EricV
Riding, farkling, riding...
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That's true about the purpose built reflectors. But since there are no aftermarket purpose built LED lights for us, the LED swap does offer some advantages. Longevity for one. Typically a better light color temp with more definition. I don't like too high a color temp since it becomes bluish, but find 4300k to 5k works best for my eyes.LED bulbs in a reflector built for halogen does not necessarily increase lighting efficiency.
The halogen reflectors are purpose built.
I found this out the hard way by wasting money replacing halogen with LED in a Nissan Maxima.
I installed new halogen, 55watt amber H7 in the left side and a new halogen 55 watt Super white H7 in the right side on my Super 10 with excellent results. I did install 194 style LED bulbs in the parking light positions and in the license plate light. The front of the bike is much more conspicuous and the headlight reaches better at night.
I think that some of the reflector issues are compensated for by the projector lens style too. I have seen some horrible examples of LED conversions in some cars, for the very reason you mention. The reflector simply isn't optimized for the LED and it's a hot mess. But LED conversions differ, as do reflectors and lens configurations. Some simply work better than others. I loved HID in my FJR, but the same can be said about that conversion. The reflector is not optimized for the HID capsule. And some HIDs were horrible, others great.