Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Accessories light bars illegal in UK?

As subject, anyone know why?

I heard that too but had no problem at M.O.T
Paul

First I've heard of this

It could just be misinformed opion from someone. I can remember one episode of Police Camera Action, whatshisface saying that it was illegal for a bike to tow a trailer and they had to correct it in a later episode

The reason I'm asking is that on the Triumph website they are described as "only suitable for the US market". I assumed, and you know where that gets you, they they could be illegal in the UK. I know that they're not dippable, but if set up in the dipped position I can't see a problem. I was forced by circumstances beyond my control to sell my America 18 months ago and miss it like ****** . I hope to get another this year sometime and intend on having the light bar, so I'm curious.
John

You can get bulbs for those that have high and low beam if that's the issue.

As they dont dip, I think they are classed as auxilery lamps ( Fog lamps ) in the uk, for cars there must be a an indicator in the dash to show they are on, would not be hard to fit one in the back of one of the lamps for the MOT if thats all that is required.

OK, I know I'm getting boring
but I saw this reply to someone asking the same question as me on another site, seems in the UK you are only allowed ONE additional light.
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"Note that it says VEHICLE, which of course includes a motorcycle!

Now the schedules and provisions are long, complex and VERY BORING, but as I said before, If it's a Fog Lamp, it must be used as a fog lamp and comply with the requirements for fog lamps. If it's a Driving Lamp (or to call it correctly, "a Main Beam Headlamp"), it must be used as a driving lamp and comply with the requirements for those.

It doesn't matter what sort of vehicle the lamp is fitted to. If it's fitted, it must comply with the reg's for that type of lamp.

So, my advice above still stands, use fogs as fogs and driving lights as driving lights.

Interestingly, I was a bit wrong when I said we could have any number of "Optional Front Position Lamps".

The regulations say this: (Schedule II, Part II)

REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO OPTIONAL FRONT POSITION LAMPS

1. In the case of a solo motor bicycle first used on or after 1st April 1991 which is not fitted with any obligatory front position lamp, not more than two may be fitted which must comply with the requirement specified in paragraph 7 of Part I. Where two are fitted these shall be situated as close together as possible.

2. In the case of a solo motor bicycle first used on or after 1st April 1991 which is fitted with one obligatory front position lamp, not more than one additional lamp may be fitted which must comply with the requirement specified in paragraph 7 of Part I and shall be situated as close as possible to the obligatory front position lamp.

So, it would seem that (assuming your GS is made after 1st April 1991) going by the Law, you can only have ONE optional additional front position lamp, right next to your existing position lamp, which, for our purposes, is about as much use as a chocolate teapot.

However, The good old European Union has implemented, or is in the process of implementing, a "Directive" which will require all powered vehicles produced from 2011 onwards, to have "Daytime Running Lamps" (DRL). I don't know too much about them yet, but hopefully when the Directive is absorbed into the Lighting Reg's, they will allow for a matched pair on motorcycles. That said, they may just make the manufacturers wire the motorcycle's dipped beam up so it's on all the time - assuming that's not already the case?

Like I said, if you want to run round with fog lamps or driving lamps lit other than in accordance with the Reg's, then you pays yer money and takes yer chance.

On my own setup, I'm using twinned Hella FF50 driving lamps, switched with the main beam and set to light the road up well ahead like they should. These are coupled with a pair of Ring "Illuminators" (which are actually fog lamps) and those are set to come on permanently with the dipped beam. That said, I've swapped the 55 watt bulbs for 35 watt bulbs, to reduce the drain on the battery a bit and have set them carefully, so they don't dazzle oncoming vehicles or melt the bloke in front's rear view mirrors. Not strictly in compliance with the Reg's, but that's the chance I'm prepared to take to make myself that little bit more visible."

Techncally they are illegal, but I have had a light bar on my bike since 2004 and never had any trouble with the cops or VOSA.

With regard to the MOT, just turn them off at the switch on the LH lamp - they are not a listed test item so as long as the are not on when they do the light test, they tend to ignore them.

Just make sure that they are set so that they don't dazzle anyone and I am sure there will be not problem.(but don't hold me to that!)