S10 Headlight Bulbs

[AwesomeUsername]

One of the first things I did when I purchased my '13 was change to HID. I had to modify the end cap that goes over the light by drilling a hole in them for the wires. I have yet to replace the bulbs or have any issues for 15k miles. The stock headlights are insanely disappointing when compared to the aftermarket options.

 

[2daMax]

I read somewhere that some H7 bulbs are more prone to failures due to vibrations. Maybe changing to other brands may help. It seems the cheap low end standard H7 without bells and whistles ones lasts the longest.

I am thinking of placing in some Copper Braided Solder wick on the H7 to draw away the heat. Perhaps a cooler bulb will make it last longer.

 

[Cycledude]

I purchased a set of these due to your recommendation. I do have a question. Did you have to modify anything to make these fit or are they plug and play? I should be receiving them in a couple days and was wondering what kind of project to expect. ::003::

Yes they are 100% plug and play, but it's challenging, took me about an hour + but since I now have the experience of doing i could probably do it in a half hour, installing the new larger covers is difficult but if u look closely at the inside of the covers u will see that they need to be turned a certain way to fit over the extra hardware from the new LED kit, it's a tight fit but be patient everything will eventually fit with absolutely no cutting or drilling.

 

[gregp]

Yes they are 100% plug and play, but it's challenging, took me about an hour + but since I now have the experience of doing i could probably do it in a half hour, installing the new larger covers is difficult but if u look closely at the inside of the covers u will see that they need to be turned a certain way to fit over the extra hardware from the new LED kit, it's a tight fit but be patient everything will eventually fit with absolutely no cutting or drilling.

I appreciate it! They showed up today so I may try to get them installed tomorrow.

 

[Brick]

What does changing to these do to the Tenere's damper Hi light set up? I mean does it still work?
How much power draw?

Where the hell do I get a replacement when I'm riding in BFE? (No where!!)


Let's Ride!
Brick

 

[Cycledude]

What does changing to these do to the Tenere's damper Hi light set up? I mean does it still work?
How much power draw?

Where the hell do I get a replacement when I'm riding in BFE? (No where!!)


Let's Ride!
Brick

The hi beams deal is not effected ,still works the same as with the stock H7 bulbs but MUCH BRIGHTER .

The LEDs use a lot less electricity than the stock H7 bulbs, unbelievable but true.

Supposedly the LED bulbs will last 30,000 hours, at 50 mph that would be about 1,500,000 miles. Cyclops does sell replacement bulbs but not much help if your in the middle of nowhere and they burnout, but all you would have to do is take 10 minutes to remove and replace the LED with another stock H7 bulb available at almost anyplace that sells automotive bulbs.

Yes I do quite a bit of night riding and am very impressed with my new LED headlights from Cyclops , I highly recommend them, it's the best $160 I spent on the Tenere, in my opinion the stock setup is just to dangerous for night riding.

 

[BaldKnob]

The stock lighting is only adequate (great housing and shutter set-up) but it seems the bulbs are the weak link. I've been through 4 sets of H7s and will be ordering the Cyclops kit soon to stop the bleeding. At first, I liked the lighting but soon as I mounted the 6" Rigid LED under the headlights, it became very obvious that halogen technology is done for.

 

[racer1735]

I'm at 31,000+ miles and still on my stock headlight bulbs. I haven't had an issue to this point, but this winter I plan to install the Cyclops LED set up. When I first took possession of the bike (at 20,000 miles), I lubed every pivot I could find and put a small bit of dielectric grease on ever electrical connection I could get to. That's my standard practice an it seems to pay off, both on this bike and my other vehicles.

 

[gregp]

I installed the cyclops kit on Saturday and took a ride that evening to check them out. I'd say they are definitely a great upgrade and worth the price. Installation was easy enough but I elected to remove the headlight to make it easier. It's tight in there when you have big hands and I wasn't in a big hurry anyway. BTW, the headlight assembly is really easy to remove if you choose to go that route.

Between them, my clearwater Darlas and the PIAA 530s on the bike, I'm throwing out somewhere in the neighborhood of 11000 lumens! It's like riding in daylight!

 

[tomatocity]

I installed the cyclops kit on Saturday and took a ride that evening to check them out. I'd say they are definitely a great upgrade and worth the price. Installation was easy enough but I elected to remove the headlight to make it easier. It's tight in there when you have big hands and I wasn't in a big hurry anyway. BTW, the headlight assembly is really easy to remove if you choose to go that route.

Between them, my clearwater Darlas and the PIAA 530s on the bike, I'm throwing out somewhere in the neighborhood of 11000 lumens! It's like riding in daylight!

What about oncoming traffic? Any complaints?

 

[jimmy z]

I use osram night breaker unlimited bulbs.Much brighter than stock,but do not last very long.Can get them pretty cheap online.In addition to my 910's its a pretty bright setup.910's must be turned off to oncoming traffic or you will burn that persons eyeballs out.L.O.L.

 

[gregp]

What about oncoming traffic? Any complaints?

no they're fine on low beam. On high I'm sure oncoming traffic would find it annoying.

 

[scott123007]

I realize this thread started out as a question about installation and not what bulbs to use, but since it has migrated to that... Just bite the bullet and put some Cyclops LED's in there and be done with it. They are brighter and last seemingly forever.

You get shit life out of brighter Halogen bulbs, and because they are on constantly, you need to carry spares if you travel a lot, because they WILL fail. It's that, or just be content with the marginal brightness from OEM bulbs which do last a long time.

 

[Tenman]

one of my cyclops bulbs barely lasted over a year. Out of warranty. So beware before you buy into the "they will last forever".