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  #1  
Old 15 Feb 2017
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Turning my Harley EU Friendly
Hello there,

I'm planning a tour ride across a few European countries with the purpose of tracing some of my heritage and family background. The preliminary route goes through the following countries: Spain, Andorra, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, and Sweden.

That said, I'm looking to ship my bike from NYC. It's a Harley Davidson FXDB Dyna Street Bob. This lady has a gnarly sound from her Vance & Hines Big Shots staggered pipes. And I've been told I need to make it comply to the European noise standards.

I've also read that some type of lights are not allowed.

I'm looking for some help here to see what are all the issues I should consider in order to ride there. Including the pipes and any other item I may need to change, adjust, etc.

I'd really appreciate any information, product suggestions, or pointers to what I need to do to make my bike ride legal in Europe.

Cheers!
Lobo
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  #2  
Old 15 Feb 2017
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The general rule is that it has to be legal in country of origin but that will not stop a German or other European police officer stopping you riding your loud Harley there.
I would suggest fitting a standard, quiet Harley exhaust to avoid hassle with police in most of these countries. Daytime headlights are compulsory in nearly all European countries but all you have to do is keep them on, in theory you should mask the right dipping light in the UK and Ireland but I doubt anyone will notice and you could stick kph speeds on the speedo lens.
Other might be along with more requirements particularly relating to enviromental certificates for older bikes, usually registered before 2000.
Last edited by mark manley; 15 Feb 2017 at 23:22. Reason: More info
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Old 15 Feb 2017
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I've owned Harleys for 20 years and most after-market products find their way from the USA onto European bikes with no issues even though the legality of them may be slightly dubious.
Exhausts - The approved stage one exhaust from most dealers is V&H, too loud for my liking (I'm using S&S on my Glide, a more refined noise) technically illegal but I've never met anyone who's been done for them by the law.
Headlights - Newer H-D lights have a flat pattern beam which is OK throughout Europe. Older headlights have a left or right bias dependent on which side of the road is used in that country, you can buy a stick-on cover to flatten the beam but if you're not intending to ride at night then don't bother.
Running Lights - Dual purpose indicator/running lights are technically illegal but the law would have to be having a really slow day for them to be interested.
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Old 16 Feb 2017
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Some European countries can be a pain when it comes to loud pipes and will pull you over for it. (Not in the Netherlands where the police will ask you to rev it for show) So it would be smart to fit legal pipes.

Lights are mostly not an issue; as long as the bike is legal in the country in which it is registered. Many bikes in Europe run 'alternative' lighting.

Currently running a Wide Glide with open Rhinehearts and definitely suspicious lighting. Never been stopped.
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