Headlight range - adjustable?

[Pete7874]

The range of my headlight (low beam) seems to be really short. How long is it supposed to be and is it adjustable? Mines probably like 20 feet. It's a bit scary driving at night with speeds above 30-40 mph with such low visibility.

[alantf]

Do any of your local garages/workshops (for cars) have a beam setter? I'm sure they'd check your setting for very few $$$$$$. All you do is drive/ride up to it, they raise or lower it to the height of your headlight, you switch on your headlight, & it tells them if it's set up correctly. Total time, 30 seconds. :2tup:

[Water Warrior 2]

There are adjustment screws for the headlight. At about 4 o clock and 8 o clock on the head light bucket near the front. L side(clutch side) is the height adjuster IIRC. REquired tools, a screw driver, flashlight and a wall. Go for a ride. Repeat if necessary. Also try a SilverStar bulb from Sylvania, they are brighter but do not draw any more wattage. They do have a slightly shorter life span due to vibration on the GZ but worth the $ if you ride a lot of nights. I have had SS bulbs in my Vstrom for 4 years now with no failures but the bike is also a lot smoother and the lights are not directly mounted to the front end but in a fairing. SS in my Ranger too. Best bulb for the $ in my opinion.

You may also want to install one MR-16 35 watt halogen light similar to the pic. The GZ will not support much more power draw.
The pic is a MR-11 so it is a bit smaller in overall size.

[Easy Rider]

Also try a SilverStar bulb from Sylvania,

I've heard that PIAA bulbs last longer.....but are a tad more expensive.
I have no personal experience with either.

Like SOOOO many other questions, I expect that headlight adjustment might be covered in the Fine owner's manual. :biggrin:

[Pete7874]

Doh! You're right. It is in the owner's manual. I only looked in the service manual and did not find it, but I forgot to check the owner's manual.

Thanks everyone!

[blaine]

I've heard that PIAA bulbs last longer.....but are a tad more expensive.
I have no personal experience with either.

Like SOOOO many other questions, I expect that headlight adjustment might be covered in the Fine owner's manual. :biggrin:

PIAA bulbs are designed for auxiliary lighting only.They are not for use in headlights.
:2tup: :)

[Sarris]

I align mine (using the adjusters) by placing the bike next to the car approximately 10 feet from my garage wall and matching the bike beams projection on the wall with the car.

I found it helps to have a second person to do the adjustment so you can put your weight on the bike to get them as close to the normal ride height as possible.

It's seems to get pretty darn close.

:)

[Easy Rider]

PIAA bulbs are designed for auxiliary lighting only.They are not for use in headlights.

Sorry not true.
They make a "standard" 9003/H3/H4 dual element replacement headlight bulb too.
Ref: www.piaa.com (http://www.piaa.com)

[blaine]

PIAA bulbs are designed for auxiliary lighting only.They are not for use in headlights.

Sorry not true.
They make a "standard" 9003/H3/H4 dual element replacement headlight bulb too.
Ref: http://www.piaa.com

:oops: I stand corrected.I did not know they made a replacement headlight bulb.Thanks for the heads up.
:cool:

[dentheman]

I align mine (using the adjusters) by placing the bike next to the car approximately 10 feet from my garage wall and matching the bike beams projection on the wall with the car.

I found it helps to have a second person to do the adjustment so you can put your weight on the bike to get them as close to the normal ride height as possible.

It's seems to get pretty darn close.

:)
:plus1:

[Pete7874]

I align mine (using the adjusters) by placing the bike next to the car approximately 10 feet from my garage wall and matching the bike beams projection on the wall with the car.

I found it helps to have a second person to do the adjustment so you can put your weight on the bike to get them as close to the normal ride height as possible.

It's seems to get pretty darn close.

:)
I can't see how this could be accurate since the bike's headlight is about 3ft off the ground while the car's headlights are about 2ft off the ground. Maybe your car's headlights sit higher (like on a truck)?

[alantf]

I still think the best way is to use a beamsetter. They use them in the bi-annual test over here (and in England) so why not get it set up accurately in the first place (if you think it's not correct) It really is not expensive. :2tup:

[Water Warrior 2]

I align mine (using the adjusters) by placing the bike next to the car approximately 10 feet from my garage wall and matching the bike beams projection on the wall with the car.

I found it helps to have a second person to do the adjustment so you can put your weight on the bike to get them as close to the normal ride height as possible.

It's seems to get pretty darn close.

:)
I can't see how this could be accurate since the bike's headlight is about 3ft off the ground while the car's headlights are about 2ft off the ground. Maybe your car's headlights sit higher (like on a truck)?
Pete, some of us do what works best under our particular circumstances. Sarris has his method that works for him but no way would work for me. My method would probably drive him nuts.

[Pete7874]

I still think the best way is to use a beamsetter. They use them in the bi-annual test over here (and in England) so why not get it set up accurately in the first place (if you think it's not correct) It really is not expensive. :2tup:
Yeah, that's what I'll try to do.

By the way, I also found this:
http://www.ehow.com/how_5852411_adjust- ... light.html (http://www.ehow.com/how_5852411_adjust-motorcycle-headlight.html)

[Easy Rider]

I can't see how this could be accurate since .......

I don't think alignment of a bike headlight is a something that could be described as "accurate" no matter how you go about it. :)

What Sarris described is about as good a "swag" method as any.

After that, you might want to compare the point the beam intersects the road with another vehicle as a final check.......assuming the other vehicle is "right" itself.

I think it's more art than science.

[Pete7874]

FYI, I ended up following these directions to adjust my headlight:
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/howto ... index.html (http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/howto/122_0310_headlight_aiming/index.html)

If these are correct, then my headlight was pointing waaaay too low. I also installed a Silverstar bulb. Now driving at night feels much better.