LED headlights

  • ckahleer
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LED headlights

03 Jun 2026 21:17
#924570
I'm looking for recommendations on a replacement headlight for my ZL600. My only experience with LED headlights was a cheap unit that was on a fixer upper bike I bought a few years ago. It was no better, probably worst than a conventional H4 headlight. My goal is for brighter, wider low beam.
1997 ZL600
94 KE100
82 KZ305
74 TC185

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  • slmjim+Z1BEBE
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Re: LED headlights

04 Jun 2026 07:10
#924588
   Many words have been written in the adventure bike / sport touring communities re: LED replacements for halogen H4's.  These Riders cover serious miles in all kinds of conditions.  There's also been deep discussion & much research done in the high-performance LED flashlight community re: H4 LED replacements. Their research would be good reading too.   

   Best scenario would be to find a complete 5 3/4" drop in LED unit in which the lens and reflector are designed for the LED emitters within.

   No H4 LED replacement  'bulbs' have earned DOT approval to date.  They can't mimic the point-source of a glowing filament.  The el-cheapo fleaBay and ammzzon devices that promise ten-eighthundred-gazillion Chinese lumens guaranteed !!! cast a glaring beam pattern inferior to that of a H4 halogen bulb in a lens / reflector system designed for same.  Too, many H4 LED devices have heat sinks or fans that make them too deep to fit in a bike headlight shell.

   If unable to source a dedicated 5 3/4" drop-in, search for a shallow LED H4 replacement that can be rotated within it's mount housing to mimic the correct beam pattern / cutoff as closely as possible.

Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE
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  • H1Vindicator
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Re: LED headlights

06 Jun 2026 06:07 - 06 Jun 2026 06:17
#924645
have you tried a good H4 from the auto parts store?  silverstar ultra or x-tremeVision. H4 12V 60/55W.  and clean the lens unit. I use denatured alcohol on a lint free cloth.
phillips >> www.documents.philips.com/assets/2023021...929cafab00cf61d5.pdf
sylvania >> www.sylvania-automotive.com/sylvania-900...ulbFinderSearch=true
Last edit: 06 Jun 2026 06:17 by H1Vindicator.
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  • bound
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Re: LED headlights

06 Jun 2026 07:37
#924651
I dont have any good recommendations but I've been looking around also and found that sealed beam LED units are the most likely to have a good pattern and brightness. Its hard to find them that look classic and not like a cyclops. One such headlight I've been considering is one like this: 
It meets DOT specs and doesnt bulge out unlike many semi-sealed units. For a good quality unit you are looking at around $100. You might have a harder time finding a 5 3/4 inch unit.
1982 KZ1000M2 CSR - damaged
1983 KZ440D5 LTD
1985 GPz 550A2

Craig
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