2014 Headlight
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 290
Likes: 1
From: Oxford, MS
2014 Headlight
To start with, I LOVE everything about my 2014 Limited. The only thing that I am not excited about is the headlight. I live in a rural area and this thing will shine a mile out front of you, but it is in about a 2 foot radius. It is like a spot light. As long as you are going straight or riding around street lights, it is great, but you get out in the country in the twisties, you are screwed. Can't see the side of the road at all. Please, someone tell me what to do. I do not want to hit another deer. ( No fun. This is another story) What can I do. I'm pretty sure I'm not he only one.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
I would agree.
when driving I do NOT see the 2014's as well.
I saw a car pull out in front of a 2014 last week...we were both waiting to pull out of home depot onto a 3 lane road...
I saw the bike coming due to the size and sun reflections on the chrome...but the headlight and spots do not cast a wide enough beam...and the guy in front of me pulled out.
a wreck was avoided but darn close.
2.) when these bikes come up behind, they disappear in my side mirror when they get close.
Riders don't assume you are seen.
mike
when driving I do NOT see the 2014's as well.
I saw a car pull out in front of a 2014 last week...we were both waiting to pull out of home depot onto a 3 lane road...
I saw the bike coming due to the size and sun reflections on the chrome...but the headlight and spots do not cast a wide enough beam...and the guy in front of me pulled out.
a wreck was avoided but darn close.
2.) when these bikes come up behind, they disappear in my side mirror when they get close.
Riders don't assume you are seen.
mike
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Westminster, CO
To start with, I LOVE everything about my 2014 Limited. The only thing that I am not excited about is the headlight. I live in a rural area and this thing will shine a mile out front of you, but it is in about a 2 foot radius. It is like a spot light. As long as you are going straight or riding around street lights, it is great, but you get out in the country in the twisties, you are screwed. Can't see the side of the road at all. Please, someone tell me what to do. I do not want to hit another deer. ( No fun. This is another story) What can I do. I'm pretty sure I'm not he only one.
The 2014 bikes have to be reprogrammed, you can no longer splice wires like the 2013 and down to do this (which I've done on 3 bikes). Bad or good? You can decide. The 2014 bikes have much more integrated electronics/electrical. I happen to think that is good.
Supporter
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,245
Likes: 69
From: Northford, CT
Riding in the back of a club ride every one said they could not tell if my headlight was on or not. Checking against a wall it was way to low adjusted it up and all is good now. Also while checking one of the spot lights was not straight with front end. I have a 14 Trike.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
From: Northwest OH
Mike
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Interesting you bring this up. Last week I was on a ride with some of my friends. I have a 2014 street glide. We were on some back country roads and it was at night. Roads I am unfamiliar with. I was leading and I honestly had to pull over and tell one of them to start leading because I could not see that well with the headlight. When I turn my brights on it worked a lot better but with the normal headlight it doesn't seem to shoot out far enough. Kinda like the OP mentioned, it was like a "spot light." On my last bike I had an LED light. It made the world of difference and I would love to get one for my 2014 street glide but just can't pay the price right now. Those headlights are very expensive but well worth it.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,976
Likes: 49
From: Northern California
Try adjusting the spots and headlight to see if it helps. The best lights in the world adjusted poorly will not be as effective as properly adjusted lesser quality ones.
I take off the trim rings and go for a night ride on roads never travelled where it is safe with needed tools handy when it is nice and dark to make my adjustments. I have gone so far as to use a small bungee and a towell or rag to wrap around 2 of the 3 lights so I can isolate them and adjust them individually. It made a difference for me.
I do the minor adjustments on the spots by tweaking them by hand, yeah it probably bends the light slightly but in over 25 years of riding FLH's I never had a problem doing it this way.
Good luck in getting your lighting correct, I ride at night a lot and often on purpose and have always been a freak for good lighting on the road especially on my bike.
I take off the trim rings and go for a night ride on roads never travelled where it is safe with needed tools handy when it is nice and dark to make my adjustments. I have gone so far as to use a small bungee and a towell or rag to wrap around 2 of the 3 lights so I can isolate them and adjust them individually. It made a difference for me.
I do the minor adjustments on the spots by tweaking them by hand, yeah it probably bends the light slightly but in over 25 years of riding FLH's I never had a problem doing it this way.
Good luck in getting your lighting correct, I ride at night a lot and often on purpose and have always been a freak for good lighting on the road especially on my bike.
