Headlight adjustment

JerryAttrick · 11-07-2009, 06:25 AM

If your bike is like mine, it came from the factory/dealership with the headlight adjusted too low. The top edge of the low beam met the road too close for safe driving above 35mph.
On page 76 of your Rider's Manual, it tells about the swivel lever that compensates for heavy loads by making the beam even lower. What the manual does not tell you is that the black plastic nut in the center of the lever is the adjustment for beam height. The nut is not easy to reach, but it can be turned by hand.
(Sorry - I don't remember which way raised it.)

Gilly · 11-07-2009, 09:44 AM

Is easier to adjust if the load lever is swivelled out of the way. The beam will then be way too low, but you just adjust it, then flip the load leveler back to the original position, see how it looks, flip it and adjust it more if you need to.
Easier to do on a cold bike, the oil line is pretty hot.
Gilly

jurgen · 11-09-2009, 08:20 PM

The flip lever is required by law in Europe: When the bike is loaded or ridden 2-up, the rear end sits a bit lower, making the headlight point too high. You are then supposed to flip the lever to dip the beam a bit lower so oncoming traffic is not blinded. BTW all BMW bikes from 2000 or so onward have this feature.

PGlaves · 11-09-2009, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jurgen

The flip lever is required by law in Europe: When the bike is loaded or ridden 2-up, the rear end sits a bit lower, making the headlight point too high. You are then supposed to flip the lever to dip the beam a bit lower so oncoming traffic is not blinded. BTW all BMW bikes from 2000 or so onward have this feature.

The 1994 R1100RS has this feature and I think it has been on most every one since then - but not all. My 2003 R1150R does not.

58058 · 11-11-2009, 06:51 PM

My 85 had it as do all my subsequent year BMWs. I used it more on the K100 with the stock shock than on later models with adjustable preloads. I have used it on both the 1100RS and the 1200RS when the low beam burned out while on the road and all I had was the high beam. Flip and fiddle and I made it home in the dark.

tommcgee · 11-11-2009, 07:32 PM

It always takes me awhile to get motorcycle headlights adjusted to suit me and the load on the bike. Dual beam bulbs are annoying. When you get the low adjusted just right, the high is usually too high.

11-07-2009, 06:25 AM	#1
JerryAttrick Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 45	Headlight adjustment If your bike is like mine, it came from the factory/dealership with the headlight adjusted too low. The top edge of the low beam met the road too close for safe driving above 35mph. On page 76 of your Rider's Manual, it tells about the swivel lever that compensates for heavy loads by making the beam even lower. What the manual does not tell you is that the black plastic nut in the center of the lever is the adjustment for beam height. The nut is not easy to reach, but it can be turned by hand. (Sorry - I don't remember which way raised it.) __________________ JerryAttrick 2003 R1150RT with EZS sidecar, 2004 R1150R for sale, 2010 K1300GT But Mom, I've never found "well enough".

11-07-2009, 09:44 AM	#2
Gilly What, me worry? Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Evansville, WI Posts: 960	Is easier to adjust if the load lever is swivelled out of the way. The beam will then be way too low, but you just adjust it, then flip the load leveler back to the original position, see how it looks, flip it and adjust it more if you need to. Easier to do on a cold bike, the oil line is pretty hot. Gilly __________________ 87 K75S, bought new, now sold 07 K1200GT No problem is so big or so complicated that it can't be run away from

11-09-2009, 08:20 PM	#3
jurgen Daily Rider Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 55	The flip lever is required by law in Europe: When the bike is loaded or ridden 2-up, the rear end sits a bit lower, making the headlight point too high. You are then supposed to flip the lever to dip the beam a bit lower so oncoming traffic is not blinded. BTW all BMW bikes from 2000 or so onward have this feature. __________________ Jürgen Spokane 04 R1150GS adv 04 K1200RS last of the great bricks

11-11-2009, 06:51 PM	#5
58058 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Mendocino, California Posts: 224	My 85 had it as do all my subsequent year BMWs. I used it more on the K100 with the stock shock than on later models with adjustable preloads. I have used it on both the 1100RS and the 1200RS when the low beam burned out while on the road and all I had was the high beam. Flip and fiddle and I made it home in the dark. __________________ Jim Douglas '09 K1300S @ >1000mi, '00 K1200RS current @124K, '93 K1100RS traded @78K, '85 K100RS sold @44K, http://www.seagullbb.com/

11-11-2009, 07:32 PM	#6
tommcgee Scrod is a fake fish. Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Braintree, MA Posts: 1,230	It always takes me awhile to get motorcycle headlights adjusted to suit me and the load on the bike. Dual beam bulbs are annoying. When you get the low adjusted just right, the high is usually too high. __________________ Salty Fog Rally 2007 & 2009 -Tom (I own a Vstrom and a K75 - it's for sale that run and a couple of Hondas that don't) Rounder #600