Best motorcycle indicator upgrades

Updated: 13 August 2024

Motorcycle indicators are hardly the stuff of legend or discussion; you will rarely get another biker coming up to you at a bike meet or a bacon-butty stop to ask where you got them, how you find they perform or start talking about indicator upgrades.

However, they can be a quick and easy way to improve your visibility to other road users – which can only be a good thing – and add a degree of individuality to your bike at the same time. Replacing traditional indicator bulbs with LED versions will typically offer brighter and faster-reacting indicators with less power drain on the bike’s battery.

They also mean you can add dynamic indicators, which illuminate sequentially to add an extra dimension to both coolness and safety – sequential indicators can be more visible than simple flashing ones.

One thing to consider when fitting LED indicators is that some may require additional resistors to be fitted to achieve the correct flashing rate, otherwise they may flash too fast or draw too much current and damage themselves. Some may have the right resistance built-in but it’s something to consider.

Here is a selection of indicator upgrades for your motorcycle.

OPP ULITE Arrow Sequential LED

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These indicator upgrades come in pairs and are Amazon's Choice for 'Motorcycle indicators'. They get reasonable reviews online and can be used either as traditional indicators, where all three LED chips in each arrowhead illuminate at the same time or illuminate sequentially, depending on how you wire them up.

They are direct replacements for LED indicators but a resistor is needed for bikes with original halogen lights.

Resistor required:

Yes, for non-LED replacement

Bike-It Arrow

Price: £9.04

www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk

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These traditional halogen-style indicators from Bike-It come in two finishes black for £12.99 and these carbon housings for £13.99 who wouldn't want carbon indicators?

They are direct replacements for normal indicators and the housings feature a cut-out on the rear so that you can see when they are illuminating – useful to remind you they are on in case it’s hard to see the dash tell-tale. The fitting uses an M8 thread and they come pre-wired, with bullet connectors.

Resistor required:

No, halogen operation

Justech Sequential LED

Price: $19.69

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This set of four indicators uses a genuine sequential flashing system, with the 12 individual LED chips illuminating from the inside out. Each comes pre-wired with 250mm of wiring and pre-fitted bullet connectors and are designed to fit 10mm diameter holes.

Their slimline design should suit many bikes though, for those using traditional bulbs as standard, they will need external resistors fitting or a specific relay to control the illumination time.

Resistor required:

Yes, for non-LED replacement

Barkbuster LEDs

Price: £53.09

www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk

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These LED strips form Barkbuster are designed to be fitted to the companyu2019s handguards for an integrated design. There are white position lamps available but itu2019s the orange LED indicators we're interested in here.

They can be fitted to the upper surface of the Jet guards and the upper and lower surfaces of the VPS and Storm guards. They are supplied with a huge 700mm cable and will require external resistors (sold separately) if they are replacing halogen-style indicators.

Resistor required:

Yes, for non-LED replacement

Mini LEDs

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These tiny LED units get great reviews online and are designed to be fitted to handlebar-lever mounting bolts or mirror mounts, for example, and give a small profile but work very effectively and illuminate well.

Each contains six individual LED chips and come in either matt black or a chrome finish, making them perfect for sportsbikes and cruisers or customs alike. They come pre-wired with 500mm of cable and bullet connectors.

Resistor required:

Yes, for non-LED replacement

Oxford Nano

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These LED indicator upgrades from British brand Oxford come in a pair and are tiny, measuring just 49mm long by 22mm wide but they pack a hefty punch.

They are sealed for life and produce a super-bright light, are vibrations-resistant and come complete with resistors for use with non-LED bikes.

Resistor required:

Included

Universal 5050 Strips

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These universal fit LED strips are just that u2013 they are designed to fit anything and be applied anywhere you can see them from the rear of the bike; pillion footpeg hangers, luggage mounts, luggage itself u2013 wherever you can get them.

These indicator upgrades are available in either six LED unit lengths or with nine individual chips, are self-adhesive so they will stick wherever you want and are waterproof. They will connect directly to original LED indicator wiring but will need resistors for halogen-style wiring to achieve the correct flash rate.

Resistor required:

Yes, for non-LED replacement

Bike-It Fairing Indicators

Price: £9.04

www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk

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This pair of fairing-mounted indicators can be used to replace those on stalks for a smoother, more streamlined look to the bike. They are available with black or carbon-look bodies and with clear, orange or smoked lenses and use traditional halogen-style bulbs.

They can be fitted to the bike using self-adhesive pads, screws or bolts. Can be used as replacements or as additional units on luggage, for example.

Resistor required:

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By Jim Blackstock

Product Tester for MCN and sister publication RiDE Magazine - Jim began riding motorcycles in the late 1980s while working in an automotive repair garage after earning a Mechanical Engineering degree. Initially, he used bikes for practical purposes but later shifted to cars, starting a publishing career in the early 1990s focused on car modifications and product testing. After a stint in PR and Marketing for major motorsport teams and events, Jim returned to publishing and joined RiDE Magazine in 2017 as a Production Editor. His expertise in product testing soon led him to oversee the magazine’s product content. Rediscovering his love for motorcycles, Jim earned his license through the Direct Access process and now enjoys riding his KTM 790 Adventure across various terrains.