Q1: Since the 866F is installed inside the seat of the bike, can you hear the siren well?

A: In our opinion, yes. CYCLONE produces a very high frequency sound 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 drops the volume of confirmation chirps several dB from the full siren blast.     

Q2: But what if I am dissatisfied with the siren volume and want something louder?

A: We offer an optional, waterproof battery backup siren that mounts outside the seat and is about as loud as a normal car alarm siren. The siren tone is the same as the 866F built-in siren.     
 

Q3: Is it possible to have CYCLONE honk the horn on my bike when the siren goes off?

A: Technically yes, but the 866F was not designed specifically for that task. If you add an optional relay to the 866F Pager Output wire, you can activate the horn while the main 866F siren goes off. (The pager output will still function if you do this.) The disadvantage to this is that the horn would continuously sound for the full 10/30 seconds. The reason is because the 866F Pager Output supplies a "continuous" (-) ground output, not pulsed. If you decide to connect a relay to power your horn, we recommend setting the siren output duration to 10 seconds. (When connecting a relay, keep in mind that CYCLONE's pager output is positive +12v.)     

Q4: Where can I buy CYCLONE products?

A: If you reside in Japan and you are buying for use in Japan, please simply email us. We are happy to provide you with location information on a Japanese retailer near you. If you are a prospective dealer in Japan, please contact us for details on volume discounts. If you wish to buy from outside Japan you may purchase either from our international distributors (use the BUY button atop the Cyclone main page). Dealers and Distributors, please view this information page.    

Q5: Why does Cyclone cost more than a US$xx.00 Chinese-made alarm?

A: Because you get what you pay for.

Cyclone is not made in China, and for good reason: most companies move manufacturing to China to lower their cost, not to improve their product quality or obtain advanced technology. Cyclone is a true Japanese product, designed and supported by our company based in central Japan -- the hub of Japan's aftermarket vehicle security industry. Our Japanese staff are onsite at the factory to enforce our zero defect policy. With most every competing motorcycle alarm not only made in China but also designed in China, Cyclone stands alone in terms of premium quality, features and technology. Cyclone was designed in Japan originally for the Japanese market. Seeing the sales viability of Cyclone outside Japan, KIRAMEK now distributes Cyclone worldwide.

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.     

Q6: What type of wire harness does the 866F come with?

A: For all CYCLONE 866F systems sold outside Japan, a "Universal Installation Harness" is included in the box. (This harness is an option for sales of Cyclone within Japan.) 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. It also requires the installer to strip, solder and tape connections. For this reason, our US distributor, FreyMoto Industries, offers optional Pro Install Kits that greatly simplify an already straightforward installation.     

Q7: Can I obtain a copy of the Universal Wiring Harness manual from you?

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. With that said, we do provide our Universal Harness Guide to individuals on a case-by-case basis, as do our dealers. In all honesty, installation of Cyclone is not that difficult. Please email us to obtain a copy of the Installation Guide.     
 

Q8: 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.     
 

Q9: What is a "Rolling-Code" transmitter?

A: CYCLONE systems include an RF remote that cannot be hacked or copied by thieves. 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.     

Q10: What if a thief or even my dealer 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.     

Q11: 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 Pager System that immediately informs you of threats against your bike.     

Q12: Your pager 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 Pager System 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.     

Q13: 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 VISION 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 Pager System can be thought of as a third layer of security. The more layers of security you implement, the more secure your bike will be.     

Q14: 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.)     

Q15: 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 35-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.     

Q16: 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 4mA when armed, 3mA when disarmed, and 1mA or less 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.)     

Q17: Does CYCLONE have a Valet Mode?

A: Yes. Sleep Mode acts as a Valet Mode.     

Q18: I'm having a hard time getting out of Sleep Mode!

A: We apologize for the lack of clarity regarding Sleep Mode in older 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.     

Q19: 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.     

Q20: Do you have a field disturbance radar sensor option 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 this type of sensor 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 15-20mA 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.     

Q21: 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 pager system is an excellent means of protecting both your bike and your bike's battery life.    

Q22: Is the Cyclone 866F compatible with 6-volt batteries?

A: No. A bike equipped with a 12-volt battery is required.    

Q23: 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 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.    

Q24: 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.    

Q25: 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 Paging System. 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.    

Q26: Why didn't you design Cyclone with modular parts like most other bike 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 compact 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.    

Q27: 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.  

Q28: 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.

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.  

Q29: 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.