LED vs. Halogen Motorcycle Lights

by Chris Rutter August 20, 2020

One of the most important safety features on your Harley is the lighting. Your headlights let you see properly in various conditions and ensure that others can see you. Headlights are also a great customizable feature — your lights make a style statement and can affect your ride experience. At Fat Head Cycles, we regularly hear the LED vs. halogen motorcycle light debate, and we decided to provide you with a quick guide in case you’re wondering whether to switch out your lights.

Halogen Bulbs

Your Harley likely came with halogen bulbs, which are standard with most motorcycles. These headlights are made with tungsten filament and meet all requirements for lights on a motorcycle. They're bright enough for all rides even though they convert some power into heat rather than light, and their biggest advantage — at least to manufacturers — is that they are inexpensive.

If you want to change your halogen bulbs, you'll find that they're less costly to replace with other halogens. Some riders also enjoy the warmer, yellowish glow of these lights.

LED Headlights

When people upgrade their Harley headlights, they often choose LED bulbs for a few reasons. LED lights:

Use less power
Last longer, so they may make more financial sense in the long run
Give off a brighter, cooler light
Come in a variety of types, including bulbs that light up a wider area than standard headlight bulbs
Stay at a lower temperature than halogen lights do

For maximum brightness and less power usage, LED lights may be the right solution.

If you want maximum brightness and less power usage, LED lights may be the right solution. There are lots of choices when it comes to LED lights as well. For instance, the ProBEAM® Headlamps feature multiple advanced, high-power optical D lenses, a position light, additional LEDs and projector lenses, resulting in very bright and wide lighting that will help you see more. The Custom Dynamics® TruBEAM Headlamp® has halo rings around each light to offer superior visibility.

Additional Lights

While your headlights may get a lot of attention, you can install several other lighting features on your Harley to add visibility and make your ride more enjoyable. ProBEAM® Rear Red Ring LED turn signals, for example, will help make it clearer to drivers behind you when you’re turning.

LED Fusion Rim Lights add accent light to rims or wheels, while Harley-Davidson Fusion LED lighting systems will light your motorcycle in color from back to front, making you highly visible on the road. These systems are great for anyone who wants to enhance their style or ride a lot at night. You can even choose different colors and flash patterns, truly customizing your ride.

Looking for More About Lights?

If you’re seeking quality lights for your Harley, you'll be happy to know that Fat Head Cycles offers specialized and customization services for your Harley, including repairs, in-shop service and more. Shop our full selection of lights and Harley products now, and remember that you can count on us for installation and customization as you build your dream motorcycle.