Low beam headlight reflector lens deteriorates in just over one year. Not the lens itself but the reflective material.
Buell XB12R headlights problems
15 of the 18 owner complaints about the Buell XB12R describe headlights failing or too dim, most of them for the 2004 model year.
- owner complaints
- 15
- worst model year
- 2004
- typical mileage
- 5,100
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.
By model year
Often reported together
What owners say
Reflective coating in headlight housing gets hot and changes color. Headlight output is diminished and night time visiblity deteriorates.
Headlights reflective coating failing. Lights becoming too weak to see at night. Please note- model is xb12r, not available on your list, closest available was xb12s, headlights not the same on these two models.
On my model year 2005 buell model xb12r the reflectors on my headlights are melting.this is most noticeable on the low beam assembly. As a result of this melting and degradation the projected beam is dangerously low. It is now difficult to use after dark.
Failure of reflective coating inside of headlight projector, dimming of headlight noticeable at 5,000 miles, took apart the projector and noticed degradation (charring) of reflective material, now at 17,000 miles (8 months) the low beam housing does not illuminate the road enough for safe travel at night.
Headlamps had become extremely dim over time. Re-aiming was attempted as was new bulbs, but the problem remained. Finally I dissasembled the lamp housing and found that the reflective coating was gone and that there was melting occuring on the inside of the plastic housing! Seems like a possible fire concern.
The head lamps on my 2004 buell xb12r are in need of replacement due to degradation of the reflective coating on the lamp reflector. The reflector is actually rubbing off, reducing the output of the light to a point dangerously ineffective for night driving. This affects both the low and high beam assemblies. This seems to be a manufacturing defect, leading to a potentiality dangerous situation while riding at night.
The reflective surface on the head lamps on my 2004 buell xb12r firebolt have degraded to the point that the lamps had to be replaced.
On the buell motorcycle xb9r and xb12r the headlights become non functional after about 1 yr of usage. The headlight housing reflective material turns to powder due to the natural heat from the headlight.
Headlight issues on 2005 buell xb12r motorcycle. Reflective coating and light lenses degrading due to heat and poor materials. Once degradation begins, headlamp light output is seriously diminished. My light assemblies have been replaced once under warranty. It appears that the manufacturer knows of this defect, but continues to replace the lights with the same units that have been failing.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Buell XB12R headlights
Which Buell XB12R years have headlights failing or too dim problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2004 (6 complaints), 2005 (6 complaints) and 2006 (3 complaints).
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