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View Full Version : Integrated tail lights - Questions?



KiwiNinja
2nd December 2009, 09:33
I've been looking at integrated break / blinker tail lights (see link) but have a couple of questions.

http://www.bikemonkey.com.au/kawasaki-250r-2008-2009-crystal-clear-lens-led-taillight-with-integrated-turnsignals.html

1. Are they legal and will my bike get a WOF with one. I know in the states and UK there has to be a minimum seperation of the blinkers.

2. (most important) Does anyone know how visable they are? Is is easy to see the break and blinkers when they are both going?

Thanks

98tls
2nd December 2009, 17:40
Had one on my TL ages ago,from memory it was a clear alternatives led one,yep got a wof but nope i reckon it was crap and in the interests of not getting taken out by a car not seeing the pissy indicators i binned it.:shit:actually,tell a lie i sold it to a guy with a TLR in Holland.

sharky
2nd December 2009, 19:43
Yeah I've got them. I reckon they are pretty visable, ain't had any problems. As for legality - I was told when I got the bike checked over by the dealer pre-purchase that they were not gunna pass WOF but I've had no problems getting one from VTNZ and they're normally nazi's.

AllanB
2nd December 2009, 20:17
You want to check if they have 'numbers' on them - certification numbers, in the US they call them DOT markings. This is what the WOF man looks for.

I find many of the cheap aftermarket LEDs to be of questionable visibility in sunlight compared to the good old bulb. Not all Led indicators are created equal it appears.

Clear Alternatives brand has a good rep.

I too question of visibility of some of these taillights regardless of how cool they look.

Owl
2nd December 2009, 21:45
I've got an integrated "Clear Alternatives" taillight and have had many comments about how visible it is (compared to others).

I had one fail, replaced by the manufacturer under warranty and they were awesome to deal with.

Never had an issue getting WOF.

KiwiNinja
3rd December 2009, 13:07
Thanks for the comments. Will ask VTNZ and see what they say.

Want to get rid of the massive fender on my 250r so just looking at alternatives.

Cheers

Toaster
3rd December 2009, 15:19
Sometimes VTNZ and police don't point it out because it doesnt even cross their mind when they are more focussed on more obvious things to check, or they dont even know that is either is or isn't an issue anyway.

And then there are those that think they know its an issue when it isnt. Hopefully commonsense would prevail even if it was.

Jiminy
3rd December 2009, 19:37
I followed a bike with such lights on Saturday. I had never seen them before. It looked really cool, but the turn signals were pretty useless.

Gremlin
6th December 2009, 01:51
Yeah, stick with Clear Alternatives, they are a good brand.

I've had 2 from them. The one for the ZX7R was pretty useless, couldn't see the indicator when the brake light was on, but the one for the ZX10R was much better, as the red was off when the orange was on, for that side.

Depending on normal indicators, the integrated can be better, as they're bigger, and being LED, brighter. I think one of the rules LTNZ specify, is that the indicators should be seen from a 45 degree angle?