Headlights not working -

[iliadz]

I have a recent purchase of a 2020 Super Tenere. Bought used with 300 miles on it. For sure the seller had no ill intent as the bike had sat since he purchased it, it scared the hell out of him and he parked it for the last six months. Regardless, I realized only that evening on driving back that the headlights aren't coming on. The two small daylight driving lights come on, but not the headlights. Checked the fuses, nothing wrong there. When I press the high beams, you can hear a "click" but that's about it. It's under warranty, but trying to solve it on my own if I can keep it from sitting in the shop a few days. Any thoughts?

 

[bimota]

try putting 2 new bulbs in first, alot of people have had the 2 go close to each other

rob

 

[bimota]

also i,m thinking you rode it home so bike was running if not the bike has to be fired up for headlights to come on put 2 new bulbs in first and fire it

rob

 

[iliadz]

I'll be damned. Yep, both were burnt out. I guess I should have checked the obvious but I kind of assumed with 300 miles both certainly would not have been burnt out.

 

[iliadz]

also i,m thinking you rode it home so bike was running if not the bike has to be fired up for headlights to come on put 2 new bulbs in first and fire it

rob

Oh yea, bike was running! When the sun went down it was less than ideal.

 

[bimota]

you may have had the bike with 1 blown and your ride home did the other quickly this has happened a few times on here
glad your sorted anyway enjoy your bike

rob

 

[MFP]

I'll be damned. Yep, both were burnt out. I guess I should have checked the obvious but I kind of assumed with 300 miles both certainly would not have been burnt out.

Make sure that the new bulbs are “seated” and locked in correctly within the headlight housing to ensure proper function and to prevent vibration damage to the bulb filaments.

 

[RCinNC]

In about 39 years of riding, my Super Tenere is the only bike I've owned that I had to change headlight bulbs in...and I've had to do it several times in eight years of ownership. It's not uncommon for one to go shortly after the other.

 

[iliadz]

Yea it's interesting. I owned a Super Tenere back in 2013 and had it for three years. Never had a light burn out. Thus the reason I assumed there must be something wrong with this considering it had just a few miles on the bike.
I'm going to try replacing them with LEDs. I'll update the thread accordingly. Not the crazy expensive cyclops but two models from amazon. Mainly concerned about life span now that this happened and don't want to be stuck in the dark if I can avoid it.

 

[SparrowHawkxx]

What MFP said.
I would just add that when you insert the bulb, the tab (picture) will align with the slot in the housing at the 7 o'clock position. This will give you a visual that it is seated properly.

My longest lasting bulbs were the original ones, at 37k miles, after that the next 4 sets averaged around 25K miles.
As others have suggested, I replace both bulbs when one goes out but keep the good one as a spare.

 

[RCinNC]

I got into the habit of carrying a spare H7 bulb in my tool tube. It's come in handy.

 

[Sierra1]

It hasn't but said, and I'm assuming 'cuz everybody knows, but, make sure you don't touch the bulb(s) with bare hands when you install them. The oils on your skin will burn them out prematurely.

 

[bimota]

Yea it's interesting. I owned a Super Tenere back in 2013 and had it for three years. Never had a light burn out. Thus the reason I assumed there must be something wrong with this considering it had just a few miles on the bike.
I'm going to try replacing them with LEDs. I'll update the thread accordingly. Not the crazy expensive cyclops but two models from amazon. Mainly concerned about life span now that this happened and don't want to be stuck in the dark if I can avoid it.

i had a few h7 bulbs blow in 3 yrs on mine but my h7 leds have been in 4 yrs now no issue at all the novosight h7 were only £19 a pair so 4 yrs well chuffed

rob

 

[iliadz]

Well, amazon warehouse is about two miles from us so getting same day parts is probably a blessing as well as a curse. Regardless,I played it safe and ordered two. The first ones I was really interested in as they didn't require a ballast, but
they just did not fit (branded Oxilan) .They are about 1/2mm to big to get into the hole.
The second set fit fine and I had to finagle them to get the ballast in but worked out perfect. So far so good, very bright.

 

[Sierra1]

I still think keeping the lights on "low" is causing the issues. Mine is five years old and has 20k miles on roads that are not very smooth. Original bulbs. But, since I mostly only ride in the daytime, I keep them on "high". I think the metal piece that cuts off the top of the beam, is bouncing the heat back onto the bulb, and frying them. I'm not proposing riding at night with your "highs" on, or not riding at night. Just a possible why.

 

[Jlq1969]

the slot in the housing at the 7 o'clock position.

could you be more specific. I have a digital clock

 

[iliadz]

Sure, see the clock picture here.

 

[MFP]

Sure, see the clock picture here.

A military time/24 hour clock face may be a bit too confusing....

 

[iliadz]

A military time/24 hour clock face may be a bit too confusing....

Yea, I was responding to the digital clock joke.

 

[Avalanche123]

I have gone through two head lights last summer.....very annoying.... I wonder if it isn't a voltage/amp issue?