Pass or Fail: 7-inch Round Motorcycle Headlights

Pass or Fail: 7-inch Round Motorcycle Headlights

So you have been window shopping for a quality 7-inch round headlight for your prized motorcycle for next month's cruise but you are not sure how to tell the great from the mediocre? Well, today, we are going over just that by looking at the best and worst contenders on the market.

STOCK HEADLIGHTS

If you have an older Jeep Wrangler, motorcycle, or Harley Davidson that uses a sealed beam headlight, we're going to be talking about something like this (shown below) coming in at 510 maximum Lux on a low beam.

Keep in mind that some headlights are brighter than others, and some headlights have different beam patterns. If your headlight looks like this one, compare that to the headlights we are about to go over. 

motorcycle Halogen
510 Max. Lux (Low Beam), 590 Max. Lux (High Beam)

If you have a Motorcycle with modern 7-inch round headlights, you're going to be seeing something like this, coming at about 510 maximum Lux. It's got that defined hot spot and more width than the old school headlight, but we can still do better. Interestingly, when you turn on the high beam, it doesn't get a whole lot brighter. Only 80 maximum Lux and the beam pattern will grow in height.

While reasonable, these stock components leave much to be desired. We definitely recommend an upgrade.

VisionX VX Series 

The VX series headlight from Vision X is an interesting option because these guys make light bars, and they took that same iris technology out of their XPR light bars and put it in the high beam. This headlight is very popular in the Harley and Jeep communities.

VISION X VX SERIES

1,140 Max. Lux Low Beam, 670 Max. Lux High Beam (1,810 MAX. LUX HIGH BEAM WITH HIGH 4 ADAPTER)

This light comes equipped with a High 4 Adapter. The adapter allows for the maximum Lux of the high beam to get an 1140 Lux boost. This can be toggled on and off for that extra bit of utility.

VISION X VX SERIES WITH HIGH 4 ADAPTER

590 Max. Lux Low Beam, 1810 Max. Lux High Beam

These Vision X VX Series have great light output. There is a reason they are so popular among motorcyclists and Jeep owners. Buy the Vision X VX Series 7" Round LED headlights here!

Morimoto Sealed 7

The Morimoto Sealed 7 is one of my favorites because it has arguably the perfect beam pattern. Some headlights are brighter than this one, but they do not all fit the same as this does. It is a great option for pretty much any application.

Morimoto SUPER 7

Earlier this year, Morimoto upgraded their LED projector, the MLED 2.0, to the Super7. So now this thing is better and brighter than it was before.

We tested it, and it's still the king of the castle. This is in part due to its modular design and excellent beam pattern. It is even customizable. The downside? This thing will not always fit in every application outside of a Jeep Wrangler or a Jeep Gladiator due to the thickness of the unit. However, It is possible to put it in some motorcycles.

The Super7 has a massive LED projector with this cool, customizable passive heat sink that allows you to create massive amounts of light on your seven-inch round project. If you wanted a textbook example of a perfect headlight beam pattern, you are looking at it.

Morimoto super7 2.0
1,460 Max. Lux Low Beam, 1,780 Max. Lux High Beam

If you thought the Sealed 7s were great, the updated Super 7 2.0 will blow your mind. Buy your own set of Morimoto Super7 2.0 here!

Holley Retrobright

Before we jump into all the modern style headlights, let us show you this one from Holley. That is right, the world-famous engine parts builder now has a classic sealed beam headlight, and it is incredible. There are many headlights out there that try to look period correct, and a lot of them have projectors and LED accents. 

If you want something that is going to trick everybody into thinking you have your original headlights still in place, but you want modern performance, you're looking at the Holley sealed beam headlight. This headlight uses a traditional sealed beam type lense and a reflector with an integrated LED system. Depending on what color you want your light to be, the LED cartridge is easily replaced. It's truly set it and forget it.

Holley Retrobright Classic LED
780 Max. Lux Low Beam, 1240 Max. Lux High Beam

We have been very excited for these lights to arrive and we are pleased to say that these are a must buy for your classic! Check them out for yourself here.

Movotor Halo

Taking a look at the other end of the quality spectrum with the Movotor Halo. Despite its sleek design, this light fails in the performance department. Its low beam comes in at 160 maximum lux. That's 40 maximum Lux less than the old-school sealed beam headlight, not to mention the beam pattern is worthless. When you flip it to a high beam, sure, you get 690 maximum lux, but it is a garbage headlight. This beam pattern is unusable. 

MOVOTOR HALO 
160 Max. Lux Low Beam, 690 Max. Lux High Beam

We get that the design is nifty, but these are 33% less bright than stock! Do NOT buy these if you like seeing where you are going at night!

Quake LED

First of all, this headlight from Quake is just a blatant rip-off of JW Speaker. I am not sure about you, but I hate it when people steal things. Quake should have at least done a service to themselves by producing a headlight that was at least somewhat comparable to that of JW Speaker, but they didn't even do an excellent job with it!

This headlight is terrible! Quake LED seems like a pretty popular brand. I have never used them on any vehicle and this is just might be why.

This Quake LED headlight only comes in at 230 maximum Lux? That is awful, and why is the beam so blue? This headlight is straight-up dangerous to drive with.  The high beams do not perform much better either with a maximum Lux of 490. We highly recommend not putting these on your vehicle given its dangerously poor performance.

Quake LED
230 Max. Lux Low Beam, 490 Max. Lux High Beam

The Quake LED should NOT be on your shopping list. This blue-tinted light is way behind the curve for safe, night time driving.

SUP-LIGHT

If you thought the prior example was rough, the Sup-Light is even worse. Coming in at only 140 maximum Lux, this is one of the worst-performing headlights in the world. When you go to high beam, it's 710 maximum Lux, but that is still not very good. You drive with your low beams 90% of the time and therefore rely on the quality, bright low beams. Frankly, this headlight should be banned from the USA.

Sup-LIGHT
140 Max. Lux Low Beam, 710 Max. Lux High Beam

 You should NOT buy the Sup-Light LED headlight! The low beam max. Lux is downright DANGEROUS.

KC HILITES GRAVITY REFLECTOR

You've got the KC HiLites Gravity Pro, which uses a projector, and you've got the regular KC HiLites Gravity LED reflector headlight. Both will work for a motorcycle, and Jeeps if you have one. If you are looking for something with more depth, the KC HiLites Pro is the one to go with. If you own a motorcycle with a 7-inch round headlight, most Harley Davidson's and some Ducatis, then these will fit just right.

KC HILITES GRAVITY REFLECTOR
700 Max. Lux Low Beam, 1,130 Max. Lux High Beam

KC HiLites is a reputable brand for a reason and you really cannot go wrong with any of their products. Check them out for yourself on our website here!

---

KC HILITES GRAVITY Projector

Here you can see the difference between the KC HiLites Gravity Reflector (above) and the KC HiLites Gravity Projector (below). They both have exceptional performance with a solid maximum Lux on both examples, as well as a great beam pattern to provide you with an optimal viewing experience while driving at night.

KC HILITES GRAVITY PROJECTOR
610 Max. Lux Low Beam, 1,300 Max. Lux High Beam

If you are looking for that extra bit of depth in your headlights, look no further than the KC HiLites Gravity Projector. You can purchase your own set here!

JW Speaker 8700 Evolution 2

When talking about 7-inch round LED headlights. You simply cannot look past JW Speaker. In the world of Jeeps and Harley Davidson, these are the gold standard.

Harley Davidson chose JW Speaker to make their Daymaker headlight. JW also makes stock headlights for Polaris, city buses, motorhomes, and many other vehicles on the road today. So you know you are getting a tried and true product from a brand that is used by industry professionals on all levels.

Then we have the dependable gold standard JW Speaker 8700 Evo 2. This thing fits almost everything you put it in and has excellent performance and reliability.

JW SPEAKER 8700 EVOLUTION 2
670 Max. Lux Low Beam, 1,270 Max. Lux High Beam

While not as bright as the KC HiLites we looked at, the 8700 Evo 2 certainly packs a punch. If you are interested, we recommend picking up a pair here.

JW Speaker 8700 Adaptive

You may also be interested in the 8700 Adaptive for your weekend cruiser. The 8700 Adaptive is less bright than the others, but it's got some pretty cool features that you might want if you do a lot of twisty mountain driving on your bike. When taking a turn, the corresponding side of the light will turn on, giving you more visibility when going around corners. While a bit pricier than the Evolution 2, the 8700 Adaptive is purpose-built for motorcycles in mind. Giving you the greatest possible nighttime riding experience. 

JW SPEAKER 8700 ADAPTIVE 2 (MOTORCYCLES)
210 Max. Lux Low Beam, 1,290 Max. Lux High Beam

While you may lose some brightness, these lights are perfect for a weekend cruiser with their adaptive beam pattern. Pick up your own set of JW Speaker 8700 adaptive 2 here!

Truck-Lite 27270C 

Back in the day, Truck-Lite invented the world's first LED sealed beam headlight for military use. Then, they came out with this. This is the 27270c headlight from Truck-Lite, and it still, after years of testing, has the best and brightest high beam that you're going to find.

truck-lite
800 Max. Lux Low Beam, 2,010 Max. Lux High Beam

Last, but never least, we have the brightest LED headlight money can buy. If light output is your thing, look no further than the Truck-Lite LEDs!

Razor Off-Road

This headlight from Razor Off-Road has a unique look because it's got that great big accent light built into the face of it, but how good can the beam pattern be with all that decoration.

The Razor-Off Road may compete with the stock beams, but it loses all of its points once you turn them on. The 530 maximum Lux is modest but falls apart with its clustered beam pattern. The same goes for the high beams that do not go much higher than the lows, at 470 maximum Lux. The high beam pattern is even worse than the lows. It almost gives the effect of a shower or those beaded curtains your uncle had in college.

RAZOR OFF-ROAD
530 Max. Lux Low Beam, 470 Max. Lux High Beam

Sometimes endings are not always great. Especially with the case of the last item on our list, the Razor Off-Road LED headlights. The only place these things belong is off the road and in the trash.

Looking for more options in a 7-inch Round headlight? Check out our full shootout video below comparing the Top 6 best versus the absolute worst ones out there. While you're there, make sure to like and subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest in lighting upgrades for your motorcycle or vehicle. 

Have questions about one of the products we mentioned? Contact us today and our customer service team would be happy to help.