Replacing headlight - 2009 R1200R - which one??

[seangd]

Recently I caught a rock right in the center of my headlight and got a pretty big crack. Although I can't see any moisture getting in it's really bothering me. I've searched A&S, Max's, etc. On several list I see 2 different part numbers for the headlight insert. Which one is the correct one? And what does the "LV / RHD" mean?

63 12 7 696 398 HEADLIGHT INSERT
63 12 7 696 399 HEADLIGHT INSERT - LV / RHD

[dbrick]

I don't know, but I'll bet one is for drive-on-the-right countries, and the other for drive-on-the-left countries.

I'd guess that -398 is for our (US) bikes:

a) The bike (and the organization of its parts catalog) comes from Germany, where they drive on the right. It would make sense that the first listing, the one without a descriptive modifier, would refer to the home-market piece; and

b) The modifier "RHD" on -399 means "Right Hand Drive," as found in the UK et al.

Assuming you're going to buy from a supplier in your country (where are you?), I'd ask them.

[seangd]

Okay, that's a little confusing: If the first one (ending in ...398) is the one for us here in the U.S., yet the second one is for "Right Hand Drive", that also is us correct? I mean, don't we drive on the right side of the road? Or is that what side the steering wheel would be on if we were talking about cars? But why would they refer to cars when talking about motorcycle parts?

I live in the U.S. Which one you think?

[dbrick]

It's common to refer to cars manufactured for countries where traffic drives on the left side of the road, like the UK or Japan, as "RHD" cars, because the steering wheel and pedals are on the right side of the vehicle. On the other hand, cars manufactured for countries where traffic drives on the right, like the USA, are "LHD" drive cars, because the steering wheels and pedals are on the left side of the vehicle. Thus, I conclude that the "RHD" note in the catalog uses this common terminology to refer to the particular type of country (in this case, an "RHD" country) where the vehicle is to be used, and not to the side of the road a vehicle uses.

Since BMW dealers are twinned in many countries, and the same parts people likely take care of both bikes and cars, it makes sense for BMW to apply a consistent scheme to side-naming in both the parts catalogs for bikes and the parts catalogs for cars. Even if the dealers aren't twinned, you can walk into a BMW car (or bike) dealer, and have them order for you a BMW bike (or car) part.

I'd still ask, but I'd be real surprised if the "RHD" headlight is for us.

[dmcd]

Sorry I know this dosen't help, but my 2011 UK model has a flat beam with no bias to either side .

[MTBeemer]

Sorry I know this dosen't help, but my 2011 UK model has a flat beam with no bias to either side .

Must be a MHD (Middle Hand Drive) light.

[dbrick]

The side of the headlight beam which illuminates oncoming traffic will always be controlled to a flat top, while in some cars and bikes the side that illuminates the closest edge of the roadway (that is, away from oncoming traffic) will be allowed to rise above horizontal. Using a rising pattern RHD beam pattern in an LHD country (or the reverse) would be dangerous as the rising height of the beam on the traffic side would shine directly into the eyes of oncoming drivers and riders.

Mine's the same as dmcd's - the beam shape (when projected on the garage wall) is a single flat-top oval that doesn't rise on one side.

Either a) There's some geometric or other difference between the various lenses or reflectors that we can't see; or b) in some countries the side (parking) light is on the other side (I can't imagine why), or c) BMW decided to make extra parts. Alternative c) seems really unlikely.

I still think that part -398 is for LHD countries, and I'd still ask.