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2013+ ZX6R Tail Light Design Update
This taillight has officially launched! Click here to shop.
We did it for Ducati, and now we’re doin’ it for Kawasaki – one bad ass integrated tail light.
One of our core motto’s at TST Industries is “Be Different to Be Better”. Well, this thing is definitely different. And to us, it’s not only better, it’s freaking awesome. About the only resemblance this tail light has to the OEM version is the mounting location. We created a whole new look, with two ducts that extend into the lens, providing killer depth to this shape. Then, we split the lens down the middle with a peaked divider to create a modern, sharp design. Combine these external features with some ingenious LED use, and you’ve got the talk of the town tail light for your 2013+ ZX6R. If you want to know what real engineering can do, by a manufacturer who’s not afraid to design without bounds, this is it. You won’t find anyone else doing this level of work in the industry. Just one more example of how we strive to create unique products for riders who love their bikes with a passion (sorry girlfriends).
This thing has been in the works since the summer of 2013. It hasn’t been an easy trip, to say the least, but we think the results have been worth the effort (and wait).
As of 4/1/2015, we are performing some last minute analysis to ensure everything will work smoothly during the injection molding process. After that, it’ll be a few months for first production units and then they’ll be available to all you lucky riders.
UPDATE 5/14/2015: Injection molds are being machined!
UPDATE 6/23/2015: We have our first complete sample from injection molding. Woohoo!
UPDATE 11/9/2015: We have our final manufacturing prototypes in house for street/durability testing.
UPDATE 12/29/2015: 200 units will be going through our Quality Control process within a week! Ahhhhh snap.
UPDATE 2/10/2016: It’s officialy available for on our website for ZX6R owners! Click here to shop for this taillight.
Love it? Hate it? Let your fingers run wild in a comment below!
More Renderings
(click the image to enlarge)
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Specifications
| Number of LEDs: | A Crap Ton (102, to be exact) |
| Initial Product Availability: | Limited to 300 units |
| Lens Colors Available: | Smoked |
| Brake Functions (owner can choose): | 1) Constant and 2) Quick Strobe-to-Constant |
| Turn Signal Functions (owner can choose): | 1) Normal and 2) Sequential |
| TST Exclusive Design? | Heck Yea |
| Price: | Around 140 bucks |
| Bike Compatibility: | 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 Kawasaki ZX6R |
I am in the market for an integrated tail light for my 2015 Ninja ZX6R. With this model being brand new I understood that the options might be a sparse. I had it narrowed down to two integrated tail lights, but thought I would reach out to TST Industries and see if they had anything in the works, and man am i glad I did. As soon as I saw the renderings I fell in love. This is the cream of the crop in my opinion. I can’t wait to get this beauty.
Being an automotive engineer myself, the level of effort and quality research and design put into this product is top notch! So anxious to get my hands on it.
Matt, glad to hear you’re as excited as we are!
I am not sure whether the pictures of final assembly or not, but would it be possible to black out the screws inside the housing?
Matt, the images on this post are 3D renderings of our CAD model, and thus the visibility of the screws is exaggerated. I can almost guarantee you won’t be able to see them in the production version.
Understood. Thank you for the response. I can’t wait to see the final product.
Omg it looks amazing I can’t wait to get one for my bike
Thank you Alex!
(apologies on the late reply – somehow this one slipped through my email notification)
Any updates on the product?
Alex, we had a few details to fix from the original sample from June. Luckily, we have mock production units being tested as we speak so I will be able to provide everyone with a solid update within a week. Apologies on the long development time – you can’t ever seem to plan for the little hiccups.
I am new to the sport bike world and the Kawasaki ZX6-R 636 is my first bike. And since I am very particular to stock aesthetics when it comes to looks, I much prefer a stock look with brighter lights.
Looking at the LED lights and the pattern they line, I am not sure this would be suited for me. However, I would have to see this in person to make a final decision.
Suggest to add an option that these integrated tail lights come in 3 (or 4) versions, clear, stock colored, light smoke, and dark smoke.
Good luck with the final design.
Congratulations on the first bike! I’m sure the ZX6R will be a fun ride to learn on. As for the taillight, we’ll let the final pictures/videos sway you one way or the other. Who knows, maybe you’ll ditch your stock look preference after all!
can’t wait to get one of these! but the price is a lil high tho
We’re getting closer and closer to product launch! Price concern noted – though you may change your mind once you see the new look of your ZX6R!
From a safety stand point – I’d scratch sequential aspect – but can understand you may want to keep options open for customers – but from some research I’ve done myself while riding – it is harder to tell the direction of a sequential tail light from a distance for 35+ feet back. As far as show and glow it does look nice.
Also, I’d hope to see you guys consider more flashing/strobe modes and patterns. I dont know how much electrical engineering/designing/programming that will take – but I hope to see you guys provide some options (more than two) like some competitors (one to be specific – I will leave them unnamed)
For example X amount of strobes, solid brakes, x amount of strobes – with different variations for our liking. I dont like the idea of having to tap the brakes to get them to strobe again which is due to some close calls I’ve had with ass hats tailing me or not realizing I was braking. I think going from flashes to solid and back and forth is more of an attention getter than just a quick strobe, but I suppose that is a matter of opinion.
Lastly I hope you guys have some sort of adaptors/resistors for customers who intend to change all their lights to LEDS (rear turn signals OEM or after market, side marker bulbs to LED, and the two bulbs in the headlight to LEDs) as the mess with the draw of the system. Being able to buy all those pieces from you worry free without splicing would make me much more likely to purchase from you guys.
I had a CBR and was on the verge of ordering a IT from you guys till someone decided to total it.
Now having the ZX6r I almost pulled the trigger on another IT out of the three currently available but knowing you guys I’d like to see what you guys do before making a decision.
From a design stand point I think the light fixtures with the sideways “u” shapes are beautiful. But in the same token the Z’s on a “z”x6r on the taillight made me giggity, because it showed the thought that Kawasaki put into the design of the bike. I dont know whether or not from a business stand point if it would be wise to make two types/designs of a tail light for the same bike – but who knows maybe you can see what people like the most from a poll and make a small batch with just a rearrangement of the LEDs.
Hope this was helpful in some way.
Take care TST, I will wait till your final model is out before I decide on a tail light.
OMW2FYB, your detailed comment is appreciated and our engineering team will review your notes. To quickly respond to a few items:
1) The sequential turn signalling function will be part of the programmable feature set for this taillight (TL), meaning you’d be able to run regular signals or sequential by the push of a button.
2) Your thoughts on the expanded flashing/strobe patterns is interesting. Although I’m doubtful we would be able to include such functionality on this TL, it may be something we consider for future models. Going strobe, brake, strobe may not be all that difficult of a feature to engineer, though I will admit a quick grab of the front brake lever or stab of your right foot allows manual control over this heightened alertness for other drivers (I actually prefer this myself – amongst many things, I find it urges more attention to the things going on around you at intersections rather than assuming TL functions, turn signals, reflective stripes, etc. are actually making other drivers more aware of you (further: if you’ve ever seen someone put their bike in neutral at a busy intersection [even with a fancy brake light], they are already sacrificing a major safety aspect that may play a large role in their statistics for a safe journey, so a different brake light strobing pattern isn’t going to neutralize that loss in agility)).
3) We have a LED flasher relay already available for the 2013+ ZX6R, so with a simple plug and play installation, all of the problems generated from the use of LEDs on your bike are taken care of.
4) The Z’s on the OEM (and most aftermarket) TL is a neat design cue, but we wanted to do something different. Yea, giddy at first, but when you pull up to other riding buddies with our new taillight and they go, “What the #$&% is that and where did you get it!? That’s so sick!” those pleasantries aren’t something you’ll find with a stock replica TL and looking like every other ZX6R out there.
Looking forward to welcoming you into the TST realm of riders in the near future.
Is there any time frame on the release date? Just checking in.
Thanks
Units that will be available to customers are in production now. I don’t want to step on our own toes again by stating a firm date, but optimistically we’re looking at 4-6 weeks from now. We will continue to update this blog post as we have a better understanding of timelines.
Sounds good, I will check back in a month.
Purchased a brand new ’15 last year, anxious for these to come out!
Sooo when i can get one??
Any day now! Website listing will be online soon.
just bought a new 2015 zx6r.. Cant wait to put that beauty on her..
This tail light design looks awesome, I’ve spent the last 2 weeks reviewing and comparing integrated tail lights for my new bike and there are others out there that look decent but this by far is the sexiest looking one, I wish to get my hands on one for my bby
Going to be a great addition to your new ZX6R Manny!
eta??
Will be available for purchase on our website in the next few business days.
Thinking of purchasing one for the ZX6R I just purchased… Do you have a video of it in action before I pull the trigger?
Also, is there any chance of a clear lens being available?
Thanks!
Jeremy, we’re still trying to get a clean, new ZX6R into the shop to work up some videos. That’s proving more difficult than we’d like! As for the clear lens, I wouldn’t expect to see one anytime soon. The smoked lens looks awesome for this taillight and it’s still crazy bright. Just pull the trigger and go for it – I’m confident you won’t be disappointed.
I’ve had this taillight for less than 2 months, and a couple of the LED’s in the brake light have already failed, which is disappointing considering how unique & badass this system is/looks. I had it installed for about a day when I got the first compliment on it, and have gotten even more as time goes by.
Michael,
One of my support team members will be contacting you to get your taillight taken care of! If you can respond quickly via phone or email, we can have this squared away in a matter of minutes.
Hi , this brake light is bad ass, would you ship to UK ?
Hi Chris – We absolutely ship to the UK and you should be able to checkout directly from the product ad. If you’re experiencing any issues or have other questions, don’t hesitate to shoot our Support Team an email!
Hi,
I purchased this item last year, like everything about it however I have a few LEDs out on one side at the top.
So my questions are 1) Are these replaceable and 2) Are LEDs supposed to last alot longer?
I’m pretty much your average seasonal sports bike rider so the light hasn’t been used excessively
Thanks in advance.
Jamie.
Hi Jamie – Thanks for reaching out to us in regards to this issue. I’ll make sure we have our Support Team send you an email as soon as possible so be sure to check your SPAM folder!
Top class service. Your Support Team have already been in touch to organise replacement unit. Just like to also say abuild quality, fitment and looks are excellent on this item. Thanks Mark.