I found a very recent and informative article about UK motorcyclists riding in France on the Bennett's social media page and whilst it acknowledged the legal requirement to carry replacement bulbs, it did say enforcement was sporadic and only likely if you got stopped with a light bulb out. With delivery of the new Monster imminent, that got me thinking because the bike is full LED. Happy to carry filament bulbs where I’ve got them (my Multistrada head lights and numberplate light) but carrying replacement LED light units isn’t at all practical. Where do you stand ? Answers on a postcard ….. etc, etc, etc. Andy
Sounds like the French law needs reviewing and updating, don’t tell them though, they’ll probably go on strike over it
If you mount the Reflective material to ordinary vinyl first it will peel off very easily, if not certain manufacturers vinyl can be a real biatch to remove.
Helmet stickers are not required for foreign tourists if the helmet was bought outside France. Or so the article said. Andy
If the foreign rozzers ever catch me, the last thing on their mind will be a few stickers on my helmet.
You guys really buy into all this rubbish, do you? Nobody in France carries spare bulbs when riding a bike. More so when you have LEDs on said bike. Seriously. Same about the helmet stickers. No one gives a feck. Now, this being said, and like in any country in the world, when you ride with foreign plates, you really want to respect the local laws. It’s perceived as a matter of respect. The cops will pull you over if you ride over the speed limit. And then, when they notice your foreign plate, you’re dead meat… That’s when they will ask for the bulbs, the stickers, check your exhaust, tires and what not. They might even check if you brushed your teeth after breakfast… You don’t like France? Try Switzerland. Or North America. I lived 3 years in the US and let me tell you their law enforcement is… as flexible as cast iron.
So that’s what they’re for. Recently got a Roof lid and there were these stickers with instructions in the box and I thought “who the fuck would ruin their lid with these things”
Has anyone on the forum every been asked to produce their set of spare bulbs? I have never been asked, nor have I heard of anyone being asked to do so, in my approx 50 years of crisscrossing France on 2 and 4 wheels. However, if you’d taken a standard box of replacement filament bulbs with you, I seriously doubt you’d be cross examined about LED replacements.
Been here 4 years now, nobody bothers with spare bulbs, helmet stickers, breathalysers etc. I have done many thousands of miles throughout Europe. Only place of concern, Switzerland. Best avoided ..
They, and people like MCNews, give a lot of touring information. Ignore all the doom about things you need to carry. You need Insurance and must have the registration document.
There was no need to carry replacements for any kind of LED light, just filament bulbs. I packed a tiny first aid kit and popped a cheap high vis vest under the seat as it doesn't hurt to have them for < a fiver. I also brought the cheapest breathalisers I could and never needed any of it.
