Hi all!

Hi everyone - just thought I'd say hello as I've been registered on here for a few days and been "lurking" to get an idea of what the site's about. I've had my 97 red and white Cat nearly 3 years and 28,000 miles now, she's never let me down and I still get an incredible buzz out of riding her. Only problem (a big one for me) is that ***'n useless headlight. I commute 60 miles to work and the first/last bit is down unlit country lanes, and when it's dark and raining it's plain dangerous! Been thinking about a HID mod but I've heard that they're illegal. Is that true?

Keep looking at other bikes but something (the miser in me) says keep her as long as possible. The guy who does the important stuff on her says 100,000 miles should be easy if you keep good oil in the motor and change it regularly. Any high-milers on here?

And another thing Why does the media think the Cat ugly? A lot of the press at the time derided the bike for it's "odd" appearance - on reflection there's not much difference between it and an R7, which is supposed to be a piece of art. Or am I just blind because I got one? Dunno.

As my name suggests I'm on the Wirral, if there's local people/rideouts going on I'd be interested in getting involved.

Cheers,

Wirralcat

Welcome. I believe that a hid upgrade is perfectly legal someone correct me if i am wrong.

Helloooooo

Welcome to the nut house - i'm sure someone will come along and answer your questions soon - unfortunately i'm unable to as my only real purposes around here are to look pretty, play the fool and bring up the rear (ooer)

Suzie x

Hi,

Welcome, good choice of bike

Aah, you noticed the headlight (or lack of :( ). I don't know if the HID is illegal, one member has fitted it with pretty impressive results, Link to the post here. I'd consider what is standard to be more illegal! I use a Xenon lamp which I find better than standard, but nothing really is going to fully sort it out as the problem is with the reflector.

You can expect high mileage if looked after correctly, one owner on here has over 200,000 miles.

The media seem to have a stereotypical idea of what a bike needs to be in a certain category. I have seen a few what I'd consider 'right ugly' from the era. The media also seem to have short memories, in '96 the styling was quite revolutionary, also the and Thunderace broke new ground in brake technology.
My biking requirement is for a mid range sports tourer, used to be a few to chose from in the past but not anymore. The closest I have found is the ‘Cat, others may find the bike a good alternate to a R6. Just shows how versatile the bike is. Shame on the journo’s for helping kill a fantastic concept.

-Steve

DOT LINKjust found this which i'll put on the headlight section as well - don't know if it answers your question - i got bored after the first paragraph!! Its link to Dept of Transport page on Aftermarket HID headlamps

SO ... ... ... ... Having read that (yes I'm bored) .. .. ..

No its not legal for after market. Unless it's type approved, then it is. You can't get type approval for aftermarket only new vehicles. In which case it isn't and is legal. You can get type approval if you have the headlamp tested at a laboratory so then it is legal. But in any case no government inspection will be made to see if it is type approved.

SO . . . . . . . Who cares if it is or isn't legal in practical terms !!! Confused ??? Well it is a DOT government department explanation.

Clear as MUD

Welcome to this forum

But in judicial subjects i am the wrong man because i think our law might be different

Cheers and thanks all for a warm welcome! I'm not a lawyer, but I have an ex who is, and she reckons:

In summary it is not permitted to convert an existing halogen headlamp unit for use with HID bulbs. The entire headlamp unit must be replaced with one designed and approved for use with HID bulbs and it must be installed in accordance with the rules stated above.

is a fairly clear statement by the DOT of their position. Whether or not that position is the law is another thing altogether.

I saw somewhere there's a guy in Japan who does relay kits so your existing bub get the full volts it should do, will have a search around and maybe give that a try first?

Cheers,

Wirralcat

Off to work now - in the dark

Well if it works let me know so i can take the miners lamp off my lid