I know twin headlight bikes these days have only 1 light for dipped beam and the other for High, something to do with legislation I believe. However, is there any Construction and use regulation, or more practical reason, dictating which way around the lights go? I'm thinking the dipped beam should go on the Right hand side looking forward here in the UK to better define how close a vehicle travelling in the opposite direction should pass to the bike. Nasher.
Good question Simon, unless there is a regulations boffin on here then it's one for the DVSA. Found this but not sure it's up to date :- The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 25 a) is relevant and would appear to say it's ok plus I have a Cagiva Elefant with twin-dipping headlamps (not standard) but it passes it's MOT every year.
I can only comment on 1098/1198/848, as I've got a 1098 I guess Pani's have a similar set up. I wonder how Ducati got the light set passed for sale in the UK if it did not meet the regulations? Don't think that would happen I agree its odd that the dip is on the right but majority (and home market) drive on the right. The light module is the same for all countries as far as I'm aware and is a symmetrical dip. Points the beam downward but doesn't throw the dip off to one side, like the type I was used to up until coming across this type You can modify the module to run different lamps and run with bot bulbs on dip but its pretty radical surgery and way more hassle than I'd be prepared to go through On another note the MOT isn't a catch all for things illegal, a few things on mine are dubious but she sails through every time (well so far)
I remember the 1st time I saw a 916 and thought it looked wrong running with only one headlight. Now it's just the norm on all twin light bikes.
This may be wide of the mark, but I heard that due to some euro twat thinking that a motorcycle with twin headlights could be confused with a car, that the euro regs stipulate that only one headlight unit can be active at one time. This may or may not have been changed at some point.
That's the final straw, we should get out of this EU befo..........................Oh, errrrr, hang on a minute........:Bag:
Thanks Guys. I specifically want to run a pair of 999 projectors side by side instead of one above the other. I've worked out how to get them close enough to each other for my needs, which isn't easy, and with a bit of machining can also retain all the factory adjustment mechanisms. I'll post a 'how to' when it's done, if it goes to plan. But of course I'll have one for dip and one for high, a modern take on the pair of Halfords spots I had on various Zed streetfighters back in the day. I always used to run these with the dip on the right as you look forward, but don't really know why. Nasher
I agree with the sentiment. However as a result of brexit we have to harmonize EU law with GB law, which probably means we're going to end up with a load of crap to contend with :rage:
I know you could change the 9*6 so that both stayed on. But IIRC that burned things out pretty quick.
Why? A projector that does dip and main is only £15 a throw these days and they are very reliable, I have fitted loads of them to various cars and bikes. You could have two next to each other or just one if you want.
Chris it did not cross my mind that the comment might cause even mild offense. It was certainly not my intention John
I don't think so. Look at a 916 and then a 1098, they have the dip on the opposite side to each other...
On my S1000R the dipped light stays on when the main beam is activated. I was pleasantly surprised when I found this as I was expecting the dipped light to go out.
Sorry John, the written word is never as clear as the spoken, my MOT man is generous on many items but due to pressure from above they have become less tolerant on lighting now but as you said, it doesn't mean that it's gospel and hope it didn't sound that way.
Thanks again guys. I’m not worried at all about only having one light on at a time, I’ll have a separate daytime ‘sidelight’, and the bike won’t be used much at night. I was worried about doing the work I’m going to do then finding I should have the lights the other way around. Especially as the lights have ended up as a freebie. Actually going with just one light on at a time is preferred in my case to save power with the limited ability to top it up on an older bike. Nasher.
This is from the current UK MOT Test Checklist: Twin headlamp systems On twin headlamp systems only one or both headlamps may need to be illuminated for either dipped or main beam. Each headlamp that can be illuminated on dipped beam must meet the requirement for dipped beam headlamps. Twin headlamps must be mounted either one above the other or symmetrically without regard to any sidecar and not more than 200mm apart measured from the edge of the reflecting surface. The tester should advise if both headlights should illuminate for either function and only one does so. Reason for Rejection: b. operation of the dip switch does not (i) extinguish all main beam headlamps and leave on at least one dipped beam headlamp, or (ii) deflect the main beam/s to make them dipped beam/s. Seems pretty clear to me - Also my Tester's view is below which seems in accord with the Test Requirements. You can have both on Main Beam or Dipped Beam, as long as they change together; or you can have one for Dip and one for Main, but both can be on Dip when one Main is on.
