Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: Elfmaze on April 03, 2012, 09:14:43 AM

Title: Headlight aim
Post by: Elfmaze on April 03, 2012, 09:14:43 AM
I live in a fairly hilly area,  so this might be compounding the issue.  But the lowbeam headlights cut off soo abruptly on the top that it is VERY easy >30 mph to overdrive my low beams. 

I cranked the one side up to the horizon and that helps a bit,  one high, one low.  Anyone else work thru this?  Maby both were aimed low from the factory?
Title: Re: Headlight aim
Post by: VirginiaJim on April 03, 2012, 09:23:56 AM
Mine were aimed directly 5 feet in front of the bike.  Same tech must have put yours together as well.
Title: Re: Headlight aim
Post by: Conrad on April 03, 2012, 09:32:08 AM
Mine were aimed WAY low too when I got the bike.
Title: Re: Headlight aim
Post by: ljcorby on April 03, 2012, 09:54:54 AM
What is the correct way to correct or check the aim of the headlights?
Title: Re: Headlight aim
Post by: Conrad on April 03, 2012, 10:05:35 AM
I don't know what the 'correct' way to aim them might be but I got mine close by shining them onto my garage door. Then I took the bike out on the road at night and 'fine tuned' them.
Title: Re: Headlight aim
Post by: rtarp1 on April 03, 2012, 10:27:00 AM
i run high beams all day and all night. i dont care if other drivers are annoyed, if their annoyed then they see me and i see them .  problem solved :)
Title: Re: Headlight aim
Post by: C14PAINKILLER on April 03, 2012, 10:55:04 AM
Mine were aimed WAY low too when I got the bike.

Same here, so much for pre-delivery inspection. They have a diagram in the owner's manual. 25 ft back with the centre of the beam focused about 2 ft up or there abouts, you can fine tune from there.

Cheers :chugbeer:
Title: Re: Headlight aim
Post by: kawacop1642 on April 03, 2012, 11:02:59 AM
Try this out. It's the same method I use. Mine was set pretty close from the factory/dealer.

http://www.ehow.com/info_10030589_procedure-aiming-motorcycle-headlights.html (http://www.ehow.com/info_10030589_procedure-aiming-motorcycle-headlights.html)
Title: Re: Headlight aim
Post by: maxtog on April 03, 2012, 04:57:08 PM
i run high beams all day and all night. i dont care if other drivers are annoyed, if their annoyed then they see me and i see them .  problem solved :)

And if they are blinded and run into you, I guess that solves everyone's problems with your lights :)
Title: Re: Headlight aim
Post by: Pokey on April 03, 2012, 07:02:45 PM
And if they are blinded and run into you, I guess that solves everyone's problems with your lights :)


Kind of my thoughts.....
Title: Re: Headlight aim
Post by: Laserjock on April 03, 2012, 09:06:41 PM
i run high beams all day and all night. i dont care if other drivers are annoyed, if their annoyed then they see me and i see them .  problem solved :)

One in every crowd.
Title: Re: Headlight aim
Post by: lt1 on April 03, 2012, 09:58:47 PM
i run high beams all day and all night. i dont care if other drivers are annoyed, if their annoyed then they see me and i see them .  problem solved :)
If your headlights are aimed at the ground like many of our were from the factory/dealership, it probably doesn't matter, as the high beams probably aren't blinding or annoying anybody.

OTOH, if the lights are aimed properly, not only are you being inconsiderate, you are reducing the depth perception of oncoming drivers/riders.  That puts you and them at additional risk.
Title: Re: Headlight aim
Post by: wally_games on April 03, 2012, 10:02:22 PM
If your headlights are aimed at the ground like many of our were from the factory/dealership, it probably doesn't matter, as the high beams probably aren't blinding or annoying anybody.

OTOH, if the lights are aimed properly, not only are you being inconsiderate, you are reducing the depth perception of oncoming drivers/riders.  That puts you and them at additional risk.

Failing to dim your light to approaching traffic will get you a ticket in my state. Car or motorcycle.
Title: Re: Headlight aim
Post by: feelergaugephil on April 03, 2012, 10:09:51 PM
i run high beams all day and all night. i dont care if other drivers are annoyed, if their annoyed then they see me and i see them .  problem solved :)

$138 a ticket, I give several out a night! its the most annoying thing at night.....
And when I tell some of these folks that the pretty blue light on the dash is telling you that your brights are on, they'll tell me
"oh yes, I know, but you can see me coming"  yes sir, sign here...........
Title: Re: Headlight aim
Post by: VirginiaJim on April 04, 2012, 04:25:25 AM
One thing I've noticed with oncoming bikes with their high beams on (day or night) is that I can't see turn signals.  And yet, I run with the high beams on as well during the day.  I do notice that cages seem to see me when running the high beams during the day.  The triangle pattern of lights I see on bikes is also highly visible.

Back on topic.   I think I'll try to check the adjustment on mine this weekend.  This bike has very good stock headlights assuming they are aimed correctly.  A significant number of bikes came with their headlights not adjusted correctly (typically pointed as far down as they could go).
Title: Re: Headlight aim
Post by: Conrad on April 04, 2012, 04:38:11 AM
I run with my high beams on during the day as well. As needed at night but not with oncoming traffic.
Title: Re: Headlight aim
Post by: rtarp1 on April 04, 2012, 08:48:28 AM
25 years no accidents and no tickets , for high beams anyway.   i exaggerated a bit about night driving , i give em a flick down to lows when they get close.
Title: Re: Headlight aim
Post by: maxtog on April 04, 2012, 05:59:55 PM
$138 a ticket, I give several out a night! its the most annoying thing at night.....

THANK YOU.  I wish you worked in MY AREA.   Unfortunately, the biggest problems here seem to be more with headlights that are just aimed completely wrong.  Even though it is supposed to be required to have a headlight alignment check with VA Inspections, it is almost never done.  Now add dirty headlights to the mix, that scatter the light, and those damn, blue, fake HID things in for extra spice.

Other topic: Despite what some people may think, some drivers are partially incapacitated by vehicles running high-beams during the daytime too.  I happen to have problems with that.   It absolutely RUINS my depth perception of an oncoming vehicle, especially a motorcycle.  It also makes turn signals nearly impossible to see.  If you want to be more front visible during the day, get some bright yellow running lights!
Title: Re: Headlight aim
Post by: rtarp1 on April 04, 2012, 06:10:58 PM
Problem with highbeams during the day?    wow very scary.
Title: Re: Headlight aim
Post by: Pokey on April 04, 2012, 06:29:20 PM
Problem with highbeams during the day?    wow very scary.


I am known to do it in a high traffic area or on the slab, but never leave them on. I agree that proper adjustment is not only crucial for the rider, but for oncoming traffic as well.
Title: Re: Headlight aim
Post by: RideBellChain on April 04, 2012, 06:39:43 PM
Hi beams during the day for sure...low beams when cars are approaching at night.

I have a Biker Buddy headlight modulator in my cruiser, and there's a HUGE difference in people seeing me on it...but the Connie has 4 lights in front, so not sure if that's necessary.  I read somewhere that 3 or more lights let the human eye determine distance much better, but I know that when I switched to the flashing modulator, people stopped turning left in front of me, or popping out of side streets.

Anyone using modulators on their 2010+ Concours?  What brand, please post links...