spare bulb kit for travelling abroad

[Boomer]

These days only cars with HID headlights have sealed unit headlamps, and not all of those either.
Incandescent headlamps used sealed units in the 70's but these were dropped as WAY too expensive.

Spare bulbs, 1st aid kit, and hi-vis are sensible things to take along.
They take very little room on the bike.

[mecki]

Well, Boomer, I am more concerned about running out of petrol in the middle of nowhere than blowing a bulb so I always take a full 5l petrol cannister with me. That gives me an extra 50 Miles travel radius. I travel without a pillion so one pannier is reserved for tools, spare clear visor, spare gloves and boots, battery charger and what else may come handy. I'll add the bulbs and even a first aid kit from now on to avoid trouble as well.
And if I really need more space I can always strap a sports bag on the pillion seat. I found that actually improves the wind flow since there is no big gap between my back and the topcase anymore. My 1250 Bandit would go nearly 20km/h faster on the Autobahn and used less gas loaded up that way too.
With the extra 5l petrol I can also make it through Holland all the way to Luxemburg without having to buy their over-priced fuel (€1.70/l in May while in South Belgium and Luxemburg it was only €1.33) and on the way back it is similar since the petrol prices in France are nearly as high as in Holland. Well, and if I am riding on a Sunday in rural France I can always make it to the next town with an open pump without having to worry.

[fatharry]

Well, Boomer, I am more concerned about running out of petrol in the middle of nowhere than blowing a bulb so I always take a full 5l petrol cannister with me. That gives me an extra 50 Miles travel radius. I travel without a pillion so one pannier is reserved for tools, spare clear visor, spare gloves and boots, battery charger and what else may come handy. I'll add the bulbs and even a first aid kit from now on to avoid trouble as well.
And if I really need more space I can always strap a sports bag on the pillion seat. I found that actually improves the wind flow since there is no big gap between my back and the topcase anymore. My 1250 Bandit would go nearly 20km/h faster on the Autobahn and used less gas loaded up that way too.
With the extra 5l petrol I can also make it through Holland all the way to Luxemburg without having to buy their over-priced fuel (€1.70/l in May while in South Belgium and Luxemburg it was only €1.33) and on the way back it is similar since the petrol prices in France are nearly as high as in Holland. Well, and if I am riding on a Sunday in rural France I can always make it to the next town with an open pump without having to worry.

sounds like you have it all planned ...... even when the shops are closed, a fairly good selection stations have pay at pump machines...you should always be able get something (carry either a prepaid credit card or just a normal one)...the only difference when in places like southern france is when i start to look for a refill......i'll normally start to look for petrol at 150m under normal circumstances, but in particularly rural areas i'll change that to 100m......rule of thumb, fill up where you can ;D

[Kwikasfuki]

Jeez, France sounds like what the UK was on a Sunday in the 70s.

[mecki]

Well, OTOH that way most people don't have to work on Sundays and can spend time with their family.
BTW it's the same in Germany - forget shopping on Sundays!
And as far as the locals are concerned, they are used to it and enjoy the day off.
It's all in the eye of the beholder.
;D

[Kwikasfuki]

True. I'm just used to living in the "now" society. Instant news, access to products etc.

[fatharry]

Well, OTOH that way most people don't have to work on Sundays and can spend time with their family.
BTW it's the same in Germany - forget shopping on Sundays!
And as far as the locals are concerned, they are used to it and enjoy the day off.
It's all in the eye of the beholder.
;D

I used to love sundays in Germany...it was the one day of the week i knew i always had time to catch up with my mates....technically its still illegal to wash your car in Germany on a sunday..... ;D

[ChrisB]

France is a great place for bikes. I can't recommend it enough. The RAC website says that spare bulbs are compulsory, no hi viz jackets or triangles required (yet). Beam deflectors are recommended if only to show wiliing to the local police. Just go!

[Ubertours]

Germany. Although Lidl/Aldi and the like do indeed stay closed on Sundays, petrol stations are open as usual.I'm here six months of the year and have never had a problem getting fuel. Can't wash the car or cut the grass though.

[Hans]

Hans....I suspect it is different rules for the Danes ......

Handy link fo those who are interested
http://www.suzuki-gb.co.uk/uploads/suzuki_pre_tour_euro_rules.pdf

Says lamps are recommended for France but not compulsory, but seeing as daytime running lights are compulsory....the police take a dim view if one has failed...despite the fact that the other is working. Personally if you want to take a chance on a petrol station being open......then crack on my friend, I think you've been to a different part of France to me.....rural France, mostly everything closes 12-2 everyday, all day sunday.....petrol stations are just pumps unless you are in Large city, no shop...no bike spares, no coffee...just petrol. First aid kit is now compulsory in most European countries .... So if I were you I'd always carry one

Touring is in part about being prepared.... First aid kit, hi viz and bulbs take up very little space...despite the nay sayers, these should be carried, especially if you're roaming through more than one country....like from denmark to France, where you would have to pass through Germany, where first aid kits and bulbs are a legal requirement ..... And hi viz must be worn at the side of a road in France (accident or breakdown).... So just take em....or not.....but you take your chances and could be handed an on the spot fine ;D

No! No special rules for danes... This list is up-to-date:
http://www.sikkerhedsvest.dk/

There are 3. countries marked for rules apply for bikers as well... those are
Belgium, Slovakia and Montenegro.

I wonder why that information given to the British is different from the Nordic countries. Since I only live 1 hour from germany and drive about the country frequently, I can also confirm that it is NOT a legal obligation to carry out such effects for bikers. Only trucks and cars!

One is the statutory requirement and something else is reasonable. Whether people choose to bring unnecessary things is completely up to them.