cbennett5199
Member
Anyone have the same problem? Seems like I'm replacing headlamp bulbs more frequently than I should. Unless this is normal.?.
My headlights keep burning out after only a couple thousand miles. What up with that?
- Thread starter cbennett5199
- Start date
Every couple of thousand miles does seem w-a-a-ay excessive. Regular bulbs, or LED? Do you ride with high beam all the time, or low beam. "I" have a theory that the little flapper thing that cuts off the top of the beam for "low", is reflecting the heat back on the bulb, and cooking them. I don't hardly ride at night, so I use "high" all of the time. Four years, and 13k+ miles, and I'm still on the original bulbs.
What brand of bulbs? Bulbs are like a box of chocolates!!
cbennett5199
Member
Have tried several different kinds. I think Sylvania was last one I tried, and got the best ones they had.
I didn't know about a "flapper thing." I ride virtually the whole time with low beam. Maybe that's my problem.?.?.
Is it possible to replace these easily with an LED replacement? I see the Cyclops kit is expensive and has some inline boxes (not sure what they do), while other less expensive options are purely LED bulb replacements. Not sure what the difference is.
I didn't know about a "flapper thing." I ride virtually the whole time with low beam. Maybe that's my problem.?.?.
Is it possible to replace these easily with an LED replacement? I see the Cyclops kit is expensive and has some inline boxes (not sure what they do), while other less expensive options are purely LED bulb replacements. Not sure what the difference is.
Make sure when installing the bulb that it is correctly seated and locked in the socket and avoid getting any finger oil on the actual bulb.
Top Ten
Active Member
Sometimes riders buy an ultra-bright bulb instead of going LED, eg, Sylvania SilverStar Ultra's. But if you read the fine print, you see the SSSU's are only rated for 80 hours. Standard-brightness bulbs are rated for more like 240 hours. Heck, I can run a bulb for 80 hours in just a 2-3 week trip. Like others have mentioned above, it depends on what type of bulb you are running. I, too, avoid running at night, so I would consider standard-brightness bulbs for the longer life span. Or go with LED.
Yeah, I forgot about that. Big no-no, and easy to do.
I've read that too only after I installed them. I put the Silver Star Ultras in my Jeep almost immediately; crappy headlights. They're over nine years old, and well over 80 hours. Still going strong. I would hate to pay the extra for LED, only to have them burn out prematurely.
Go HID. I had HID on my last S10, tried LED on my new one and went back to HID because the lighting was brighter and better focused.
cbennett5199
Member
Can I get HID that's a simple direct replacement? Don't need anything else to make them work?
I am pretty sure that when you install a HID H7 bulb set a ballast is needed (usually included in the kit) for each bulb.
tallpaul
Well-Known Member
You do need a ballast for each bulb and hiding them away can be a challenge. There isn't much space in that area, but clearly others have managed in the past.
I think the market for lights has already opted for LEDs. HIDs, available are old, are of poor quality. I "was" a HID user, I defended them over the LEDs. I began to notice a change in the lighting in my HIDs, when I checked the lamps, I noticed a dullness inside the bulb. Change for LEDs of 36w and 15000 lumens each. The lighting improved remarkably
There are multiple threads about how the Tenere has "noisy" electric power and eats regular headlights, just like Subarus and some cars.
You want some NovSight or competing bulbs.
Thread here: https://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?threads/summary-about-lights.17047/page-7
You want some NovSight or competing bulbs.
Thread here: https://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?threads/summary-about-lights.17047/page-7
lund
Well-Known Member
I would check voltage output, excessive voltage will cause that. I have seen spikes in voltage regulators at certain RPMs and a 12v bulb will not like that.
cbennett5199
Member
Thanks for the responses. It's been obnoxious as heck. I never knew about a recall for the headlight wiring. I have a 2016, and maybe those are not on the recall list. I did get a recall letter about the brake switch, but not the headlight harness/wiring.
The Cyclops replacement kit looks pretty nicely done but, jeez, the price.... I guess I'll spend the money IF it's required to get long-lasting, bright headlights. When I go to the NovSight website, they only list cars. Not sure whether that matters if I know we use an H7, or if I should stick only with replacement bulbs explicitly listed as a fitment for an S10.
The Cyclops replacement kit looks pretty nicely done but, jeez, the price.... I guess I'll spend the money IF it's required to get long-lasting, bright headlights. When I go to the NovSight website, they only list cars. Not sure whether that matters if I know we use an H7, or if I should stick only with replacement bulbs explicitly listed as a fitment for an S10.
RCinNC
Well-Known Member
I have a 2014. I've had five burned out headlights and one auxiliary headlight in just under seven years and 80,000 miles of ownership. In the previous 30 years of riding, I never had a burned out headlight on a bike. The lights burned out at 25 months, 53 months. 66 months, and then two burned out only two weeks apart at about 78 months.
I don't know about normal, but it's a characteristic of the bike that a non-insignificant portion of owners experience, as evidenced by other threads on here. It's not necessarily about improper bulb installation; I use gloves when I change mine to make sure I never touch the bulbs. I rarely use the high beams, because I almost never ride after dark.
I doubt that it matters at all whether you use a bulb designated as an "S10" bulb. An H7 is an H7, regardless of what kind of vehicle it goes in. I've used the Sylvanias that you normally pick up at an auto parts store.
There is a member on here (Deftoner) who 3D prints a set of replacement headlight caps that have more room in them in order to install LED headlights. I don't know for sure if he's still making them or not.
I don't know about normal, but it's a characteristic of the bike that a non-insignificant portion of owners experience, as evidenced by other threads on here. It's not necessarily about improper bulb installation; I use gloves when I change mine to make sure I never touch the bulbs. I rarely use the high beams, because I almost never ride after dark.
I doubt that it matters at all whether you use a bulb designated as an "S10" bulb. An H7 is an H7, regardless of what kind of vehicle it goes in. I've used the Sylvanias that you normally pick up at an auto parts store.
There is a member on here (Deftoner) who 3D prints a set of replacement headlight caps that have more room in them in order to install LED headlights. I don't know for sure if he's still making them or not.
jbrown
Active Member
I've only got a bit over 30k miles on my 2012, and I had one bulb burn out at maybe 20k. I replaced that with a Philips Vision H7. The other bulb is still doing fine. This seems on par with other bikes I've owned. I seldom use high beams, so I don't think the shade mechanism is a significant contributor to short bulb life. My money is on poor connections, or a faulty regulator on individual bikes being the problem.
VRODE
Easy Does It
I replaced mine with Cyclops. Expensive and after 12k, one was around 25% and the other was running about 50%. I replaced them with NovSights which were not that expensive at all. Yes, they will eventually wear down, but they won’t burn out like halogens do.
I use them all the time because it isn't dark. If they get me, it's not going to be because they don't see me. It's my version of DRLs.
You need to mount the ballasts, there's plenty of room on the side of the side fairing panels. I posted a pic somewhere here of it.