Xenon headlights on bikes

[Jlo31]

Hi All,

Was at the NEC bike show today and saw that one of the top of the range touring BMW's had a Xenon headlight as standard, and of course did NOT have headlight washers.
I am wondering that if bike manufactures are starting to fit Xenon headlight as standard or option fit with out headlight washers then it would not be illegal to fit after market Xenons (Of course should check that they are alligned correctly) There must be different legislation for Xenons fitted on bikes compared to fitted on cars.

I know when fitted to cars they are supposed to be self levelling and fitted with wash system.

Cheers

Jlo

[Kickstart]

Hi

Do you mean HID Xenon headlights, or just Xenon filled normal bulbs.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[yandy_yay]

Well the self leveling i knew about but the wash system is a new one to me... think you may have been given a red herring with the wash thing, it might just be that as hid headlights started to be fitted on the higher spec cars that headlight wash just happened to be on the upgrade list too.

Andy
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past bikes: (20 years ago) cg-125 (wriiten off), C-50 (thrashed n' finnaly scrapped), CZ-125 (nicked - never recovered, insurance payout was more than i paid for it !!!)
Current bikes: GN 125(now sold), Divvy 600s.

[Kickstart]

[Jlo31]

On cars fitted with Xenon (HID) from new should be self levelling and have washers. The reason for this is to keep the lense as clean as possible thus reducing glare.

On the bike I saw today BMW KT1200GT the Xenon (not a Xenon bult but proper HID headlight) did not have washers on them (Would be impracticle on a bike) so I guess this is not required on bikes.

My point being is this should mean that there is no problem fitting aftermarket HID kits on bikes (As long as they comply with MOT standards)

Cheers

Jlo

[yandy_yay]

I stand corrected

Maybe i should use google before posting

Andy
____________________
past bikes: (20 years ago) cg-125 (wriiten off), C-50 (thrashed n' finnaly scrapped), CZ-125 (nicked - never recovered, insurance payout was more than i paid for it !!!)
Current bikes: GN 125(now sold), Divvy 600s.

[The Tot]

I would have been able to tell you but unfortunately, i swapped my HIDS back for normal headlights for my MOT last week.. They're (THE HIDS) back on. As long as the beam pattern complies to MOT regulations, my tester didn't mind them... but i didn't want to chance it. As far as i know, i've not glared any oncoming motorists with my beam so its stands safe to reason that if your reflector can deal with the beam and project it in a manner seen fit, then it should be fine. Even with normal bulbs, if your headligth bounces with the suspension, you'll still unsettle road users.
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The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
Never argue with autism

[inchi55]

Don`t know about anyone else but I say you need as much light on a bike as you can get when its dark there are enough hazzards on the road in daylight. I have HID bulbs in my RF and it does help in the dark, and makes you more noticable during the day.

[Azonicben]

Got my Cbr through its Mot with the Hids in, although the tester said it was a grey area, he was willing to let it pass. New regs permitting, it may not pass next time. He had no problem with the Lights, Fittings or Adjustment, merely that the rules state light should be white and they had a hint of blue to them. Personally i think its one of those daft rules to follow to the letter, as i`m sure my Hids are a lot closer to White than the original "Orange" light of the old bulbs.
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Cbt-23/09/07.....Theory-16/09/08.....Das passed 10/10/08.....
Current bike- GsxR750 K4. Broken: Cbr400rr (Nc29) Sold: Hyosung GT125R

[Kickstart]

Hi

Quick look on the BMW site and it mentions the option of Xenon headlights for the K1200GT. It doesn't mentioned HID lights.

Also possible that if there was an option for HID it would not be for the European market.

There appears to be nothing in the MOT rules that would exclude HID bulbs as long as they do not dazzle, but passing an MOT does not mean something is legal.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Finglonga]

[Jlo31]

[iooi]

[Kickstart]