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Europe Topics specific to Western and Eastern Europe, from UK to the Russian border, and south-east to Turkey.
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  #1  
Old 28 May 2008
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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
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  #2  
Old 28 May 2008
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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!
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  #3  
Old 15 Aug 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tony P View Post
......No doubt muttering something about Zee Engleesh.
Tony - how would they know you were English? The Scots, Welsh, N Irish and Southern Irish also have left-dipping headlights.
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Old 16 Aug 2008
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Originally Posted by Caminando View Post
Tony - how would they know you were English? The Scots, Welsh, N Irish and Southern Irish also have left-dipping headlights.
I was anticipating THEIR thoughts. Most continentals group all Brits as English.
Try educating them - not me! LOL
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  #5  
Old 15 Aug 2008
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Originally Posted by Tony P View Post
Three things I have never done in 50 years of driving and riding out of the UK -
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
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Old 16 Aug 2008
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Originally Posted by Monsieur-to-go View Post
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
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.
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  #7  
Old 16 Aug 2008
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Caution...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Monsieur-to-go View Post
Spend a couple of minutes and get the light taped
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.
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  #8  
Old 22 Aug 2008
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I dont usually bother.

The current advice is:

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

see footnote 12.
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  #9  
Old 28 May 2008
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Originally Posted by geoffcrowther View Post
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?
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
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  #10  
Old 28 May 2008
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Buy a beam bender from Halfords.
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  #11  
Old 29 May 2008
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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
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  #12  
Old 29 May 2008
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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
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  #13  
Old 29 May 2008
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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.
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