Headlights on UK Spec ED80

[ED80]

I wonder if anyone has been affected by the scenario that happened to me when I bought my ED80 new, from my dealer.

My bike went in for it's first service at 600 miles and an eagle eyed technician phoned me to let me know that my bike was fitted with a headlamp group for a Euro/USA spec machine ie the lights were set to shine for driving on the right hand side of the road. As you are aware we drive on the left in Scotland with the result my lights were dazzling oncoming traffic. I had actually had a few cars flash me as if I was driving on full beam when I was on dip beam.

The dealer couldn't explain why this happened as the odometer was in miles therefore could only mean the bike was destined for the USA. Any way it is now safely ensconced in Scotland with the head lamp group replaced free of charge by the dealer.

[jon pierce]

My headlights are adjustable for either left or right............this suits me as one day I might move back to the UK. Does your not have this feature?

[ED80]

My headlights are adjustable for either left or right............this suits me as one day I might move back to the UK. Does your not have this feature?

Hi Jon, It appears it doesn't as the dealer had to order up a Left hand unit. I have had a close look at the bike and can't see any adjustment. I must ask the dealer about this as I was considering taking the bike to Belgium sometime this year for a week or so and the opportunity to adjust the lights back and forth would be ideal.

[jon pierce]

Page 36 of the riders manual and page 43 of the maintenance instructions explains how to switch the lights from left to right. Although I have a US model there is no reason to have lamps any different to the UK - we all drive on the right whereas you have the option of crossing the channel.

I have to admit I have never seen this an other BMW bikes (though some of the cares do) - maybe your dealer was not aware of it?

[single650]

My Rockster manual also says that the lights can be changed light to right or whatever.

My bike is full UK spec

The adjuster is underneath the headlight trim cowl

[riceburner]

I wonder if anyone has been affected by the scenario that happened to me when I bought my ED80 new, from my dealer.

My bike went in for it's first service at 600 miles and an eagle eyed technician phoned me to let me know that my bike was fitted with a headlamp group for a Euro/USA spec machine ie the lights were set to shine for driving on the right hand side of the road. As you are aware we drive on the left in Scotland with the result my lights were dazzling oncoming traffic. I had actually had a few cars flash me as if I was driving on full beam when I was on dip beam.

The dealer couldn't explain why this happened as the odometer was in miles therefore could only mean the bike was destined for the USA. Any way it is now safely ensconced in Scotland with the head lamp group replaced free of charge by the dealer.

BWAHAHAH - your dealer needs some education.

[Rog(UK) - Yorkshire Dales]

I would hazard a guess that BMW does actually use different dipped headlight units depending on the side of the road we use and that the 'fix' is just a temporary (but not perfect) solution. The dipped beam is assymetrical and rotation of the unit will never produce a correct dipped beam IMHO! so your BMW dealer may well have been correct in replaceing it

Ride safely,

Rog

[riceburner]

I would hazard a guess that BMW does actually use different dipped headlight units depending on the side of the road we use and that the 'fix' is just a temporary (but not perfect) solution. The dipped beam is assymetrical and rotation of the unit will never produce a correct dipped beam IMHO! so your BMW dealer may well have been correct in replaceing it

Ride safely,

Rog

damn - that makes perfect sense, (and makes me look silly, again).