Low & high beam on simultaneously

[Peter K]

After a recent low beam bulb (H-7) replacement on my 2014 R1200RT, whenever I turn on the high beam, the low beam stays on (at a slightly reduced brightness). When I flick to the low beam, the high beams turn off, and the low beam gets a little brighter. What could I have done to cause this?  And, is there any harm to leaving it this way (other than burning through bulbs even faster) ??

[Boxflyer]

YIKES!  

When doing troubleshooting…I ask the question—what did I just do?

I think this is the way it’s designed to work. 
Here are some pictures of the bulb that might help visualize how the clips work. 

 

[Peter K]

Thanks. After the first couple of bulbs blew out, I sort of got the hang of the clips (as much as anyone can get the hang of something so awkward to do); using my iPhone to take a picture so I could "see" what I was feeling, helped. But on the electrical side of things, I thought the plug could only go in one way!  I'll have to start over...

[Bernie]

I can't swear to it, but I don't think the wire connections could be reversed . Only two wires and only two prongs on the light bulb.

I know that my low beam will dim and brighten based on the ambient light sensor, and so will the screen on my Nav 6.

I can't tell you for sure, but I believe the low beam stays on when I switch to the high beam.

But I will check it the next time I ride. Never actually look at that part of the bike while riding. 

[Michiganr80rt]

I know that the low beam on my 2014 R1200RT stays on when the high beam is on. I confirmed that today since I am changing the bulbs to Cyclops LED bulbs tomorrow. I took some before photos of the lights shining on the garage door so I can confirm the LED bulbs aim similar to the halogens.

[gary45]

5 hours ago, Peter K said:

After a recent low beam bulb (H-7) replacement on my 2014 R1200RT, whenever I turn on the high beam, the low beam stays on (at a slightly reduced brightness). When I flick to the low beam, the high beams turn off, and the low beam gets a little brighter. What could I have done to cause this?  And, is there any harm to leaving it this way (other than burning through bulbs even faster) ??

Mine has always worked like that, normal

 

[Paul De]

Yup, my 2015 is the same.  TADT

[Peter K]

Thank you all !  I guess in 5 yrs of pulling into my garage and seeing the bike's reflection on this plexiglass storage bin in front of me, I just never noticed this.  In my mind the high beams were on alone.  I guess this explains why we go through that H7 at least once a year!  

[Michiganr80rt]

1 hour ago, Peter K said:

Thank you all !  I guess in 5 yrs of pulling into my garage and seeing the bike's reflection on this plexiglass storage bin in front of me, I just never noticed this.  In my mind the high beams were on alone.  I guess this explains why we go through that H7 at least once a year!  

 

I think it is possible that not all bikes behave that way. I have read that when a low beam burns out the right high beam turns on. That seems like a good idea but it is not what happens on my 2014 R1200RT.  When the low beam burns out, and the dash warning tells me it is out, I have no headlight unless I turn on the high beams. With the computer controlling everything the behavior of the lights could vary by model year or what market the bike was sold in.