If you’re looking at Harley Davidson LED headlights, you may be surprised to learn who actually makes them.
Most Harley Davidson motorcycles use a 7-inch round sealed beam or composite halogen headlight. However, starting in 2012, Harley dealers began offering a drop-in LED headlight upgrade. This new LED option features four integrated projectors, a chrome interior surface, and 100% LED output.
It looks futuristic. It performs well. But here’s the interesting part: Harley didn’t design it from scratch.
The Harley Davidson Re-Branded LED Headlight
Harley sells a factory LED headlight with the Harley-Davidson logo embossed in the center. It installs as a direct plug-and-play replacement for most 7-inch Harley applications.
These headlights:
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Drop directly into stock housings
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Plug into the factory connector
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Meet DOT standards
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Produce approximately 1,700 lumens of output
From the outside, the Harley version features smooth, rounded design lines that surround the four projector modules. The branding sits front and center.
However, if you look closely, the design may seem familiar.
The Original: JW Speaker Model 8700
The Harley LED headlight originates from the JW Speaker Model 8700.
JW Speaker has offered the 8700 for years under its own branding. The internal projector layout matches the Harley version. The light output matches. The housing dimensions match.
The differences are cosmetic.
The JW Speaker 8700 features:
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A “figure-8” or hourglass-style raised design around the center projectors
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A perimeter crease in the bezel
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The JW Speaker logo embossed at the top of the lens
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No Harley logo in the center
Functionally, the lights perform the same. Structurally, they share the same foundation. Only the external styling changes.
Are They Actually the Same?
Yes—mechanically and optically, they are essentially identical.
Both lights:
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Use four projector modules
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Deliver full LED output
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Install as direct plug-and-play replacements
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Carry DOT approval
Harley re-brands the light with subtle styling adjustments. JW Speaker manufactures the original version in the USA.
Which One Should You Buy?
If you want official Harley branding, buy it through your dealer.
However, if you simply want the performance and plug-and-play fitment, the JW Speaker 8700 offers the same lighting technology. You can purchase it independently and install it the same way.
Either way, you get a major upgrade over the stock halogen sealed beam.
To stay up to date on fog light bulb fitment, lighting upgrades, and installation guides, be sure to check back here regularly. You can also follow along on our Facebook page and say hello. And as always, the Better Automotive Lighting Blog is your source for clear, practical information in the automotive lighting world. Why not give this a read: Affordable Bright And Compact Led Driving Light Jw Speaker 4410
Meet the people behind Better Automotive Lighting
John Tobias, Headlight Junkie and Industry Veteran
Before managing pricing and product categories for the DLG brands, John worked directly with customers in customer service and tech support, then spent several years in marketing creating content like this and the videos published online. Today he takes more than ten years of aftermarket automotive lighting experience to events all over the USA, meeting customers and talking to real people about what they care about. He is focused on understanding the market, the trends, the big players, and what matters to lighting enthusiasts. John has tested thousands of lights, works directly with lighting engineers to evaluate the technical performance behind every recommendation, and is one of the foremost experts on everything happening in the world of aftermarket automotive lighting. LinkedIn
