DIY Sur-Ron LED Handguards: Sequential DRLs That Actually Make City Riding Safer (and Cooler)
November 17, 2022
I’m always looking for Sur-Ron mods that do more than just look cool. If it can add real visibility in traffic without turning my bike into a wiring nightmare, I’m in.
This time I built my own DIY LED handguards using sequential LED DRL strips mounted to my handguards, then tied them into the bike’s existing lighting/signals. The goal was simple: add a “secondary light” up at handlebar height that looks slick at night and makes my turn signals harder to miss.
Here’s how it turned out after the install and some real riding.
Why I did this mod
I wanted lighting that sits higher than my fork-mounted signals. My Sur-Ron is lowered, and when I’m riding around the city, the signals being down low can get lost in the visual noise of cars, bumpers, and headlights.
Putting sequential LEDs on the handguards moves that signal/DRL effect up where drivers are more likely to see it. And honestly, the sequential “bounce” animation is just plain fun.
The parts I used (and what mattered)
The foundation is a set of dirt bike handguards, then I added flexible sequential LED strips along the outside edge.
The key things that mattered in the real world:
The LED strips are flexible, but still stiff enough that they don’t naturally hug every curve.
Adhesive backing helps, but it wasn’t enough on its own for a secure, ride-it-hard setup.
Zip ties ended up being the difference between “looks good in the garage” and “survives real riding.”
I also used a dual switch (headlight/tail light control) so I can run the handguard LEDs like low-key fog lights without blasting the main headlight all the time.
Install experience: pretty straightforward if you’ve done basic wiring
On my bike, I tapped into my existing signal/lighting wiring. The overall install was simple, but it’s not a “no-tools, no-skills” mod.
What I actually had to do:
Remove my existing fork signal light wiring connection
Splice the new LED strips into that circuit
Route wiring cleanly so it doesn’t snag at full steering lock
Mount the LED strips to the handguards
Because the strips were a bit stiff, I used multiple zip ties (front, middle, and rear) to keep the strip tight to the guard. The adhesive keeps it from flapping, and the zip ties keep it from slowly peeling off over time.
If you’re comfortable soldering and sealing connections, this is a nice afternoon project.
How they look in person (day vs night)
In daylight, it’s a clean custom touch. At night, it’s where the whole mod makes sense.
The sequential animation is subtle but really noticeable to everyone else. It does that “fills up, bright, then dims” movement that makes the bike look more premium than it has any right to.
As running lights, they read like small fog lights or accent lights. They’re not a replacement for a real headlight throw, but they add presence.
Turn signal visibility: the biggest practical win
Once these were mounted on the handguards, the turn signals became much more “eye level” for drivers.
That’s the part I cared about most.
With fork-mounted signals (especially on a lowered bike), I’ve had plenty of moments where it felt like cars simply didn’t register that I was signaling. With the handguard LEDs, the signal sits higher, wider, and more in a driver’s natural line of sight.
Running them with (or without) the main headlight
I wired in a dual switch so I can control the headlight separately.
That means I can:
Run everything (headlight + handguard LEDs)
Turn the headlight off and keep the handguard LEDs on for a lower-profile look
In some situations, the handguard LEDs alone are “good enough” for being seen, even though they’re not intended to light up the road far ahead like a true headlight.
Bonus aesthetic mod: DIY wheel disc covers
At the same time, I made lightweight wheel disc covers purely for style. They don’t add performance—this is 100% aesthetic.
I built mine from 3mm PVC foam board, wrapped the surface in gloss vinyl, and attached them with zip ties to the spokes. They’re extremely light, and easy to remove.
If you ride in high winds or you’re worried about side gusts, disc covers are the type of mod you’ll either love or hate. For me, the weight wasn’t the issue—it was more about whether I wanted the look. I did.
What We Like
Sequential animation looks awesome at night without being obnoxious
Signals are higher and more noticeable than fork-mounted lights
Adds “presence” to the bike in traffic
DIY-friendly if you already do your own electrical work
Switch setup lets me run the accent lights without the main headlight
Things To Consider
Not plug-and-play: you’ll be splicing wires and should seal connections properly
Adhesive alone won’t cut it; plan on zip ties (or a more permanent mounting method)
LED strips sit on the outside of the handguard, so a crash could damage them
These are accent/visibility lights, not a true headlight replacement
Final Thoughts
This is one of those mods that hits the sweet spot: it changes the vibe of the Sur-Ron instantly, but it also has a legit safety benefit if you ride around cars.
The best part is the placement. Signals and running lights up near the bars just get noticed more. Add the sequential effect and you end up with something that feels custom in a way most bolt-on parts don’t.
If you’re already wiring lights on your Sur-Ron and you want something that’s equal parts style and practical visibility, these DIY LED handguards are absolutely worth doing.
Links
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