LED Headlights from Cyclops

Has anyone replaced their H4 headlights with the Cyclops 3800 Lumens LED's? Seems like a no-brainer and the cost is REALLY affordable. However, its the ability to cram all of the components into the housing that has me concerned.
BG

I don't remember which brand, but someone tried that a while back and determined that the bucket behind the light wasn't big enough.

FYI

http://advrider.com/index.php?threa...acement-modules.948701/page-131#post-27328748

I plan on finding out for myself when my new 2015 XCx arrives :)

Rick

Thanks for the thread link. Might pull the trigger on them payday. The thread that Raconnol pointed to had someone install them in their Tiger without too much problem.

I put them in my explorer, you have to take the retaining wire for the bulb out and use the foam they come with to hold the bulb in place tightly. Best done with the headlight assembly removed and on the workbench. Well worth the effort though, the light output is great and in a year I haven't had anyone flash me high beams for blinding them.

I went with the advmonster mesh monster H4 bulbs in my 955i they mash into the existing space just fine.

http://stores.advmonster.com/h4-mesh-monster-led-headlight/

I have them installed. Trick to installing. Disconnect bulb from ballast. Hook up three prong connector to bike. Work connector Behring reflector. Hook up bulb ballast. Work ballast behind reflector. Put bulb in. Move wires around so you can lock in.

Is the light output a noticeable improvement?

Oh yeah. Beam pattern better. Light is white so things stand out more. Every motorcycle is different, you may have to use the supplied gaskets to change the depth of the bulbs in the reflector. I did not need to do it but like I said every bike is different. I think it was well worth it.

The Cyclops 3800 fit just fine in the 955i, I posted some install photos here: http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/led-headlight-bulb-replacement-modules.948701/page-138

'intrigued by that mesh design, but somewhat concerned about decade- old wiring and vibrations creating opportunity for shorts.

I'm glad you said something about the beam pattern. I have always thought the pattern is off on my 800. It goes full width of the road on low beam and towards the right ditch on high beam. The opposite of what they should do.

Thank you for the reply.

CYCLOPS ARE AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!! Easy to install, pop wire retainer out of the way remove stock, install new, pop wire retainer back over, coil harness around fixture and tuck connector out of the way. The output is unbelievable, every time I stop people ask about the lights, daytime visibility is the biggest and most valuable plus side of these bulbs.

I pulled the trigger, bought the Cyclops H4s, installed them and I am lovin' it!

Low beam, OEM light bulb
WP_20151014_18_25_25_Pro by I.C., on Flickr

High beam, OEM light bulb
WP_20151014_18_25_42_Pro by I.C., on Flickr

Removing the back cover reveals a very, very tight compartment, which makes me worried about the heat-sink's performance. This is a water tight compartment afterall.
WP_20151015_14_43_00_Pro by I.C., on Flickr

The LED bulb, that fan is going to cover the entire back, so I need to stash the heatsink before I put the bulb in.
WP_20151015_14_43_14_Pro by I.C., on Flickr

OEM lightbulb. So, feeble, so, last century. Though it has served me well. So, farewell.
WP_20151015_14_43_20_Pro by I.C., on Flickr

Fricking hard to maneuver. My good friend Johnny-boy is helping me out. He is more, ahem, "talented" with this type of jamming. Jammin'
WP_20151015_15_01_41_Pro by I.C., on Flickr

LED base looks cool, nicely tight and clean.
WP_20151015_15_01_58_Pro by I.C., on Flickr

LED from Cyclops is awesome. The LEDs are aligned Left and Right, not Top and Bottom. Though I don't know the difference, I hear that it does make a difference.
WP_20151015_15_02_05_Pro by I.C., on Flickr

WP_20151015_15_02_15_Pro by I.C., on Flickr

Daytime test reveals zilch. I like the white though. Really nice. Though this picture clearly states that the foglights are the next to change. To Denali D4s baby! Hell yeah!
WP_20151015_15_04_49_Pro by I.C., on Flickr

First test, off road, after dark. These pictures are shot without a flash. My first feeling was "hell yeah!" and "holy crap" and "how did I ride in the dark before without these LEDs?" and "Triumph has to, just has to change to LEDs there is no other way. Not changing the headlight to LEDs is short changing us, riders. This is insane" and many other things I felt and said and probably yelled... Please note that it is crazy dark - my rear view mirror is pitch black. This is just my cellphone with headlights.

First Low Beam
WP_20151015_18_39_17_Pro by I.C., on Flickr

Low beam with fog lights (damn, these fog lights need to be changed ASAP)
WP_20151015_18_39_23_Pro by I.C., on Flickr

High beam with fog lights on
WP_20151015_18_39_27_Pro by I.C., on Flickr

The pictures don't do these lights justice though (cellphone, yes) For the first time I was not afraid to ride through an offroad section after dark. I have complete, complete illumination of my surroundings, even at tight curves. And the damned headlight protectors (OEM Triumph ones) reflect the light and have that prism effect on the edges (like the EXIT signs reflect red light at the edges) creating even more illumination on the sides. It's crazy. I am like a frickin' movie theater projector on two wheels! And when the highbeams are on, holy crap the distance that is lit is impressive!

The pattern test
Low beam test - same distance as the OEM pattern test. Holy crap!
WP_20151015_19_17_09_Pro by I.C., on Flickr

High beam. I am pretty much blinding the whomever is incoming if I forget the highbeams on. But I never do. I've been riding and driving since age 14 - I NEVER forget my highbeams on if there is a vehicle in front of me, or coming at me.
WP_20151015_19_17_23_Pro by I.C., on Flickr



I have no intention of playing with the reflectors, or adding reflectors or any other modification on these bulbs. They are awesome as they are. I have no problem with the pattern, it does not drive me crazy, and actually when I am riding I don't even notice the pattern. On I-95 I was HAPPY, rode with a big grin on my face.

Wait until I flash some douche who cuts in front of me!

Thank you all :)

Tiger Explorer owners: Go for the upgrade. It's a bit of a challenge to put the heatsink in there but it is doable and this illumination is safety in front of you!

Triumph: enough already. Change into LEDs.

Product used: Cyclops 3800 Lumen H4
http://www.cyclopsadventuresports.com/3800-Lumen-H4-LED-Headlight-bulb-_p_83.html

Great write up. Seems my decision has been made. CYCLOPS LED's and change over to additional LED aux lights. I agree, the Triumph Aux lights are fairly pathetic and yet pricey. I had 3-4 times the light out put on the Ridgid lights I installed (four bulbs) on my KTM 990.

Nice to see anaheimtex and Icy here from the Tiger Explorer forum! I feel like I know someone now. I don't know if I will ever update the lights to LEDs, but you guys sure make it seem easy enough.

FL_Explorer (aka, miadolfan13)

OK, time for the Denali D4 installation update. Pulled the trigger today, can't wait to use this phenomenal LEDs in the forest and scare the hell out of wild life. Deers, heed my way - NOT!

After I changed the light bulbs to LEDs the auxiliary lights seems so feeble, so weak that I stopped using them. So this had to be done. Introducin: the Denali D4s. You either have them, or you don't have auxiliary lights - period :-D

I took out the OEM auxiliaries, cut the cables, so that I can reuse the harness, the switch and the port and also make reversing this decision easier - you know, just in case.

Installation was a breeze. D4s are not dual switched, there is no Hi/Lo beam - it's perfect for the OEM replacement.

Used a simple L profile to mount the lights on with the same screw that I pulled out of the OEM cover assembly. I mounted them level with the vertical - 90 degrees to the ground. These lights have 4 LED... oh what the hell, just read it on TT site, they have 45 degree angled lenses etc etc. Too many details - they are AWESOME!

WP_20151021_16_55_45_Pro by I.C., on Flickr

WP_20151021_16_56_13_Pro by I.C., on Flickr

WP_20151021_17_14_49_Pro by I.C., on Flickr

Used a pair of solderless crip terminals to connect the cables and pulled a wire cover over the connections and taped the ends :)

WP_20151021_16_56_31_Pro by I.C., on Flickr

Final look: BADASS!

WP_20151021_16_54_54_Pro by I.C., on Flickr

Daylight running mode

WP_20151021_16_54_44_Pro by I.C., on Flickr

Now, here comes the fun part

Low Beam, no Auxiliary
WP_20151021_20_07_01_Pro by I.C., on Flickr

High Beam, no auxiliary

WP_20151021_20_07_40_Pro by I.C., on Flickr

Low Beam, YES auxiliary

WP_20151021_20_07_50_Pro by I.C., on Flickr

High Beam, YES auxiliary

WP_20151021_20_07_56_Pro by I.C., on Flickr

From the front, painfully taken picture - no auxiliary

WP_20151021_20_08_28_Pro by I.C., on Flickr

From the front, even more painfully taken picture - YES auxiliary

WP_20151021_20_08_40_Pro by I.C., on Flickr

The verdict:
They are BRIGHT! They are sort of holy f@#$*ing bright. And I love it. I cannot wait to see them in action in the forest in pitch black. They completely, utterly illuminate anything and everything in sight.

I think they are dangerous to have running behind a sedan at night. These things are like fricking projector beams - retinal damage could result if looked at them straight on. I will have to play around with maximum efficiency angle, maybe tilt them down a little - though I don't really feel like doing that. This is insanely beautifully brightfully well lit!

Rock on baby!

Does anybody want the OEM lights / their housing? I'll give you a great deal on them!


More Denali D4 information:
http://www.twistedthrottle.com/dena...ighting-kit-with-full-wiring-harness-m8-mount

Get this http://www.lights.skenedesign.com/IQ_175.shtml for the Denali lights. You connect it with a 3 position switch and you can set the brightness level of the Denali lights to 3 different settings when your on low beam, when you hit the high beam you get full output. It also has a flasher function when you flash the high beams twice rapidly. I use it to part the way when I'm lane splitting at night. I set up the switch for 10%, 20% and off. It works with any led lights

Pitch black forest road test with the Denali D4s. Remember, I have H4 LED headlights from Cyclops as headlight.

Low Beams on - No auxiliaries

Low Beam - No Auxiliary by I.C., on Flickr


Hi Beams on - no auxiliaries

Hi Beam - No Auxiliary by I.C., on Flickr


Low Beams on - YES auxiliaries. Denali D4s baby! THese things illuminate my entire field of vision, including tree tops. Vertical illumination is incredible. I can see all the way to my left and right (shown in pictures further down) and I can see quite far ahead.

Low Beam - YES Auxiliary by I.C., on Flickr

Hi Beams on - YES auxiliaries. Ultimate illumination. It's pretty much daylight illumination, actually even better. Because I can see potholes and stuff on the road that I cannot see during daytime. Now I project on my viewing angle, shadows are well defined, this is AMAZING!

Hi Beam - Yes Auxiliary by I.C., on Flickr

On another section of the road, I wanted to see what the environment is like when the bike is turned off. Of course, I am taking pictures with my cellphone and this was not a good idea. This is what it looks like when the bike is turned off.

No flash

That's my GPS and dash. Bike turned off. by I.C., on Flickr

Turned the flash on

That's my GPS and dash. Bike turned off. I turned the flash on on the phone camera. It's almost pitch black dark. by I.C., on Flickr

Turned the bike on - phew, "let there be light"

Same everything, with the bike turned on. LED headlights. Low Beam. No Auxiliary. by I.C., on Flickr

Then turned the Denali D4s on. YES auxiliaries!!!

Same everything, with the bike turned on. LED headlights. Low Beam. YES Auxiliary. by I.C., on Flickr

To illustrate how much of a side illumination I am getting out of these lights. I can see to my 90 degree left and right! Yay, now I can do twisties at pitch black!

Side view with auxiliaries on. by I.C., on Flickr


Final distance test, from behind the bike. Low beams, Denali D4s turned on.

Low Beam. Yes Auxiliary by I.C., on Flickr

Hi beams, Denalis turned off. Notice the secondary and tirtiliary trees to the right and foliage to the left subtracted from my view. All that the high beams do is add more distance at the center. Nothing is added to the sides, I don't increase my illumination presence so to speak.

Hi Beam. No Auxiliary. by I.C., on Flickr

When the Denalis are added to High beam I get the ultimate illumination. It's beyond impressive what these lights do to my "road presence"

Hi Beam. YES Auxiliary by I.C., on Flickr

Final verdict on the Denali D4s:

I can run on the Denalis even if my headlights went out, without any, any issues. I think D4s are illuminating way more than my headlights as it is. I am embarassed to run the Denalis when there is a vehicle in front of me actually. Coming on I95 tonight, I turned them off. It is an incredible amount of illumination.

I can honestly say: don't bother replacing your headlights with LEDs if you don't feel like taking on the challenge or doing the work. Just get Denali D4s. They are more than enough!

Though, then it will be different colors and whatnot. Yeah, change to H4s from Cyclops, get the Denalis from TwistedThrottle.

Let there be light!

play with the angle a bit while on center stand. Got to love LEDS!

Based on this thread, I went ahead and grabbed up a pair of the Cyclops H4 3800 lamps for my 2012 800XC. I wanted to post some notes about the experience so far.

Installation
First of all, the installation was just insanely easy. Took literally 10 minutes for the first one, and three minutes for the second one. Just had to look/feel around in there to see where the power supply and the connectors could live, and then get the power wire fed in correctly so the retainer wire could get around that fan housing and clip in. Seriously two thumbs up to Cyclops for making it so friggin' easy.

Lighting Performance
Since I am a lighting guy by trade, I tried to capture the light distribution and intensity by way of high dynamic range (HDR) photography. It was fairly obvious from all the other photos, descriptions, and lamp specs that the intensity was far greater with the Cyclops lamps, but there was some chatter about the beam spread/distribution, glare potential, etc that I was worried about. So I took a series of photos with the original halogen lamps last night, and then today I installed the Cyclops units and did another HDR exposure sequence tonight. I merged the images and made "falsecolor" images from the HDRs so you can more plainly see the intensity along with the distribution. The photo setup was admittedly less than ideal, I just parked my bike a bit back from my fence (~4' tall) and tried to get the camera tripod as close to the bike, and as consistent from night to night, as I could. I didn't have a light meter with me so I don't have footcandle/lux readings. These falsecolor images show luminance, which is the amount of light being reflected off the dark fence back at the camera. There is a scale for reference, but the main thing here is to look at the overall distribution. There is a single exposure from each HDR sequence on the left for reference, and the falsecolor image on the right which shows the beam and intensity.

Original Halogen Headlights (low beam)


Cyclops 3800 Headlights (low beam)



Impressions
Lamp color is pretty obvious in the images on the left, the LEDs are way cooler (in terms of color temperature and, well, they just look COOL!). Unfortunately the distribution is vastly different, as you can see. The cutoff with the original lamps is really excellent, and basically no light spills above the middle of the gate handle. Contrast that with the Cyclops units, where there are these pronounced "ears" of light that spike up along the centerline of each lamp. I noticed these even during the day when I looked at the units; it's as if there is one facet of the reflector that's catching one of the diodes in an unfortunate way. I'm not sure that adding the spacers will fix this, but I will likely give that a shot. These spikes are probably very unpleasant to look at for an approaching driver/rider, at least at night. That said, I think these do add a margin of safety in the daytime, especially with that "pass trigger" the Tiger has making it very easy to toss a few extra lumens at the cagers in the intersections. =)

The color and intensity are awesome, and installation could not be any easier. I hope to get some time this week to play with the spacers and see what if any effect they have on the distribution. I just have a slight concern that with the added intensity, it's more important than ever that all that light goes where we want it to.

Stay tuned...