Headlamp conversion for Europe
 

Hi all
Just finalising arragements for a 3 week tour of Central Europe starting June 7th. Visiting Belgium, Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Austria maybe France. Might deviate from that list; nothing's fixed.
I've read somehere that it's not worth bothering to convert the dip beam on the headlamp. Any thoughts please?
I used to travel to France every year with a car, but that was many moons ago. I always converted the lights with tape but you could always see which bit of the lense to blank out. The headlamp lense on my 1200GS is totally clear. I guess I could work it out from looking at my R850R which has a traditional, round lense with clear markings on it.
What do you seasoned bike travellers think?
Cheers
Geoff :mchappy:

Three things I have never done in 50 years of driving and riding out of the UK -

1. Painted headlights yellow or used yellow bulbs.
2. Attempted to change the direction of dip on headlights.
3. Put on a proper GB plate or sticker.

The consequences -

1. I got flashed at a few times in France but not since they changed their own lights from yellow to white 10-15 yeads ago.
2. Very very occasionally someone flashes. No doubt muttering something about Zee Engleesh. But I have just bought a right dipping headlamp for my Dakar as I am using it a lot more and much further away from the EU.
3. None. Except a 'Barmy Army' sticker did raise a question or two in Russia last year!

Park the bike head on to a door/wall with the dip beam on. Does the beam "flare" to the left?

If not, no need to change. A lot of bikes and some cars have "flat" dip beams. I'm sure its a cost saver... one version instead of two but it can also save you some.

John

Buy a beam bender from Halfords.

Answer plus foto here - specific to GS1200.

I only bother cause I have HIDs inthe lights ... otherwise dont bother and accept that you will sometimes get flashed.

::. UKGS'er.com .:: - View Single Post - HID's Abroad

Will you ride at night?
 

If not, learn the phrase "Oh dear, it must have fallen off/Merde" and carry a roll of duct tape for "running repairs". No one will bother unless it's in addition to some other offence or you are really causing a hazard. If they are going to throw the book at you not having a GB sticker (only required if you don't have an EU numberplate BTW) and having a left dipping headlight is going to be well down the list somewhere after the fire exstinguisher, warning triangle, first aid kit and bulb kit you are really required to carry (but no one does) and whatever speeding or insurance issue they are actually interested it.

If you will ride at night the Halfords beam deflector things work best but can be a ****er to get to stick. Fit at home and ride to the ferry in daylight, or just use tape.

Andy

1200gs
 

I'd check your manual, might be the same as the 1150gs. On the 1150 it has the facility to rotate the headlight to dip for the continent. Probably wont on the 12 because of the headlight shape but worth a look.

The 1200 Headlight does not rotate. The manual for the 1200 says use tape. Its a 60 second job.

Head lamp conversion
 

Hi Geoff just been to Morocco & back on 1200gsa didnt mask light in any way had no problem no one flashed me I would not worry to much just go and enjoy.

someone else has said it. aim the bike at a wall & see if the beam flicks up on the left, if it does cover the lens with your fingers till you can tell which bit does the flick. then tape it.

It's not necessary for any bike to tape/modify the beam if they are visitors tothe country. it never was needed for visiting bikes to have yellow headlights in france either.
Nor do bikes need to carry a spare set of bulbs, warning triangle or flourescent jacket. They're not stupid, where are you going to put all that stuff?

A first-aid kit is "recommended" an Switzerland and France, but compulsory in Austria it's only a couple of quid so I'd get one and bung it under the seat. Small nes for motorcycles are available - if you can't get one from the AA, try ans car-parts/bike shop/touring club in any of the coutnries you pass through. Don't get the ones meant for bicycles.

A GB sticker is not necessary IF you have a new EU reg plate - then it's usually up to the copper, if he's in a bad mood he might nick you, but the chances are slim.

It will take you approx. 35 seconds to put some electrical insulating tape on the lense to avoid blinding our foreign cousins. Don't bother with the headlamp convertors you can buy in the shops, they are a rip off and leave a manky mess on your headlamp.

Matt :)

Stopped on Monday in Germany for not doing it, 1200RT does have quite a set of lights on it. Police said day running lights ie dipped dazzled them as they cam thru a tunnel towards me. They wouldnt have bothered otherwise but suggested if I was riding at night that I blanked the lights off.

Tony - how would they know you were English? The Scots, Welsh, N Irish and Southern Irish also have left-dipping headlights.

Thats really going to stand him in good stead when he gets pulled over by the gendarme - I've never carried a spare bulb kit in my car in mainland Europe...I'd not be too shocked to get a 100 euro fine for it either.
Just because someone hasn't conformed doesn't make it right for everyone. Brits abroad do get pulled for all sorts of reasons (maybe something to do with the 'can't be arsed' attitude of some) - don't give them a reason to issue a fine. Spend a couple of minutes and get the light taped

I was anticipating THEIR thoughts. Most continentals group all Brits as English.
Try educating them - not me! :wink3: LOL

Accepted. I was in no way recommending - just recounting.

I have been stopped by Police in just about every country in Western Europe (twice in Moscow earlier this week!) and East Africa, and never had a problem on these points.
Over 50 years driving/riding regularly out of the UK I have had 3 encounters beyond advice/caution.
1968. France. On spot fine, overtaking when shouldnt (no continuous lines in those days, just a single sign on right, low in long grass, propped against a tree, obscured by the lorry being overtaken). About 200FF (£20?)
1978. France. On spot fine. +90kph on open road. Fair enough - I was just not paying attention on a wide, long, straight 'B' road in soporific heat. About £50.
2007. 1 speeding cash bribe. +70kph exiting country village in North Caucuses (current war zone!). 500Rouble, £10. Cheaper than the fine. This is the way in Russia - of course!

I am in no way proud - just recounting my experiance and personal conduct. FWIW.

Caution...
 

A word of caution about taping/stickers for beam deflecting.

Many bikes, and some cars, these days have plastic or poly-carbonate front lenses. Some adhesives contain solvents which react with the lens, causing permanant marking of the surface.

The same can apply for removing adhesive traces afterwards, with solvents or petrol.

I dont usually bother.

The current advice is:

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice..._equipment.pdf

see footnote 12.