Headlight Protector

[GSequoia]

So what is everybody's experience in regards to headlight protectors? I've seen a couple of different designs ranging from $115 - $150 and was curious whose run what. My main concern is to protect the lenses from riding through Death Valley sandstorms. I've ruined a few lights this way and the Super Ten lights look really expensive.

Thanks

 

[Don in Lodi]

The oem lexan cover works for sand storms. Every other leading edge on the bike will get sand blasted, but your headlight will be clear. Somebody once did some covers from some 3M sticky sheets that would do good, toss in the waste bin after. That would be a good thing for all the other leading edges too.

 

[GSequoia]

The oem lexan cover works for sand storms. Every other leading edge on the bike will get sand blasted, but your headlight will be clear.

Been thinking about some clear film, too

 

[bimota]

i have a £120 touratech version of this but my mate bought one of these its the same.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Headlight-Grill-Cover-Guard-Protector-Black-Fit-2010-2018-YAMAHA-XT1200Z-XTZ1200/401537493393?hash=item5d7d7fe991:g:5rcAAOSw9z1b~fb2:rk:6:pf:0

rob

 

[yoyo]

i have a £120 touratech version of this but my mate bought one of these its the same.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Headlight-Grill-Cover-Guard-Protector-Black-Fit-2010-2018-YAMAHA-XT1200Z-XTZ1200/401537493393?hash=item5d7d7fe991:g:5rcAAOSw9z1b~fb2:rk:6:pf:0

rob

I bought the same Chinese one, the actual stainless part is identical to the TT part, the only difference is the TT one is quick release as opposed to being a bolt on.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

 

[MIMSEY]

Ive bee looking at these, anyone tied them?
https://www.powerbronze.co.uk/yamaha-xt1200z-super-tenere-10-17-440-y520.html

 

[gv550]

I made this, two pieces of plexiglass and a strip of aluminum down the middle. I used the stock screws down the centre and bought longer screws to mount it with rubber hose as spacers.
Also used yellow wrap to protect the leading edges of plastic body parts, just peeled it off when I got home from the trip.

 

[EricV]

I have the Yamaha non-DOT version. It's held up very well to 100k+ miles now, including some of those Death Valley sand storms, but apparently not as severe as the ones you have experienced. I would go with the Yamaha one thru either a Canada Yamaha dealer, (what I did), or Ride On ADV . Not cheap, but it's really the only headlight guard that will stop grit/sand in the circumstances you are talking about. Power Bronze used to make solid covers too. CeeBailey no longer offers motorcycle products, but they used to make headlight covers from some kind of polycarbonate that fit the form of the headlight and just attached with dots of velcro sort of like the Command Hooks picture hangers do. Stick the dots on the first time and you could separate the velcro to remove and clean.

Check out your local market for Tap Plastics or a similar plastic shop and you may be surprised what they can do at a very cost effective price. My local Tap Plastics shop when I lived in Portland, OR would custom heat/bend/shape smaller pieces for very reasonable prices. I had some small body panels custom shaped for less than $20. Maybe start by contacting Plastic Depot or maybe Plastic Zone and see what they say or if they can point you to someone else in your area.

 

[Cycledude]

Ive bee looking at these, anyone tied them?
https://www.powerbronze.co.uk/yamaha-xt1200z-super-tenere-10-17-440-y520.html

I’ve been using very similar covers that were made by A outfit called Cee Bailey that used to make lots of windshields and othe stuff for motorcycles and airplanes but they quit the motorcycle stuff a couple years ago. Anyway they work pretty good for me, they are just held in place with 3m Dual Lock so they are pretty easy to remove for washing.

 

[MIMSEY]

I’ve been using very similar covers that were made by A outfit called Cee Bailey that used to make lots of windshields and othe stuff for motorcycles and airplanes but they quit the motorcycle stuff a couple years ago. Anyway they work pretty good for me, they are just held in place with 3m Dual Lock so they are pretty easy to remove for washing.

The easy on off for washing has me interested..

 

[Don in Lodi]

I got one of the very last tall wind screens from Cee Bailey. Put a 100,000 miles on one of their barn doors for the Royal Star. Sad that they stopped MC stuff.
I like the idea of the velcro dots.

 

[nbadvrider]

I made this, two pieces of plexiglass and a strip of aluminum down the middle. I used the stock screws down the centre and bought longer screws to mount it with rubber hose as spacers.
Also used yellow wrap to protect the leading edges of plastic body parts, just peeled it off when I got home from the trip.View attachment 53190

I like it - great job. Looks like it will do the trick. Its nice not having to pay thru the nose for every addition to the bikes. Did you have to heat and bend the plexiglass and how thick is it? You have inspired me to give it a try as opposed to shelling out big bucks for a piece of plastic or metal guard.

 

[gv550]

It's actually 2 pieces of plexiglass fastened to a bent aluminum strip down the center. My plexiglass pieces are 1/8 inch thick, just what I had left over from another project.

 

[SkunkWorks]

I ordered the stick-on film from Lamin-X

They come pre-cut for the Tenere (although slightly large, so you have to trim with the blade) and in Clear or a number of other colors.


I didn't like the idea of having to remove the OEM-style "Safety Glasses" to clean behind them.

 

[EricV]

I ordered the stick-on film from Lamin-X

They come pre-cut for the Tenere (although slightly large, so you have to trim with the blade) and in Clear or a number of other colors.

I didn't like the idea of having to remove the OEM-style "Safety Glasses" to clean behind them.

Thanks for sharing what you did and the pics. Looks very nice. FWIW, the OEM protector keeps the headlights themselves quite clean. I pull the protector, (no tools required), and take it in to wash in the sink. Quick and easy at home or on the road.

I like the yellow/amber, and appreciate it's use in fog/rain, having come from the PacNorWet, but also know it's not legal for headlights in many areas. Hopefully you won't have to suffer thru a road side chat because some LEO has a hard on for the tinted headlights.

 

[nbadvrider]

Does this stuff stop rocks from shattering your headlight?

 

[EricV]

Does this stuff stop rocks from shattering your headlight?

I guess it depends on the size of the rock! What Lamin-X says on their web site is

...protects from pitting, sandblasting, and UV degradation.

LINK

 

[SkunkWorks]

The Film is very thick.............much thicker than standard window-film.
I have no doubt it would absorb the impact of most small stones......

If you have larger rocks coming at the front of your bike, you probably have bigger problems than worrying about your headlights.

 

[EricV]

The Film is very thick.............much thicker than standard window-film.
I have no doubt it would absorb the impact of most small stones......

If you have larger rocks coming at the front of your bike, you probably have bigger problems than worrying about your headlights.

Most headlight breakage comes from rocks being throw up by trucks on the higher speed roads. When I lived in a logging area glass breakage was a real issue. My car's headlight protectors got damaged and replaced about twice a year on average when I lived there.

 

[Jeff Milleman]

I often wonder if the plexiglass stops any cooling effect and shortens bulb life as that can be a problem with heat buildup, think i'll go with the film .