Q1: Is the siren loud enough to hear well through the seat?
A: In our opinion, yes. CYCLONE produces a very that penetrates the seat and can easily be heard from several yards/meters away. The siren blast is not as loud as an average car alarm (making CYCLONE significantly less irritating to your neighbors), but loud enough to alert others to a theft attempt. And to further reduce noise pollution, the 866F has a "soft chirp" feature which makes confirmation chirps several dB quieter than the full siren blast.
Q2: Can CYCLONE honk my bike's horn or flash the turn signal lamps when the siren goes off?
A: Technically yes, but the 866F was not designed specifically for that task and we unfortunately do not have wiring information to make your connection job easier. But if you add an optional relay (automotive grade, from a 3rd party vendor) to Cyclone's Pager Output, you can activate the horn and/or illuminate the turn signals while the main 866F siren goes off. The side benefit is that the pager output will still function fine with our optional if you do this. The disadvantage to this is that the horn/lights would continuously sound/illuminate for the full 10/30 seconds the siren goes off. The reason is because the 866F Pager Output powers whatever device is attached to it for the full duration of the siren (full siren, not chirps).
If you decide to connect a relay to power your horn, we strongly recommend setting the siren output duration to 10 seconds. (When connecting a relay, keep in mind that CYCLONE's pager output is positive +12v.) Some bikes also have factory relays driving the horn or turn signal lights. In such a case, if you can access those relays, Cyclone's pager output can drive the relays directly without need for another relay in between. However, never connect Cyclone's Pager Output directly to the Horn or Turn Signals as such will destroy the power transistor inside Cyclone, and such is not covered under warranty. 
Q3: Where can I buy CYCLONE products?
A: If you reside in Japan and speak Japanese, you can contact our domestic distributor, SANKO, but please note that our product sells under their Mamoru-kun (まもる君) brand, and product features are slightly different than the CYCLONE 866F. If you are outside Japan, or if you are in Japan but don't speak Japanese, please contact Fusion LED Systems or LOCKITT. If you would like to purchase in bulk, please view our Dealers & Availability page.
Q4: Why doesn't Cyclone cost less than $50 like some other bike alarms?
A: Because you get what you pay for.
Cyclone is a true Japanese product, designed and supported by our company based in Aichi Prefecture Japan -- the home of Japan's automotive industry. In addition, our Japanese staff are often onsite at our factory to enforce our zero defect policy. Most alarms that compete with Cyclone were originally designed in China with the "lowest possible price" in mind rather than prioritizing "the best features and quality." Cyclone was designed in Japan originally for the demanding Japanese market. But after seeing the sales viability of Cyclone outside Japan, we opened sales worldwide in 2006.
We encourage buyers to be diligent in comparing what you get for a given price when examining security systems. We receive numerous inquiries each and every day from customers wondering why our products "appear" to cost more than competing systems. But that cost difference is only superficial. We respond to each and every email, explaining the differences in detail. The fact is that the technology used in Cyclone is the most advanced on the market, and new technology costs more than off-the-shelf components that have been on the market for decades. Ensuring zero defects at the factory also adds to the cost of the product. KIRAMEK does not make excessive profit from Cyclone. Rather, we establish pricing in accordance with quality and technology.
We have posted extensive details about Cyclone in these web pages which show a distinct difference in almost every area of the system relative to our competitors. There is truly no other competing system available on the global market which packs as many features and sensors in such a small yet rugged enclosure, at any price. Nevertheless, we have set pricing that we ourselves would be willing to pay, should we be on the lookout for a solid alarm system as an end buyer. KIRAMEK also sells products for a lower price to buyers outside Japan to offset international shipping costs. And when you compare Cyclone pricing to a motorcycle dealer's optional alarm system, the cost savings of Cyclone becomes even more clear.
We trust you will see the real value that Cyclone has to offer. You do indeed get what you pay for. If you have doubts, please simply send us an email. We would be happy to discuss Cyclone with you.
Q5: What type of wire harness or connection kit does Cyclone come with?
A: A "Universal Installation Harness" is included in the box. The Universal Harness can be used on any bike, regardless of make or year. However, it does require the installer to have knowledge of where to connect the wires. We strongly recommend Posi-Tap (20-22AWG, gray cap) and Posi-Lock (18-24AWG, dark red) connectors when installing CYCLONE.
Q6: Can I obtain a copy of the Installation Guide from you? (Your PDF is only the Owner's Guide)
A: Yes, but we first would like to recommend professional installation by a certified CYCLONE dealer. CYCLONE is not impossible to install yourself, but problems can occur when someone inexperienced attempts a 12-volt installation for the first time. KIRAMEK cannot be held liable for problems that arise from end user mistakes during installation. Please simply contact Fusion LED Systems to obtain a copy of the Installation Guide.
Q7: Where is a good mounting location for the LED so it won't get wet?
A: Our LED is waterproof so it can be mounted pretty much anywhere. And because it affixes to the bike with included double-sided tape, there are no holes to drill. The only portion of the LED not waterproof is the connector which attaches to the CYCLONE alarm body inside the seat.
Q8: Does the remote have any wireless security or encryption?
A: Yes. The remote cannot be hacked or copied by thieves due to its Rolling Code security scheme. Each time you press a button on the remote, a different digital code is sent to the 866F's receiver on the bike (the code "rolls" or "changes" each time). Because each digital code transmission is unique, the threat of capture and re-send schemes ("code grabbers") is eliminated. And CYCLONE's long 66-bit code eliminates the threat of "code scanning" -- the scheme where thieves randomly transmit codes in hopes of accidentally finding the right one to disarm the system.
Q9: What if someone tries to learn a "secret transmitter" that can disarm my CYCLONE system?
A: CYCLONE eliminates this worry by erasing all previously learned codes each time a new transmitter is learned. (So if you have one already-learned remote and you want to learn a new remote, you must learn both to the system.) The only two ways to learn transmitters is to either use an existing transmitter or use your Manual Disarm Code. If you wish to be 100% certain no spare transmitters we learned to your CYCLONE system at the time of installation, simply relearn your transmitter(s) and change your Manual Disarm Code.
Q10: CYCLONE seems like a good security system, but can't a thief just put my bike in a truck and take off?
A: Assuming the thief had the time, equipment, opportunity (bike not chained, not in garage, etc.), and cover (usually "darkness"), it is possible that such a theft attempt could be made. This is why we offer an optional CYCLONE that immediately informs you of threats against your bike.
Q11: Your paging system sounds nice, but don't you offer a "tracking" system?
A: No. The reasons why we don't are (1) high recurring cost to the customer and (2) limited effectiveness. The only reasonable means of tracking stolen vehicles is by using existing cellular or satellite networks. This requires a contract with wireless network providers and of course means that a monthly fee must be paid by the user. Fees typically range from $12 to $50 per month. But even if that cost was deemed reasonable, the fact is that a thief who has the means to lift a bike into a large truck also has the means to shield that same truck from outgoing RF communication! This is why our optional CYCLONE is a cost-effective security solution. You will receive a page when the bike is "first touched," before it ever gets inside a potentially shielded truck. And the CYCLONE pager only requires a one-time cost commitment -- no monthly payments . Even if you are a few seconds "too late" by the time you run outside to check the bike, the pager has still enabled you to inform the police earlier which greatly increases the likelihood of bike recovery. Of course, putting your bike in a locked garage and/or chaining the bike will further decrease the odds of your bike being stolen.
Q12: My bike came with a factory immobilizer, so why would I need a CYCLONE system?
A: No single security device is fool-proof, and especially not factory devices. Your bike's factory security is only a "single layer" of protection and should not be thought of as a "guarantee" against theft. Also, virtually all factory immobilizers are designed to be as "inexpensive as possible" to the manufacturer, rather than be as "secure as possible." Much of the technology used is 30 years old. It's also an unfortunately fact that most thieves easily gain access to technical data and/or tools that enable them to crack/remove factory immobilization schemes faster than aftermarket protection (please see our main FAQ for details). The reasons for this security weakness are: (1) readily available technical data on mass-produced "factory immobilizer" security schemes, (2) overly simplistic factory security schemes based on old technology, and (3) the tremendous variety of constantly changing 3rd party security systems available in the marketplace (making it unlikely a thief could learn them all). Since many vehicle owners don't add aftermarket security, most thieves exclusively concentrate on learning factory anti-theft schemes.
Therefore, if you already have a factory immobilizer, CYCLONE is still important as a strong secondary layer against theft. For example, CYCLONE's onboard immobilizer relay can be wired to cut the fuel line or kill power to other areas of the bike to supplement a factory starter immobilizer. And our optional can be thought of as a third layer of security. The more layers of security you implement, the more secure your bike will be.
Q13: Does CYCLONE offer dual circuit (2-point) immobilization?
A: Due to the prevalence of factory immobilizers, "built-in 2-point immobilization" in aftermarket alarms is no longer significant. CYCLONE has one built-in immobilizer relay, which combined with your factory immobilizer will give you 2-points of immobilization. And if you want 3-point immobilization, just add a relay to CYCLONE's pager output line! (The relay you add to Cyclone's pager output will provide immobilization whenever the siren triggers. External relay is an optional purchase.)
Q14: What is one area that CYCLONE is better or more technologically advanced than other systems?
A: Our sensors. CYCLONE's 2-stage shock sensor is not an off-the-shelf part. We designed it to exceed the performance of competing sensors in terms of maximizing sensitivity while eliminating false alarms. And our digital tilt sensor is one-of-a-kind. None of our competitors, either aftermarket or factory OEM, are using our thermovarient-accelerometer tilt detection technology. In fact, many competing motorcycle alarms are still using 40+ year-old "mercury switches" which are totally ineffective when the bike is parked on an incline.
Even though CYCLONE was designed to be a cost effective system that any vehicle-owner can afford, we did not cut corners with the technology used in our products. In an era where "aftermarket security innovation" has all but evaporated, KIRAMEK stands firm on using only the best technology available in the market, resulting in fewer product problems and significantly greater vehicle security.
Q15: Won't CYCLONE drain my battery?
A: In most cases, no. It depends on how often you start your engine, but we can say that CYCLONE draws far less current than most competing motorcycle alarms. CYCLONE was designed as an ultra low-power motorcycle system from the start: drawing only 4.9mA normally, and 1.7mA while in Sleep Mode. This means that if you ride your bike once every two to three weeks, you shouldn't have any problem leaving CYCLONE armed (with a good 12v bike battery). If you ride your bike less frequently than this, we recommend you activate Sleep Mode. And if you hardly ever ride your bike (less than once every 3 months), we recommend starting your engine every couple months to keep the battery fresh. (When comparing CYCLONE to other bike alarms, keep an eye on how much "average current" they draw -- we've seen some that draw a whopping 20mA, which will drain a bike battery in no time! Also keep in mind that Cyclone has all the sensors built in, whereas other alarms offer sensors as add-ons that require even more battery juice.)
Q16: Does CYCLONE have a Valet Mode?
A: Yes. Sleep Mode acts as a Valet Mode.
Q17: I'm having a hard time getting out of Sleep Mode!
A: We apologize for the lack of clarity regarding Sleep Mode in very old versions of our Owner's Guides (page 13). Please refer to our latest Owner's Guide PDF or printed versions marked "1.9c" and higher.
Q18: What certifications does Cyclone have?
A: Our 303.875MHz version is FCC certified for the United States. We have RSS-210, CE, EMC and C-Tick certifications for our 433.92MHz version. Here is a detailed certification listing.
Q19: Do you offer a field disturbance radar sensor for Cyclone?
A: No, and for good reason. KIRAMEK manufactures field sensors for automotive security use only. ("Field" sensors are also commonly called proximity, radar, perimeter intrusion, or microwave sensors.) But even though we have radar sensors we could sell with CYCLONE, we choose not to do so for practical reasons. Companies offering radar sensors for bikes are more driven by marketing departments than by practical knowledge of motorcycle batteries, and the reason they offer radar for bikes is because many bike alarm buyers ask about field sensors at the time of purchase. But what most bike alarm companies don't make clear is that most field sensors draw 10-20mA of battery current constantly. That current consumption alone is extremely high, but when coupled with a security system it's simply ridiculous on a motorcycle. We are also aware of one motorcycle alarm company who makes a perimeter sensor that draws just under 5mA. They also admit the tradeoff was to greatly reduce the field of coverage. Even that reduced field of coverage is acceptable to you, that 5mA requirement is still on top of whatever the alarm requires (meaning, if the alarm pulls 5mA and the field sensor is 5mA, they totals 10mA from your bike's battery).
And it is also critical to keep in mind that field sensors are most certainly not precision devices. Putting a radar sensor in a car is one thing, but using it on an "open-air" bike is another. Radar sensors can false trigger the siren more than you may like, drawing yet even more unnecessary current from your bike's battery. We know of one bike alarm that allows you to remotely disable its perimeter sensor, but if you are disabling it most of the time, what is the purpose in having that perimeter sensor in the first place, especially when it is pulling 5~20mA constantly from your bike's battery?
The CYCLONE advantage is that all the sensors you need are already built-in, meaning no extra costs to you, and no extra current draw on your battery. If you have been seriously thinking about purchasing a field sensor to discourage people from sitting on your bike, you can simply adjust Cyclone's shock sensitivity higher to trigger a warning chirp response that will likely scare them away.
Q20: Do you sell a 2-way pager?
A: Only for our automotive security systems. A 1-way pager option is currently available for Cyclone. The main reason we do not have a 2-way system for bikes at this time is "battery drain." Most of our competitors who offer 2-way systems for motorcycles are not forthright about how much power their systems consume, and for good reason -- they drain the bike's battery fast if you don't ride it every single day! In contrast, the Cyclone 1-way pager transmitter unit draws no power at all until your bike is being stolen (when the full siren goes off). If in the future technology becomes available for us to engineer an ultra low power 2-way system that won't put excessive stress on the bike's battery, KIRAMEK will certainly offer such for sale. For now though, the Cyclone 1-way is an excellent means of protecting both your bike and your bike's battery life.
Q21: Is the Cyclone 866F compatible with 6-volt batteries?
A: No. A bike equipped with a 12-volt battery is required.
Q22: Don't you have a chart comparing Cyclone with other motorcycle security systems?
A: We have such charts but we don't post them online because we do not wish to give our competitors free advertising. The fact is that we know many of our competitor's systems quite well, and we are happy to offer you information on how they differ from Cyclone. Please simply email us or Be Seen At Night with the system you have in mind and we will be happy to provide you with all the details you require to make an educated buying decision.
Q23: Why do I need a motorcycle security system if my bike is fully insured?
A: Most motorcycle owners who don't have an anti-theft product haven't given sufficient thought to the probability of their bike being stolen. The fact you're reading this indicates you are not in that group; however, you still may be debating the merits of an alarm. We hope the information in this FAQ serves to educate you on the merits of having a Cyclone security system in your bike. We admit that the "level of deterrence" that a generic alarm offers is often subject to debate. But what's not debatable is the fact that a security system can often lower your insurance rates (check with your insurer for details). Equally as important is the fact that most bike owner's put much love and care into their bikes. Insurance only serves to put money into your hands when the bike is stolen, but insurance does nothing to recover your bike or prevent theft in the first place. Insurance also does not compensate you for all the time and effort required to buy and customize a "replacement" bike. Some highly customized bikes may be next to impossible to replace. Here at KIRAMEK, we advocate having theft insurance as a part of the layered approach to security. But insurance many not pay out what you expect, insurance does nothing to prevent theft or vandalism, and insurance cannot buy piece of mind. Obtaining greater piece of mind and real theft deterrence demands a strong security system like Cyclone.
Q24: I armed the system in Silent Mode but I can still hear chirps. Why?
A: As mentioned on page 4 of the Cyclone Owner's Guide, Silent Mode only silences the full siren blast and shock sensor Warning Chirps, not Arm/Disarm confirmation chirps. The thinking behind this is that you don't want the thief to know if the alarm goes off but you still want to secretly be notified by the optional Cyclone . Of course, you would still want to know if the system was Armed or Disarmed when you press the transmitter button (obviously, when a thief is not around), which is why "Confirmation Chips" are still emitted even in Silent Mode.
Q25: Why doesn't Cyclone have a separate siren and sensors like most other motorcycle alarms?
A: While it is true that most competing bike security products have a separate siren and sensors, it is not true that a modular approach is better. Indeed, when KIRAMEK first started building motorcycle security systems for the Japanese market, we quickly found that "separate parts" actually makes the installation harder, more time consuming, and in many cases impossible.
There is little to no space in the seat of most bikes. This is especially true for many Harley's. Modular systems just won't fit in many cases (for example, you might fit the controller but not the siren and sensors). For this reason, we designed the body of the 866F to be as as possible so it would fit it most any bike, even Harley's! And our alarm unit body, which includes a siren inside, is actually smaller than most of our competitor's standalone sirens!
Yet another reason for Cyclone's all-in-one design is that the installation is cleaner. In fact, with our all-black harness, Cyclone has a factory appearance -- in stark contrast to the rats nets of colored wires and modular parts that other alarms offer. So why do so many alarm companies build modular systems for bikes? Because it's much more difficult and costly to integrate all the components of a full-featured security system in one small enclosure like Cyclone. Despite the manufacturing challenges though, we at KIRAMEK believe that "smaller with fewer parts" is best.
Q26: Why do I often hear warning chirps after turning off the engine and arming Cyclone? How should I properly mount Cyclone?
A: You will often hear warning chirps after turning off your bike's engine due to improper mounting of Cyclone (mounting near a source of intense heat). Cyclone should never be mounted near sources of intense heat, like the tail pipe. If Cyclone is mounted near a heat source, it will likely trigger the warning chirps as a sign of the internal shock sensor being too hot and then cooling rapidly. Disabling the shock sensor will stop the warning chips in this case, but the overheating problem will still remain. You must remount Cyclone to a more appropriate location or you risk damaging the product. Such damage could be a complete shutdown of Cyclone, or overheating of the piezo siren coil, which results in either muffled (decreased volume) sound or no siren sound at all.
Improper installation/mounting of Cyclone is not covered in the product warranty, so be sure to take extreme care to install Cyclone away from any heat sources, preferably in a cool place within the seat of your bike.
Q27: Why is my siren sound muffled? It isn't as loud as it should be.
A: Muffled sound could be the result of water accumulating on the alarm unit or something physically covering the siren area of Cyclone. Muffled sound can also result from heat damage, as reported in Q26 above. Another probable cause is over-voltage, as some Honda bikes have known electrical system problems that can generate 16v continuously. And some VFR owners have reported voltages in excess of 17v! As stated on page 2 of the CYCLONE Owner's Guide, the maximum continuous input voltage for CYCLONE is 15v (nominal bike battery voltage is 12v).
It is also possible that the speaker coil could have been damaged by voltage spikes induced by changing or charging the bike's battery while Cyclone is still connected. As stated on page 5 of the Cyclone Owner's Guide, the main connector of Cyclone MUST BE DISCONNECTED before you disconnect, reconnect or charge your bike's battery. (Of course, you need to first disarm Cyclone before you disconnect Cyclone's main connector, otherwise the battery backup will sound the siren.)
Cyclone has very advanced noise and spike filtering, so on most bikes you technically may get away with swapping or even charging your battery with Cyclone connected. But some bikes are known to pass very harsh spikes throughout the electrical system during a battery charge or change, resulting in damage to Cyclone's speaker coil (which results in muffled sound or no sound at all, and requires a replacement Cyclone product). Such spikes are so harsh they are known to even damage some factory electronic components.
Another sign that voltage spikes have damaged Cyclone is if you no longer hear the full siren blast at all (for tilt, shock and IG triggers) even when Cyclone is not in Silent Mode (see page 12 of the Owner's Guide), yet you can still hear siren "chirps" just fine (e.g., Arm, Disarm, shock sensor warning). While this problem is rare, changing the bike's battery and/or charging it with Cyclone connected could induce a large enough spike into Cyclone to cause this problem. (Don't be concerned if you don't hear the full siren blast for the shock full trigger only. If you can still hear the full siren for tilt and IG triggers, it means you simply have disabled the shock Full Trigger in the Cyclone preferences. See page 14 in the Cyclone Owner's Guide and Q28 below for details.)
MUFFLED SIREN, PREVENTIVE MEASURES:
· Disarm and disconnect Cyclone before touching your bike's battery.
· Confirm the voltage of your bike's electrical system at various RPM levels and with the headlight on to ensure the continuous voltage does not exceed 15.0v. (This is especially important for Honda VFRs and CBRs.)
Failure to heed these warnings may result in a damaged Cyclone product which unfortunately cannot be replaced free of charge.
Q28: I can't get good shock sensitivity. Why doesn't the shock Full Trigger go off?
A: If you cannot get good shock sensitivity even though the alarm unit mounted properly on the bike, chances are you simply need to adjust the two adjustment POTs (potentiometers) under the rubber cap at the top/front of the Cyclone alarm unit. This is described in detail on pages 9 and 10 of the Cyclone Owner's Guide.
WARNING! Be sure to adjust the shock sensitivity POTs only with the included screw driver. The reason we include a screw driver with Cyclone is so you won't accidentally use too much force when twisting the sensitivity POTs. If you use a longer-handled screw driver, or if you apply too much force even with the included screw driver, you will very likely break the POTs, causing them to rotate 360 degrees without stopping. The POTs should never twist around 360 degrees! Unbroken POTs turn only 270 degrees maximum, as shown on page 9 of the Cyclone Owner's Guide. Therefore take great care to not twist too hard when adjusting the shock sensitivity. Breaking the sensitivity POTs is not covered under warranty.
If you have adjusted the sensitivity POTs and you are still not getting the shock sensor to trip the full siren blast (for 10 or 30 seconds), then it is highly likely that the Shock Sensor "Full Trigger" program setting is turned off. Please refer to Feature No. 2 in Table-2 on page 14 in the Cyclone Owner's Guide.
If you still cannot get the shock sensor to trip the siren, Cyclone may be in Sleep mode. See Q29 below.
Q29: Transmitter no longer works. Can't get siren to trigger with shock or tilt.
A: When Cyclone experiences voltage spikes or extended periods of over-voltage on the 12v input wire, it may enter a different Armed state. This can occur if you change your bike's battery and/or charge it with Cyclone still attached (which we recommend against), or if you have an intermittent +12v input connection, or if you tap Cyclone's +12v input to battery +12v on-and-off multiple times (which induces spikes into Cyclone). Such input voltage noise doesn't always cause any ill effects or event cause Cyclone to change modes. But there are times, in the presence of such spikes, when Cyclone will enter Silent Mode and enter Sleep Mode with the Starter Kill Immobilizer enabled. In such a case, you will still see the LED blinking but the transmitter will be unresponsive. The bike is still protected by the immobilizer (i.e., no one can start the engine), but the shock and tilt sensors will be unresponsive and the transmitter won't work until you turn on the Ignition.
If you suspect this has occurred with your Cyclone system, exit Sleep Mode and then exit Silent Mode according to the guidance given on pages 12-13 of the Cyclone Owner's Guide. That will put Cyclone back into its normal operating state. And if you experience this problem again, be sure to check the soundness of Cyclone's +12v connection. If there are no connecting problems, then verify your bike's electrical system (some Honda VFRs and CBRs are known to have electrical issues.)
Q30: I sometimes can't start my bike and/or can't reliably use or re-learn my transmitter.
A: When the main +12v Power and (–) Ground connections of Cyclone are unstable, or when your bike's battery is bad, Cyclone's internal starter kill relay may make intermittent connections that prevent starting on occasion. Problems with Power and Ground can also give you transmitter problems too, and you may even find you cannot re-learn your transmitter at all. Make sure you have a good bike battery that is fully charged. If you know the battery is not a problem, try connecting Cyclone's +12v Power line direct to your bike's battery terminal to see if that resolves the problem.
Here's how Cyclone's internal starter kill relay works. The relay feeds you two wires: GRN & WHT. You use those two wires to immobilize your bike's starter. (See page 4 of the Installation Guide.) The relay is NORMALLY OPEN. In other words, the GRN & WHT wires are not connected to each other normally, and Cyclone's relay is not powered-up normally. But during the time you apply +12v to Cyclone's BLU Ignition input wire (when Cyclone is Disarmed), Cyclone applies powers its internal relay which switches the GRN and WHT wires together (i.e., shorts them together). That completes the circuit and allows your engine to start. But if power to Cyclone is disrupted (i.e., if the voltage to Cyclone drops below 4.6v, even for a short duration) then Cyclone's internal relay will power down and the circuit will be broken again (i.e., the GRN & WHT wires will no longer be shorted). But once the voltage rises higher than 6.5v, assuming Cyclone's BLU Ignition wire is also at 6.5v or higher, then the relay will immediately switch back (shorting the WHT & GRN wires), allowing your engine to start.