A Harley is a bike that’s meant to be enjoyed. And one that can be tailored to specific biker tastes. There are more accessories sold for Harleys than for any other bike brand. While OEM parts ooze style and quality, you can always find something different and more appealing in the aftermarket range for the Harley Davidson LED Turn Signals. When it comes to parts, it’s the minor details that give the bike character. Take, for instance, the turn signals. Most hogs have factory-fitted bullet-style signals both front and rear. But these assume different locations on different bikes.
The Nightster has them attached to the forks, the Softail has them hanging from the bars, and the Road Glide Special has turn signals at either side of the fairing. There`s more uniformity at the back, accompanying the rear brake light and fitted on the fender.
Then, there’s bulb technology. Most older bikes had halogen bulbs, while newer bikes come with LED ones. Since the latter have many advantages, more and more bike owners are choosing Harley Davidson LED turn signals. You can find these straight from the dealership or buy them aftermarket.
When to Replace Your Turn Signals
Signals let drivers and riders notice your intentions on the road. They reduce the risk of collisions with other vehicles and are a safety necessity mandated by UK law. Unless you have a Harley registered prior to 1965, all bikes must have front and rear turn signals, and all must shine an amber/orange colour.
There are no restrictions regarding the use of LEDs or smoked lens covers. Any damaged or dimming bulbs that have a fast or slow flickering light won`t pass an MOT. The same goes for lights with damaged, cracked, or missing lenses and frayed wiring. The goal is to be seen and these bike parts are just a few among many others that improve biker safety.
Why Choose LEDs
These not only last longer (conservative numbers are at 50 thousand hours), but also don’t get as hot, and have no filaments, glass, or inert gases, so fewer parts that can get damaged. Besides impact (or scraping against other objects), LEDs also stand up better against vibrations. In a word, they`re tougher in every way.
Then there`s the brightness. These get really bright, so tick the visibility and safety boxes through and through. Many designs also incorporate white daylight running lights as well. If you`re upgrading the headlights or adding any other goodies (like accent lighting) that will make the battery and alternator work harder, the good news is that Harley Davidson LED turn signals also have significantly less power draw.
OEM Harley Options
Browse through Harley sites and catalogues, and you come up with two basic options – bullet and flat. Bullet designs are seen more at the front, whereas flat designs are often integrated into a rear light assembly which also includes the rear brake light and often a light bar. However, there are dozens of ways to mount either type. Both bullet and flat designs come with plug-and-play wiring, so no additional work is needed.
There are also two OEM lens cover designs, signature and bar and shield. The first goes for a modern look, while the latter features chrome housings and harks to Harley bikes of old.
Your Aftermarket Options
This is where things get interesting. The variety of styles, materials, and sizes on offer is huge, so you`re bound to find options that fit the bike just the way you like them. And they`re made from respected aftermarket brands that cater to Harley and other bike brands. Popular names producing Harley Davidson LED turn signals include Joker Machine, Custom Dynamics, Kellerman, Kuryakyn, Arlen Ness, Heinz Bikes, and Drag Specialties.
Designs
Besides their own take on the traditional bullet and flat designs, these manufacturers have some of their own proprietary styles if you want to stand out. There are block bars, circular, rhomboid, square, winglet, oval, spearhead, teardrop and just about any shape that catches the eye.
Mounting Options
Aftermarket options fitted with LEDs can be mounted in different positions. This can be the handlebars, mirrors, forks, fairing up front, and fenders and saddlebags at the back. Some designs have swivel mounts, so they can be angled to provide the best visibility. Installation is simple as all kits include straightforward wiring options and fit existing mounting points.
Materials
Here aftermarket turn signals go one step further. There`s gloss chrome-plated or matte-black anodised single-block billet aluminium as the prevalent housing material (plastics feature in cheaper variants), the use of high-intensity quality LED chips in varying light arrays, and scratch-resistant plastic or glass lens covers. The latter comes as either clear or smoked. Some options also have rubber damping to reduce vibrations.
Sizes
If you want something discrete and in a smaller form factor, many aftermarket bike accessories brands have distinct lines that melt into the overall design of the bike. There are wrap-around variants that fit around the forks and minutely-sized signals clamping the mirrors.
If you`re worried about visibility, you can also get oversized options. Rear winglets, with incorporated brake lights in dual-LED design (red and amber), fare best in this respect.
What Else to Look for
If you like the stock Harley designs, then you can save some cash and opt for LED conversion kits. These fit stock bullet or flat housings and come in two versions – those that only replace the halogen bulb (stock lens covers remain on) and LED turn signals integrated into the lenses. Both outperform existing halogens.
For complete aftermarket front and rear pairs, look for models with the relevant ECE approval, meaning tested circuitry and lighting performance. This also reduces the likelihood of voiding insurance claims if your bike is involved in an accident.
In addition, some turn signal assemblies may require to fit separate stabilisers or load resistors to slow the flash rate after the halogen-to-LED conversion. These also work with mixed setups.
These parts come in front and rear pairs, or complete kits. Get them at trusted Harley aftermarket parts dealers or direct from your nearest Harley dealership.