High Beams Doing Basically Nothing

September0861

New Member
Joined
Oct 23, 2018
Messages
1
So I'm having this issue with my high beams doing basically nothing. I can hear them working, but it basically points towards heaven when I engage them. Handy for reading signs on the highway, but basically worthless for actually seeing.

It's very irritating.

High beam and low beam pictures for reference.
 

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Jlq1969

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 5, 2018
Messages
1,749
Location
Argentina
So I'm having this issue with my high beams doing basically nothing. I can hear them working, but it basically points towards heaven when I engage them. Handy for reading signs on the highway, but basically worthless for actually seeing.

It's very irritating.

High beam and low beam pictures for reference.
First step is ok...”hear that they work”....second step: look inside headlamps and observe that streel grey move up an down.....3 step: check that the lamps are in the “exact position”.....
 

Dogdaze

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2014
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3,040
Location
Solothurn, Switzerland
First step is ok...”hear that they work”....second step: look inside headlamps and observe that streel grey move up an down.....3 step: check that the lamps are in the “exact position”.....
+I , sometimes when people replace bulbs the put them back in incorrectly, upside down, check to see if the bulb tab is at the 7 o'clock position.
 

OldRider

Well-Known Member
Vendor
Joined
Jun 7, 2013
Messages
2,110
Location
Western Kentucky
Mine were aimed to high from the factory. I was lighting up the tree tops. I put the bike on the center stand and marked the garage wall with tape. It took a couple of adjustments to get them down to a suitable level. My riding buddie was complaining that I was blinding him from behind with my low beams.
 

WJBertrand

Ventura Highway
Joined
Jun 20, 2015
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4,516
Location
Ventura, CA
Mine were aimed to high from the factory. I was lighting up the tree tops. I put the bike on the center stand and marked the garage wall with tape. It took a couple of adjustments to get them down to a suitable level. My riding buddy was complaining that I was blinding him from behind with my low beams.
Exactly what I did, there are numerous "how tos" on the web. Prior to re-aiming, flipping between high and low didn't seem to make any difference, unless doing it while banked in a turn. Otherwise the High Beam is just shining up into the sky and with nothing to reflect off of, you can't tell. That problem and the fact that I was getting flashed by cars coming the other direction on dark roads clued me in. I think part of the issue, at least with the ES model, is the very soft rear spring.
 

bnschroder

2014 Super Tenere ES
Joined
Nov 17, 2014
Messages
559
Location
Atlanta
I felt the same but the sad truth is they just suck. I added a 6" light bar triggered by the high beam, and put LED bulbs in the headlamps, and now I am happy.
 

EricV

Riding, farkling, riding...
2011 Site Supporter
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Hey! They are aimed fine for the 125 lb factory guy that aims them in Japan. ;)
 

WJBertrand

Ventura Highway
Joined
Jun 20, 2015
Messages
4,516
Location
Ventura, CA
I’ve got the Cyclops LEDs and added a pair of LED driving lights triggered by the high beam, in addition to corrected aim.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 

Sierra1

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2016
Messages
14,812
Location
Joshua TX
Projection bulbs are VERY "directional". If they're aimed even a little bit "off", they appear ineffectual. They're not as forgiving as the old style bulbs/beams. But, get them aimed correctly, they work well. It will take a time or two to fine tune the aim.
 

Tombstone

Stir the oil Baby!
Joined
Apr 22, 2018
Messages
506
Location
Utah
Sounds like I need to check mine. I wondered why so many people have moved over a lane, let me by, then moved back behind me.. LOL (while on low beam.)
 
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