BMW District Manager Ryan Bone On the LED Motorcycle Trend

Whether you’re a novice rider or a patch holder in the local Mother Club, you can’t deny that LED lights are making waves in the motorcycle industry. Thanks to both technological innovations as well as decorative appeal, designers and DIY enthusiasts alike are adding LEDs to motorcycles in applications ranging from headlights to ground effects. For those of us who live in the United States, we’ve only experienced the tip of the iceberg, since government regulations have kept many LED advances under wraps on American soil. “Some of the brightest new technology for vehicles involves lighting, such as high-intensity LED headlights, but lagging regulatory approval is leaving U.S. drivers in the dark,” says a USA Today article published last month.

But not all is lost. 12V LED lights have never been easier to install, which means you can take matters into your own hands and pimp your ride in a few easy steps. To discuss motorcycle lighting trends, as well as some very interesting developments in the DIY sector, I spoke with Ryan Bone, the central district sales manager for BMW’s motorcycle division.



Aside from a few exceptions, BMW is prohibited from manufacturing stock motorcycles that incorporate LED headlights and turn signals. “BMW just came out with the 2013 R1200 GS water-cooled bike two months ago, which offers an LED headlight option for the first time ever on any motorcycle,” says Bone. “The main reason we can’t sell LEDs on most motorcycles is that the US Department of Transportation has certain stipulations regarding how much surface area a particular headlight needs to have in order to be compliant in the US,” he explains. These regulations also apply to decorative LED lights, and for that reason, Bone asserts that custom lighting applications for motorcycles are a growing DIY trend, especially in the sport bike segment. “The sport bike demographic is very interested in any customization that will set their bike apart from a factory motorcycle: graphics, colors, lighting, wind screens and ground effects to name a few,” says Bone. And when it comes to lighting, Bone finds that the benefits of LED technology far surpass other lighting options.

–“In terms of headlights, LEDs are great because the color spectrum they emit is similar to sunlight, so it’s less tiring on the eyes at night. Riders have better reaction time and increased safety when riding at night with less fatigue on their eyes,” says Bone. “Also, the light is projected through a glass lens, which creates fewer color fringes.”

–“LED lights run forever, while halogens have to be replaced fairly often,” says Bone.

–“LED lights allow for more design capabilities. The standard halogen you can only put in one configuration, while LEDs you can put in any configuration. They allow for more creativity from a manufacturing and design standpoint,” says Bone.

Indeed, Elemental LED’s waterproof, low voltage strip lights allow for all types of decorative lighting effects, and maximum creative freedom. Use the waterproof color-changing LED strip light, a compact RGB color controller and a portable 12V power supply, for instance, to create stunning, high density ground effects underneath your bike in an array of colors. You can use the same fixtures as accent lights, or around your speakers to highlight your sound system. While some DIY lighting installers use the motorcycle’s own 12V battery to power accent lighting, many do not recommend this, as the large surge of power that the engine battery creates might short-circuit the lights. Using a small, portable and rechargeable battery to power your lights is a safer option.

Be sure to check your state laws before installing LED lights on your motorcycle, however. Though many motorcyclists feel that decorative lights actually keep them safer and more visible to other drivers and riders, “Some states argue that these [kinds of] modifications are distracting and lead to accidents. Others are concerned that, depending upon the color and placement of the LEDs, the lights could cause conventional vehicles to be confused with public safety vehicles at night. Most states have laws prohibiting the use of flashing, spinning, or stroboscopic lighting. Some states prohibit the use of specific colors of lights, such as blue, whether they flash or are lit continuously. All states generally prohibit the use of red lights anywhere except the rear of the vehicle.” (Via LED inside.)

Have you already pimped your ride? Be sure to send us pictures and let us know how the project turned out. Until then, happy riding everyone!