I bought my Z250SL in July 2018, it has done 8500 km.  I am only in Chiang Mai 4-6  months per year, when I am not here it is store inside my friend's guest house under a roof.

 

The only report I could find online is here.

 

Is it something to be concerned about as the replacement unit isn't cheap?

 

 

19 minutes ago, damole said:

 

Is it something to be concerned about

Naaa...

46 minutes ago, damole said:

Is it something to be concerned about as the replacement unit isn't cheap?

Unless you do unlite road riding and it affects the beam as to see at night.

 

Personally I would contact Kawasaki head office in Bkk and show them the picture a headlight should not go like that unless you damaged it in some way.

According to the internet it is the coating on the cover that crazed.

Seems it is common in hot climates. Here is a Thai guy fixing his.

 

 

 

Indonesians would fix that by rubbing in old engine oil.???? 

 

 

Satu Jam = I hour.

 

Something is not right here. As others have said a 2018 model should not deteriorate that much let alone if it was away from direct sunlight. Are you sure they kept it like you think they have?

I’ve done polishing of headlights on cars before. First you apply a semi coarse wet sand paper to remove the surface. Keep going up in grit to about 2000. Then use a cut/polish compound to bring the shine out. You can apply a UV coating to minimize future deterioration. Takes a bit of time but the process is rather simple. Make sure you tape the surrounding to avoid scratching elsewhere. 

You could add some auxiliary lights if you anticipate much night-riding.

 

9 hours ago, Kwasaki said:

 

Personally I would contact Kawasaki head office in Bkk and show them the picture a headlight 

Why.

They won't do anything helpful.

I have had 2 flat screen TV's suffer a similar fate, ended up binning them

Have had issues with car headlight lenses "yellowing"  vigorous buffing with toothpaste provided some improvement, never failed the annual check here though, but in the UK yellowed lights will not pass the annual MOT check

22 minutes ago, papa al said:

Why.

They won't do anything helpful.

Well I found them very helpful when I couldn't get my Versys 650 to run right.

 

Thanks for all the replies.

 

I've visited Kawasaki in Chiang Mai several times since I noticed the problem at least once to ask how much for a replacement unit and no one said anything but I know that's not the same as asking.

 

I will try contacting Kawasaki Thailand and send a photo. I will wait to see if I get a reply before attempting to polish the lens.
 

Here's one fix:  https://bikesandtravels.com/biker.aspx?ride=7400

 

Original thread:  https://bikesandtravels.com/biker.aspx?ride=7360

 

 

I contacted Kawasaki on the main Thai website and received a reply a couple of days later, I responded with a photo and proof of ownership.

 

They replied that I should take it to my local Kawasaki dealer in Chiang Mai which is where I bought it from, so I took it there this afternoon and they will, as it's a discontinued model, try to order the lens from Bangkok, and fit it for free.

 

Thanks @Kwasaki for the sensible suggestion.

12 minutes ago, damole said:

I contacted Kawasaki on the main Thai website and received a reply a couple of days later, I responded with a photo and proof of ownership.

 

They replied that I should take it to my local Kawasaki dealer in Chiang Mai which is where I bought it from, so I took it there this afternoon and they will, as it's a discontinued model, try to order the lens from Bangkok, and fit it for free.

 

Thanks @Kwasaki for the sensible suggestion.

When I contacted Kawasaki head office they were very helpful with my problems concerning my Versys 650.

 

Hence my suggestion and I'm pleased Kawasaki is helping you out.

On 5/25/2023 at 5:19 PM, AustinRacing said:

Something is not right here. As others have said a 2018 model should not deteriorate that much let alone if it was away from direct sunlight. Are you sure they kept it like you think they have?

I’ve done polishing of headlights on cars before. First you apply a semi coarse wet sand paper to remove the surface. Keep going up in grit to about 2000. Then use a cut/polish compound to bring the shine out. You can apply a UV coating to minimize future deterioration. Takes a bit of time but the process is rather simple. Make sure you tape the surrounding to avoid scratching elsewhere. 

What you reckon on this one.

Not tried it myself yet.

 

2 hours ago, quake said:

What you reckon on this one.

Not tried it myself yet.

 

That’s a myth. Wd40 being oily fills the rough surface created by oxidized plastic giving you the impression that it’s cleaned it. Given time when it evaporates you’ll get back the same surface. A bit like wetting a rough gemstone to make it look shiny. 
The surface has a layer of oxidized plastic. That layer must be removed together with a little bit of intact surface to ensure complete removal of it. Then it is a matter of polishing it until you get the sheen back. No chemical/liquid will work unless it can remove the stuff completely. 

1 minute ago, AustinRacing said:

That’s a myth. Wd40 being oily fills the rough surface created by oxidized plastic giving you the impression that it’s cleaned it. Given time when it evaporates you’ll get back the same surface. A bit like wetting a rough gemstone to make it look shiny. 
The surface has a layer of oxidized plastic. That layer must be removed together with a little bit of intact surface to ensure complete removal of it. Then it is a matter of polishing it until you get the sheen back. No chemical/liquid will work unless it can remove the stuff completely. 

Ok.

So the vid was BS.

Ok thought it was to good to be true.

 

Today I went out to the my bike this morning the the visor on the helmet has developed a simillar patten although much less dense.  It's almost spooky and I'm wondering if it is a new kind of virus and will it be me next, LOL.

 

15 hours ago, quake said:

Ok.

So the vid was BS.

Ok thought it was to good to be true.

 

Well the video is true. It’s just that the effect will last for only a day or so. 

 

All done, no charge.

Kop khun kap Kawasaki.

18 hours ago, damole said:

 

All done, no charge.

Kop khun kap Kawasaki.

Great to hear you got help like I did from Kawasaki in Thailand.

It has started again. Any suggestions for a way to protect it other than only parking it out of the sun?

^ Is it stored under a cover? They are cheap.

Ohh dear seems they have a problem with the plastic formulation..my 25 year old Toyota car headlights are sat in the sun forever and have gone a bit yellow and a bit crazed but not as bad as that.

I also have a (had a few) Real helmet and they have not been effected...maybe its a fungus like the one that eats CD and DVD's ?

I was away for 10 months and the bike was stored under a roof and with a cover on. Since I have been back it usually is outside the condo but I could keep it inside under the carpark roof.

Maybe I will try something like this:

UV Coating Car Headlight Restoration Fluid

I don't believe that stuff will "repair" the crazing. You could try the Indonesian old engine oil trick.

BTW the black headlight surround is showing signs of UV fading so needs some Leather/Vinyl protector. Green bottle in Mr. DIY.

It is the UV that is doing the damage. Plastic does not like UV.

My Kawasaki is 2018 and the headlight lens is perfect. Kept in the shade of a carport.

My Honda Wave 2010 is showing signs of crazing on the speedo as is my 2018 Zoomer. Both parts cheap. The Wave gets sun for a few hours in the morning if not used. I now cover the speedo. I always cover speedos when parked in the sun; even for lunch. Don't know why except that somewhere in my hippocampus it says that LCD displays do not like sunlight.

My bike was stored like this whilst I was away and now I have started parking it inside the condo against a wall or with the headlamp away from the sun during the day.

I just bought this so I will see how it works.