Riding motorcycles exudes a sense of exhilaration and vibrancy, and this sensation can become even more captivating when experienced in the cover of darkness. However, amidst this thrill, it remains paramount to ensure your safety without compromise. This is where the indispensable motorcycle brake light comes into play, an essential apparatus that communicates your deceleration or halt to those trailing behind. When harmonized with an adept motorcycle LED brake light and turn signal, your expedition on two wheels promises to be a cascade of unadulterated delight.
Navigating the current market teeming with a plethora of motorcycle brake lights can indeed pose a challenge, leaving you in a conundrum while selecting the optimal choice. In light of this predicament, our comprehensive guide delves into the crux of the matter by evaluating the paramount eight contenders. Our intention is to equip you with the requisite knowledge, facilitating a well-informed decision-making process. However, before delving into the reviews, let’s first explore the twin cornerstones that demand contemplation when embarking on the quest for a superlative motorcycle brake light.
Why are motorcycle brake lights important for rider safety?
Motorcycle brake lights are crucial for rider safety because they serve as a vital communication tool between the rider and other road users. Here’s why they are so important:
- Visibility: Brake lights are a clear and immediate visual indicator of a rider’s intention to slow down or stop. They help other drivers, especially those behind the motorcycle, to anticipate the rider’s actions and adjust their speed accordingly.
- Preventing Rear-End Collisions: Rear-end collisions are a common type of accident involving motorcycles. Brake lights give drivers behind the motorcycle a clear signal to reduce their speed, preventing them from colliding into the motorcycle when it slows down suddenly.
- Night and Low-Light Conditions: In conditions of reduced visibility such as nighttime, rain, fog, or low-light situations, brake lights become even more critical. They provide a distinct and easily recognizable signal that helps other road users identify the rider’s actions.
- Group Riding Safety: In group riding scenarios, where multiple motorcycles are closely following each other, brake lights help convey changes in speed to the entire group. This ensures that all riders are aware of the lead rider’s actions, reducing the risk of pile-ups or confusion within the group.
- Traffic Flow: Brake lights contribute to the overall flow of traffic. When riders use their brakes, drivers behind them can react appropriately and maintain a safe distance, preventing sudden stops and traffic congestion.
- Legal Requirement: In many jurisdictions, functioning brake lights are a legal requirement for motorcycles. Failing to have operational brake lights can result in fines or other legal consequences.
- Pedestrian Safety: Brake lights also benefit pedestrians by indicating when a motorcycle is about to stop. This can help pedestrians decide when it’s safe to cross the road or when to avoid stepping into the path of an approaching motorcycle.
- Non-Verbal Communication: Brake lights are a form of non-verbal communication that transcends language barriers. Regardless of the language spoken, drivers and pedestrians understand the meaning behind a flashing or illuminated brake light.
- Emergency Situations: In emergency situations where a rider needs to brake suddenly to avoid a hazard, brake lights alert nearby vehicles to the immediate danger. This provides extra reaction time for other drivers to take evasive action.
- Motorcycle Aesthetics: Beyond safety, brake lights also contribute to the overall aesthetics of a motorcycle. Many modern brake light designs are sleek, stylish, and add to the bike’s visual appeal.
In summary, motorcycle brake lights are an integral safety feature that enhances the visibility of riders and their intentions on the road. They play a pivotal role in preventing accidents, reducing the severity of collisions, and contributing to a safer riding environment for all road users.
Buying Guides of Motorcycle Brake Light
When searching for the ideal motorcycle brake light, consider the following factors to ensure a well-informed purchase:
- Light Modes: Evaluate the brightness levels and available lighting modes for various scenarios such as braking, running, and illuminating your license plate.
- Compatibility and Installation: Prioritize reading the compatibility list provided by the manufacturer before making your purchase. Ensure that the selected brake light is compatible with your specific motorbike model. Additionally, choose a brake light with a straightforward installation process to avoid unnecessary complications.
Having familiarized yourself with these crucial considerations, you are now equipped to explore the reviews of the top eight motorcycle brake lights currently available. These reviews will provide you with valuable insights to aid you in making the right choice for your motorbike’s needs.
Best Motorcycle Brake Lights
COWONE 2020 Newest 3 1/4 Inch Rear LED
Starting our list at number 8 is COWONE’s newest rear light model with its 3 1/4 Inch Rear LED. This rear brake light is an upgraded version with new safety features with bright red turn signals and running light. This newer version rear light uses a lens style to disperse perfect light patterns, making you more visible. You can easily install this to your bike with a 2 Minutes Installation. It works well with most Harley-Davidson motorcycles. It is durable with long-duration brightness. This is an affordable product for your restoration needs.
Advantages:
- Upgraded safety version
- Brightest red light
- 2-minute installation with Harley-Davidson models.
KiWAV Round LED Tail Light
Next on our list is a Round LED Tail Light from KiWAV. This model of rear light is ideal for motorcycle cafe racer bobber scooter UTV ATV custom projects. This good quality tail light is brighter and looks much cooler than your typical stock tail light. This round LED rear light is a standardized product with EMI class 3 and IP66 dust & waterproof ability. It comes with an indicator function. With a round design and bright light, it would work well with your motorcycle but check for a compatible list before purchasing this.
Advantages:
- Ideal for motorcycle cafe racer bobber scooter
- Brighter and cooler looking round tail light
- Standardized product
Chrome Cat Eye Motorcycle Tail Brake Stop Light
At 6th place in the Chrome Cat Eye Motorcycle Tail Brake Stop Light from Billet Proof Designs. This fancy and chic looking cat-eye tail brake light is the perfect fit for your vintage Harley Bobber Sportster Chopper Cafe Racer. Not only is the design captivating, but it is also powerful and durable for your long term use. It has the classic “Cat Eye” styling, Chrome Plated housing with a durable red plastic lens. The 2-wire incandescent 1157 bulb serves dual functions as a running tail light and a brake light. The bottom portion features a clear lens to illuminate your license plate. Make sure to use this with 12 Volt systems ONLY.
Advantages:
- Fancy and chic looking cat-eye design
- Dual function running and brake light, with license plate lighting
- The bright incandescent bulb, durable
Atubeix Bullet Style 2” LED Signals
Coming 5th on our list is Atubeix Bullet style 2” Multifunction Rear LED Signal. This LED signal has a 2” Bullet Style Rear Red turn signal with 3 main functions: Running Light (Outer ring dim red), Brake lights (All LED’s Bright red), and Turn Signal (All LED’s flashing bright Red). The lights can be used for a long duration without breaking. For your convenience, it is easy to install with most Harley-Davidson models. Please check if your motorcycle has a center rear tail light when you order this turn signals kit. It also comes with a lifetime warranty.
Advantages:
- 2” Bullet Style Rear Red turn signals
- 3 multipurpose LED lights
- Easy to install
- Lifetime warranty
INNOGLOW Motorcycle Tail Light
Moving on to our 4th place is a new brand on the list with INNOGLOW Motorcycle Tail Light. This is a high performing tail light with running, brake, and license plate light integrated into one tail light for your convenience. It features an innovative modular design with pre-drilled holes for easy installation to your motorbike. This tail light comes with a universal fit for Suzuki, Yamaha, Honda, Harley, Bobber, and Chopper. It has multiple color modes with red-brake light, black-negative, brown-running light. Please check the size of this light and your motorbike carefully before your purchasing
Advantages:
- Integrated running, brake, and license plate light
- Innovative modular design with pre-drilled holes for easy installation
- Universal Fit for the most model, please check the size
- Multi colors for different signals
Audexen Tail Light for Harley
Making it into our Top 3 is Audexen Tail Light for Harley. This fancy-looking tail light is made exclusively for Harley Davidson motorcycles with a new Eagle Claw design. This cool Harley led tail light comes with a black and red lens with a clear protective cover. It has three color modes with Red(running), Bright red(brake), White(license plate). The Harley tail light comes with Osram led chips with over 50,000 hours lifespan. The back shell of motorcycle led tail light comes with a rubber ring for easy installation via a simple three-wire connection. There is a full refund if it is not compatible with your motorcycle.
Advantages:
- Exclusively for Harley Davidson motorcycles
- New Eagle Claw design, three color modes
- Black and red lens, with clear protective cover
- Long-lasting, 50000-hour lifespan
KATUR Motorcycle Light Stop Tail Light
Ranking 2nd on our top list is KATUR Motorcycle Tail Light. This tail light is made for most Harley models, and Chopper, Bobber, Softail Custom, and Motocicleta Silver. It is around Light Stop Tail Light with a Super Bright high power bulb providing maximum visibility & safety. This is compatible with ¾ axles Harley and 20mm axles Metric bike. The tail light is made from quality deep drawn iron with Silver and highly polished to a mirror finish. It integrated running light, brake stop light, rear tail light, and license plate light into one convenient tail light, making it more than traditional lights. The light comes with an easy installation bracket for a direct fit.
Advantages:
- Super Bright high power bulb
- Quality Iron with Silver and mirror finish
- Integrated light, energy saving
- Easy installation bracket for direct fit
NTHREEAUTO Smoked LED Rear Tail Light
Finally, the top product on our list is NTHREEAUTO Smoked LED Rear Tail Light. This special smoked tail light is compatible with most Harley models. This upgraded motorcycle helmet brake light system and tail light are made of classic black color, which has a red LED that makes your motorcycle tail lamp more dazzling and adds new features to the motorcycle appearance. It has a smooth and double-coated rear lamp surface, with hard and durable ABS plastic to protect the blinker lights, running lights from minor impact. The super bright light increases rear visibility, easy for you to be noticed by other vehicles on the road for your safety. It is easy to install. Just remove the stock tail light before replacing the new black tail lamp, then insert the adapter and screw it up. It comes with a six-month warranty.
Advantages:
- Super bright red LED in the classic black color tail light.
- Smooth and double-coated rear lamp surface
- Durable ABS plastic for protection
- Easy to install
- Six Month warranty.
Conclusion
Motorcycle brake lights are not only a legal requirement but also a crucial safety feature that enhances rider visibility on the road. With the advancements in technology, riders now have access to a wide range of options that combine safety and style. From brake light modulators to smart communication systems, these top 8 motorcycle brake lights offer innovative solutions for riders looking to prioritize safety without compromising on aesthetics. Whether you’re a solo rider or part of a group, investing in high-quality brake lights is a step toward creating a safer riding environment for everyone on the road.
FAQs
1. Why do motorcycle brake lights flash?
- Some motorcycle brake lights are designed to flash or pulse when the brakes are engaged. This flashing effect is often implemented as a safety measure to grab the attention of drivers behind the motorcycle more effectively. It helps increase visibility and reduce the chances of rear-end collisions.
2. Can I install aftermarket brake lights on my motorcycle?
- Yes, you can install aftermarket brake lights on your motorcycle. There are various options available in the market that offer improved visibility and unique designs. However, it’s important to ensure that the aftermarket brake lights comply with local regulations and are installed correctly to maintain safety standards.
3. Do LED brake lights consume less power than traditional incandescent bulbs?
- Yes, LED brake lights generally consume less power than traditional incandescent bulbs. LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are more energy-efficient and produce less heat, making them a popular choice for brake lights. They also have a longer lifespan and offer quicker illumination, contributing to improved safety.
4. Are brake light modulators legal?
- Brake light modulators, which create a strobe-like effect when the brakes are applied, are legal in many jurisdictions. However, the specific regulations may vary from place to place. It’s important to check the local laws and regulations regarding brake light modifications before installing a modulator on your motorcycle.
5. Can I use my motorcycle’s brake light as a turn signal?
- Some motorcycles are equipped with combined brake lights and turn signals, where the same light source serves both functions. However, it’s generally recommended to have separate lights for braking and turning. Clear and distinct signals help prevent confusion among other road users and ensure safer riding.
6. Are there wireless brake light systems available for motorcycles?
- Yes, there are wireless brake light systems available for motorcycles. These systems use wireless technology to communicate between the motorcycle’s brake system and the brake light unit. Wireless systems can provide flexibility in installation and reduce the need for complex wiring.
7. Do brake lights have any impact on motorcycle insurance premiums?
- While brake lights themselves may not have a direct impact on motorcycle insurance premiums, prioritizing safety features such as functional brake lights could indirectly contribute to lower insurance costs. Maintaining a safe motorcycle with proper safety equipment may be seen positively by insurance companies.
8. Can I customize the pattern or color of my motorcycle’s brake lights?
- Some aftermarket brake lights, especially those with LED technology, offer customization options for patterns and colors. However, it’s important to ensure that any customization complies with local regulations. Safety should always be the primary consideration when modifying brake lights.
9. How do smart brake light modules work?
- Smart brake light modules, often equipped with sensors or accelerometers, detect changes in deceleration or braking. When the motorcycle slows down or brakes, the module activates a flashing pattern or a more intense illumination to alert following drivers to the change in speed.
10. Are there any motorcycle brake lights designed for off-road use?
Yes, there are brake lights designed specifically for off-road motorcycles. These lights are often more rugged and durable to withstand the challenges of off-road riding. They may also have additional features like dust and water resistance to ensure reliable performance in various conditions.
- Related post: Top 8 Motorcycle Wheel Lights