Bulb Size for Rear Pods?

1994Ninja250F · August 29th, 2018, 12:37 PM

Hey guys,

Was just reading the N250RC page regarding alternative bulb types for the rear lights, specifically regarding getting a brighter / higher contrast brake light.

My question is regarding the rear pods, where I relocated my turn signals to. Does anyone know which bulbs are appropriate to use as a turn signal bulb here? I did this mod 8 years ago, and definitely don’t remember anything regarding the bulb choices out there.

The aim is to get one with better / brighter specs as discussed above with the brake light (if there is even such an option). Not a big deal, but thought if I’m upgrading the brake light might as well do the same with my blinkers. Safety first!

Triple Jim · August 29th, 2018, 01:14 PM

Normally turn signals use an 1156 if they're single filament bulbs or 1157 if dual filament. Of course there are LED equivalents available. If you get LED, get red ones, because a white LED shining through a red lens is not as bright as a red LED shining through a red lens.

I tried making the unused sections of my tail light into turn signals, but didn't like the low visibility I got, so I went back to separate turn signals and wired the extra bulbs in the tail to the brake light, so it all lights up when I put use a brake. That is a worthwhile improvement.

DannoXYZ · August 29th, 2018, 07:08 PM

For brighter tail/brake light, use this bulb: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BLGPCU
For brighter turn-signals, use this bulb: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002CZ128A

Look up lumens output vs. factory 1156/1157 bulbs for comparison. I'm firm disbeliever in LED bulbs, too much crap out there with poor output, low-quality and short life-span costing way, way too much money. I'd rather build my own LED bulb from raw LEDs boards and drivers. Such as Cree XM-L: https://www.mouser.com/new/cree/creeXMLwhite . Drive it at 700ma for about 2x output of factory bulbs. With adequate heatsinking, you can run those up to 3000ma for about 1200lm output or close to 10x factory bulbs. Heck, you can even use them as headlights!

1994Ninja250F · August 31st, 2018, 03:09 PM

Thank you both for the help, definitely jogs my memory.

Just out of curiosity about the LEDs, if I put a white LED behind an amber lens, is that any better / worse than the stated example (white LED behind red lens)?

Thanks again, much appreciated.

Triple Jim · August 31st, 2018, 05:34 PM

Match the LED color to the lens color. White LEDs do not put out a full spectrum like incandescent bulbs do, so the actual emitted light wavelengths may not fall within the passband of a colored lens.

August 29th, 2018, 12:37 PM	#1
1994Ninja250F ‘94 Rider Name: Colin Location: Lewis Center, Ohio Join Date: Nov 2010 Motorcycle(s): 1994 Kawasaki Ninja EX250F Posts: 81	Bulb Size for Rear Pods? Hey guys, Was just reading the N250RC page regarding alternative bulb types for the rear lights, specifically regarding getting a brighter / higher contrast brake light. My question is regarding the rear pods, where I relocated my turn signals to. Does anyone know which bulbs are appropriate to use as a turn signal bulb here? I did this mod 8 years ago, and definitely don’t remember anything regarding the bulb choices out there. The aim is to get one with better / brighter specs as discussed above with the brake light (if there is even such an option). Not a big deal, but thought if I’m upgrading the brake light might as well do the same with my blinkers. Safety first!

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August 29th, 2018, 01:14 PM	#2
Triple Jim Guy Who Enjoys Riding Name: Jim Location: North Carolina Join Date: Jul 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTM - Oct '18, Aug '17, Aug '16	Normally turn signals use an 1156 if they're single filament bulbs or 1157 if dual filament. Of course there are LED equivalents available. If you get LED, get red ones, because a white LED shining through a red lens is not as bright as a red LED shining through a red lens. I tried making the unused sections of my tail light into turn signals, but didn't like the low visibility I got, so I went back to separate turn signals and wired the extra bulbs in the tail to the brake light, so it all lights up when I put use a brake. That is a worthwhile improvement.

August 29th, 2018, 07:08 PM	#3
DannoXYZ ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: AKA JacRyann Location: Mesa, AZ Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): CB125T CBR250R-MC19 CBR250RR-MC22 NSR350R-MC21 VF500F CBR600RR SFV650 VFR750F R1M ST1300PA Valkyrie-F6C Posts: A lot. MOTY - 2018, MOTM - Nov '17	For brighter tail/brake light, use this bulb: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BLGPCU For brighter turn-signals, use this bulb: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002CZ128A Look up lumens output vs. factory 1156/1157 bulbs for comparison. I'm firm disbeliever in LED bulbs, too much crap out there with poor output, low-quality and short life-span costing way, way too much money. I'd rather build my own LED bulb from raw LEDs boards and drivers. Such as Cree XM-L: https://www.mouser.com/new/cree/creeXMLwhite . Drive it at 700ma for about 2x output of factory bulbs. With adequate heatsinking, you can run those up to 3000ma for about 1200lm output or close to 10x factory bulbs. Heck, you can even use them as headlights!

August 31st, 2018, 03:09 PM	#4
1994Ninja250F ‘94 Rider Name: Colin Location: Lewis Center, Ohio Join Date: Nov 2010 Motorcycle(s): 1994 Kawasaki Ninja EX250F Posts: 81	Thank you both for the help, definitely jogs my memory. Just out of curiosity about the LEDs, if I put a white LED behind an amber lens, is that any better / worse than the stated example (white LED behind red lens)? Thanks again, much appreciated.

August 31st, 2018, 05:34 PM	#5
Triple Jim Guy Who Enjoys Riding Name: Jim Location: North Carolina Join Date: Jul 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTM - Oct '18, Aug '17, Aug '16	Match the LED color to the lens color. White LEDs do not put out a full spectrum like incandescent bulbs do, so the actual emitted light wavelengths may not fall within the passband of a colored lens.