[Ken]

Folks, when riding home late last night, i live in a rural location. I noticed that the dipped and full beam on the G310 R had a range of approximately 1.5m in front of the motorbike. Having just collected the motorbike last weekend, the default / factory settings and taking in to consideration my weight of 15st, Some adjustment is necessary. I've owned the motorbike only 7 days, and assuming the good weather keeps up, I'm going to try and get the 600 mile check, booked in for next Saturday, let the dealer, BMW (Tayside) make the necessary adjustments.

Has anyone else noticed this problem? I appreciate its midsummer, and many may not have been out so late, to need the headlights on, when riding dark country roads?

 

[SlickRick]

Hmm.. well that's interesting. Waiting until the first service would be a good idea and I'm sure they would be more than happy to remedy that. Hopefully it's not really a common thing?

 

[blwest]

to get 1.5M in front of the bike, it basically has to be pointed down. Seems unlikely.

 

[LiquidCool]

It's 1.5M on high beam? Seems really short for a forward facing headlight, but maybe you can mount an extra LED lamp on the g310r?

 

[EvryDayRide]

Maybe something is wrong with your headlight, doesn't hurt to have it checked out when you bring your G310R for its first maintenece visit unless you plan to do it yourself.

 

[Sidewinder]

OP already said that he has his first service booked in, so now we'll just wait until we get the update on if there was something in fact wrong with it or what the case may be.

 

[PHL1]

I'm the same weight and getting mine in the UK in 2 weeks so whats your first impression on the bike?

 

[angiedave]

Got the 310 yet ?

 

[Ligkonakos]

I can testify on the normal beams being very weak. I will probably post a picture tonight since I will be getting my camera with me aswell. I think 1.5m is too short though, mine lights up about ~5m in-front at most.

 

[Ligkonakos]

Apologies in advance for double posting, for some reason I can't edit my previous post.

As you can see though, it's pretty disappointing.


First pic: Full beam while stopped
Second pic: Full beam while riding
Third pic: Normal beam while stopped

 

[porth]

Looks like your headlight needs to be adjusted.


The adjustment procedure is explained in the user manual.


Typically, have your bike about 10m away from a wall (on level ground with you sitting on it) and the light at low beam should be shinning on the wall at 9/10 the height of the light globe.

 

[Ligkonakos]

Looks like your headlight needs to be adjusted.


The adjustment procedure is explained in the user manual.


Typically, have your bike about 10m away from a wall (on level ground with you sitting on it) and the light at low beam should be shinning on the wall at 9/10 the height of the light globe.

I did read about it in the manual but I literally have 0 experience with opening up parts of a bike. I will tell about it at my dealer and they'll re-adjust as necessary. Unless it is incredibly easy?

 

[LiquidCool]

Motorcycle headlights generally aren't that great when cornering, there's like a dark void when you lean since the headlight tilts with the bike. Maybe your dealer can adjust it a bit to make the void smaller.

 

[heap]

I did read about it in the manual but I literally have 0 experience with opening up parts of a bike. I will tell about it at my dealer and they'll re-adjust as necessary. Unless it is incredibly easy?

I didn't do it yet on this bike, but done on previous bikes and usually not a complicated procedure. In the case of the G310R, the parts you need to remove are the 2 plastic covers surronding the headlight, each of them held by a single bolt. Once the covers are removed you then have access to the actual bolts that, once loosen, will allow you to pivot the headlight to achieve the desired direction. Re-tighten the bolts once happy and put back the 2 covers+bolts and you're done. .

The part that the manual is lacking is to what optimal height you should set it, which is what user Porth explained.

Here's a graphic explanation of that 9/10 principle:

 

[Zente]

Heap... got to give you a big congratulation. That has to be the simplest and easiest description / direction and best diagram I have ever seen someone post on headlamp adjustment. I have built and worked on everything from old VW bugs to motorcycles, to boats and even aircraft and missile systems. Great work. As an instructor once told me keep it simple and precise so even a novice can understand.

 

[heap]

Heap... got to give you a big congratulation. That has to be the simplest and easiest description / direction and best diagram I have ever seen someone post on headlamp adjustment. I have built and worked on everything from old VW bugs to motorcycles, to boats and even aircraft and missile systems. Great work. As an instructor once told me keep it simple and precise so even a novice can understand.

Well, honestly I don't deserve a lot of credit for the diagram itself - many manufacturers do include such diagram in their books, this one comes from Ducati, I just basically found a link and shared it. Glad it can help

 

[Ligkonakos]

Many, many, MANY thanks to both porth and heap, after deciding to do it tonight, I can honestly say the difference is night and day. It seems now that the low beams are where they should be, and high beams only when it's pitch black and no one else is around!

 

[porth]

To anyone that is yet to take delivery of the bike, make sure the dealer adjusts the headlight before you take delivery.

 

[LiquidCool]

Oh, that's a huge improvement compared to what you previously posted. How's the light throw when you're making turns or going around a curve?

 

[Ligkonakos]

Oh, that's a huge improvement compared to what you previously posted. How's the light throw when you're making turns or going around a curve?

There's a lot of "if" involved. If I'm riding home there are some sharp uphill turns and it becomes pretty difficult to see with low beams unless you know the road. On high beams it's great but usually there is at least one car/motorcycle around. On downhill turns I've got no visibility issues whatsoever.