1260 Spare Bulb Kit?

I believe the 1260S has all LED lights. I'm not sure about the standard 1260, it may have halogen bulbs for the high and low beam headlights, similar to the standard 1200.

I've just looked at the parts catalogue for the standard 1260 headlight - it has 4 x 12V 55W bulbs for the headlamps - I believe they are H11 fitment (same as earlier Multistradas). A spare bulb fits nicely inside a plastic case for a 35 mm photographic film, held in with a wrap of tape.

The 1260 models all have LED rear indicators, unlike the 1200 models that have bulbs for both standard and S models.

 

We're planning to head there in September on the way to Spain. I was going to take my chances on the bulbs. It's tricky finding out what the replacements should be. No idea how easy it is to change them, either.

 

I have been touring with the same unopened bulb/fuse kit for 20 years
Good knows what bulbs are still usable

 

I've never taken one with me!

 

UK motorcyclists are often targeted by French traffic police and I will not be leaving myself open to an easy fine when I go over in September. As already suggested, the small pots for what is now old fashioned camera film, are ideal for carrying replacement bulbs. I carry 1 replacement bulb for each of the filament bulbs on my bike (including 1 dipped beam and 1 high beam). As for the LEDs, IMO, it is not practical (in my case) to carry a replacement indicator. Given all the crap I pack to tour, half a dozen light bulbs are lost in the noise. Not been mentioned yet, remember to carry a high viz tabard for rider and pillion and although the small breathalysers are not legally enforceable, you can still be made to buy one. Andy

 

https://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/driving-in-france.html

While there is no specific requirement to carry a set of spare bulbs, you do have to ensure all your lights are working all the time. Finding yourself in the middle of a country road on a Sunday evening with a faulty headlight or tail light could lead to a fine. The safest option is to carry a spare bulb kit suitable for your vehicle

 

Where do you get them? I haven't seen one in 20+ years.

 

Found some in my ‘man drawer’ in the kitchen when I cleaned it out a couple of weeks ago No help to you I know, sorry. Andy

 

I had keep some from about 20 years ago

You can now buy them online or if you're ever in my area (north of Milton Keynes) pop in and I'll dig one out for you.

 

Also from https://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/driving-in-france.html

Reflective Jackets or vests are now a legal requirement - you should have one for each passenger in the vehicle. At the moment this does not apply to motorbikes or trikes.

I've seen conflicting, or at least ambiguous, advice that doesn't distinguish between cars and bikes. This is from the RAC:

• Reflective jackets – One for each occupant, these must be kept inside the vehicle within easy reach
• Warning triangle – Compulsory in every vehicle with four wheels or more
• Headlamp beam deflectors – Depending on your car, you will either need deflector stickers or have to adjust the beam manually
• Breathalyser/alcohol test – As of January 2013 the French government announced that the introduction of an €11 fine for not carrying one had been postponed indefinitely. However, law still states that drivers and motorcyclists must have an alcotest ready for use in their vehicle even though no penalty will be imposed if they cannot present one during a police road check
• Spare bulbs – It is recommended but not mandatory that you carry a spare bulb kit for your vehicle
• Snow chains – May also be needed in some areas during winter. These areas will be indicated by signs and are compulsory, so it is worth having them in your car if you’re visiting during winter
• Safety helmets – For motorcyclists and their passengers

And this from the AA, which is where the UK government directs us for advice. I've read elsewhere that reflective stickers are applicable to new helmets and don't have to be retro-fitted, but who knows?

Motorcycles
You must use your dipped headlight during the day.
Riders on any two-wheeled vehicle must wear a crash helmet.

• All helmets must display reflective stickers on the front, rear and sides in accordance with the requirements of Regulation 22 - a sticker of minimum surface area 18cm2 must be visible from the front, rear, left and right and within each sticker it must be possible to mark either a circle of 40mm diameter or, a rectangle at least 12.5cm2 in surface area and at least 20mm in width.
• Helmets worn in the UK have to comply either with BS6658 or with UNECE Regulation 22. If you’ve got a ‘Regulation 22’ helmet it may be supplied with suitable stickers for you to apply.

The driver and passengers of mopeds, motorcycles, motor tricycles and motor quadricycles must wear a pair of CE-certified gloves while riding. This applies all year round, whatever the weather and you could be fined for not doing so. [This doesn’t apply to vehicles fitted with seatbelts and doors i.e. city cars classed as heavy quadricycles].

What do you have to carry?

• Warning triangle (not required on motorcycles)

• Snow chains - you must fit snow chains when driving on snow-covered roads in accordance with local road signs. A maximum speed limit of 31 mph (50km/h) applies.

• Reflective jackets (EN471)
  • You must carry at least one reflective jacket within the passenger compartment of your vehicle and must put it on before you get out in an emergency or breakdown situation.
  • Riders of motorcycles must also wear a reflective jacket in the event of an emergency or breakdown.

• Breathalysers
  • Drivers of all motor vehicles including motorcyclists but excluding mopeds, must carry one unused, certified (showing an ‘NF’ number) breathalyser in their vehicle.
  • Check that any single use breathalysers you’re buying or that you used for a previous trip are still in date.
  • We recommend carrying two single-use breathalysers so if one is used or damaged you’ll still have a replacement to produce.
  • The fine for not carrying a breathalyser has been postponed indefinitely (an on the spot fine of €11 was due to be implemented on 1 March 2013).

 

It's a good idea to have a reflective jacket (and maybe one for the pillion), I've never bothered with the breathalyser as they don't fine you. The helmet stickers never happened, the French don't really like authorities telling them what to do.

You really don't need anything else apart from a Crit' Air Environmental sticker if you are planning to ride in Paris (and a couple of other big cities now I think?)
https://uk.france.fr/en/paris/article/critair-anti-pollution-vehicle-sticker
I've bought one a couple of times when we used the Autotrain, but you could probably get away without one.

Don't stress! Riding in France is a joy...

 

Crit certificate, https://www.certificat-air.gouv.fr/en/, is like 4€ and lasts the life of the bike (which the sticker won’t) so for me, was a no brainer, saved any hassle. Did a track day south of Paris last year and watched a gendarme walk the car park at the hotel, he saw my crit certificate and walked on without a second glance. Not quite the same for 1 of the UK bikes. Andy

 

Spare bulb kits are a ferry company rip off myth. The law in France is exactly the same as in the UK, all lights should be working, no need to carry spare bulbs. We also have modern cars and bikes in France, very few 2CVs or Renault 4s these days, and every petrol station/supermarket sells bulbs, and not yellow ones either.
French law also stipulates that motorcycle gloves are mandatory on bikes.
Never carry a breathalyser kit nor a fluorescent jacket on my bike.

 

Spare lamps and a hi viz vest (that you can access without getting off your bike) is all you need.

 

Hi Alan, I've been living permanently in France and have never been asked to see my spare bulbs, hi-viz vest or breathalyzer.

However, document checks are quite common so I would strongly advise you to have originals of your insurance doc, reg. doc and MOT.

Cheers
Dave

 

[QUOTE="thebiglad, post: 1685521, member: 46140] ........ However, document checks are quite common so I would strongly advise you to have originals of your insurance doc, reg. doc and MOT.

Cheers
Dave[/QUOTE]
Insurance and MoT are now internet based, all I got from the MoT tester last week was a receipt for £28. Last year, I put a link to the DVLA MoT check page on my phone just in case. Andy

 

Insurance and MoT are now internet based, all I got from the MoT tester last week was a receipt for £28. Last year, I put a link to the DVLA MoT check page on my phone just in case. Andy[/QUOTE]
Yes I got that, but if you don't print out the MOT page and an attestation from your ins coy website you could be in for a world of pain and frustration.

 

Rubbish. Where do you get this fake news from?

 

You are unlikely to be asked for an MOT by the French cops as we don't have such a thing here for motorcycles.
I have only had a document check once in 16 years of living here.