headlights in the trees at higher speeds

[170plus]

i was changing my plugs the other day and just for the heck of it i figured i would see if i could fix the headlights in the trees problem,the bracket that goes from each side of the frame across the top of the engine that has the 2 tabs on it for the headlight pod to slide on flexes,i used a piece of heavy mechanics wire and made a loop around the bracket for the intake air pressure sensor,cant wait for snow to try it ,might try to brace the bracket up differently when its time to change the oil but i was curious to see if it helped,sure dont want to put stress on the throttle body assy mounts or rubber boots,any other ideas out there that i havent heard about ?

 

[Len Todd]

You will probably find the headlight problem is in the reflector. When you have it just right for the low beam, it shines in the trees on high beam, right? My RX-1 does it too, only apparently the RXes are not as bad as the newer sleds

 

[jimmie d]

RX is mint compared to Apex my RX was perfect.

Jim

 

[ReX]

You will probably find the headlight problem is in the reflector. When you have it just right for the low beam, it shines in the trees on high beam, right? My RX-1 does it too, only apparently the RXes are not as bad as the newer sleds

My RX-1 also had the same problem, but the Apex is worse.

We found with the Apex ERs I ride with, not only the excessive change from low to high is present, but also at high speeds the wind on the windshield rotates the entire headlight pod slightly so the headlight aim gets even higher.

If we adjusted the headlight to work well at high speeds the low beam at low speeds is ridiculous. We tried all sorts of different alignment settings (trying to compromise high vs low, optimizing low, optimizing high, adjusting the high low enough to not blind oncomming traffic and not using low at all, etc). Eventually we stuck with the high optimized for cruising speeds (or just a hair too high) and only use low very rarely (when sleds/cars flash or when following another sled closely).

The 06 RTX (with the tiny windshield) didn't have this extra "feature" (actually it still did, just not as bad...).

That's also part of the reason I decided to go with the large windshield for my 07 RTX. It comes with metal bars that go between the middle of the windshield and the gas tank cover to make sure the windshield can't flex back at high speeds.

 

[170plus]

the headlight problem isnt the reflector,its the whole pod lifting at higher speeds when the wind is against the windshield,sitting still the adjustment is perfect but as soon as the wind hits the shield up in the trees goes the lights,i gought a piece of flat aluminum stock today and im gonna put it on the under side of the bracket where the pod hooks on the tabs and this will make it so the bracket wont flex when the wind pushes the shield,i know yamaha is trying to save weight but its gotta be functional too,i will try to post a pic when i get it done but for now my mechanics wire sure stiffened it up

 

[Len Todd]

Maybe we have two problems?

 

[rapeape]

My lights stink also, in the trees or on the ground are the only choices for me. I've yet to find a happy medium.

 

[Sled Dog]

Could you not install a fog type lights on a switch.

 

[yamadoo]

I am with REX, the change high to low is to great, the shift up with speed is a second problem.


I adjusted my high to be perfect at trail speed and then to low on low beam that I rarely use.

Yamadoo

 

[SRXSRULE]

As I sit here and read this It just dawned on me.... With 1600 miles on my Apex I have never ridden it at night Eric

 

[Shootinstick]

Aside from the high/low problem, what moron designed the headlight adjustment? It is totaly rediculous to have to pull the handlebar trim ring and panel ahead of the bars to get to the adjustment screw. Someone needs to come up with a remote adjustment cable or something for this so it can be adjusted on the trail.

 

[craze1cars]

Someone needs to come up with a remote adjustment cable or something for this so it can be adjusted on the trail.

Polaris has this...and I'm pretty sure the new Arctic cat does also. Sweet feature. The Poo has a big knurled knob up under the windshield that can be rolled up or down for instant adjustment on the fly, while wearing the fattest mittens you can imagine. SWEET feature.

 

[stoutner]

Flex???

I agree with all of you...except. I don't remember the light flexing when riding fast. If it is locked under the tabs like it is suppsoed to, how can it flex? That piece is bolted to the frame.

I do know that many people forget to lock it into the tabs after removing it. I also know that some people got their sleds from the dealers with the headlight mounted improperly (not locked into the front tabs).

P.S. it's a pain in the a$$ to lock it into those two tabs

 

[ReX]

Re: Flex???

I agree with all of you...except. I don't remember the light flexing when riding fast. If it is locked under the tabs like it is suppsoed to, how can it flex? That piece is bolted to the frame.

I do know that many people forget to lock it into the tabs after removing it. I also know that some people got their sleds from the dealers with the headlight mounted improperly (not locked into the front tabs).

P.S. it's a pain in the a$$ to lock it into those two tabs

The problem isn't not installing the pod in the tabs.

Grab on to the top of your windshield and pull it towards you. You'll see the headlights tilt upwards.

At 50+ mph there is a lot of force on that windshield. If you were to try holding a windshield in your hands at that speed or holding it out the window of your car it would get instantly ripped from your hands.

 

[Sled Dog]

Would turning the bulb help I wonder. If one could cut the slots or tabs which hold the bulb where it is now so one could move it 30 degrees wonder if it would help or not.