WJBertrand
Ventura Highway
I did it this way, just type the following into google:
how to adjust motorcycle headlight
-Jeff
how to adjust motorcycle headlight
-Jeff
Headlight adjustment, only a phillips screwdriver needed
- Thread starter roy
- Start date
RED CAT
New Member
On my 2012 S10, the headlights were adjusted very low. Had to crank considerably up to get them where on coming drivers could see me coming. On my 2014 the lights came just right from the factory. Can be seen from a long distance away. Most of us in N.A. don't ride at night so the criteria for night lighting is not as important as the ability to be seen coming by on coming traffic.
On my 2014 ES, the Phillips would not work. I had to use a thin wall 8mm, small extension with a very small 1/4 in drive ratchet. It worked great.
Shovelhead said:
afaik, 10% is standard for motorcycles. Obviously, the aim point requires the bike to be loaded as you'd ride it.
Shovelhead
Member
Well shoot, looks like the method used for these shutter type is same as all other lights. I was hoping there was some magic adjustment method so they would actually act like a headlight.
Reckon I'll end up plastering aftermarket lights all over the front end till it looks like the '73 CJ5 I had.
Reckon I'll end up plastering aftermarket lights all over the front end till it looks like the '73 CJ5 I had.
Shovelhead said:
A number of us have installed a lighter beneath the existing headlights and used a relay to the high beam. Works great without the bug-eye look.
jbrown
Active Member
Some of us (me) just ride slower at night. 
(My headlights were adjusted way too high from the dealer. Oncoming cars did not like me.)
(My headlights were adjusted way too high from the dealer. Oncoming cars did not like me.)
Shovelhead
Member
Well I gave it a shot. The height seemed to be about right but I did move the horizontal adjustment out quite a bit. The left needed to be cranked out way more than the right.
Will have to see how they act next time I ride in darkness. Actually the older I've got, the less I ride at night. In fact I rarely ride or drive in darkness anymore, except for having to go to work. 12 hr shifts, I leave @ 0500 and in the winter I rarely see daylight when I'm working day shifts, I'm ready to retire.
Will have to see how they act next time I ride in darkness. Actually the older I've got, the less I ride at night. In fact I rarely ride or drive in darkness anymore, except for having to go to work. 12 hr shifts, I leave @ 0500 and in the winter I rarely see daylight when I'm working day shifts, I'm ready to retire.
backfill
New Member
I just bought a 2013 Tenere with 13,000 km. The first time I rode at night almost all of the oncoming vehicles were flashing their lights at me on low beam and on high i had a great view of the tree tops. i have no idea how the previous owner rode it that way. He was a few inches taller than me, but i probably weigh a bit more, but there is not a huge difference. I couldn't figure out how to adjust the headlight until I found this thread - now they work great! Well, better anyway. The headlights do seem to be a bit funky on low beam in corners, but they are fine on high beam.
cheers,
Phil
cheers,
Phil
racer1735
Member
Now I'm really missing my old ST1300, which had a 'magic button' that electronically raised or lowered the headlamps (great for when you added luggage or passenger).
Squibb
Well-Known Member
I just can't get on with the screwdriver method - I tried & I could soon see I was starting to chew up the adjuster.
Maybe OK for minor adjustments, but mine needed at least 4 turns on each for riding 2-up fully loaded. So we used the 8mm socket method, which worked a treat. We managed to get the beams set about right for night riding in the UK, as well as avoiding dazzling drivers when in Europe. Much easier on my FJR though, which proves that the S10 sytem could be better. Still, not as bad as my previous Versys 1000, where the bulbs/adjusters are notoriously inaccessible.
Ride Safe .............. KEN
Maybe OK for minor adjustments, but mine needed at least 4 turns on each for riding 2-up fully loaded. So we used the 8mm socket method, which worked a treat. We managed to get the beams set about right for night riding in the UK, as well as avoiding dazzling drivers when in Europe. Much easier on my FJR though, which proves that the S10 sytem could be better. Still, not as bad as my previous Versys 1000, where the bulbs/adjusters are notoriously inaccessible.
Ride Safe .............. KEN
backfill
New Member
To use the Phillips screwdriver to adjust the headlight I couldn't get it to work either trying to insert it straight in from the bottom (let's call this 90 degrees from horizontal). To get it to work, I had to insert the screwdriver at about a 45 degree angle from horizontal and it worked perfectly. To adjust the left headlight, the handle of the screwdriver was adjacent to the right fork leg, if this makes sense.Squibb said:
I too had to turn the wheel about 4 times. I was riding tonight and think maybe I still need to lower the headlights a bit more. But at least i know how to do it now!
Good luck.
Phil
Screwdriver tips being at an angle pop off the screw head easily, which is a pain. It helps to have some fuel hose on the shaft of the screw driver so it extends beyond the tip, to keep it from slipping off.
moondoggie
New Member
I am adjusting my headlights. Can someone confirm they are cross-eyed (If I adjust them when each bulb housing looks straight there is a large black spot in the middle field of view. When cross-eyed, the center is illuminated.) Sorry if this has been asked and answered.
Also, do both bulbs mount at the same angle/direction? I replaced mine and the right doesn't get as bright as the left (hence why I was adjusting the crap out of them. I assume they mount only one way with the tabin the left slot. Again, sorry if these are stupid questions or have been answered)
Thx Jack
Also, do both bulbs mount at the same angle/direction? I replaced mine and the right doesn't get as bright as the left (hence why I was adjusting the crap out of them. I assume they mount only one way with the tabin the left slot. Again, sorry if these are stupid questions or have been answered)
Thx Jack
Don in Lodi
Well-Known Member
Founding Member
2012 Site Supporter
2013 Site Supporter
2014 Site Supporter
They are cross eyed. The tab lines up about 7 o'clock on both bulbs. If the bulb is not fully installed it will not reflect right and appear dim. It doesn't really take a whole lot to pull the whole light assembly, that's how I've been doing my bulbs. No fumbling around with just your finger tips and hoping the tab stays in it's notch.moondoggie said: