New guy with an old led/headlight question

Discussion specific to the 1995 - 2006 KDX200 (H Series) and 1995 - 2005 KDX220R (A Series) models sold in the USA
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mxracercam
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New guy with an old led/headlight question

Post by mxracercam »

Hey all,

Recently picked up a 2000 220R, as it's been a decade or two since I've thrown a leg over a dirtbike and thought a KDX would be a great woods bike to get back into things.

The bike I bought is in great shape, but is missing the headlight and pigtail, and I definitely need lighting. I was thinking of picking up an LED light like this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00G6 ... 0DER&psc=1 to use in place of a headlight.

I've read posts here where people say I can just wire it directly, I've read ones that say I'll need a diode, rectifier and maybe a capacitor too. Does anyone have any first hand knowledge of bolting something like this in?

Thanks in advance!

-Dave
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Re: New guy with an old led/headlight question

Post by Goat »

I have this no-brand wired directly. Plus added extra grounds thru the tusk kit for street legal hi/lo.
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Re: New guy with an old led/headlight question

Post by mxracercam »

Goat wrote: 11:24 am Jan 14 2020 I have this no-brand wired directly. Plus added extra grounds thru the tusk kit for street legal hi/lo.
Is that an LED?
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Re: New guy with an old led/headlight question

Post by Goat »

I’d suspect no diode needed. But haven’t used one of the higher end lights. You’re right I don’t think it is LED. I think it’s is this amazon one (came with bike so not for sure). It says it’s an S2 12V bulb. Sorry not a good comparison for your idea.

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Re: New guy with an old led/headlight question

Post by mxracercam »

Goat wrote: 11:36 am Jan 14 2020 I’d suspect no diode needed. But haven’t used one of the higher end lights. You’re right I don’t think it is LED. I think it’s is this amazon one (came with bike so not for sure). It says it’s an S2 12V bulb. Sorry not a good comparison for your idea.

Universal Headlight Head Lamp Light Fairing Street Fighter Mask Day Running Light ...
Gotcha. How well does that one work for you at night? Thanks for the help!
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Re: New guy with an old led/headlight question

Post by Goat »

I am surprised that it seems great. It seems comparable to the headlight on my street bike. I ride it on our woods for perimeter checks and for $20 think it is great.
But we also have used those small LEDs as Jeep pods & on the 4-wheeler and they are brighter.
I better take back my opinion of no diode, as I am not sure if you need one for the LED
My bike has the small (deck of cards) battery for street kit. It lasts forever on LED taillight and blinkers. Not sure how long it would go on small pod.
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Re: New guy with an old led/headlight question

Post by bufftester »

You can run it on AC, but it will flicker at lower RPMs. Several members on here have done just that.
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Re: New guy with an old led/headlight question

Post by lizardfungus200 »

Here’s the deal, All led’s including those led pods are meant to run on dc. You could wire it directly, but it would flicker, at the frequency of the ac current the kdx produces. Thats how electricity works, try hooking up an led pod to a battery, it will only light up when current goes one way, and not the other. You dont need a diode, what you need is a rectifier. Diode is for turn signals

Something like this will work. You are looking for a 12 volt, less than 100 watts, and 4 wires: positive and negative in and out real simple


Also, these led pods are rated to 18 watts (mine is) and the kdx produces up to 40, so a resistor would be a good idea to keep the current down and thus temperature down. Those led pods have cooling fins for a reason. You need about an 8 ohm resistor. It will work without a resistor but who knows how long.

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Re: New guy with an old led/headlight question

Post by GOT WOODS? »

Lots of good info on this thread:

viewtopic.php?f=115&t=23092

Good luck!
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Re: New guy with an old led/headlight question

Post by bertos883 »

Some came with a DC rectifier (the aussie '01 for example). i have one of those ebay faceplates with a 12v mr16 downlight globe in it.
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Re: New guy with an old led/headlight question

Post by mxracercam »

Well, I followed Goats advice and went with this setup. It works well and was reasonably easy to install. Thanks brother!


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Re: New guy with an old led/headlight question

Post by Goat »

Nice job! That makes a fair style match. Hope it works good.
I think your brake line routing makes it look even more like it belongs. I had just left mine behind the light so far thinking it might add a little protection. But, now I’m gonna copy off you and add a little pinash before I go trash it, tomorrow.
..... now if I could just come up with the right BNGs.
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Re: New guy with an old led/headlight question

Post by lizardfungus200 »

You can also run those led pods on AA or 9 volt batteries
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Re: New guy with an old led/headlight question

Post by Will0808 »

My 2001 has the factory headlight? Obviously only works when the bike is on (no battery). Was wondering if I could run an LED bulb in place of the factory halogen?

Guessing my bike has a rectifier?
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Re: New guy with an old led/headlight question

Post by kdxsully »

If you have a regulator/rectifier, I guess it’s just a matter of sourcing the LED.
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Re: New guy with an old led/headlight question

Post by SS109 »

Will0808 wrote: 03:53 pm Feb 25 2020 My 2001 has the factory headlight? Obviously only works when the bike is on (no battery). Was wondering if I could run an LED bulb in place of the factory halogen?

Guessing my bike has a rectifier?
If your bike is a standard KDX, as in not an SR version, then from the factory you only have a voltage regulator and not a rectifier.
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Re: New guy with an old led/headlight question

Post by Will0808 »

Ah okay. Can I still swap the factory bulb for and LED? Can’t seem to find the bulb size part number
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Re: New guy with an old led/headlight question

Post by SS109 »

Yes, you can run an LED. All the info on the stock bulb is here: viewtopic.php?f=77&t=9531
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