Question :- can anyone please tell me how to switch off my headlights ?

Post by **Copmeister** » Fri Jan 03, 2020 5:30 pm

I've heard somewhere that its possible to turn off my headlights during the day by using a sequence involving the indicator switch. Can anyone please tell me how this is done ?

Post by **Nick Evans** » Sat Jan 04, 2020 12:13 am

On my 2009 RT I pull the plug out of the cluster, it is really easy to do. (I have to do this because there is a fault on the ZFE which leaves the side lights on)

Post by **rangemaster728** » Sat Jan 04, 2020 12:15 am

Copmeister wrote: I've heard somewhere that its possible to turn off my headlights during the day by using a sequence involving the indicator switch. Can anyone please tell me how this is done ?

Welcome to the forum...

You didn’t specify what year R1200RT.

This is what I recall...works on some GS models and RTs depending on the year...

Turning the Headlights OFF

The procedure is as follows:

1. FIRST...Turn the ignition on and allow the startup-check cycle to complete; this takes a few seconds. The headlights will be off (this is normal).
2. THEN...Hold turn-signal cancel switch for 4-5 secs. Release.
3. NEXT...Hold right turn-signal switch for 4-5 secs. Release.
4. FINALLY...Start engine.

Headlights should remain OFF.  The headlights will be off, but the running lights and tail light will remain on.

This will reset next time you switch off the ignition.

I just verified this on my 2009 R1200RT.

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Post by **jackronner** » Sat Jan 04, 2020 2:21 am

Rangemaster, if you look under a poster's name and country, it usually shows the model/year.  Also, do you depress and hold the switches you mentioned in sequence, or simultaneously? 

Tho' I find it maddeningly difficult to change bulbs on my RT, I wouldn't advise you  to turn them off.  It has been shown, even with cars but especially with bikes, the incidence of accidents during the day goes down precipitously if your headlights are on.  I also put my brights on during the day when filtering thru traffic, all to make myself more visible.  I'd also recommend during a daytime fog to keep the brights on to announce your presence to cars and pedestrians. There is no blinding reflected light, and it may save your life if they can see you even if they're invisible to you.

In a related question, there are times when I want to leave the lights on at night for illumination for setting up a campsite at night, etc. without bothering others with the engine noise, but they automatically go off if you turn the key off.  Any way to keep them on with the engine off?

Post by **rangemaster728** » Sat Jan 04, 2020 2:36 am

jackronner wrote: Rangemaster, if you look under a poster's name and country, it usually shows the model/year.  Also, do you depress and hold the switches you mentioned in sequence, or simultaneously? 

Tho' I find it maddeningly difficult to change bulbs on my RT, I wouldn't advise you  to turn them off.  It has been shown, even with cars but especially with bikes, the incidence of accidents during the day goes down precipitously if your headlights are on.  I also put my brights on during the day when filtering thru traffic, all to make myself more visible.  I'd also recommend during a daytime fog to keep the brights on to announce your presence to cars and pedestrians. There is no blinding reflected light, and it may save your life if they can see you even if they're invisible to you.

In a related question, there are times when I want to leave the lights on at night for illumination for setting up a campsite at night, etc. without bothering others with the engine noise, but they automatically go off if you turn the key off.  Any way to keep them on with the engine off?

The poster’s info doesn’t show up...at least when using the Tapatalk app on an iOS device.

I use the headlight-off sequence when I’m working on the bike and need the engine running.

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Post by **jackronner** » Sat Jan 04, 2020 3:26 am

Rangemaster:  The OP's info shows up on my laptop, so maybe your device won't show it.  I noticed that info isn't shown under your handle, but you can modify your profile to show it if you want.  I suggested this feature to the administrator when I joined, and it makes things a lot easier.  Again, tho', is your lights protocol sequential or simultaneous?

Post by **rangemaster728** » Sat Jan 04, 2020 3:57 am

Just tested and edited the procedure I show above in post #3...

It works in Oregon, so it should work in California lol.

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Post by **David.** » Sat Jan 04, 2020 9:59 am

jackronner wrote:In a related question, there are times when I want to leave the lights on at night, but they automatically go off if you turn the key off. Any way to keep them on with the engine off?

"With the engine switched off, you can switch on the lights by switching on the high-beam headlight with the ignition switched on or by operating the headlight flasher."

Post by **jackronner** » Sat Jan 04, 2020 9:04 pm

Thanks, Rangemaster and David. Useful stuff.

Post by **David.** » Fri Jan 10, 2020 10:17 am

David. wrote:"With the engine switched off, you can switch on the lights by switching on the high-beam headlight with the ignition switched on or by operating the headlight flasher."

Perhaps as expected, on a 2012 TC, this action only switches on the (centre) high-beam, not the low-beam on either side.

Slightly deceptive when the instruction in the Rider's Manual follows, "The low-beam headlight switches on automatically when you start the engine".

Post by **jackronner** » Sat Jan 11, 2020 8:24 am

Reporting back:  Rangemaster's procedure works on my 2009RT, but David's for keeping headlights on with engine off only works for the bright beam.  Still, the bright is so little used that it's the last to burn out, so it's probably for the best if your battery's in good shape.

Post by **David.** » Sat Jan 11, 2020 9:41 am

The low & high beam bulbs are all the same H7 / 55W.

Post by **jackronner** » Sat Jan 11, 2020 10:03 pm

David, yeah but I mean your center bulb is on only a tiny fraction of the time as the others, so if you have to wear out a filament (not TWO of them), might as well use the one that will last for years. Am I wrong to suppose that, once the center light dies (its unused low beam filament never used)  could be fitted as a replacement for the side headlights?  This hasn't come up for me yet.

Post by **David.** » Sat Jan 11, 2020 10:15 pm

jackronner wrote:Am I wrong to suppose that, once the center light dies (its unused low beam filament never used) could be fitted as a replacement for the side headlights?

The H7 bulbs fitted to both low (side x2) and high (centre) beams are all single filament. Once blown, the bulb needs to be replaced.

Post by **pkpilot** » Sat Jan 11, 2020 10:17 pm

jackronner wrote:
Tho' I find it maddeningly difficult to change bulbs on my RT, I wouldn't advise you  to turn them off.  It has been shown, even with cars but especially with bikes, the incidence of accidents during the day goes down precipitously if your headlights are on.  I also put my brights on during the day when filtering thru traffic, all to make myself more visible.  I'd also recommend during a daytime fog to keep the brights on to announce your presence to cars and pedestrians. There is no blinding reflected light, and it may save your life if they can see you even if they're invisible to you.

+1

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