Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: Glennn on May 19, 2013, 02:28:19 AM
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G'day All,
Looking at a recent video taken of me and the mighty GTR at a rally I noticed this strange throw of the light pattern. I don't know any other GTR owners locally, so was wondering if the two bright spots on the ground are normal, or if I have something seriously out of alignment?
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Extremely common. Start twisting the adj knobs till ya get em where ya like em.
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Normal. ;)
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Extremely common. Start twisting the adj knobs till ya get em where ya like em.
So this is suggesting they are too low? I've ridden at night and the normal lighting appears no worse than any other bikes I have had - just that seeing this pic had me wondering..?
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Even properly aimed headlamps have those little patches of light in front of the bike.
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So this is suggesting they are too low?
No it does not.
The pattern is normal and will not vary with aim height. You should adjust the headlights properly according to the procedures in the manual to optimize your visibility but without blinding oncoming traffic.
If you think that pattern is strange, you should see what I get with the HID bulbs. Very strange.
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Extremely common. Start twisting the adj knobs till ya get em where ya like em.
I believe that those are the 'city lights'. If you are satisfied with the stock illumination at night that's probably what it is. The early bikes came with the lights maladjusted pointing directly down at the pavement. I can't believe that it's still happening with the 12s.
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I believe that those are the 'city lights'.
I am almost positive those spots are from the main headlights, not the city lights.
The early bikes came with the lights maladjusted pointing directly down at the pavement. I can't believe that it's still happening with the 12s.
When my 2011 was delivered, the headlights were pointed very, very low.
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I am almost positive those spots are from the main headlights, not the city lights.
When my 2011 was delivered, the headlights were pointed very, very low.
So, about 98% positive? ;)
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So, about 98% positive? ;)
99.35473%
(http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20090531060637/memoryalpha/en/images/thumb/8/87/Spock%2C_2270s.jpg/180px-Spock%2C_2270s.jpg)
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Can't argue with that.
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G'day All,
Looking at a recent video taken of me and the mighty GTR at a rally I noticed this strange throw of the light pattern. I don't know any other GTR owners locally, so was wondering if the two bright spots on the ground are normal, or if I have something seriously out of alignment?
Those are your indicators to show you that your headlights are working. That way you don't have to get off the bike to look, even in daylight. ;)
I never paid any attention to them, until I got the HID kit. Since I had a couple of "hot start" failures, I now check them every time I start the bike. Easy to do, and only takes a second for piece of mind.
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Thanks for the replies, everyone, will now chalk it up to normal.
I don't ride often at night, but am comfortable that the lights are in a reasonable position to light the way.
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This thread is slam full of win (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/bigthumb.gif) (http://s80.photobucket.com/user/stevewfl/media/bigthumb.gif.html)
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Bada Bing! Give that man a cheroot. They are called 'telltales' and do exactly what 'dis guy sez they do- let the rider know the headlights are working.
For anyone who continues to doubt where the light is really coming from, kneel down in front of a running (but not moving- safety first :-) ) C-14 and look up where the light goes down and you will note that it is coming from a specific facet in the headlight reflector bucket(s). If you have HIDs you will note the same thing but your retina may sting for a few minutes.
Brian
Those are your indicators to show you that your headlights are working. That way you don't have to get off the bike to look, even in daylight. ;)
I never paid any attention to them, until I got the HID kit. Since I had a couple of "hot start" failures, I now check them every time I start the bike. Easy to do, and only takes a second for piece of mind.
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Bada Bing! Give that man a cheroot. They are called 'telltales' and do exactly what 'dis guy sez they do- let the rider know the headlights are working.
You actually think it is an intentional part of the design?
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You actually think it is an intentional part of the design?
I do. ;)
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Yes. There is a facet in the headlight reflector bucket that creates the spot of light on the ground and it is there on purpose, and for the reason already stated- to alert the rider to the headlight functioning.
Brian
You actually think it is an intentional part of the design?
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I'm really surprised that this is by design. Happy, though. Yet another reason to like the bike.
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I'm really surprised that this is by design. Happy, though. Yet another reason to like the bike.
I had always wondered if it was intentional- now I am convinced it is.
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Those spots are noticable to those around you as well. Provides more conspicuity for you. My riding buddies were following me and the sun set before we got to our stop. When we stopped they were commenting on how my bike lit up the road below me.
The first time I rode the '12 after dark I realized that the lights were set way too low. I couldn't even do 70 MPH without overriding the lights. I now have them set a little on the high side but have not had anyone flash their high beams at me.
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An R1150GS riding friend of mine calls them my "Photon Stabilisers".
I never notice them any more until someone else mentions them.
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Modern reflectors are called 'free form' and each facet is controlled to direct light exactly where the designer wants it to go. The facets that show light on the ground could not be there by accident and it would have been easier to have ignored that feature so it has to be a design feature. Same thing with the plastic light plates on both sides of the headlights- they are there to illuminate the bike from the side for visibility and it is another design on purpose.
Brian
I had always wondered if it was intentional- now I am convinced it is.
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Photon Stabilisers is a good one. :D
(http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac166/zgmikeb14/Tour%20of%20Honor/DSCN2846.jpg) (http://s896.photobucket.com/user/zgmikeb14/media/Tour%20of%20Honor/DSCN2846.jpg.html)
All I could come up with was "Light Darts." :o ::)
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I was riding along at night with a couple buddies on the way to Overland Expo in Flagstaff, and started to do some in-lane chicanes to get the blood flowing. The rider behind me said over the intercom that the little dots of light weaving near and far to the bike made it look like I was levitating.
My wife hates the light spill when riding as pillion at night, she says it's very distracting.
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Get some black electrical tape and do one of two things with it: put some on the area of the headlight lens that the light goes through to get to the ground or put some tape on your wife's visor in the area where the light from the ground goes through. If you want to be sure you have alleviated the problem, do both.
;D
Brian
<snip>
My wife hates the light spill when riding as pillion at night, she says it's very distracting.
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:rotflmao: