HiD bulbs on Motorcycles

[Spinal]

So a few months ago I emailed the Department for Transport regarding the legality of aftermarket HiD bulbs/kits for motorcycles (this was just after the nth "but-my-car-with-HID-kit-passed-its-mot" thread on here).

Today, (after giving up hope really) I got a reply! (All names/email addresses, etc replaced by xxxxxxxx)

Dear xxxxxxxx
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Firstly, I am sorry about the delay in replying to you.
*
The Department cannot give an authoritative interpretation of the law; that is a matter for the courts.
*
In Great Britain the lamps on motorcycles do not have to go through the same approval process as passenger cars.
However, motorcycle lamps are still subject to the requirements that the do not dazzle other road users and are maintained in good working order.
Motorcycles have similar problems to cars achieving this because they can not obtain the correct beam pattern.
*
I hope that this is of use to you.
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Yours sincerely
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xxxxxxxx
DfT - Transport Technology and Standards

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Good morning,
I read quite avidly your article regarding aftermarket HID kits found on your website ([ http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/drs/hidheadlamps ]http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/drs/hidheadlamps) and am pleased that you have made a statement regarding car kits (the quantity of which I get dazzled by on a daily basis is increasing exponentially).

That said, as a motorbike rider, I'm still a bit puzzled as where a motorbike with an aforementioned £30 HID bulb/ballast kit would stand. Are any modifications other than the lens (to match the beam pattern) necessary to a motorbike when fitting such a kit?

So my interpreation is "We don't know. Try and see what happens...". Or can someone read more into this than I can?

Michele

 

[crockers]

A Question

Isn't a motorbike more liable to rise up under heavy acceleration..causing the light to be too high? Wouldn't this with a HID be a danger to blinding other road users?

Just a thought..

 

[Ted]

A Question

Isn't a motorbike more liable to rise up under heavy acceleration..causing the light to be too high? Wouldn't this with a HID be a danger to blinding other road users?

Just a thought..

Naah

 

[gaz_l]

However, motorcycle lamps are still subject to the requirements that the do not dazzle other road users

I wish someone would tell that to some of the bikers round here. I'm fed up with having my retinas burnt by motorcycles with HID lamps on full beam. I know car drivers are ignorant and bikes need to be seen.. but riding during the hours of daylight with full beam on does not automatically grant you the right to overtake a line of traffic on my side of the road.

And before any of you two-wheeled hooligans remonstrate - I do have one of the fiendish contraptions myself.. although its vintage and performance is more likely to upset the people queueing behind me than any oncoming traffic .

Cheers,

Gaz

 

[timskemp]

Ach it's irrelevant anyway as the inconsiderate noisy suicidal anti social leather clad drug taking hell-bound power ranger impersonators all ride around with main beam blazing anyhow.

 

[Trophy1200]

Come on timskemp, what are you really trying to say?