Issues with headlight getting chipped or cracked?

**dipshit** · 26th December 2009, 13:22

Originally Posted by James Deuce

Came "this" close to writing a perfectly good bike off because of stone damage to a headlight unit.

NZ distributors (and dealers) need a kick up the arse. Absolutely useless bastards that haven't figured out that they don't have a monopoly anymore.

But then you could have got a check from your insurance company and also brought the "written off" bike back for next to nothing and then got a headlight yourself from overseas.

**James Deuce** · 26th December 2009, 17:50

Originally Posted by dipshit

NZ distributors (and dealers) need a kick up the arse. Absolutely useless bastards that haven't figured out that they don't have a monopoly anymore.

But then you could have got a check from your insurance company and also brought the "written off" bike back for next to nothing and then got a headlight yourself from overseas.

Things have changed dramatically in the last couple of years in regard to buying stuff from overseas. I've been ripped off in the past by US online sites.

Now it's never more than a week from clicking submit on the order to it turning up on your doorstep. UK online sites are even better. 4 or 5 years ago it was a bit spotty as to whether or not they'd send stuff to NZ and when they did the shipping was always incredibly expensive.

**breakaway** · 27th December 2009, 15:59

If a headlight unit is brought from overseas, are there any issues to consider (like it dipping to the wrong side of the road) or anything like that?

**Hitcher** · 27th December 2009, 16:30

A replacement headlight for a Honda ST1300 is $2500. When I broke mine it wouldn't have been saved by a Ventura guard. A RAV4 has a slightly larger moment of inertia than does your average stone chip.

God knows what a replacement unit for an Aprilia Shiver costs. At least it won't be a warranty issue requiring the "assistance" of the New Zealand distributor and Ed from AF1 will have one on my doorstep within days, in the hopefully unlikely event that one is ever needed.

**dipshit** · 27th December 2009, 17:05

Originally Posted by Hitcher

A replacement headlight for a Honda ST1300 is $2500.

...????

$350 USD here

Maybe I'm missing something..???

**James Deuce** · 27th December 2009, 17:20

Originally Posted by dipshit

...????

$350 USD here

Maybe I'm missing something..???

Dips the wrong way. Insurers always use the Distributor/Dealer network for quotes so they're official prices.

If you want headlights for NZ you have to buy them from the UK or Japan.

**dipshit** · 27th December 2009, 18:40

Originally Posted by James Deuce

Dips the wrong way...
...If you want headlights for NZ you have to buy them from the UK or Japan.

I don't know if that is the case with all bike headlight designs..? My GSXR looks like dip is symmetrical. (arrow pointing both directions)

**Hitcher** · 27th December 2009, 19:04

Originally Posted by dipshit

I don't know if that is the case with all bike headlight designs?

I think you'll find that Mr WOF New Zealand likes headlights to dip down and to the left. Mr WOF USA likes headlights to dip down and to the right.

**dipshit** · 27th December 2009, 19:09

Originally Posted by Hitcher

I think you'll find that Mr WOF New Zealand likes headlights to dip down and to the left. Mr WOF USA likes headlights to dip down and to the right.

Cars, yes.

How many bikes do you see with more dip on the right though?

**James Deuce** · 27th December 2009, 19:24

Originally Posted by dipshit

Cars, yes.

How many bikes do you see with more dip on the right though?

Suzuki NZ used to import Canadian Spec bikes for the Summer Specials. Mr WoF started failing these on dipping the incorrect way. The first owner (I was number 2) of the GSX600F I was talking about had to replace the headlight due to failing a warrant.

**Owl** · 27th December 2009, 19:54

Originally Posted by dipshit

Cars, yes.

How many bikes do you see with more dip on the right though?

My right headlight points lower than the left!

**dipshit** · 27th December 2009, 20:02

Originally Posted by Owl

My right headlight points lower than the left!

Hmmm... so maybe NZ distributors are exploiting this to put its customers over a barrel with...

**kwaka_crasher** · 27th December 2009, 20:05

Originally Posted by Hitcher

I think you'll find that Mr WOF New Zealand likes headlights to dip down and to the left. Mr WOF USA likes headlights to dip down and to the right.

Where it points on a symmetric headlight can be adjusted regardless of intended market. If the headlight is assymetric that is not the case - it must be of the correct handing (rise left) to be on NZ roads.

**quickbuck** · 11th February 2010, 21:26

Originally Posted by dipshit

Hmmm... so maybe NZ distributors are exploiting this to put its customers over a barrel with...

Once again, you have MISSED IT!
The whole reason is because the NZ market can not buy 2000 headlight assy's to get a good deal.
Heck, they would be totally lucky to go through one (of any model) a quarter!

Yes, headlights in LH drive countries are indeed different.

Funny thing with my mates RVT1000 SP3 he brought back from the states.... it was never actually converted to US.
We warned him about the headlight issue, it turned out to be worth the risk. When he got it over we looked at it, and WOW, it was still Japanese.

Now, if you don't believe us, go out to the shed, turn on your lights against the back wall, and then see a big triangle off to the left hand side while the lights are dipped.

A bit of a dredge, but I forgot I followed a link from another thread....