Accessory & Accent Lighting
About Accessory & Accent Lighting
Accent lighting adds color and glow around the bike: flexible LED strips, wheel and engine light kits, fork lights, and lights built into saddlebags and trunks. Riders add it for show, for night rides, or to give the saddlebags and rear of a bagger more presence.
Pick by where the light goes. Flexible strips and kits for the engine, wheel or frame are decorative and fit more bikes, as long as there is a place to mount them. Fork lights and saddlebag lights are cut for specific models, such as Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic and Electra Glide bikes or Indian saddlebags. Some bag lights add amber turn signal or running and brake functions, so confirm which functions a light has and how it connects. Sequential designs light in stages, and the lens finish, such as smoke, red or clear, changes how the light looks. Check the strip length and harness against your bike and plan a wiring route away from heat.
The wider group is Accessory Lighting. Brands in this category include CIRO, Drag Specialties, Custom Dynamics, Saddle Tramp and Straightline Performance. For help with getting the fit right, see why a part did not fit and how to avoid it.
FAQs on accent lights and LED strips
What does a wheel or engine light kit need to work?
Wheel and engine kits take power from the bike's electrical system, so they need a power source, a ground and usually a fused connection, plus a controller if the kit has color effects. Mounting and wiring vary by kit, so read the instructions before you start.
Can accent lights be wired to the brake or turn signals?
Some lights are made to do that, such as saddlebag lights with brake or turn signal functions. Others are plain accent lights on a separate switch. Check the listing for the functions and the connection method, because a light wired to a signal circuit the wrong way can upset the signals.
How do I mount a flexible LED strip?
Clean the surface, test the layout first, then fix the strip with the supplied adhesive or clips and tie the wiring so nothing hangs loose. Keep the strip away from hot parts such as the exhaust and engine surfaces, and away from moving parts such as the steering.
Will these lights fit my model?
Model-specific lights name the bike and year, such as Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic or Electra Glide, or Indian. Universal strips fit more bikes, but you decide on placement and wiring. Check the fitment line in the listing before you order.
Can I use colored accent lights on the road?
Rules vary by location, so check local lighting rules for color, flashing and placement before using accent lights on the road, especially lights visible from the front or back. If you are unsure, ask your local authority or a shop.
