What to replace cyclops LED headlight with?

rust

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Had cyclops LED headlights in the motorcycle for a bit over 1 year (~9k miles) when one of them turned blue, then failed. I ordered a replacement for $43, now the 2nd one is turning blue and failed on my ride in this morning (in the dark). The MFG says "LED bulbs particularly very high performance bulbs like what we offer will not last a lifetime, they should last at least a few years. " but at $43 a pop, is there some alternatives that will last a year and cost much less (other then going back to stock, non LED bulb)?
 

twinrider

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Had cyclops LED headlights in the motorcycle for a bit over 1 year (~9k miles) when one of them turned blue, then failed. I ordered a replacement for $43, now the 2nd one is turning blue and failed on my ride in this morning (in the dark). The MFG says "LED bulbs particularly very high performance bulbs like what we offer will not last a lifetime, they should last at least a few years. " but at $43 a pop, is there some alternatives that will last a year and cost much less (other then going back to stock, non LED bulb)?
I ran Morimoto HIDs in my last Super Tenere. When I bought my Gen II I thought I'd try Cyclops since everyone raves about them. Frankly I was disappointed by the output and focus compared to my Morimotos, which were also extremely reliable. So I went back to them. If you wait till Black Friday you can get them for around $120.

https://www.theretrofitsource.com/hid-systems/h7-morimoto-elite.html?preselect=51812,54413,47335
 

EricV

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You can get good quality LED replacements on ebay for less than $30. I've been running some for 20k miles w/o issues. You already have the longer caps, so forget about buying Cyclops replacements and get a pair of NightEye or Novsight H7 ones. LINK
 

EricV

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Yeah, I got the caps... So far, that's the only thing from cyclops that hasn't failed!!

So I can just buy this and throw it in and the cyclops caps fit?
nighteye on amazon

Thanks..
It should fit w/o issue, but I would find that version on ebay and they usually show a pic with the dimensions. Double check the length at the rear from the flange and compare to the Cyclops to be sure. I know they fit with the deftoner caps, but don't know if the Cyclops caps are the same length or different.
 

EricV

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Hey, take a minute to fill out your location in your profile. It gives context to your posts later. :)
 

rust

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I had 2 cyclops fiz out right out of the warranty. Expensive junk in my book.
Lost the first one a month after warranty. The other one turned blue about 6 months ago and dimmer every day until today it stopped.

I can't see why anyone would buy them at this point, the failure rate seems excessive.
 

elricfate

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I've had pretty good luck with Hikari, their build quality is top notch. Durability is pretty good as well, they offer a two year warranty on their lights. I have a set of H13s in my F150 that have been in there a year this November, still running strong with a lot of driving with them on.

The ones I put in the S10 with the caps I made are working a treat as well. But you absolutely need bigger caps because these are NOT fanless and DO have ballasts.

In terms of fanless, fanless work under the assumption that there will be free flowing air over the cooling fins, given that these are under capped enclosures due to the fragility of the projector housing's high/low paddle, I opt for fans.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077B5NXPY/
 

elricfate

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Elricfate sorry I thought I clicked the quote button. It was for you.
Thanks
No worries. Yes, they're the ones I am using. I've had them in the bike for almost a month. I'm using caps I made myself, but I did order Deftoner's caps as backups and they will fit under them.

I have another set from Hikari that I've been using for a year in my F-150 - both sets carry their two year warranty, which is real easy to collect on.
 

Fpalbrecht

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No worries. Yes, they're the ones I am using. I've had them in the bike for almost a month. I'm using caps I made myself, but I did order Deftoner's caps as backups and they will fit under them.

I have another set from Hikari that I've been using for a year in my F-150 - both sets carry their two year warranty, which is real easy to collect on.
Thanks much.
 

EricV

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Are the leds in the link the ones you installed on the Tenere? Are you using the larger caps? How long have you been using them?
Thank you.
Lots of people are using the ones shown in the links for Nighteye and Novsight. And yes, with longer @deftoner caps. I chose to take a chance on a different NovSight version with a fan. A385-N7-H7 is the version I am using with deftoner caps.

Edit - I've been running these for ~20k miles and about 18 months w/o issues.
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_f0e.jpg
 
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~TABASCO~

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TxCodeMonkey

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So, my background is a mix of computer/electrical engineer working on automotive products and other widgets here and there, and 150k miles on 2 wheels, experiencing everything from freak hail storms to riding for 6 hours in a tropical storm from Eastern LA to east Texas.

With that typed, I love the notion of replacing the incandescent light bulbs with LEDs. These solutions make me nervous. I love those caps, but they keep the heat in. Without the caps areas of the light enclosure are exposed to more moisture then they are designed to. Especially with me living in the South, and liking to ride in deserts, I can't imagine the LED drive circuits or the LED itself standing up to the heat with the caps on.

But that's just me. Please show my concerns are wrong with experience.
 

EricV

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I was running the Novsights in 115F desert heat and 3-5% humidity while I lived in St George, UT last year. This year I'm running them in 95F heat in 55-80% humidity in Tupelo, MS and all over the South. I do have a pair with fans, but am using deftoner's caps. At this point, who knows how much longer they will last, but I'm huge money ahead at $34 over the Cyclops LEDs.

I'm a retired machinist from the hydraulics tool industry, though I've dabbled in automotive, firearm and knife industries too. Lots of CNC work. I understand heat affected electronic systems as well as hydraulic systems and heat soak impact on performance.

I think keeping the dust and moisture out of the headlight housings is more important than worrying about heat build up. The Novsights and Nighteyes have proven to outlive the Cyclops at a third the cost, (less really). Take a chance, put the caps on and ride.

Or just go HID and run the wire out the cap and stick the slim ballasts to something where they can get some airflow.
 
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