Issues with headlight getting chipped or cracked?

[p.dath]

When I bought my bike it had one of those headlight protectors on it, attached with Velcro.

I'm not particularly fussed with the look, and I am thinking about removing the protector.

For those with sports bikes, have you had much of an issue with broken or chipped headlights?

I figure being mostly on sealed roads should mean the chances are low, and even if I am on a road with some loose gravel it should be as simple as not following behind the person in front too closely.

Your experiences?

[boman]

No, never had a problem, mine are polycarbonate. You used to be able to buy some stick on stuff from REPCO, called liteskins, or summin like that. Comes in a sheet, you cut to shape and sick over the glass.

Are your lights glass, or polycarb?? I would have thought they would be polycarb. If they are poly then you would have to be unlucky to break them.

[James Deuce]

Leave it on. Chances of it getting broken are vastly higher than you'd imagine. 4 or so years ago I went on a ride and the count was 3 holed radiators, 2 broken headlights, 2 holed fairings and one Hawk rammed into a CBR's airbox.

One chap who is no longer with us had fitted both a radiator guard and headlight protectors to his bike and as a consequence was replacing about $60 worth of stuff rather than the hundreds of dollars everyone else was spending. One of the guys with us "only" got a chip in his R6's headlight. The next time it rained it filled with water and shorted the lighting circuit and main fuse.

This was mostly caused by unswept freshly sealed roads at relatively moderate speeds and people weren't even following particularly closely.

Headlights are vastly more expensive than you'd imagine for an enclosed unit like the one on your CBR.

A 1999-2007 GSX600F headlight is $1800 to replace. DAMHIK.

[dipshit]

For those with sports bikes, have you had much of an issue with broken or chipped headlights?

On my last few Suzuki bikes - they have been made out of plastic. I have had the occasional mark/dent from road chip been thrown up. If one ever does get cracked... being plastic, it should be reasonably cheap to replace anyhow.

I other words i don't worry about them.

[James Deuce]

On my last few Suzuki bikes - they have been made out of plastic. I have had the occasional mark/dent from road chip been thrown up. If one ever does get cracked... being plastic, it should be reasonably cheap to replace anyhow.

I other words i don't worry about them.

GSX600F. $1800. Not cheap.

[dipshit]

I went on a ride and the count was 3 holed radiators...

I have fitted a RadGuard (http://www.radguard.com.au/) to my bike though!

[dipshit]

GSX600F. $1800. Not cheap.


Do they have plastic ones though..???

Lucky i have a GSXR.

[Grumpy]

Yeah, I'd leave it on or find an alternative. A hole in the pocket .... as in a new light is a lot worse than a bit velcro stuck to your light.

[ManDownUnder]

Leave it on. Chances of it getting broken are vastly higher than you'd imagine. 4 or so years ago I went on a ride and the count was 3 holed radiators, 2 broken headlights, 2 holed fairings and one Hawk rammed into a CBR's airbox.


And by comparison I had 1 headlight crack in 15 years... with no protectos... but my answer is the same as JII... leave it on



One chap who is no longer with us had fitted both a radiator guard and headlight protectors to his bike and as a consequence was replacing about $60 worth of stuff rather than the hundreds of dollars everyone else was spending. One of the guys with us "only" got a chip in his R6's headlight. The next time it rained it filled with water and shorted the lighting circuit and main fuse.

This was mostly caused by unswept freshly sealed roads at relatively moderate speeds and people weren't even following particularly closely.

Headlights are vastly more expensive than you'd imagine for an enclosed unit like the one on your CBR.

A 1999-2007 GSX600F headlight is $1800 to replace. DAMHIK.

And all of the above is why I agree with JII. If it happens a lot or a little... it costs a SHITLOAD when it does.

If the look is that unacceptable to you then don't do it... but give a month and see what grows on you (just don't rub it in public)

[MSTRS]

Polycarbonates are hard to break, but they chip. Quite badly, at times. Enough chips, and Mr Wofman says "Replace that".
Leave the cover on. Or get the clear headlight film put on.
If you find yourself in Napier, come and see me...I'll do it.

[dipshit]

Some of those attachable plastic covers discolour and become less opaque overtime. They can get bad enough to fail a wof. If this is the case then lose it and don't worry about replacing it.

[MSTRS]

Oyez Oyez Oyez...
Gather close, for I have news of great import...
Dipshit is a headlight salesman...on commission.
:whistle:

[p.dath]

Are your lights glass, or polycarb?? I would have thought they would be polycarb. If they are poly then you would have to be unlucky to break them.

They appear to be a genuine Honda part looking at the part numbers, but a tap with my finger makes me believe they are not glass. So I would assume polycarb as you suggest.



A 1999-2007 GSX600F headlight is $1800 to replace. DAMHIK.

Holy fuck. I mean Jesus. I mean, that's a bit more expensive than I was thinking.


Some of those attachable plastic covers discolour and become less opaque overtime. They can get bad enough to fail a wof. If this is the case then lose it and don't worry about replacing it.

My attachable cover does not appear to be discoloured. I just prefer the look of the bike without it.

But if replacing a headlight is going to cost $1000+, then it is staying on. Think I will find out the cost of a replacement light.

[AllanB]

A stone killed one of the headlights on my GS1200ss when I had it. $220 or something stupid new for a little light! Lucky for me I picked up the pair and the holder for $60 off a wrecker :2thumbsup

SuperCheap stick on protectors went on and are also on my Hornet from day dot.

I know the velcro ones you speak off - they do look a bit naff. Go the stick on.

[dipshit]

But if replacing a headlight is going to cost $1000+, then it is staying on. Think I will find out the cost of a replacement light.

Only if you are stupid enough to purchase through a local NZ dealer.

[James Deuce]

A stone killed one of the headlights on my GS1200ss when I had it. $220 or something stupid new for a little light! Lucky for me I picked up the pair and the holder for $60 off a wrecker :2thumbsup

SuperCheap stick on protectors went on and are also on my Hornet from day dot.

I know the velcro ones you speak off - they do look a bit naff. Go the stick on.

I like the Ventura ones because they break, not your light. The stick on film just stops glass going everywhere. DAMHIK.

[vifferman]

If you don't like the look of the cover, there are a couple of things you can do: firstly, make sure it's always clean (makes it less obtrusive). Secondly, replace the standard crappy white velcro that Ventura uses for the covers with the clear plastic 3M alternative. It's not actually velcro, but uses closely-spaced minature lollipops (best description I can think of at the moment) that hook into each other. Apart from being clear (and less obtrusive) it has far superior performance to velcro when wet. The hard thing is getting hold of it; 3M don't sell directly to the public. I got some free samples from somewhere (Glue Gurus, IIRC).

Oh - and don't worry about the appearance: you can't see the headlight when you're riding, and no-one else cares about your bike.

[NordieBoy]

Javahead had protecters on his Bimmer 1150.

By the time we got to St Arnaud there was no left hand lens at all. Just a jagged hole.

Awesome really.

[riffer]

Okay, so what's the answer if, like me, you have an older bike with a hole in the headlight glass?

My Katana has about a 1cm hole in the glass. Is that fixable? And how?

[Fatjim]

Show us your crack!

[wynw]

Okay, so what's the answer if, like me, you have an older bike with a hole in the headlight glass?

My Katana has about a 1cm hole in the glass. Is that fixable? And how?

If the lamp is still working liteskins or similar product will hold it together nicely

[vifferman]

Okay, so what's the answer if, like me, you have an older bike with a hole in the headlight glass?

My Katana has about a 1cm hole in the glass. Is that fixable? And how?
For a start, it's not WOFable. There was a clear epoxy you could use for fixing small holes in glass (the stuff the windscreen repairers use), but I dunno if it would work on a hole that large. If you could get at the inside and put something across that the epoxy wouldn't stick to (greased plastic tape???) then maybe you'd be OK.
I had a smaller one in my VF500's headlight that was about 3mm on the outside and 3 times the size on the inside and I had to buy a secondhand unit to replace it.
Perhaps you could contact a windscreen repair place and ask them?

[Roger]

Go and test it!
Hit it with a hammer, if it breaks, then you know you need protection.
If it dont, then you will not have to worry about it.

[MSTRS]

Okay, so what's the answer if, like me, you have an older bike with a hole in the headlight glass?

My Katana has about a 1cm hole in the glass. Is that fixable? And how?

Going back aways, all you could use to protect your H/L glass was a clip-on of some sort. No directly applied films. Because the material they were made of, and the 3M adhesive specially made for this use, tended to discolour from longterm exposure to sunlight. Continual development by various film manufacturers sorted that problem, and 3M got their adhesive for this use sorted. Eventually LTSA acknowledged this advance and allowed Liteskinz and the like. They also allowed you to put this sort of film over an existing hole, to seal the inside from getting water in etc. But I think that has changed now (something to do with the possibility that a hole in the glass affects the light diffusion).
Just put a clear film skin over it (I can do it for maybe $30, if you bring the bike to me)...you might be surprised how often a Wofman will miss it.

NOTE: - DO NOT USE the product called Liteskinz on polycarbonate lens...it is so thick that the heat from the bulb cannot dissipate and will cause the poly to go brittle and 'crazy crack'. There are thinner alternatives that will do the job fine.

[ynot slow]

Went through roadworks in Woodville Friday,a wanker in his subaru thought it'd be good to bury it as the losse shit ended,stones hitting rad guard,helmet,and light,lucky my headlight was ventura protected.

[MSTRS]

Went through roadworks in Woodville Friday,a wanker in his subaru thought it'd be good to bury it as the losse shit ended,stones hitting rad guard,helmet,and light,lucky my headlight was ventura protected.

Karma says you'll get your chance to return the favour on your way 'home...

[AllanB]

I like the Ventura ones because they break, not your light. The stick on film just stops glass going everywhere. DAMHIK.

I do wonder about the effectiveness of my stick-on as it is only say 2mm thick. Unlike my strap-on which is much thicker :shutup: However there has been no damage in the 2 years I've owned it.

I purchased a car 3 years ago which had a chip and small hole in one headlight - part of the purchase agreement was to have it fixed - they stuck some clear stuff over it. It has got a WOF like this each time since.

[MSTRS]

NOTE: - DO NOT USE the product called Liteskinz on polycarbonate lens...it is so thick that the heat from the bulb cannot dissipate and will cause the poly to go brittle and 'crazy crack'. There are thinner alternatives that will do the job fine.


I do wonder about the effectiveness of my stick-on as it is only say 2mm thick. Unlike my strap-on which is much thicker :shutup: However there has been no damage in the 2 years I've owned it.

I purchased a car 3 years ago which had a chip and small hole in one headlight - part of the purchase agreement was to have it fixed - they stuck some clear stuff over it. It has got a WOF like this each time since.

Stick-on films are effective. The product called Liteskinz is very thick, and really good on glass lenses. It cushions, absorbs and spreads the impact of stones etc, which is why it works. Thinner products (like the one I use) may not be available as a 'kit' at Repco etc - I purchase a large sheet from a wholesaler and cut pieces to suit. It helps on glass, it covers an existing hole as AllanB said, usually well enough that the hole is hard to see (hence Wofman passing it). You may think the thin product is useless...not so. On poly lenses, which won't break anyway, it stops the mini chips on the surface, and the film finish is very durable.
Stick-on film is almost invisible. The problem is they are not particularly conformable, and can lift in places when a lens shape is very convex. The ER6 is one type where this is a problem (Eh, Tide?).
Also, don't think you can use the likes of the anti-scuff shit common at bike shops, that people put on their tanks/sidecovers - esp the trailies. That stuff is not clear enough, is not good quality (shrinks badly) and the adhesive is not great either. Ever seen the dirty line around the edge of that stuff, once it's been on a while? Shrinkage of the product and adhesive creep. Proper headlight films are stable, don't go cloudy, lift, shrink or slip.

[dipshit]

A 1999-2007 GSX600F headlight is $1800 to replace.

:oi-grr:

This place (http://www.mrcycles.com/fiche_section_detail.asp?section=300666&category=Motorcycles&make=SUZUKI&year=2004&fveh=7248) does them for $272 USD ($385 NZD)

[James Deuce]

Yes they do. Insurance companies only deal with the distributor/dealer network.

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

[dipshit]

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. :woohoo:

[James Deuce]

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. :woohoo:

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]

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]

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]

A replacement headlight for a Honda ST1300 is $2500.


...???? :shit:


$350 USD here (http://www.mrcycles.com/fiche_section_detail.asp?section=159780&category=MOTORCYCLES&make=HONDA&year=2004&fveh=3697)

Maybe I'm missing something..???

[James Deuce]

...???? :shit:


$350 USD here (http://www.mrcycles.com/fiche_section_detail.asp?section=159780&category=MOTORCYCLES&make=HONDA&year=2004&fveh=3697)

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Cars, yes.

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

My right headlight points lower than the left!:rolleyes:

[dipshit]

My right headlight points lower than the left!:rolleyes:


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

[kwaka_crasher]

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]

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

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....

[imdying]

Do they have plastic ones though..???

Lucky i have a GSXR.I urge you to go and have a look on Ron Ayers or somewhere at the price of a new one, it's not cool.

[dipshit]

I urge you to go and have a look on Ron Ayers or somewhere at the price of a new one, it's not cool.

$386 USD. So would probably cost $600 to $650 NZD to get one all up. If I do come across some kind of stick on protective kit for it, I may look at getting it.

[Pussy]

GSX-R headlights have been universal market for a few years now.
The headlight on my E24 (Aussie spec) 750 is exactly the same part # as the US or Euro spec ones

[dipshit]

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!

It doesn't work that way with factory parts. You're not talking about aftermarket manufacturers here.



Yes, headlights in LH drive countries are indeed different.

Not on my GSXR. It is symmetrical with direction arrows pointing left and right. See the pic I posted earlier.