Travelling in Europe

[timo19]

Travelling into northern Europe in 6 weeks time - do you have to carry spare bulbs by law ? my F800 has led indicators and back light so it would only be the headlight bulb as spare, your thoughts please.
Cheers
Tim

 

[Tim Cullis]

It's law in Spain.

 

[thornley]

In France it is only a recomendation, not the law.

 

[Womble_Jim]

Do you need to still get the headlight angle adjuster stick-ons like you used to for cars? And a v silly question but I'm presuming you 'legally' require a GB sticker somewhere on your rear so to speak... I'm off to France for a battlefield tour with some 4 wheeled friends with myself wombling along behind and don't fancy any Gendarme attention if I can help it as I'll be too busy concentrating on which side of the road I'm supposed to be on...

 

[everywherevirtually]

Do you need to still get the headlight angle adjuster stick-ons like you used to for cars? And a v silly question but I'm presuming you 'legally' require a GB sticker somewhere on your rear so to speak... I'm off to France for a battlefield tour with some 4 wheeled friends with myself wombling along behind and don't fancy any Gendarme attention if I can help it as I'll be too busy concentrating on which side of the road I'm supposed to be on...

Last year I saved myself some money and just used some black electrical tape. This year I just adjusted the headlamp to point down and a little more to the right which had the same effect. Plenty of cops in plenty of European countries were interested in the bike and had no issue with the headlamp. (I crossed 23 countries incidentally). I also discovered my tax disc was missing. After some investigation and checking photos from last year I realised it had been left off when the engine bars had been fitted in November . All the more amazing was the fact I met 12 UK cops in Manchester who were on some exercise and all came to have a look. We had a good old chat and neither them or I noticed the missing tax disc. I suppose if I had known it was missing I might have been sweating. Anyway I've since been reunited with it

If you have the Euro GB badge on your license plate you wont need the stick on GB sticker.

 

[willb]

If you have the Euro GB badge on your license plate you wont need the stick on GB sticker.

Unless you go to Poland or Switzerland apparently.

 

[ILMV]

Nice effort uprooting a two year old post

GB sticker: UK registered vehicles displaying Euro-plates (circle of 12 stars above the national identifier on blue background) no longer need a GB sticker when driving in European Union countries.

Poland is a member of the EU, so no sticker needed. Switzerland isn't, so unsure.

 

[vaclove]

Just relax

Despite numerous things are required by law, you won't be harassed by police. Their main concern is that they have as little dead bikers on the roads as possible, not to pick up on brititish gentleman, whether he has spare bulbs or not. Just blend in... and you won't get into trouble.
The spare bulb is mainly for your own good, as you are required to have the light on all the time.
The wrong direction of the light beam might be an issue espetially when you would get into an accident. I am quite sure that the insurance company would do their very best to prove, it was caused by the wrong direction of beam, therefore they "can not" accept the claim.

I got my adjustment stickers last year, but finally did not figure out the "intuitive" 101 steps instructions, so I rode without it. Not really an issue during the day.

 

[DesertStrom]

Nice effort uprooting a two year old post



Poland is a member of the EU, so no sticker needed. Switzerland isn't, so unsure.

Officially a country-sticker is required for Switzerland and Norway. (and Ukraine and Bellarus if you consider that as Europe)
However, got stopped by customs in above countries, without stickers, and they did not mention a thing.
Customs are very curious about money bringing into the country (if I had money I would not bring it into Norway anyway).
Police is only paying attention to speeding.

 

[Dean]

I have been into beautifull france a few times now the N roads are nice and slow anyway I do not bother with the bulbs or masking the headlamp as its all LED except my HID.

but a Hi viz vest or jacket is compulsary, as it's a slow N road ride about 50mph I usualy wear my hi viz and stand on my pegz, on my panniers I have to holders welded on and fly twin england flags on four foot poles. (as ive only got a little one I try to create a greater presence) I also have a small bunting flag on my right miror to remind me what side of the road I should be on.

I get nice waves from all of the lovely french people and it makes me feel

If its sunny and hot I have a open face white lid and mirror shades it helps me feel so cool!



Hope its of help

 

[Ross Dean]

I have ridden in both Spain and France (and elsewhere in Europe) a number of times over the past few years. I take a spare set of bulbs and carry the HiVi vest. I have never worn the vest but have changed a headlamp bulb in France. I have never altered the direction of dip on the headlamp or covered any part of it in tape. The police have not stopped me and no motorist has been concerned over me dazzeling them (at least, not so I have noticed).

 

[v8legend]

My dip beam blew just before I got on the ferry home last year. It's the same bulb (H7) as main beam, so it's an easy swap. I've got a 'Euro' plate, but don't bother with headlamp stickers. 4 Euro trips in the last 2 years, and no hassle from the police. Mind you, I don't waste too much drinking time by riding at night.

BTW. Aldi's have some bulb kits available at the moment which I think are £4.99. They call them Xenon Prime, they're filled with Xenon gas, and claim to be 30% brighter.

 

[Rasher]

Unless you go to Poland or Switzerland apparently.

We spent about 5 days riding in Switzerland last year without GB stickers and had no problems, thought the GB number plate would do

I think the behave and blend in advise is about right

Probably worth carrying bulbs if you ride at night, even in the UK.

 

[StumpyFingers]

We spent about 5 days riding in Switzerland last year without GB stickers and had no problems, thought the GB number plate would do

I think the behave and blend in advise is about right

Probably worth carrying bulbs if you ride at night, even in the UK.

I once got stopped in the UK because my rear light was out, I immediately got my spare bulbs out and changed it.
The police just let me go, possibly because I was prepared and it was obvious I did not know the bulb had blown. Carrying spares has more advantages, it reduces the amount of time you are delayed by the officers, without the bulbs they may look more closely at your vehicle.

 

[Tim Cullis]

I've always thought it should be law in the UK to have spare bulbs, coupled with a police crackdown each autumn on faulty lighting. Then when some twát in a cage with a blown offside headlight is pulled he would have to stick a new bulb in (or have his car crushed).

 

[Aran]

HIDs

I only have HIDs in my front light.
Can you get spare bulbs for these? (I've never had an HID blow on me in 4+ years that I've used them)

Aran

 

[stolzy]

I only have HIDs in my front light.
Can you get spare bulbs for these? (I've never had an HID blow on me in 4+ years that I've used them)

Aran

I had one go once. Easier/cheaper just to carry a normal bulb and use that for emergencies.

 

[SERVDAVE]

I've always thought it should be law in the UK to have spare bulbs, coupled with a police crackdown each autumn on faulty lighting. Then when some twát in a cage with a blown offside headlight is pulled he would have to stick a new bulb in (or have his car crushed).

Great idea tim, it always winds me up when people drive past me with one headlight out! I thought it was just me!

Anyhow seeing as there is already an active europe travel thread I thought I would ask a question!

What do people do for travel insurance? DO you bother when your riding a bike? Most policies only cover for 125cc or bellow. Just got a quote from travel and go and they said £93.60 for two and a half weeks in europe. Seemed a bit step. What do you guys think?

Apologies for slightly highjacking the thread!

 

[Steptoe]

. Just got a quote from travel and go and they said £93.60 for two and a half weeks in europe. Seemed a bit step. What do you guys think?

Apologies for slightly highjacking the thread!

Plenty of personal travel insurance threads, try a search. threads

Churchill do an annual policy, unlimited trips world wide cover, max 30 days any one trip ( might be a bit longer but haven't got the policy in front of me) covers riding a bike of any cc as long as you have a license and it cost me £78 last year.

 

[carinatauk]

I've always thought it should be law in the UK to have spare bulbs, coupled with a police crackdown each autumn on faulty lighting. Then when some twát in a cage with a blown offside headlight is pulled he would have to stick a new bulb in (or have his car crushed).

Agreed Tim, but blame the manufacturers for building cars that you can't change the bulb on; 50% of cars need their front bumpers or other parts taking off first!