What do I have to do with my lights on my 2013 multi to go touring in Europe (from UK)? is there any adjustment or do i have to put tape on? or what?
In theory you should add one of those natty stickers that alters the beam to stop it dazzling oncoming drivers. In practise no-one does. Don't worry about it, the police certainly won't, just enjoy the holiday.
In theory, the left sided beam needs to be dipped more and directed straight rather than out. As Lucazade says, you can just tape it. I didn't have time to do it the last time I was there, but was a short trip. However, a seasoned rider I know suggests just putting some tape on, showing some effort, should be more than enough.
Honestly, I wouldn't waste time worrying about it. You'd have to seriously upset the cops to make them pick this particular nit.
I believe the lights are the same for Europe as UK on bike, symmetrical beam. I never do anything with mine to tour and have never had any issues.
I think that's unlikely: most, if not all cars and bikes have different beam patterns for the UK, I've been caught out at mot time after buying euro spec headlights on ebay for my bikes. Having said that though, I have travelled abroad, and been pulled abroad, many times, and never bothered altering my headlight pattern. It's just never been an issue.
Dealer advice to me prior to a foray to Le Mans last May was that all new spec UK bikes have compliant lights for the Continent and require no changes. Craig at MR looked up the bulb part numbers and they only one was listed for all varients. As with Tripletrouble we didn't experience any problems from the local constabulary although the Diavel created a lot of interest from admirers - nothing to do with it being ridden by a woman of course. Andy
Headlight part number is the same for UK, Europe and US for the 2010 models, so cant see they would go backwards with the 2013, but ye never know.
Why are we talking about bulbs? It's the reflectors that differ. And it don't mean shit. I remember my dad taking pains to correct his headlights ready for a drive to Spain back in the '70's; once there we saw that no other brits had bothered, and my old man got stopped in Blighty on the way back by the wankers in blue, cos his lights were incorrect... Only in Britain does anyone give a shit about the rules, no-one else cares.
It's actually very, if not totally, likely. Multi 1200 has a flat dip beam. Swings both ways you see!
my headlight beam does non scientifically look symmetrical against the garage wall. (which actually surprises me)
You'd have thought it wouldn't make much difference on a bike, but certainly on most bikes there has been a difference between UK and European headlights; I stand fully corrected if that's not the case with the Multi. Not that it matters, as previously stated, you'd have to be doing something particularly bad to be pulled up for it.
I have never ever had a problem with my headlights abroad, and for the last 12 years have been running HID lights on my bikes so if ever there was an excuse to stop me they had it, but never have. Just enjoy yer holiday!! Oh, I go abroad about 3 times a year.
Ducati have used symmetrical lights on the bikes for quite a while now. I think it may go back to the 999?????? I know 996 ST SS had UK/Japan spec light units but for sure the more recent stuff has been universal.
