replacement LEDs. I've got the G6s and might upgrade if only to get a little lower (less blueish) color temperature.
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I have settled on an F2. The question is which one? Am I safe with one of the ones I mentioned (Safego, Katana, JDM, and V16 )? I see the Safego has a couple reviews from happy ST1300 owners, so I may just go with that.
 
I ordered the Safgo LEDs and received them yesterday. This link is helpful for install instructions (though it's for a G6, not F2). One question - post #149 (page 8) from this thread states to separate the fan from the bulb. I see where the mounting ring comes off, but I'm nervous about pulling the bulbs apart and damaging them. Does the fan come off the bulb, and if so how do you remove it?
 
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IIRC, I pressed one of those spring loaded detents that holds it in place, rotated it and then just pulled it out. My bulb worked best with the cord being pointed straight down at the 6 o'clock position. We split the bulb to get the rubber cover to work on the ST. He mounted the housing, put the rubber cover over the bulb, then mounted the bulb in the housing. Pretty slick how he did it. I tried the same thing on the Hella e codes on the motorhome, but couldn't fit them without cutting, so I just left them off. When I put LEDs on my XT225, I just left the rubber cover off.
 
I'll answer my own question - no need to remove the fan. I removed the ring from the bulb, cut and filed the tabs, installed the mounting ring with the bailing rod and rubber boot, then put the bulbs in through the boot. I mounted the drivers with felcro and used some electrical tape for the connector gap. No need to cut the boots or bend the rod. I had the plastic off to service the windscreen adjuster, so that made access a lot easier.
 
Husoi said:
Shame that LED's are illegal in the UK
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I've felt your pain. Years ago halogens were illegal in the US but very popular in the EU and maybe the UK?

Part of it may have been the halogen technology itself. Part of it was very likely the beam pattern of H4 headlamps (early versions like the Cibie and Hella had the right side kicked up) and another part was definitely not being a sealed beam unit. Eventually we caught on and halogens are factory equipment. Then there was HID. And now there's LED.

The color temp of daylight is often cited as 5600K (Kelvin- not degrees Kelvin) but that seems to range depending on the source. 6000K is blue-ish and I'd prefer 'warmer'. 5000K might be the Grail for me. My G6 bulbs are rated at 6500K which is definitely too cool for me but still much better night visibility for me than my 45/45W or 55/60W halogens.
 
Not sure that LEDs are illegal in UK. Cars have them, new bikes have them, I've retro fitted them in all my bikes and had no problems with mot. Why do you think them illegal?
 
Connecting LEDs to a CANbus bike apparently is a problem similar to our mixing of LEDs and incandescent bulbs without resistors or an electronic flasher. If CANbus bike came with all LEDs originally maybe replacing them is easy and probably expensive depending on the bike.

The low resistance of the LED plays hob with a CANbus bike's computer so the bulb flashes/flickers. So there are these add-ons (decoders) that get things sorted. I'm glad the ST doesn't have CANbus. I see lots of warnings for LED bulbs saying 'Not for CANbus bikes'.
 
ST Gui said:
:rofl: with free colorful film. No thanks, I'll pass.
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I didn't think this all that crazy, wish they made a 4000k film..... I don't see anybody developing much less than 6000k LED headlights without being lower power, and putting a filter on just like you would with a camera seems a reasonable solution......... we do need a good LED headlight with the colour temperature of a halogen.
 
Looks like mission accomplished! Someone is claiming DOT approval......

Wow. I thought that would take forever..... lets keep an Eye on this.....

For those who want whats new for 2019. Here are a couple more on amazon.

I have NOT TESTED any of these but it shows that other oems are paying attention and the industry is heading in the right direction.....

These are derived from the F2......

Note that some of them claim "thinner heat sink for more focus..." which is what the F2 brought to the table....


https://www.amazon.com/Headlight-Ex...8-65-spons&keywords=xhp50+led+headlight&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Aukee-Headli..._rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=ZS7A5N43H8S42FD98934

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079GVWBB...&pd_rd_r=603f5193-f347-11e8-b0e1-cb0baae9fd4f

https://www.amazon.com/HIKARI-Headl...077B3SNJR/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

https://www.amazon.com/BEAMTECH-Hea...=B06XHD78DQ&psc=1&refRID=9E7AS9TH88H4B8ZPKP7J

Wow -- just found this one claiming DOT approval..... and no fake data.... 24 watts Hmm.... the times are a changing......

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BRVKHB...d_r=46944540-f352-11e8-964f-c758f514dd56&th=1
 
These are the ones I bought F2 Clicky The inside packaging refers to them as F2's. They are the originals Spider is referring to. Not sure why he didn't include them in his post of current bulbs available. These fit with no trimming and are extremely bright and functional. Very good stuff!
 
Thanks Dave for the local link to a F2 bulb. I did not include it since I was pointing out some of the other newer F2 clones that are showing up on amazon. There are some that have incomplete shields which I did not include. The Important point that I was making is that we now have more good choices to consider. Unfortunately I do not have funds to buy all the bulbs and test them. I did buy the one claiming DOT compliance to test against the original F2 bulb. It will be my "trophy bulb" since it will conclude my quest to find a H4 LED bulb that is DOT compliant that I started here 4 years ago. I knew that if I could get one OEM to get the recipe correct that the others will follow. --- NOT!

Hopefully in the end we will have more than one bulb to choose from. One size does not fit all. Off road has different requirements than one who riding paved roads..... But hopefully the junk bulbs will go away since we the buyers will demand only DOT compliant bulbs for our road bikes, cars and trucks......
We need to spread the word and tell our fellow riders and auto drivers on other bike, car and truck forums.....

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Unfortunately the so called DOT compliant bulb from KASLIGHT got tossed into the junk bucket to join the other 50 pairs of bulbs that I had tested.... We are sooo close......
 
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Hi spider. I have followed this link for some time and use the g6 on you recommendation. They are a wonderful improvement. I wanted to say a big thank you for all the selfless work you have put in to improve the experiences of folk like me. THANK YOU.
 
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