December 11th, 2015, 02:15 PM | #1 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Sam
Location: The Swamp
Join Date: Sep 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r, 2009 Yamaha C3 Posts: 13
|
Simple LED strip mod
To make me more visible at night, I decided to take some waterproof RGB LED strips and put them under the seat above the tire. I only have the green part lit up and it is on the same circuit as the running lights. It is pretty impossible to not notice and in a Florida college town, terrible drivers are around every corner and visibility is pretty much necessary at all times.
I read the statute in Florida, and there seems to be no law aside from it impairing other drivers, which it does not since it's focused at the ground. I was wondering if anyone would think it's tacky or if it would be better as red for either the running lights on, or as a brake light. I have the ability to easily have it do any color with a wireless remote and I just used some hot glue as a temporary idea. I'll try to get a better picture of it at night. Good idea or no? Last futzed with by Guilty; December 18th, 2015 at 06:02 PM. |
|
December 11th, 2015, 02:22 PM | #2 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Ryan
Location: Beaufort SC
Join Date: Aug 2015 Motorcycle(s): 05 Ninja 250, 04 KTM 625 SMC, 01 Xc250 Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 3
|
If you really wanted better awareness at night, I'd probably go with red or white running lights, but personally, I don't ride much at night, and added lights normally look tacky IMHO.
__________________________________________________
Because Unregistered sucks at riding. |
|
December 11th, 2015, 02:46 PM | #3 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Al
Location: York, Pa
Join Date: Dec 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300..............2008 Ninja 500-sold...2009 Ninja 250-Crashed Posts: Too much.
MOTM - Sep '14
|
It's your bike.
If you like it, do it!
__________________________________________________
Keep calm and ride on -Motofool Never quit on a rainy day -ally99 |
|
December 11th, 2015, 03:25 PM | #4 |
in your machine
Name: Scott
Location: Summer Shade, Ky.
Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 98 Ninja 250/F12 aka ZX-2R "SERENITY", 91 Ninja 500/A5 aka ZX-5R "Phoenix", 84 Honda GL1200A "SIREN" Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 25
MOTM - Jun '17, May '16, Mar '15
|
My 2¢,
As far as being more visible, I upgraded my lights. For headlight I went with an HID set-up, it's a DDM TUNING 55w/6k, extremely bright, and have had no issues with blinding oncoming traffic, once I reaimed the headlight. Tail/brake I used an 80w CREE LED, and installed a brake light modulator, and also installed 2 CREE LEDs in the bottom of the license plate, which are tied into the brake. Rear turn signals 80w CREE LEDs.Front turn signals I did a set of switch back CREE LEDs modification, and replaced the amber reflectors with a amber flush mount, which adds to more side visibility when turning. I also replaced the OEM graphics with a custom made reflective silver, and rim tape. I believe that you can see all these mods in my blog, if not PM me. I did add white smd strips under the tank, which adds some nice accent lighting, but not too much.
__________________________________________________
violente et ignorantia ZX-2R BLOG Twitter and Instagram = Ghostt_Scott I'm not here to change your mind, just to inform. |
|
December 11th, 2015, 04:00 PM | #5 |
n00bie to wannabie
Name: Bill
Location: St Ives, BC (Shuswap Lake)
Join Date: Sep 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2012 250R (Red), 2005 VFR800A (Red), CRF450X (Red), 2012 F800GS (Wants to be Red!) Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Nov '15
|
Ninjas are stealthy! What are these light bars you speak of ?!?
__________________________________________________
The Smart Money: #1 - ATGATT, #2 - Training (machine skills and survival skills), #3 - The bike; whatever floats yer boat with the money you have left over |
|
December 12th, 2015, 07:55 PM | #6 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Kurgan
Location: Texas
Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): '09 Ninja 250R Posts: 260
|
Just keep in mind that some states have very strict laws on what colors of lights you can and cannot have lit up while you're riding.
Texas just changed the law to make any color other than red, white, or yellow illegal while riding. You can have the other light colors turned on while the bike is parked, but not while riding. |
|
December 12th, 2015, 08:58 PM | #7 | |
in your machine
Name: Scott
Location: Summer Shade, Ky.
Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 98 Ninja 250/F12 aka ZX-2R "SERENITY", 91 Ninja 500/A5 aka ZX-5R "Phoenix", 84 Honda GL1200A "SIREN" Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 25
MOTM - Jun '17, May '16, Mar '15
|
Quote:
__________________________________________________
violente et ignorantia ZX-2R BLOG Twitter and Instagram = Ghostt_Scott I'm not here to change your mind, just to inform. |
|
|
December 14th, 2015, 08:21 AM | #8 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Tom
Location: Northern Virginia
Join Date: Jul 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2001 Ninja 250, 2019 Harley Ultra Classic, 2001 Suzuki SV650 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Jan '16
|
Quote:
Just had a case here in VA where a guy got pulled over for having an air fresher hanging from his rear view mirror and cops ended up finding drugs in his possessions. |
|
|
December 14th, 2015, 08:29 AM | #9 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Ryan
Location: Beaufort SC
Join Date: Aug 2015 Motorcycle(s): 05 Ninja 250, 04 KTM 625 SMC, 01 Xc250 Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 3
|
Quote:
__________________________________________________
Because Unregistered sucks at riding. |
|
|
December 14th, 2015, 09:37 AM | #10 |
in your machine
Name: Scott
Location: Summer Shade, Ky.
Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 98 Ninja 250/F12 aka ZX-2R "SERENITY", 91 Ninja 500/A5 aka ZX-5R "Phoenix", 84 Honda GL1200A "SIREN" Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 25
MOTM - Jun '17, May '16, Mar '15
|
Very true.
__________________________________________________
violente et ignorantia ZX-2R BLOG Twitter and Instagram = Ghostt_Scott I'm not here to change your mind, just to inform. |
|
December 14th, 2015, 10:46 PM | #11 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Sam
Location: The Swamp
Join Date: Sep 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r, 2009 Yamaha C3 Posts: 13
|
I actually talked to a cop that was at a friend's house after a noise complaint from some barking dogs that by a much hated neighbor, but he actually thought they were a pretty great idea since accent lighting is permitted within the statute limitations. Living in a college town in Florida, it's a breeding ground for bad drivers. Have already been hit before when I was riding a scooter for a year realizing it's a terrible idea to have one outside of the campus.
I pretty much am just testing the waters with this. Yes, it could look a bit tacky to some as they are quite bright, just wanting to become more visible. Cost me nothing but about an hour of my time putting it all together and hooking it up to the wires for the running lights. Takes about 20 seconds to remove if I decide to get rid of them. They are just the inexpensive RGB LED strips on Amazon or eBay for less than 10 dollars for 5m of the strip that you can cut to any length. But I am also thinking about changing the wiring to the brake lamp circuit to make braking a little more visible and nothing else. |
|
December 14th, 2015, 11:19 PM | #12 | |
in your machine
Name: Scott
Location: Summer Shade, Ky.
Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 98 Ninja 250/F12 aka ZX-2R "SERENITY", 91 Ninja 500/A5 aka ZX-5R "Phoenix", 84 Honda GL1200A "SIREN" Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 25
MOTM - Jun '17, May '16, Mar '15
|
Quote:
The best way to get your braking noticed is brighter, and a modulator. As I said be sure to get a bright LED, remember it's important especially in the daytime when some lesser LEDs don't do well. Below is pictures of my set-up taken in direct sunlight. No lights Running light Braking, notice the two extra CREE LEDs mounted in the bottom holes of the license plate. The Ninja graphic on the taillight itself is reflective red. This is with the lights off, this just shows the reflectivity. Here's a picture that shows off th reflective silver graphics, and rim tape. Good luck with whatever you choose, I would add switch so if necessary you can turn off the body glow kit.
__________________________________________________
violente et ignorantia ZX-2R BLOG Twitter and Instagram = Ghostt_Scott I'm not here to change your mind, just to inform. |
|
|
December 16th, 2015, 12:36 PM | #13 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Sam
Location: The Swamp
Join Date: Sep 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r, 2009 Yamaha C3 Posts: 13
|
I might put in a simple 2 way switch that can go from the green running lights or red braking lights. Pretty simple thing to do.
Here's the green. It is a bit bright, but don't know if it's too much. |
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
led strip... bad idea? too low? | peterpayne | 1986 - 2007 Ninja 250R Farkles | 11 | October 5th, 2014 07:57 PM |
Wiring LED Strip question | spc2125 | 2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk | 12 | June 19th, 2013 08:42 PM |
My LED strip turn signal lights .... | tc3jg | 2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Farkles | 18 | January 3rd, 2013 01:43 PM |
help on LED strip location | 00NissanNinja | 2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Farkles | 21 | September 21st, 2011 08:47 PM |
|
|