LED Headlights Goff vs Cyclops

I received the Cyclops Ultra LED headlight ‘bulb’ today, so I stopped work and went out to the shed to fit it into the Harley.

No can do. The Harley has a nice fashionable 5.sumthin inch headlamp and the Cyclops comes with a bit of ‘hardware‘ included. I tried y’all, but it would not go in !

So, I took the Goff LED out of the T140 and put it in the Harley, nice and easy and no fuss. Bingo, amazing difference vs the halogen, but we knew that already. The Goffs are good.

Next, I fitted the Cyclops into the T140. And, as I had another bike parked next to it with a Goff LED, it was easy to do a quick side-by-side.

I’ll summarise the test first and put pics below. The Goff is the Daylighter 2 H4 5K. The Cyclops is the Ultra.

Basically, both Goff and Cyclops are so much brighter than halogens it’s amazing. But note I’m really only talking about brightness to other road users in daylight here, it’s not a night time test, I might do that later, if I can find the motivation.

The Cyclops protrudes into the shell somewhat and comes with some bulky hardware that will make it difficult to squeeze in to some shells (like Harley’s for example). The Goff is an absolute doddle and is no more difficult to fit than a stock halogen.

The Cyclops is brighter, not so much on dip which is what’s important for day time visibility, but more so on main, so will most likely be a better night time riding light, but I have not tested that yet. But, the Cyclops is more tricky to fit and will be impossible for some. And, it’s expensive, meaning 2.5 times more than the Goff. Overall, if I were scoring this as the buyers guides do I think the Goff might still come out on top. But, if you don’t mind the cost, and if your headlamp shell will accept it, and if you want the brightest headlight possible, then it’s the Cyclops.

Anyway, here’s a very quick and unscientific test. Its not a perfect test as the bikes have very different reflectors, so take from it what you will...

Both bikes on dip, Cyclops on the left, definite if small advantage to the Cyclops. This is how they’d run as daylight lights:


This is both bikes on main, Cyclops on the left, a bigger advantage to the Cyclops here:


This is both bikes on dip, Cyclops on the right of the picture, the difference was not as noticeable in real life as it is in this picture, but definitely a win for the Cyclops:


Both bikes on main, Cyclops on the right of the picture, definite win for the Cyclops:

One of the other big performance factors that I have found with LED headlights is the reflector that you are using.

I am using a bulb that I found on Amazon that I really like (I was not aware of Paul's offerings at the time) and also seem to work on positive earth machines with no mods (most of the time):



It is rated a 6500K colour (i.e. daylight), and I am not sure of the lumens - some of the digging that I have done says 4000 lm, but I think it is more like >5000lm based on other lights I have seen. Draw is 30W (advertised), and I have measured the current draw at 2.2 A, both Low/Dip and High/Main beam.

I am running a 20 year old Eurolite flat clear glass reflector on my bike. My dad has an 80's Carillo reflector in his. Same bulb, see the difference:

Carillo



Eurolite

Now believe it or not - the Eurolite reflector actually casts a more effective beam for night driving. That said, both headlights have outstanding performance - day or night.

Since I switched to this bulb, I have noticed 2 things during daylight riding:

1. Cars that pull up to intersections that I have the right of way through are more likely to stop and wait for me to pass, some times when I am over 1/4 mile away!!

2. On coming traffic tends to move towards the edge of the road (shoulder) as I meet them.

In all of my years of riding, I have never experienced either of these phenomena's before.

And yes, I am one of those guys that runs on main/high beam during the day. I don't care what others think, I want to be seen!!

Bottom line - IMHO, a quality LED headlight bulb is likely one of the single best pieces of safety equipment that you can install in your bike.

FWIW

I ride with the main beam on daytime. Interestingly this is much more common in states. You need to be seen and you need to startle the other drivers. On the lanes car drivers often do not seem to think they need to get over and leave you little space.
A little panic on their part is a good thing.

Main/High beam during daylight driving will save your life.

This has been proven.
Over, and over.
Reduces the “Left Turn Larry” assassination attempts to almost nil.

I have an led headlight bulb in my commando, can't remember what make it is but it's not bad
But as an addition I've fitted a pair of cheap and nasty fleabay mini spotlights under the headlight
These have made a dramatic difference to daytime and nighttime riding
50% of my riding is at night and I have noticed the main difference is when cars start to change lanes on motorways in front of me notice my headlight and move back

I run a Paul Goff Daylighter LED and am really impresed with the brightness compaired to the incandessant bulb. As you say people certainly notice you a lot sooner and move over. I can also see much better at night.

ELLIS

Cyclops here as well, not the Ultra though. Plus the Mo.Unit allows the indicators to be set as running lights so have those at 30% brightness with LED bulbs as well.
Haven't done a night run in this gear yet but there is a 1000km day ride in November that i am signed up for so no doubt the lights will get a proper test during that.

ntst8 said:

Cyclops here as well, not the Ultra though. Plus the Mo.Unit allows the indicators to be set as running lights so have those at 30% brightness with LED bulbs as well.
Haven't done a night run in this gear yet but there is a 1000km day ride in November that i am signed up for so no doubt the lights will get a proper test during that.

Click to expand...

Can you give some info on how you wired and programmed the Mo.Unit to achieve using the indicators as additional running lights?

I don't run my Commando with the headlight on in daylight BUT, I have bern thinking about that recently and these headlights seem like a good idea. What parts are necessary to install one in a standard Commando head shell that currently has a sealed beam headlamp?

robs ss said:

Can you give some info on how you wired and programmed the Mo.Unit to achieve using the indicators as additional running lights?

Click to expand...

There is a thread under the Rebuilds section "Rewiring with M.Unit Blue" (Motogadget have since changed the name to Mo.Unit for some reason). There is a wiring diagram in there pretty much as per the manual just made bike specific. Nothing special needed for the running lights, there is a menu (Menu 6 Position Lights) where you can select to either deactivate or set the brightness in 5% increments up to 50%.

For most effective daylight protection you need a wide spread of light not a tight focused beam, you want as many people to notice you, so as well as the ones to the front, the ones coming in from the side roads see you. I started with a 23W halogen in the pilot bulb position, completely unfocused and bright, have now gone with a LED in same position, keep the standard wiring and it stays on with dip and main giving the wide spread with the tight beam.

MexicoMike said:

I don't run my Commando with the headlight on in daylight BUT, I have bern thinking about that recently and these headlights seem like a good idea. What parts are necessary to install one in a standard Commando head shell that currently has a sealed beam headlamp?

Click to expand...

Mike,
I installed the light from Paul Geoff and the only thing I had to change was putting a Wassell small dish bucket as the stock bucket was too deep.This was a simple install.I still have positive earth and highly recommend this.I always run with lights on.

My head lamp shell is very crowded as I had put in more grounds and relays. Now that I've gone to LED I could have dispensed with the relays and associated additional wiring. When I got the LED from Goffy also got the shallow lens as well and it works, haven't bothered to pull out the relays etc.
The pilot lamp was also changed to LED and it is actually quite bright. LEDs pull small load so no reason one could not run the pilot along with the main beam.
One final thing: I always notice "old" bikes by their incandescent beam and the modern blueish LED really is a larger appearing circle of light and catches the attention. Decidedly so in my opinion.

MexicoMike said:

I don't run my Commando with the headlight on in daylight BUT, I have bern thinking about that recently and these headlights seem like a good idea. What parts are necessary to install one in a standard Commando head shell that currently has a sealed beam headlamp?

Click to expand...

To use the either of the bulbs discussed here, which are H4, you’d need the bulb, a H4 7” reflector, and a H4 connector that you’d need to wire in (simple job, 3 wires).

The challenge at the moment would seem to be that most of the usual suppliers are out of stock of Lucas H4 reflectors.

The cafe racer in the side-by-side in my original post has (I think) one of these, which seem readily available:

robs ss said:

Can you give some info on how you wired and programmed the Mo.Unit to achieve using the indicators as additional running lights?

Click to expand...

The Signal Dynamics module also has this feature in one of their self cancelling modules.
It's not adjustable, I believe the indicators run at about 60%.
I used this module to run the brake light plus front and rear indicators on the 1360.
It is pretty slick and very simple to install.


Glen

worntorn said:

The Signal Dynamics module also has this feature in one of their self cancelling modules.
It's not adjustable, I believe the indicators run at about 60%.
I used this module to run the brake light plus front and rear indicators on the 1360.
It is pretty slick and very simple to install.

Penta-Star™ XP Module

Manufacturing Motorcycle Safety products in the USA for nearly 25 years!

www.signaldynamics.com

Glen

Click to expand...

It looks as though you can't have self cancelling indicators and "running light" indicators - is that right?
Would you mind posting a phot of your indicator controls?
It appears you need 3 momentary buttons.
Cheers

Derek Wilson said:

One of the other big performance factors that I have found with LED headlights is the reflector that you are using.

I am using a bulb that I found on Amazon that I really like (I was not aware of Paul's offerings at the time) and also seem to work on positive earth machines with no mods (most of the time):

View attachment 18998
snipped
I am running a 20 year old Eurolite flat clear glass reflector on my bike. My dad has an 80's Carillo reflector in his. Same bulb, see the difference:
View attachment 18999
Carillo


View attachment 19000
Eurolite

Now believe it or not - the Eurolite reflector actually casts a more effective beam for night driving. That said, both headlights have outstanding performance - day or night. sniipped

Click to expand...

Derek, Could you give more info about the LED bulb you are using? Perhaps check the invoice for a product number? You mention Eurolite. Are you referring to an aftermarket company, or the European headlamp globe, sold by Norton? See

https://andover-norton.co.uk/en/sho...-4-h4-r-h-dip-with-bulbs-54525272-continental

Thanks for the detailed an very informative post.

Charlie K

chaztuna said:

Derek, Could you give more info about the LED bulb you are using? Perhaps check the invoice for a product number? You mention Eurolite. Are you referring to an aftermarket company, or the European headlamp globe, sold by Norton? See

https://andover-norton.co.uk/en/sho...-4-h4-r-h-dip-with-bulbs-54525272-continental

Thanks for the detailed an very informative post.

Charlie K

Click to expand...

Hi Charlie,

Here is the bulb that I have:

Amazon product ASIN B07BTTFN1S
Like I said, most seem to work on positive ground, but I have had a couple that didn't. I was able to sell them to a couple of friends with Harley's and Ducati's

The reflector I have is made by a company called Eurolite - Nothing to do with Norton. They don't make my exact reflector anymore, but this one is close:

Amazon product ASIN B00AA2DOCY
I like it because it has a pilot light.

Hope this helps.

I eliminated all incandescent light sources and employed LED lighting for my 74’ Commando restoration and am very happy with the results.

Mr. Goff set me up with a comprehensive + ground LED package that worked out very well.

Beam intensity and spread of the LED headlamp continues to impress. But, the brightness on the ancillary lighting is impressive as well. Tail and brake, turn indicators, even the gauge lights really stand out.

An LED daytime running/headlight makes a big difference in being noticed by the “texting while driving “ crowd .

Derek Wilson said:

Hi Charlie,
snipped
The reflector I have is made by a company called Eurolite - Nothing to do with Norton. They don't make my exact reflector anymore, but this one is close:

Amazon product ASIN B00AA2DOCY
I like it because it has a pilot light.

Click to expand...

Thanks, that definitely helps. One thing though. The refector you reference, is listed as a 6.5" lamp, not a 7" lamp. However, the one person who sent in a rating was disappointed, because he said it was larger than 6.5" and would not fit his application. The seller responded saying it "was" a 6.5" lamp. Any comment?