Adaptive headlight issue?

[Berardi3]

Ha! Can’t compete with a damn thing if you can’t sell the bike! I don’t know thing one about how these decisions are made, but knowing what I know about Harley, I gotta think most people shopping for Harley end up with a Harley. I don’t know that even the best of BMW or Indian or anyone else cracks the market except for those of us who are decidedly un-Harley.

I will say though, the new road glide ticks a lot of boxes except for pricing. If BMW can keep undercutting with their fully loaded R18s, maybe there’s a swell in sales. I’ll say again though, the guy primarily shopping for a road glide probably won’t be swayed by the Bavarian Beast.

I did recently test Ride the New Road Glide I can say wow much more Balanced than the R18 B for sure

Ha! Can’t compete with a damn thing if you can’t sell the bike! I don’t know thing one about how these decisions are made, but knowing what I know about Harley, I gotta think most people shopping for Harley end up with a Harley. I don’t know that even the best of BMW or Indian or anyone else cracks the market except for those of us who are decidedly un-Harley.

I will say though, the new road glide ticks a lot of boxes except for pricing. If BMW can keep undercutting with their fully loaded R18s, maybe there’s a swell in sales. I’ll say again though, the guy primarily shopping for a road glide probably won’t be swayed by the Bavarian Beast.

 

[CBullard]

Yep, going thru it with my dealer. Rode in the mountains last week and when I washed the bike, saw that the headlight was completely broken. They told me that I had to bring the bike into the shop to start the claims process. Said that they have to plug the bike into their computer and pull data. My light is completely shot! After 500 miles, it etched the glass from the vibration.

Same story about the light coming from Germany with no scheduled date of arrival.

 

[Berardi3]

Yep, going thru it with my dealer. Rode in the mountains last week and when I washed the bike, saw that the headlight was completely broken. They told me that I had to bring the bike into the shop to start the claims process. Said that they have to plug the bike into their computer and pull data. My light is completely shot! After 500 miles, it etched the glass from the vibration.

Same story about the light coming from Germany with no scheduled date of arrival.

Problem is if they just replace with another of the same it is bound to fail again until they come with a new and improved design

 

[CBullard]

I agree. I’m hoping like everyone else that their engineers are in the final stages of an approved design for replacement, and that this will be a blanket replacement for all owners. I’m an engineer, so I am familiar with some of the regulations and approvals that are required for this level of change. Nonetheless, I’m still disappointed and concerned with our safety should the light fail while riding at night.

 

[Gerard]

That's really a big fail from BMW.
Very disapointing.
I'm not concerned with my FE but I understand one can be angry about that.

 

[Berardi3]

I agree. I’m hoping like everyone else that their engineers are in the final stages of an approved design for replacement, and that this will be a blanket replacement for all owners. I’m an engineer, so I am familiar with some of the regulations and approvals that are required for this level of change. Nonetheless, I’m still disappointed and concerned with our safety should the light fail while riding at night.

agree that's the main concern and a company of this scale should have already figured this out I think .

 

[2021FE]

My dealer said last week he is really hoping that they will have a solution by August because he would really like to move some bikes that currently have a stop sale until the recall is remedied. AUGUST!!! Yikes. Just glad they are working on it and honestly hope it isn’t a rush job. Would prefer a “permanent” fix. Already had a headlight replaced under warranty. Would rather the next work done to the headlight be the last.

 

[BigJimSlim]

JW Speaker makes a non-mechanical adaptive headlight where additional leds light as you lean one way or the other. From what I understand, JW makes these R18B and TC lights also. While I can appreciate the complexity and engineering that went into this light, it’s just the more parts the more things to break.

Wonder how similar to the current light the replacement will be.

As others have suggested, give us a static light and a check and most of us are happy.

 

[Pork Rind]

I really wanted to buy a R18 B in 2023, but knew about the headlight failure problems. Also, having owned German cars, I know how they treat Americans with warranty work. It can be from Ok, to pretty shoddy, to non existent, at the dealership level. But this is at the corporate level.

It so turned me off that I instead bought a 2023 BMW R1250 GS Trophy, with the basic, standard Halogen headlight system, with the bike instead coming with heated seats. The halogen headlight suffers none of these problems. A set of Clearwater Darlas and a Billie Brake light with the Canopener CAN system that plugs in, was a cheap $800 add On I put on, taking care of any and all lighting problems I might have with any BMW headlight system.

I still want that R18 Bagger, once they get the headlight issue resolved, but pretty sure it's going to be a used one. They still need to get that first of the day non start issue fixed /addressed with some sort of software update, too. Even Her Two Wheels has it show up on her 2023 White with Silver 2023 R18 B on video. I think around the 600 to 1000 mile break in service video or shortly thereafter.

 

[Berardi3]

I really wanted to buy a R18 B in 2023, but knew about the headlight failure problems. Also, having owned German cars, I know how they treat Americans with warranty work. It can be from Ok, to pretty shoddy, to non existent, at the dealership level. But this is at the corporate level.

It so turned me off that I instead bought a 2023 BMW R1250 GS Trophy, with the basic, standard Halogen headlight system, with the bike instead coming with heated seats. The halogen headlight suffers none of these problems. A set of Clearwater Darlas and a Billie Brake light with the Canopener CAN system that plugs in, was a cheap $800 add On I put on, taking care of any and all lighting problems I might have with any BMW headlight system.

I still want that R18 Bagger, once they get the headlight issue resolved, but pretty sure it's going to be a used one. They still need to get that first of the day non start issue fixed /addressed with some sort of software update, too. Even Her Two Wheels has it show up on her 2023 White with Silver 2023 R18 B on video. I think around the 600 to 1000 mile break in service video or shortly thereafter.

We can complain but it doesn't really help or we can change

 

[Aussie-Hoss]

yep... hopefully you can see it despite the distraction of the Aeroflow headlight protective cover

If you look closely at your image, which coincidentally is almost identical to mine, you will note that the reflector is correctly aligned. It is the actually moving LED light fixture that has cocked out of alignment (thus the gap). Mine shoots a beam of light high and right at probably around 2-3 degree's - enough to blind even the most hardened of interstate truck drivers here down-under.

 

[Aussie-Hoss]

Does anyone know if it is possible to reset the alignment of the LED light source in the adaptive headlight. I believe that with my TC headlight, that the reflectors are intact, it is just the servo motor (or whatever gismo BMW use) to control the light bar that is unresponsive.

 

[Anibal]

I believe the head light is self calibrated, i.e,when you jump on her and switch the ignition on, the lights will adapt to the correct angle based on the load. If yours does not then I think the servo’s motor is not working correctly and you should take her to the BMW shop. Just my opinion.

 

[Pork Rind]

This was supposed to be their bike to compete with H-D, but going on 5 months with no clue what to do, that’s not good.

It's kind of blown up at 84th Bike Rally at Sturgis in 2024 this past week that Harley Davidson has got woke with their CEO from Germany and Puma shoes, as well as the board of directors. It hasn't sat well with many many HD owners, there's possibly some sort of boycotting going on. That might make the R18 B and TC models more appealing, assuming BMW's CEO and Board of Directors don't get called out for being DEI and other Letter combos recognized by the Woke community.

 

[fleabag]

It's kind of blown up at 84th Bike Rally at Sturgis in 2024 this past week that Harley Davidson has got woke with their CEO from Germany and Puma shoes, as well as the board of directors. It hasn't sat well with many many HD owners, there's possibly some sort of boycotting going on. That might make the R18 B and TC models more appealing, assuming BMW's CEO and Board of Directors don't get called out for being DEI and other Letter combos recognized by the Woke community.

Woke?

 

[Aussie-Hoss]

I believe the head light is self calibrated, i.e,when you jump on her and switch the ignition on, the lights will adapt to the correct angle based on the load. If yours does not then I think the servo’s motor is not working correctly and you should take her to the BMW shop. Just my opinion.

Mine, unfortunately, doesn't anymore. It stays cocked to the right (as you sit on the bike) at about 10-15 degrees recessed - result, low beam = high-beam pointed off and high to the right. There is a replacement headlight on order through my dealership. Not sure if there are any in Australia, or how long I will have to wait. I wonder why BMW though it a good idea to put a sensitive piece of kit on a motor that literally wants to turn itself upside down on startup (one of the idiosyncrasies of the R18 that I adore... old school, beefy, mechanics).

 

[Keehn]

It's kind of blown up at 84th Bike Rally at Sturgis in 2024 this past week that Harley Davidson has got woke with their CEO from Germany and Puma shoes, as well as the board of directors. It hasn't sat well with many many HD owners, there's possibly some sort of boycotting going on. That might make the R18 B and TC models more appealing, assuming BMW's CEO and Board of Directors don't get called out for being DEI and other Letter combos recognized by the Woke community.

I'm certainly not a mod or admin, but, for the sake of civility, perhaps we should keep politics out of the conversation?

We have people here of all different political leanings, and the best way to get along is to not talk politics, or religion. This is a BMW motorcycle forum. There are many other forums online where one can express their political viewpoints; this shouldn't be one of them.

Mike

 

[Aussie-Hoss]

I actually think we should get political. It's the silent majority that are being ridden roughshod by the Alphabet wielding woke community. I am so unwoke that I am asleep, and I am proud and loud to be politically incorrect. I don't care if this offends the woke community - it's time that the majority took back control and stopped pandering to the vocal minority (and I don't care what they identify as - I identify as a multi-billionaire, unfortunately for me I still can't buy what I would like [My own South Pacific Island would be nice]. Insofar as HD are concerned... the truth will be reflected in their balance sheet - I suspect that its sales may well plummet. But at least the 1%'ers can now ride their rainbow coloured HD's.

 

[fleabag]

I actually think we should get political. It's the silent majority that are being ridden roughshod by the Alphabet wielding woke community. I am so unwoke that I am asleep, and I am proud and loud to be politically incorrect. I don't care if this offends the woke community - it's time that the majority took back control and stopped pandering to the vocal minority (and I don't care what they identify as - I identify as a multi-billionaire, unfortunately for me I still can't buy what I would like [My own South Pacific Island would be nice]. Insofar as HD are concerned... the truth will be reflected in their balance sheet - I suspect that its sales may well plummet. But at least the 1%'ers can now ride their rainbow coloured HD's.

No one wants to hear your hate speech, take it someplace else.

 

[Aussie-Hoss]

Its not hate speech - its reality.