European Drive-On-Right Headlamp Dip?

[alecmuffett]

Hiya!

I just got back from SPC where they did my 5949 (ahem) mile service

I'm taking a trip over to the continent in a while, and asked them to set it up for continental headlight dipping, just like it says I should ask them in the manual.

The chap on service had researched the matter before my arrival, and this evening when I retreived the bike (after spending the day on a Rockster, oh my poor bent legs) he told me (paraphrasing):

In (say) the 1150GS the headlamp dip the the left or right is usually adjusted by rotating a lens in the headlamp compartment, but on the 12GS such rotation is not possible by design; the only "full" solution would be to get a European lens and drop that in. That'd be horribly expensive, so we've masked off a bit of the lamp to comply with European requirements / so the light won't dazzle European drivers.

...and lo, there is a neatly trimmed lozenge of black insulation tape adhering to my headlamp lens, no charge, gratis, freebie.

What I'd like to know is: does this match other people's experience? Not that I am doubting the SPC folk, but rather I am surprised not to have seen it discussed before...

 

[Deleted account 210609001]

Same Here...

Living down on the coast, I frequently ride abroad. 1150GS was a doddle to adjust, and I foolishly imagined this feature would be carried over. My dealers have told me the same as yours, though.

I notice that the manual says refer to dealer, presumably so they can charge you a fortune for a new reflector (the lens appears to be clear and non-refracting). It also warns that "adhesive films with unsuitable adhesives can damage the headlight lens." Presumably if you're using your 1200GS for the tours the manufacturers suggest, you simply take a technician and spare reflector with you everywhere.

It's a retrograde step. Or, put another way, b****cks. I'll call the dealer again to ask what tape does not have "unsuitable adhesive" so if the lens is damaged they can replace it under warranty. Then I'll use Halfords insulating tape, like I have with every other bike I've taken abroad.

Robin.

 

[alecmuffett]

Re: Same Here...

I'll call the dealer again to ask what tape does not have "unsuitable adhesive" so if the lens is damaged they can replace it under warranty.
[/B]

Well I did ask them that, and that's what they're saying to me. I shall let everyone know what happens after a few weeks of use.

Another one for the FAQ, I suspect.

 

[Paul Wakefield]

See this thread which implies there is no need to do anything.

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=43697

Paul

 

[birdseye]

If your lights are the same as mine, they're not bright enough on dip to cause problems!

 

[andy1200]

Your dealer is right.

I imported mine when we relocated here from Poland, where I bought the bike.

Generally, there isn't much of a problem with dazzling people and I rode mine with a lhd light for about 6 months with no tape. However, it wouldn't go through the SVA test without being changed.

Daft as it seems for a "round the world" bike, changing the headlamp unit is the only option. And believe me, faced with a bill for the thick end of £200 with no benefits I tried to find a way round it. Sold the old one on e-bay for £75 quid so net damage slightly less bad.

FWIW, initially the dealer said I would have to pay something like £400 to change the instrument panel as well. In the end I painted out the "k" on the speedo for free and it went through SVA no probs (the speedo musn't say it's in km/h but they don't calibrate it.

May be useful to someone thinking of saving some cash from buying outside of the UK, where they are quite a bit cheaper.

Seems to me not beyond the wit of man to have a mechanism to adjust the headlamp. Nor one to switch the instruments from km/h to mph either for that matter.