Rivco LED-115 LED Headlights

[98valk]

I ordered an additional pair of LED-115 bulbs to replace my high beam bulbs.

Well, they came in today after being on back-order for almost 4 weeks. Glad to have them.

However, the new set has been redesigned vs the original set. The original LED-115s that I installed have small cooling fans to manage the heat of the lamps.

The newly designed lamps now have 4 strands of metal mesh coming off the bulb assembly to help dissipate the heat. See the photo. This now resembles other manufacturer's LED replacements.

I called to inquire and they simply stated that it was simply redesigned. The rep suggested that there was no real difference in either version's method of heat distribution The light output and color are the same with both versions so I'm not concerned with that. I asked if he would recommend the fan version in the low beams vs the metal mesh or vice versa since the lows are on constantly. He suggested that it wouldn't matter.

I think that once I get back in there, I may consider moving the fan units from the low to the high beams. The fan units installation was a little more involved. So, I think that I may prefer to have the new ones in the low beam location because any future replacement may be less involved. Just a thought at this point.

I second your decision to put the fans in the high beam locations (assuming the same lumen output). The copper braid has no moving parts to go bad.

I have a set in my low beams with the copper braid. I would not purchase an led assembly relying on a fan for cooling. But since you already have them .... Don't forget to spread out the braids.

[SPGrenier]

I second your decision to put the fans in the high beam locations (assuming the same lumen output). The copper braid has no moving parts to go bad.

I have a set in my low beams with the copper braid. I would not purchase an led assembly relying on a fan for cooling. But since you already have them .... Don't forget to spread out the braids.

Yes, the lumen output is 3600 for the new and the old. Although I've only had these LEDs in for a short time, I am quite happy with them. The fans aren't presenting any issues.

[stevenolts]

If these are so much brighter how come no one flashes you?
I have had my high beams on a few times on the F6B and I got flashed almost immediately.

On my Harley Fatboy I ran the high beams all the time and no one ever flashed me.
Steve

[SPGrenier]

If these are so much brighter how come no one flashes you?
I have had my high beams on a few times on the F6B and I got flashed almost immediately.

On my Harley Fatboy I ran the high beams all the time and no one ever flashed me.
Steve

I have yet to install the LED high beams. If I'm running the LED highs, I'm sure it'll get people's attention. Yes Brighter than stock and definitely whiter

[SPGrenier]

As originally posted, the Rivco LED-115 headlights came with fan units. I've not been on the site for some time but I thought that I'd give everyone a follow up on my experiences with these lights.

When first installed, I found them to be excellent. Brightness, color and road illumination were what I had hoped for. Last fall, I had a failure in one of them. Putting the bike up for the winter; i didn't give it a whole lot of attention. Here's what was going on. On one of the lamps, I started to see a flutter in the light when the ignition key was turned on. After the light was on for a bit, the flutter stopped. That same lamp developed a yellowish tint. Clearly non white compared to the other lamp.

In addition, the fans on both lamps could now be heard while the bike was at idle.

I had purchased a second set of lights which were intended for the high beams. These had the same part number but had no fans (pictured earlier in this thread. Because of the lateness of the last season, I never put the second set in.

So, I have just removed the original fan units and replaced them with the second set intended for my high beams. They look great.

The original fan units were returned for warranty consideration. I am expecting Rivco to send me a replacement set like what I have on the bike now.

I'll keep you posted.

[SPGrenier]

Well, here it is April 1st. Yesterday I received a mail confirmation that a package was being sent to me from Rivco. That can only mean that they have agreed that the original Led lights with the fan units were indeed covered under the warrantee. That's great news. Thank you Rivco for your timely service on the replacement.

I only wish that I had them on hand today since I'm in the onset of possibly 10 inches of snow up here in NH. Would have been a good time to tinker with the bike. Maybe I'll take the panels out and such to have the high beam lights removed for the quick install of the new LEDs.

Hopefully with some warm weather next week, I can get the bike out for a night ride to check out the new lights. I'll let you know. I'll take new pics.

[Delta]

.......Maybe I'll take the panels out and such to have the high beam lights removed for the quick install of the new LEDs.

If the high beams are a quick install, let me know your secret. When I did mine, all 4, it was at least a 4 hour ordeal. The high beam placement gave me a lot of grief. While I had everything exposed I also installed the Kisan modulator.

[SPGrenier]

.......Maybe I'll take the panels out and such to have the high beam lights removed for the quick install of the new LEDs.

If the high beams are a quick install, let me know your secret. When I did mine, all 4, it was at least a 4 hour ordeal. The high beam placement gave me a lot of grief. While I had everything exposed I also installed the Kisan modulator.

Well the install finally got done. I took what I thought were adequate precautions but one of the mounting plates that goes under the bulb retention clip fell into the black hole of the inner fairing. The work to retrieve it wasn't going to happen. OMG.

I called Rivco to see if they had a solution and they found a replacement part and sent it to me for free. What a life saver they were with that move. I have to say that Rivco has been fantastic through this whole process.

The left high beam was certainly the most difficult. My paws just couldn't get in there to push and turn the LED lamp to lock it in. After many attempts and having run through my entire cussing vocabulary, my girlfriend stuck her hand in there and locked it in without a problem. Amen! It was a bit of an ordeal.

Knowing what I know now, I would have tucked some rags in the spaces beneath the high beams to prevent lost parts. Live and learn.

For some reason, I am not able to upload a photo.