headlight blinding oncoming drivers - SV650.org

14-08-06, 04:20 PM

Met up with some fellow bike riders a couple of weeks back and there was a guy there who had brought in a Bandit from France. My SV is a Dutch import through an Irish dealer.

Someone kindly pointed out that our headlights were designed to be ridden on the other side of the road. i.e. when we dip our lights the angle is wrong, with the majority of light shining up into oncoming traffice rather than into the left. Obviously this is cause silly ppls in other silly countries drive on d'other side of the road...

Question is this - how big/expensive a job is it to swap out the headlight I have for one that won't be blinding the poor peopel driving against me?! Is it as simple as just swapping it out or is there more to it?

14-08-06, 06:32 PM

You may be able to get deflectors, I know you can get them for cars. Other than that, I cannot comment how easy/hard it would be to re configure the lamps themselves.

Although thinking about it, the lights on a bike point straight! So you shouldn'thave to worry.

Check when it is dark against a wall and see the angle of the beam, I am pretty sure it will be dead straight, mine are and it is UK spec.

I am intrigued to know!

Cheers

14-08-06, 06:53 PM

ive seen some guys just put a bit of tape on the right hand side of the light.

mainly with the imported 400cc's

northwind · 14-08-06, 08:13 PM

You didn't say which model it is... If you want to fix it, I'd say do it right and get a replacement headlight where needed, but the wiring looms may not match. Me, I'd just buy a load of waterproof connectors and cut-n-shut the looms where needed.

15-08-06, 08:17 AM

Sorry Northwind...its a 05 SV650 naked model. I've put it up against the wall and the high part of the beam definitely seems to be to the right whihc would explain the blinding of the other drivers....that sound right?

northwind · 15-08-06, 09:06 AM

Sounds about right, aye. Well then, I'd look for a second hand headlight on EBay and swap 'em over. It's quite possible there'll be differences in wiring but I can't see it being very complex at all.

Stu · 15-08-06, 12:35 PM

My old bike failed it's MOT for this. They just put black tape on it (left side!!) for me for free and passed it. - Looks like your permanently on your holidays tho'

16-08-06, 06:02 PM

This may seem hard to believe, but you can adjust the height and lateral pointing of the headlights! Really!

Break out the trusty owner's manual and you can learn how to adjust the direction of the headlamps for free with a screwdriver.

17-08-06, 09:21 AM

Phew, glad this came up!
I'm living in Sweden and the bike is going for it's 'MOT' next Thursday. I had the lights done on the car, but didn't think the bike would be an issue!! I'd better get the screwdriver out!
Andyauger is quite right, you can adjust it both ways, there is a little screw on the side (Curvy Naked)

14-08-06, 04:20 PM	#1
marky Guest Posts: n/a	headlight blinding oncoming drivers Met up with some fellow bike riders a couple of weeks back and there was a guy there who had brought in a Bandit from France. My SV is a Dutch import through an Irish dealer. Someone kindly pointed out that our headlights were designed to be ridden on the other side of the road. i.e. when we dip our lights the angle is wrong, with the majority of light shining up into oncoming traffice rather than into the left. Obviously this is cause silly ppls in other silly countries drive on d'other side of the road... Question is this - how big/expensive a job is it to swap out the headlight I have for one that won't be blinding the poor peopel driving against me?! Is it as simple as just swapping it out or is there more to it?

14-08-06, 08:13 PM	#4
northwind Moderator Mega Poster Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: In the garage where I belong Posts: 17,083	You didn't say which model it is... If you want to fix it, I'd say do it right and get a replacement headlight where needed, but the wiring looms may not match. Me, I'd just buy a load of waterproof connectors and cut-n-shut the looms where needed. __________________ "We are the angry mob, we read the papers every day We like what we like, we hate what we hate But we're oh so easily swayed"

15-08-06, 09:06 AM	#6
northwind Moderator Mega Poster Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: In the garage where I belong Posts: 17,083	Sounds about right, aye. Well then, I'd look for a second hand headlight on EBay and swap 'em over. It's quite possible there'll be differences in wiring but I can't see it being very complex at all. __________________ "We are the angry mob, we read the papers every day We like what we like, we hate what we hate But we're oh so easily swayed"

16-08-06, 06:02 PM	#8
andyauger Guest Posts: n/a	They're adjustable This may seem hard to believe, but you can adjust the height and lateral pointing of the headlights! Really! Break out the trusty owner's manual and you can learn how to adjust the direction of the headlamps for free with a screwdriver.

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14-08-06, 06:32 PM	#2
bobit69 Guest Posts: n/a	You may be able to get deflectors, I know you can get them for cars. Other than that, I cannot comment how easy/hard it would be to re configure the lamps themselves. Although thinking about it, the lights on a bike point straight! So you shouldn'thave to worry. Check when it is dark against a wall and see the angle of the beam, I am pretty sure it will be dead straight, mine are and it is UK spec. I am intrigued to know! Cheers

14-08-06, 06:53 PM	#3
Warren Guest Posts: n/a	ive seen some guys just put a bit of tape on the right hand side of the light. mainly with the imported 400cc's

15-08-06, 08:17 AM	#5
marky Guest Posts: n/a	Sorry Northwind...its a 05 SV650 naked model. I've put it up against the wall and the high part of the beam definitely seems to be to the right whihc would explain the blinding of the other drivers....that sound right?

15-08-06, 12:35 PM	#7
Stu Trinity Mega Poster Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Guildford Posts: 8,027	My old bike failed it's MOT for this. They just put black tape on it (left side!!) for me for free and passed it. - Looks like your permanently on your holidays tho'

17-08-06, 09:21 AM	#9
Nekkid Guest Posts: n/a	Phew, glad this came up! I'm living in Sweden and the bike is going for it's 'MOT' next Thursday. I had the lights done on the car, but didn't think the bike would be an issue!! I'd better get the screwdriver out! Andyauger is quite right, you can adjust it both ways, there is a little screw on the side (Curvy Naked)