I have a hi vest in its packet in the tank bag, just to wear if stuck on the side of the road awaiting break down coming
I have been stopped by the police a few times in France, more times than in the U.K. Once for speeding, once for a tyre check and once for a document check. Unlike the U.K. they didn’t look around the bike trying to find something else that was wrong. They had a specific task to do and they stuck to it. Each time the bike I was riding had a “Not for road use” marked exhaust. Document checks in France are not uncommon. The police are looking for unregistered and uninsured bikes and people without driving licences. They will check that your insurance certificate matches the registration of the bike and that the V5 is for the same bike and in the same name and that it is also the same name on your driver’s licence. I would suggest having a printed copy of your insurance certificate, it makes things easier. There is no specific need for an MOT certificate because they don’t have an equivalent of it for bikes. As for spare bulbs, a hi-viz vest and breathalyser, you don’t need them.
Only time I've been stopped by the police in France I was given a breathalyser test... And I mean given as in "here's a test kit'. We tried them out in the camp site that night after a few beers This was back in 2010, the law that required you to to carry such a kit was about to be introduced I believe, it was an education thing. They didn't want anything else though they did pull over some French bikers as we were putting our helmets back on and seemed to be giving them more of a hard time.
If anyone's worried about bulbs then just pack any old Car/Bike bulbs in a container. Do you really think any Cop at the roadside is going to know if they are the correct ones for your bike anyway?
How many people cannot read. No cop is going to ask for spare bulbs because they are not a requirement in France.
However wearing gloves in France is now mandatory, and the reflective requirement on a helmet is only for those sold in France. Agree with not carrying a breathalyser, the fine is set at 0 € ! You should also have a country of registration showing to the rear, either a GB sticker or in the registration plate, although I’ve never heard of someone being pulled for that. The hi-vis should be accessible before you ‘leave the vehicle’, ie you should be able to reach and put it on before you get off, so tank bag is a good place, it’s also why a lot of cars now have a drawer under the front seat. I do carry bulbs in the car, but quite frankly changing headlight bulbs on mine requires removal of so many bits as to be impractical! And on the bike I never have, but can only find their requirement as a recommendation. Finally, take your documents, they are compulsory, and get checked by both police and any breakdown vehicle staff.
I've been stopped by French police many times ( car and bike ) and always found them to be very reasonable . Two ways to go IMO ... (a) start the conversation with Bonjour , even if it's the only French word you know (b) start with an attitude .... eg. " you'll never take me alive copper " With option (a) they will explain what they are not happy with , and tell you to sort it at the first opportunity .... the other option can result in serious harm to your wallet . I never had any fines or follow-ups . One country I worked in required you to have this lot in your vehicle :- Spare bulbs First-Aid kit Fire extinguisher Two warning triangles Hi-Vis vests .... for every occupant of the vehicle Fire extinguisher Ha !
Reading and understanding are two different things Bob! I was merely making a helpful suggestion for Peeps who do 'worry' about such things, with or without justification in any country they may be touring in!
Why would you travel without simple spares? Hi viz and spare bulbs is simple. If you can't fit them in your kit, you have packed wrong.
If you are riding long distances in summer leathers, you obviously need to carry a light weight waterproof jacket of some sort in case of rain. That jacket has to be some colour, so it might as well be fluorescent yellow as anything else. Two birds with one stone. If you have a modern bike with all LED lights, carrying spare bulbs is not practicable or feasible. For an older bike with filament bulbs, packing one headlamp + one taillamp bulb in the toolkit is not hard, or expensive. Why wouldn't you, regardless whether it's a legal requirement or not?
Guys even on the base model dvt multi's (1200 or 1260) how the hell would you change a bulb on the side of a French auto route ?? Most awkward to get to. Looks like headlight cowling needs taken off? Anyone tried changing them? I want to upgrade my yellow H11 bulbs to xenon look.
How would you do it on the side of the M4? Why would your bulb blow on an autoroute? Be aware that the whiter xenon look bulbs don't last anywhere near as long as normal halogen bulbs so you might have to change them more often.
I have a Held water-prooof over jacket that's bright orange, visible from miles away. Usually what I have when on tour. Wonder if that would do double duty. Have assumed that it would on recent tours but have never been challenged on that yet. Does Hi-Vis essentially need to literally a be Gilet Jaunes? They do a yellow version but I didn't think of this aspect when making the purchase. A very good breathable water-proof over suit in combination with the somewhat more sombre trousers.
I have never been challenged either, I don't carry one and I live here. French plods have better things to do.
Yep used a xenon upgrade on all my bikes over the last ten years. Only my xt660r one blew a xenon style H4 but that was off road bounciness and fork squashing fun.. ♂️ wheres the M4 BTW I'm northern.....
Fingers crossed but my 2012 MTS has only ever blown a number plate bulb. Bob T would be the go to expert, but over many years riding all over France I have never ever been asked about any of my equipment, except for what a lovely bike and how fast does it go, and if your selling I would love to buy it. And I never wear dayglo either.
Snap, Thousands of miles all over continental Europe. Polite to cops and enjoy the trip..... bulbs, hi viz , breathalysers, triangles etc etc. Got the lot, always left them at home.
