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All About Air Wing Motorcycle LED Lighting
December 21, 2018

All About Air Wing Motorcycle LED Lighting

Recently, Custom Dynamics® saw a great demand for LED Motorcycle Lighting for Air Wing and Air Foil Tour-Pak® Racks and Saddlebag Rails. Motorcyclists choose after-market products for a variety of reasons. They might be personalizing their ride. Or, are looking to increase safety or performance on the road. Many times, the desire is to upgrade factory parts to higher quality replacements. Feedback from customers was that they wanted a light bar they could be confident in.

Before the Custom Dynamics® product release, there weren’t other aftermarket alternatives available. In fact, a few customers even tried DIY solutions. We wanted to offer a plug and play option that would outshine competition! Custom Dynamics® strives to offer new aftermarket LED products, accessories and fitments. Each design must provide a practical application with high quality, superior components. The result must be a product that meets the high expectations of our loyal consumers. Our new LED light bars for Air Wing and Air Foil Tour-Pak® Racks and Saddlebag Rails do that.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

As we discussed in Rats Nest 101: A Tech’s Guide To Accent Lights and Make the ‘bright’ choice: LED Turn Signal Comparison, when considering your after-market LED choices, it can be like comparing apples to orangesWe put our product up against the factory light bar to see how the design and performance measured up.  To provide an accurate and fair comparison, we evaluated each product on the criteria:

Design: General product details/specifications. All assembly components including the type and number of LEDs used. The design and assembly of each unit for durability and installation.

Visibility and Performance: the light output or brightness of the product. How the product performs.

Available Fitments: Available fitments based on the year, model and specific application.

Cost & Warranty: Price of the unit including extra costs required for application. Product warranty and warranty process as well as technical support.

Design

The factory Air Wing light bar includes 24 LEDs that appear to be 5mm LEDs. The comparable light bar application from Custom Dynamics® also has 24 LEDs which are 5mm. Remember: not all LEDs are equal. Both light bars incorporate 5mm LEDs. Yet, the quality of the LED differs between the two products. To compare, we powered the factory light bar next to the Custom Dynamics® motorcycle Tour-Pak® LED lighting counterpart (PN: CD-LR-03). The difference in the light output is significant. With 13.5 volts applied, the Custom Dynamics® light bar outshines the factory unit.

Factory Air Wing (Left) v. Custom Dynamics (Right)

The design of the light bar is also different, particularly the lens. The design plays a role in the performance of the product on the bike. It impacts how visible the light illumination is. On both units, there are facets across the part of the lens that sits in front of the LEDs. On the factory Air Wing light bar, the facets are approximately ½ cm apart. The Custom Dynamics® facets are further apart at approximately ¾ cm apart.

Both light bars function as a running light and brake light and are available with a Red or Smoke lens. The application is also similar; both units bolt to the underside of the luggage rack. Inspecting the factory light unit, black silicone is visible at the edge of the assembly. Most likely the silicone protects the wiring and/or provides a seal for the housing and lens. The hand potted silicone leaves the assembly looking unfinished. The components and design impact the light output and performance of the products. Let’s see how much they factor into visibility!

Factory Air Wing Black Silicone and Custom Dynamics Air Wing Silicone Seal

 

Visibility & Performance

The most common complaint is the brightness of the factory light bars. When it’s done right, LED Lighting on a motorcycle makes the bike more visible to other vehicles on the road. In turn, this also increases the safety of the rider. So, how does the design and components of an LED product influence visibility?

Kypresto (Top 100 Contributor) notes, “the concept of having a run/brake light at the same eye level as car drivers is valid, BUT if the light isn’t bright enough, then why bother?”.

The factory Air Wing light bar lens slants, angling in towards the LEDs. While this provides a low-profile look, it also takes away from some of the light output. Remember, both light bars bolt to the underside of the luggage rack assembly. The overhang of the luggage rack cuts off part of the visible illumination from the factory unit. Because the lens angles toward ground, illumination is only visible from lower viewpoints. One customer reviewer, ‘thomasnruth’ described this flaw almost four years ago.

“If drivers behind you are in an SUV, pick-up truck, van or tractor trailer, they won’t see the LED due to its angle”.

Factory Air Wing Lens Angle and Custom Dynamics Air Wing Lens Angle

This is a point worth making. The Custom Dynamics® design maximizes light output and performance by considering these details. The lens on our light bar matches the contour of the luggage rack. It is more prominent than the factory lens, without appearing bulky. In turn, the light projects out from under the luggage rack making it much more visible.

LEDs are inherently directional. LEDs emit light in a particular direction (unlike incandescent bulbs). This means LEDs are able to use light and energy more efficiently. However, it also means that sophisticated engineering is needed to produce an LED design that shines light in the proper direction.

FACETS

Facets on the lens contribute to visibility/illumination, they are what carry and project the light out. They help focus and guide the light in the right direction. The number, location and design of the facets affect how bright the light appears on the bike. The Custom Dynamics® light bar illumination is consistent and rear facing. Due to the design of the unit, almost all the light focused on the target area, behind the bike. Facets that don’t aim the light, will impede the light output and performance. The factory Air Wing light bar facets disperse the light rather than focusing it. The result is uneven illumination throughout the factory light bar. This amplifies the already very directional characteristic of the LEDs inside the assembly. A flawed facet design hinders the perceived illumination and performance of a product.

Factory Air Wing Facets and Custom Dynamics Air Wing Facets

The light output of the factory Air Wing light bar pales in comparison to the Custom Dynamics® version. Below you can see the factory Air Wing light bar (left side) and Custom Dynamics® light bar (right side) illuminated low intensity for run. The design and components of the Custom Dynamics® light bar are superior. For low intensity running light illumination, the Custom Dynamics® Air Wing light bar is far brighter than the factory Air Wing light bar.

In another test, it continued to outperform the factory light bar. Below the factory Air Wing light bar and the Custom Dynamics® light bar are both illuminated high intensity for brake. The light output of the Custom Dynamics® light bar is again, far superior.

Factory Air Wing v. Custom Dynamics Air Wing Light Bar Illuminated High Intensity

Available Fitments

Custom Dynamics® offers a larger variety of fitment for LED motorcycle Tour-Pak® lighting not available through any other manufacturer. For example, Custom Dynamics® offers a plug and play application for Freewheeler® models. There is a custom, hard-wired application available from the factory. But it is not plug and play nor is it model specific. The Custom Dynamics® light bar applications are plug and play (except for one). The Air Foil Luggage Rack/Air Wing Sissy Bar Upright LED light bars are not 100% plug and play. Yet, the 3-wire installation is still very straightforward. We provide everything for the installation, including Posi-Tap™ connectors. There’s no cutting or splicing into stock wiring. Plus, this generalizes the fitment to include Sportster, Dyna, and Softail models! Before the Custom Dynamics® product release, there weren’t other aftermarket alternatives available.

Cost & Warranty

The Custom Dynamics® light bars are competitively priced, if not less expensive than the factory equivalents. Plus, the factory applications don’t include all the installation supplies that are necessary. A factory light bar may require installation supplies or a model-specific wiring harness, not included with the light bar itself. Custom Dynamics® provides everything you need for installation.

The main difference is the warranty. The factory Air Wing LED light bar is only backed with a 1-Year Limited warranty. Custom Dynamics® offers the best warranty program in the industry. The light bars are all backed with a Lifetime LED Warranty! Plus, we offer the best customer support for motorcycle LED lighting in the industry. With a lot of fitments and applications available, customers may have questions. Our team is available to answer questions, place orders and provide product information.

TECH SUPPORT

While the Custom Dynamics® light bar is plug and play, the added benefit of Custom Dynamics® is the support team that’s available. Custom Dynamics® policy is to resolve every phone call, email, or concern before we go home each night. Technicians are available to answer questions and coach installers through installations. Technical support is available throughout the process. Before, during or after installation our technicians are available to help! Need help with your Motorcycle LED Lighting? We can help!

Custom Dynamics® new LED light bars for Air Wing and Air Foil Tour-Pak® Racks and Saddlebag Rails outshine the competition. Our loyal customers are already taking advantage of the high-quality upgrades. One customer, ‘Roadkill’ provided his review of our product on Sep 24, 2018.

I just replaced my stock H-D™ luggage rack light with this new CUSTOM DYNAMICS® light. WOW what a difference. The Harley-Davidson® stock light was barely visible during the day and the way it was angled downward made it difficult for drivers to see. Not now, I wish I could attach before and after pictures to this review.

While ‘Roadkill’ wasn’t able to provide pictures, we hope this comparative analysis shines a light on the differences.

SHOP MOTORCYCLE TOUR PAK LED LIGHTING!

20 comments

  1. Ronald Meeks on 09.18.2021 at 7:22 pm

    I have a factory spoiler on my tour pak of my 2011 FLHTCU.
    It is out and I’d like to replace it. It has 2 screws that go thru the back of the spoiler into the light bar .
    What do you have that I can replace this with? Smoked lens if possible.
    Thank you

    • Erin Armitage on 09.20.2021 at 7:49 am

      Good Morning, Ronald!

      We’ll reach out to you via email direct but wanted to touch base here, too! If you have the Air Wing Tour-Pak Luggage Rack (P/N 79179-08 or 53000063) on your 2011 FLHTCU, you can find our Air Wing Tour Pak Luggage Rack LED Light bar that would fit it, here: https://www.customdynamics.com/air-wing-rack-led-light-kit-standard-hd?cat=2 Again, we’ll follow-up with additional fitment/application details via email! We look forward to hearing from you soon!

  2. Scott P Parks on 07.20.2020 at 3:09 pm

    I have noticed that most of the police bikes are using LED lights on there mirrors and they are super bright white, because the LEDs are higher up they really get your attention !! Are you planning on offering something similar in the future?

    Thank You.

    • Erin Armitage on 07.20.2020 at 3:49 pm

      We do hope to offer something similar in the near future! I’ll add you to our request list so we can update you once those new product options are made available for purchase!

  3. Darren on 12.16.2019 at 10:40 am

    Hi guys.
    I have a 2016 ultra glide and I am struggling to work out the wire connections. On my 2016 it has a 6pin plug that powers the tour pack light bar in the back of the pack. Will I need an adapter to convert from 6 pin to 3 pin? Or is there a 3 pin located elsewhere.
    Thanks in advance.
    Regards
    Darren

  4. BRIAN on 03.04.2019 at 9:50 pm

    WHERE DOES THE WIRING GO THROUGH ON LID OF A 2016 FREEWHEELER?

    • Erin Armitage on 03.05.2019 at 10:04 am

      Hi, Brian! Thank you for considering Custom Dynamics® for your 2016 Freewheeler! To answer your question, the wiring will be secured to the inner portion of the trunk lid using the provided mounting clips after threading the wire from the LED assembly through the mounting holt in the Trunk lid; here are the instructions for this application! Please don’t hesitate to let us know if we can be of any further assistance to you! Have a great day!

  5. Harry Gillespie on 03.04.2019 at 9:26 am

    will your air foil luggage rack light fit my 2007 Ultra classic spoiler it is bolted directly to tour pak not luggage rack. Harley Davidson part # for replacement light is 68160-99. Thanks Harry Gillespie

    • Erin Armitage on 03.04.2019 at 11:43 am

      Hi Harry!
      Thank you for considering Custom Dynamics! Unfortunately we don’t currently offer an LED Light Bar that would install on the Saddlebag Lid and/or Tour Pak lid Spoilers. However, we are always looking to offer new fitments and configurations! If you’d like, we can certainly add you to our Product Request List! That way, if we offer the LED Light Bars for the color-matched Spoilers on the Tour Pak and/or Saddlebags, we can let you know! Thank you again for checking out the blog; have a wonderful afternoon!

  6. Barry Cybak on 02.12.2019 at 4:52 pm

    I would also like to see Custom Dynamics make a replacement light bar for the Harley saddlebag lid spoilers. I agree with everything that Frank said on the factory light bars on the saddlebag lid spoilers. Not bright enough.

    • Erin Armitage on 02.13.2019 at 2:19 pm

      Hi Barry!
      We can certainly appreciate your desire to upgrade the factory saddlebag lid spoiler lights! Unfortunately, we don’t have any current production plans for these particular LED Light Bars. However, as we mentioned to Frank, we are always looking to offer new fitments and configurations! If you’d like, we can certainly add you to our Product Request List! That way, if we offer the LED Light Bars for the Saddlebag Lid Spoilers, we can let you know! Thank you for checking out the blog; have a wonderful week and ride safe!

  7. Boh on 02.04.2019 at 5:33 am

    would your luggage rack with light fit my 2019 freewheeler.

    • Erin Armitage on 02.04.2019 at 3:00 pm

      Our LED Luggage Rack Light Bar (PN: CD-LR-04) offers a plug and play installation on 2015-2019 Harley-Davidson® Freewheeler® models with Air Wing Tour Pak Luggage Rack PN 50300097. However, we only carry the LED Light Bar, rather than the light bar and luggage rack together. Please let us know if you have any other questions!

  8. Steve Craven on 01.04.2019 at 4:08 pm

    I’m interested in a tour pack light for the tourpack rack on my 2009 Electra Glide Ultra Limited CVO. Do you have one that can replace the original one on my 09 CVO?

  9. Frank on 12.26.2018 at 7:25 pm

    Do you plan to make replacement lighting for the Saddlebag Spoilers? Current HD part number is 90200736. Some of the same lighting issues you highlight in this article are applicable to these lights as well.

    Thanks!

    Frank

    • Erin Armitage on 12.26.2018 at 7:39 pm

      Hi Frank!

      Thank you for considering Custom Dynamics! Currently, we don’t have any production plans for LED Light Bars that would install on the Saddlebag Lid Spoilers. However, we are always looking to offer new fitments and configurations! If you’d like, we can certainly add you to our Product Request List! That way, if we offer the LED Light Bars for the Saddlebag Lid Spoilers, we can let you know! Thank you again for checking out the blog; have a wonderful week and a Happy New Year!

  10. Gary Wayne Lemons on 12.26.2018 at 3:05 pm

    All of my rear lights are Custom Dynamics on my 2014 Ultra Limited. I have the Magic Strobes, and a Tour Pak converter which makes ALL of my rear lights strobe when stopping, slowing, and turning. Most recently I was riding in Texas and slowing for a turn when I was struck in the rear by what I define as an “Inattentive Driver”. Although I had felt comfortable with ALL the lights and strobing on the rear it didn’t seem to help in this case, but I will get things repaired and ride again.

    • Erin Armitage on 12.26.2018 at 3:38 pm

      Hi Gary!

      We’re very sorry to hear about your accident! While our upgrades increase safety and visibility on the road, unfortunately, inattentive drivers can still cause problems. We hope you have a quick recovery and can get back to riding soon! Thank you for choosing Custom Dynamics, we appreciate your support very much! Have a wonderful week and a Happy New Year!

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