Flickering headlight

[InspectorGadget]

My wife was driving in front of me several weeks ago and when we arrived home she told me that my headlights seemed to be flickering. Like any husband would do--I just blew her off with some lame excuse to keep her quiet.
After thinking about it (I didn't let her know I was) I have come to the conclusion that the low beam shade is the culprit. The spyder is traveling over the bumps and that is causing the suspension to pitch up and down just enough to cause the flickering effect.
I remembered a night ride we were on a few weeks ago and how the low beam shade made a definite line restricting the headlight distance.
The next evening I placed the RT in front of the garage door and made a headlight adjustment and that seemed to be fine, but she told me she saw the same headlight flickering the other day when she was ahead of me again, and that the headlights are not very bright in the daytime.
As there is only 1 filiment in the headlight bulb---the headlights are on HI beam all of the time---so why not just lift the shade by switching on the HI beams for a safer brighter daytime running lights.
Has any one else seen or experienced this effect?
Thanks C-YA RL

 

[NancysToy]

This is common for all Spyders. Proper (not by the book, IMO) headlight adjustment should take care of it. The Spyder has projection lens headlights, so they have a very focused beam. It you are out of the angle that they project light, they will look dim. If they are aimed too high or low, they will look like they will appear to flicker to someone ahead. Usually this means they are aimed too high, since the rearview mirror is placed high. You should seldom see a direct reflection of a Spyder headlight behind you. As to the visibility issue, many people ride with the high beams in the daytime for visibility.

 

[canam9]

. As to the visibility issue, many people ride with the high beams in the daytime for visibility.[/QUOTE]

I was told to do this from day one of street riding way back in 19.....lol.:ani29:

 

[SpyderGirl]

I was told to do this from day one of street riding way back in 19.....lol.:ani29:

As was I, and I do all the time. I have had comments from others about the flickering effect of the headlights during the day.

 

[SocalT]

This is common for all Spyders. Proper (not by the book, IMO) headlight adjustment should take care of it. The Spyder has projection lens headlights, so they have a very focused beam. It you are out of the angle that they project light, they will look dim. If they are aimed too high or low, they will look like they will appear to flicker to someone ahead. Usually this means they are aimed too high, since the rearview mirror is placed high. You should seldom see a direct reflection of a Spyder headlight behind you. As to the visibility issue, many people ride with the high beams in the daytime for visibility.

Scotty,
I plan on adjusting mine, it seems like my low beams only go out about 30ft. any tips on what to do diffferent from the book.
Thanks T

 

[medic 1]

Loose headlight

I had taken my RTS in for the headlights shining the clouds. The dealer "adjusted" the lights but everyone around was still flashing their brights and seeing the bounce. Went back to the dealer and this time they found the lights very loose. Once corrected now their lower and no more bounce. Something to check

 

[NancysToy]

Scotty,
I plan on adjusting mine, it seems like my low beams only go out about 30ft. any tips on what to do diffferent from the book.
Thanks T

Sounds like yours could be low. The flicker effect could be more due to your rear suspension problems...or could just be an artifact of the road roughness in your area and the height of your wife's rearview mirrors when she sees you behind her. I have found that adjusting with high beams on, setting them slightly lower than the manual dictates, to be the best for the RS. Nancy's weren't even the same height - as delivered. I have not needed to adjust my RT, although they seem a bit high on the garage door. To some extent, it requires adjusting them to suit you and your riding/light-use habits. Easy to play around with them.

If you want the lights out farther, then HIDs are the only good answer. Unfortunately there is no ESI kit for the RT as yet, and I have seen no other specific information for HIDs that work on the RT model. If someone has found a kit and a mounting location that works...and holds up well, please post the details. Evan, if you are making progress in this area, let us know.

 

[rjchoops]

just put in a head light modulator and you won't have to worry about flickering!.......Oh, I just remembered, they go on the high beams so that won't really help. Sorry