RTW without indicators/turn signals?

[Cwac]

Hello good people!

I have just bought a 1998 XR600R for my travels, into which I planned to install a reg/rec and a small battery for a separate DC circuit which could run indicators and a 12v power supply to charge my phone or run my air compressor when needed... probably upgrading or re winding the stator for more wattage, but a technical person I spoke to about this job had an interesting take on it;

I bought the bike because it's an ultra simple and straightforward machine so keep it that way.

A good hand pump will work perfectly well, will probably be lighter and more reliable than the compressor and I won't be inflicting the combined noise of a 600cc thumper and an electric motor on the world every time I want to do something as simple as blow up my tyres.

Charging the phone only requires 5v and can be done with a solar panel, wind turbine or a bicycle dynamo or something.

And finally he said that he'd ridden motorbikes for donkeys years without indicators and my proposed electrical meddling was an awful lot of hassle to just have flashy orange lights when there were such cheap and practical workarounds for the other uses I had for DC power.

So, what do you lot think? In your opinions will indicators be essential through Europe, Asia, Aus & NZ?

Has anyone gone these distances without them?

[navalarchitect]

Essential is a strong word, but personally i think they are a necessity.

You may have a tough time with police in Australia without them I'm pretty sure you need them for legality here (my old 1983 XR350R needs then to pass the annual rego inspection). For simplicity you don't need a reg/rectifier for indicators - they can be wired up direct to the alternator like your lights.

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[Cwac]

Originally Posted by navalarchitect

Essential is a strong word, but personally i think they are a necessity.

You may have a tough time with police in Australia without them I'm pretty sure you need them for legality here (my old 1983 XR350R needs then to pass the annual rego inspection). For simplicity you don't need a reg/rectifier for indicators - they can be wired up direct to the alternator like your lights.

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I hadn't thought of that, would my bike need to comply with all ADR rules, for example would I also need a 'high beam' dash light somewhere, and a turn signal indicator dash light or buzzer to get it into the country? I really hope not!

Are there any other countries that will be strict with these things?

[navalarchitect]

Don't think you need to worry about all ADR rules for getting it into country (for example I've never heard of a foriegn bike being rejected because the headlight dips the wrong way, or the speedo reads the wrong units ) but I do think there are certain local expectations, and in Australia indicators are one of those (and a horn, but the lack of this is less obvious). Could the police book you as a foreign bike for no indicators, I don't know, but they are likely to stop you and cause hassle and I for one try and avoid that type of hassle.

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[Cwac]

Originally Posted by navalarchitect

Don't think you need to worry about all ADR rules for getting it into country (for example I've never heard of a foriegn bike being rejected because the headlight dips the wrong way, or the speedo reads the wrong units ) but I do think there are certain local expectations, and in Australia indicators are one of those (and a horn, but the lack of this is less obvious). Could the police book you as a foreign bike for no indicators, I don't know, but they are likely to stop you and cause hassle and I for one try and avoid that type of hassle.

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Fair point. I suppose it's hardly worth risking the potential headache when my original plan for the electrical system won't be that difficult!

Thanks!

[Warin]

You want a simple solution to travelling. One that does not attract unwanted attention.

First rule: be 100% legal in your country. Even when in another country.
Second rule: be at least close to legal in the country your are travelling in, by this I mean you 'look' legal.

Most places and road users around the world expect blinkers.
Most places around the world expect two revision mirrors.
So fit them.

-----------------------------------
Solar battery charging ... good for fixed installation or if you have NO other source of power. On the bike it is much easier, cheaper and more rugged to use the bike to charge stuff up. This also means you don't have to have multiple mains plugs to cope with the various fittings around the world. Just use the bike.

[mollydog]

Originally Posted by Cwac

So, what do you lot think? In your opinions will indicators be essential through Europe, Asia, Aus & NZ?

Has anyone gone these distances without them?

I think I would plan on having them. Sure, plenty countries you may not need them, but others will require them and "they" may hassle you or use it as an excuse to extract funds. Oz? forget it, they make you clean your bike with a fricken tooth brush before you get it in ...

I've done many Baja dirt rides on bikes that are 100% illegal in USA. No one batted an eye. But that's Baja and they survive from Off roading tourists like us and we get a "ticket to ride" there. Some of our bikes had no lights at all.

As long as your at it ... don't forget brake light (front-rear brake) HI- LOW(dip) beam on headlight and of course indicators. Wire them in correctly so they don't bone you once out on the road. IMO, Worth it to pay someone to do the whole system if you're not great at doing wiring.

Some guys are just SO GOOD AT THIS, perhaps leave it to them?
(In USA only ONE mirror is required in most states. But I ALWAYS run two)

Simple is good but lights/indicators are important in traffic. Must say though here in USA indicating for lane change is a bit of a lost art. But not so much Moto riders. Most use indicators with every move made.
(Save Harley chopper guys) Survival!

[Mezo]

Originally Posted by mollydog

Oz? forget it, they make you clean your bike with a fricken tooth brush before you get it in ... :

As does NZ, one spec of dirt (mud) and it will be rejected, they don't want seeds & mites/pests entering the country, plus it gives a bloke a job.

As for indicators, 100% fit them & a horn.

Mezo.

[Tony LEE]

Don't forget your Carnet - Australia requires one and assume it is needed for bikes as well as cars.

Been recent reports (on HUBB I think) of travellers having some problems getting the mandatory liability insurance in a couple of states and they mentioned fairly strict safety inspections (ie lights, horn, mirrors, brakes) before it could be issued. Maybe they asked the wrong people for the wrong insurance but they obviously had significant hassles.

[g6snl]

Indicators? Oh yes never, never, ever leave home with out them. Sadly I don't always make it back with a full set

[chasbmw]

I would think that the biggest risk on your trip is not mechanical breakdown, but an accident involving another vehicle, having indicators might be useful in preventing that and riding a vehicle that meets requirements for indicators might reduce legal problems post accident.

[Xander]

Originally Posted by navalarchitect

Don't think you need to worry about all ADR rules for getting it into country (for example I've never heard of a foriegn bike being rejected because the headlight dips the wrong way, or the speedo reads the wrong units ) but I do think there are certain local expectations, and in Australia indicators are one of those (and a horn, but the lack of this is less obvious). Could the police book you as a foreign bike for no indicators, I don't know, but they are likely to stop you and cause hassle and I for one try and avoid that type of hassle.

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You wont need the all the bit and bobs to get passed customs (iCustoms dont care if you are ADR compliant or not ... not their job)

... but you wont get pass the first cop car UNLESS you have a special plate for show bike/classic.. ect.... they wont buy it as a foreign rego'd plate, you are not leagal.. you will get pulled a lot and possibly "yellow ticketed" which means the bike does not meet minimum safety standards... This means the bike is off the road till fixed and inspected (if you get caught ride a yellow ticketed bike this = jail time/or big fine . Also if you have an collision or other incident and the bike is not 100% it is your fault..

[Warin]

Essentials;

Asia - a horn, preferably loud, must work and work for hours each day of riding. honk honk.

Europe, Australia and NZ - horn, indicators, brake light, headlight, speedometer, exhaust silencer, 2 rear vision mirrors. You can get away with some damage to these if recently done, but get it fixed before the same cop sees it again.

There are no exceptions to the asian horn thing ... unless you want to be totally ignored and driven off the road, not that it does not happen with the horn too. There may be exceptions to the Europe, Australian and NZ things .. but you would need to be a local to know the case and argue it. Best to 'fit in' rather than stand out and be delayed frequently.