Spare Bulb?

I hear lots of guys saying they carry a spare headlight bulb with them on trips. I was wondering how many had actually replaced their headlight bulb alongside the freeway, 1000 miles from home, in total darkness, during a horrendous rainstorm. Having just replaced the fairing frame on my RT, it came to me that changing a bulb is a complicated task even with the fairing removed. It is my position one should just have good road service on their bike.

I've replaced the bulb on my S in the cold & dark. Although it's an entirely different bike (much less involved I imagine). I also always carry my Surefire Flashlight in my tankbag, and had to pull it out once when my headlight went out on the highway at night. I cliped it to my helmet visor and hoped for the best until I reached the next exit (only about 2 miles). I carry as much as possible including spare bulbs even when commuting to and from work.

I try to prepare for the worst without carrying the kitchen sink.

YMMV

Normally, you would only lose one beam or bulb in two bulb set ups. Some people also have auxiliary lights. That would enable you to limp to civilization and wait for day light.

I did at one point but now I don't.

I was coming home from Coeur d'Alene ID one afternoon and as I got to the town of Ritzville, WA I noticed I had a hard time seeing the road signs. I got gas tried wiggling the wires, flashing the hi beam, etc. I finally decided to get back on the freeway and get behind a car or truck and follow them to the next major town of Moses Lake and made it in just before 9 PM. The truck stop didn't have a bulb for my bike and I found a auto parts store the other side of town. I made it minutes before closing and using the streetlight changed out the bulb and it still didn't work. I got a room and the next morning drove home.

It ended up being my switch!

I now have a pair of PIAA aux lights so if it every happens again I can still ride and I had that chance last fall. No more messing around on the side of the road at ungodly hours trying to figure out the stupid headlight problems.

Get a pair of aux lights and don't worry about anything.

The headlight in my R1100RT is pretty easy to change; just turn the h'bar to lock and reach into the abyss. It helps to have a decent flashlight, too.....

Headlight burned out North of Britton, 'S.D. looking for the Continental Divide bonus during the Minnesota 1000 in 2006. Auxillary lights brought me into town, grabbed the bulb from underneath the rear of the gas tank (had been there two years) for the job. Had it changed in about the same amount of time that a RT rider watching me took to eat a gas station burrito. Finally found the bonus monument, kept on riding by it as it did not look like what I thought a monument would.

I have a question.

If you have a vehicle with only one head light why would you not carry an extra headlight bulb?

Wayne Koppa
850R

WayneKoppa said:

I have a question.

If you have a vehicle with only one head light why would you not carry an extra headlight bulb?

Wayne Koppa
850R

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My Roadster has a lone H4 bulb, so I do carry a spare with me. It seems like common sense to do that. I have it wrapped in bubble wrap and duct tape in my tank bag. The one time that the low beam went out on me, I was at a gas station about 1.5 miles from home. I also have Motolights and Hella Optilux driving lights.